CD REVIEW: TRIXTER – Human Era

Label: Frontiers Music

Release Date: June 9, 2015

Rating: 8.5/10

Reviewed by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur

Trixter is at it again, but this is a much more mature band than hit the airwaves back in 1990 and this disc continues the flow and mark made with 2012’s New Audio Machine.  “Rockin’ to the Edge of the Night” kicks the disc off and if this is any indication, this is going to be a riff-fueled ride full of rockin’ songs that will keep the party going all night long.  Steve Brown’s riffs fill the sound of the track without drowning anything else out.  “Crash that Party” is next and keeps the positive vibe and fun groove of the previous track solidly in place.  Peter Loran’s vocals are as strong as ever on this song and mixes well with the rest of the musical accompaniment.  “For You” has a cool tempo that lends itself to a cool party vibe, thanks in part to a killer rhythm section: great drumming from Mark “Gus” Scott and pounding bass lines from P.J. Farley.  The discs token ballad comes in the form of “Beats Me Up.”  While the playing is really good and suits the vocals and lyrics, this track slows the feel good vibe of the disc down and seems a bit out of place.  “Midnight in Your Eyes” starts off with a cool energy that seems to morph slightly, but grow from the opening of the verse until the last riff is played.  The chorus is hearty and seems built for an arena full of fans.  “Soul of a Lovin’ Man” is a guitar filled jam that should fall along side the bigger hits in the bands history, with funk-filled bass lines from Farley.

“Not Like All the Rest” comes charging out of the gate with big riffs, courtesy of Brown and bigger vocals from Loran.  The fun attitude of this song gets the foot tapping and this one should create a killer atmosphere when played live.  “Every Second Counts” has a heavier bottom end from Farley and lofty vocals from Loran that mix well with the guitars and drums, especially at the chorus and bridge.  “Good Times Now” is a slower rocker, but do not mistake this one for a ballad.  The vocals seem to chug along with the guitars and the rhythm section anchors the track with a solid backbeat.  The anthemic chorus is a cool lead into Brown’s solo at the bridge.  “All Night Long” comes charging out of the gate and this rocker has a full sound that builds on all of the other songs on the disc, but the strong vocals are reminiscent of older tracks in their catalog.  Title track “Human Era” is a cool earthy rocker that is built around a mature set of lyrics.  The vocals are perfectly and emotionally delivered by Loran while the bass and drums keep time.  The guitar work underneath shifts from mellow to dramatic and back again  without killing the mood of the track.  This collection is very representative of a grown-up Trixter and how they are building from disc to disc on their sound.

Tracklisting: Rockin’ to the Edge of the Night – Crash that Party – Not Like All the Rest – For You – Every Second Counts – Beats Me Up – Good Times Now – Midnight in Your Eyes – All Night Long – Soul of a Lovin’ Man – Human Era

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Category: CD Reviews