Trixter
New Audio Machine

Gritty, simple, melodic just right, and sparkling!

Here are the adjectives to describe this triumphant return of the Trixter, in the catastrophic 2012, namely "New Audio Machine." The former four boys from New Jersey had started to make their way, debuting in the distant 1990 with their self-titled melodic hard rock album. Yet, I never tolerated their debut: too saccharine and commercial, songs like Shania Twain, ultimately a disaster for my heart made of passion and hard rock. Things went better with the masterpiece "Hear!" (1992), which, however, no one paid attention to, and thus they sank in the full grunge era like all good blood-driven music groups (except for delivering us a covers album in 1994, "Undercover," right before their definitive never-declared goodbye).

A career certainly not as long as AC/DC or Black Sabbath, but the four "Jerseyians" certainly shot a few good hits, made up of the grating and sharp voice of singer Pete Loran, the much-underestimated guitarist Steve Brown, and the excellent remaining rhythm section, namely PJ Farley on bass and the very entertaining drummer Mark "Gus" Scott.

As mentioned at the beginning, a breath of fresh air was really needed, especially since this really seems to me one of the most successful melodic hard rock albums of this year: an example is "Drag Me Down," a genuine gem from this album, starting with an almost country beginning which then turns into a real punch in the teeth, or the irresistible riff of "Ride," equipped with truly effective choruses, making these two songs definite contenders as the best of the album. No less is "Tattoos & Misery," released as a single and very sunny; nor does "Machine" joke around, a very compelling song that grows in an ever-increasing crescendo! I can’t explain it to you, but this is the sensation given, captivating!

The same can be said for the rhythmic "Get On It" (featuring a formidable refrain and great guitar work) and "Dirty Love," closer to the territories of their peers Danger Danger. The two ballads are also very good, the sensual "Live For The Day" and the more modern Nickelback-like "The Coolest Thing."
More mundane but with fair intensity are "Save Your Soul" and the punky "Walk With A Stranger," while I just couldn't stand "Physical Attraction," a truly filler and too predictable song.

If the flaws are just 1-2 songs, the problem really does not arise: the album captivates from the first listen, and it's really hard not to sing along.

Let's also hope this inflation of reunions ends, even though reunions of this kind and with such albums are welcome, because only Sandy Marton is missing, and seeing a "People From Ibiza 2" is something I expect at this point!

Next action to accomplish, break a guitar and throw it in the air (if it's still intact!) or listen to Trixter and sing at the top of your lungs in the shower!