TRENDY – THE NEW ALBUM FROM THE TOMATOES

 

Trendy, the follow-up to 2005’s The Rise And Fall Of The Tomatoes, is a gritty document of a band reaching new peaks.  From the epic opener “Gramercy Park” to the noisy, crumbling end of “Kicking You In The Shins”, lead vocalist/guitarist Will Burdette, drummer Ryan “Woody” Dantagnan, and bassist/vocalist George Ortolano establish a bold new direction for the aggressive sound that defined Rise And Fall.  Trendy proves to be a very taut and more emblematic effort from a band exploring new ways to deliver their signature sonic boom to the masses. 

 

The hypnotic stammer of “Teenage Roosevelt” erupts into distortion-driven anthem rock as Burdette laments his version of the suburban blues.  A visceral riff underlines stuttering Who-esque retorts in the moody and maniacal sway of “Shangri-La”.  Amidst this clamor Ortolano’s danceable bass beat opens up the riveting pop cut “Death to R.I.P.”, a saxophone-bolstered jab at the indie-rock scene that depicts the persistent fear and loathing of the alt-rock loving Juliana – a character first introduced in the song “Chicago” on Rise And Fall.  The trio totally turns it all on its head with the piss-take country ramble “Bathroom Wall”, complete with howling organs, hollers and handclaps.  The brazenness doesn’t stop there: “Turn Up The Treble” is a boozy take on 1950s sock-hop rock, while the stripped-down and driving “S.R.M.” culminates in more ragged saxophone blasts.  And Dantagnan’s pummeling drums highlight straightforward rockers like “Fight Song” and “I Gotta Dance”, evidence that the band is more than willing to display its original hard rock tendencies.

 

Trendy is a diverse, smart picture of a band in command of their craft, a band exploring new depths while still remaining close to their roots.  It is the record that undoubtedly puts The Tomatoes in position to become an important force in popular music today.