EP: Trampolene ‘The Gangway’

Trampolene have rapidly become the favourites of many throughout the UK throughout the past two years, as a result of their unbelievably relentless hard-work ethos, touring non-stop and constantly creating. Whether it’s songs or spoken word, Jack Jones, Wayne Thomas and Rob Steele never take a second to slow down – then again, that’s not rock n’ roll.

With ever growing support (now including the likes of none other than The Libertines), the boys are back with their fifth “pocket album” titled The Gangway, which left fans chaotic within the anticipation.

Pocket album five is filled with Trampolene characteristics that many have come to thrive for: the opening title track begins things up in a pleasing fashion, with pleas to another with Jones stating “it’s better when you’re around, sit me down and sort me out”. ‘The Gangway’ is a perfectly placed observation of modern life for many, and particularly young people, with many truths hitting hard such as “growing up true is hard to do”,the band conserve some creativity to highlight the constraints of society, stating “Money makes the world go down”.

Jones summarises how for many of us in a relationship, there’s always one other person that can make the world a little brighter, with lyrics such as “it all adds up to zero when you’re not around”. It’s a bold move having a track that makes you reflect so much as an opener, but Trampolene are urging us out of our comfort zones, and rightly so.

Jack Jones has always been known for his tongue-in-cheek approach which brings humorously genius outcomes; the band’s track ‘Tom Hardy’ is yet further evidence of this. Anybody who knows of the Trampolene entourage is aware of how proud they are of their birthplace and ‘Tom Hardy’ projects this into personification, Hardy “played bass for The White Stripes and he quit the band”, “can play Jimi Hendrix with one hand”, and that’s only scratching the surface. Of course, not all of it is true, or is it? Either way, it’s an immensely enjoyable track which fits perfectly within all of the other personalities in the album.

When a band cover a classic, it tends to become a cherished artefact for years to come, and Trampolene’s cover of the Cure’s ‘Friday I’m In Love’ will be no different. The start is beautifully humble, with just Jack’s signature vocals and his guitar, before evolving into a hugely euphoric rendition of the well-respected track. Many wouldn’t even attempt the feat, so Trampolene deserve huge applause for doing so, and even more for triumphing in their efforts.

Although it’s perhaps been a while since we’ve heard the drive and chaos that were found in the likes of ‘Alcohol Kiss’ and ‘You Do Nothing For Me’, it’s clear that the trio are enjoying the place they’re in at this moment in time. ‘Letting You Down’ is an acoustic release that tugs away at a plethora of emotions. ‘To Be A Libertine’ closes the album, with a few familiar voices. Jack Jones pays tribute to quite simply rock n’ roll, stating its “classless, British with no control”, which is just right.

Rock n’ roll has no constraints, especially not one of a pre-designed system that is there to benefit those who are the opposite of the rock n’ roll ethos. Thankfully, we are born into a nation that is bursting at the seams with musical and creative talent, and Trampolene are one unit that are there to give us constant reminders that no matter how tough it gets, it’s never all doom and gloom.

The Getaway is out now via Mi7 Records.

James Cummins
@CummyBear

James Cummins

James Cummins

James Cummins

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