Trip Wire – Cold Gas Giants

After one listen, I couldn’t help but be impressed with the diversity of Trip Wire’s Cold Gas Giant. the band’s third album. For this one, Marty Schneider (The Midway Delta, The Campbell Apartment) and Bill Hunt (Captain Fatass, The Generous Grants) are joined by Jeff Shelton (Spinning Jennies, Well Wishers), adding yet another songwriter to the band. And yet, Cold Gas Giant doesn’t sound disjointed or like a collection of singles. Rather, it holds together extremely well as a single work.

The jangly “Signs” stands out as an obvious choice as a single here, assuming there is still such a thing as a single. “I’m Not the Enemy” has a bit of a west coast punk pop feel to it. Imagine if Mitch Easter produced a Bill Stephenson penned song. It kicks ass and it jangles, too. This is as close to a Well Wishers song as you’ll find on Cold Gas Giant, imo.

The opening seconds of “The Same Reaction” bring White Album era Beatles to mind. My favorite track on the album however, is “Carrie’s Uptight”. The chorus is one huge hook that grabs you and won’t let go. I couldn’t get it out of my head after a couple of listens.

If you prefer physical product, you can buy the CD at Kool Kat Musik. If digital is your preferred medium, then go to the band’s bandcamp page HERE.

Artwork based on photo by Paige K. Parsons