By John Sturm
Guildford’s Traffic Experiment is the living and breathing embodiment of the independent rock/prog rock scene in the UK. The brainchild of astrophysicist (!!) vocalist and guitarist Stuart Chalmers, drummer Tom Vincent and bassist Simon James White, the band were formed in 2006 and initially released Blue Suburbia in 2010. This year’s re-release is complemented by a live DVD offering.... but more of that later.
Only 4 out of 11 songs on this album are under 6 minutes. I think that’s perhaps where the prog tag comes from. But fear not delicate listeners there’s no 32 minute mellotron solos here. At the heart of every Traffic Experiment song is just that – a song. Album opening ‘Heavy Braking’ features delightfully funky guitar line that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Jamiroquai album (and that’s a compliment!).
Listening to this album it struck me that Chalmers’ background in astrophysics has clearly had some sort of effect on his musical outlook. There is a sense of space (as in a void not the stars and planets kind) to the music. Instruments are allowed to breathe and flow, to envelop and cosset. This is used to stunning effect in ‘Ghosts And Shadows’. Cymbal rolls sell and heave in the distant background, guitars and piano intertwine with laughter and Chalmers’ Knopfler-esque vocals (but with more power and melody).
Interestingly on the band’s Facebook page they say that Blue Suburbia features “no radio-friendly singles”. In terms of length, perhaps, but the quality of these songs is so good I could well imagine that an radio edit of ‘Enlightenment’ or ‘The Weight of The World’ would go down a storm on Radio 2 (again, a compliment!). My stand out track on the album is its closer ‘The Crimson Sky AT 5am’. There is an initial wistfulness to this song that evokes those hours before dawn, before the world kicks into gear that makes me nostalgic for the years of my youth when I would stay up just to watch this moment. Some stunning harmonies and a rhythm change herald the arrival of the sun and then we’re back into a mellowness that is both soothing and motivating. Put it this way: this song is the soundtrack to your morning, from getting out of bed to putting the kettle on to leaving for work. It’s simply a stunning way to finish the album.
I mentioned a DVD release earlier on in this review. On 21st December 2012 (the day that the world was supposed to end – ha!), the band headed to Steve Winwood’s studio with a full 8-piece band to record and film a live session of tracks from Blue Suburbia. The resulting film, Traffic Experiment - [Live at the End of the World], has been released on Blu-ray and DVD, along with a re-release of Blue Suburbia. I highly urge you to buy both the album and DVD. Not just because they are chock full of fantastic music but also because you will be supporting a truly independent band. Show a little love for a worth band. Get the package here. It’s £12. £12!!!!!!!!!!!! A 3 disc set for £12. You’d be a fool to pass that up.
And we both know that you’re no fool.....
