bis

The New Transistor Heroes (Grand Royal/ Capitol)
by Scott Hefflon

The sound that’s taking the world by storm! That’s right kids, it’s the ’80s! Bis combine clap tracks with the dippy synths of Cyndi Lauper and an angular guitar sound (kinda Costello-esque in a garage punk sorta way) and then alternate between Manda Rin’s snotty and sarcastic disco diva/punk heroine voice and the smooth sounds of Sci-fi Steven and John Disco’s faceless-new wave-filtered-thru-Scottish-humor. Anyone who’s ever seen ’em live’ll tell ya it’s like watching jerky white punks rock out with between-song banter that’s as difficult to understand as the dialogue in Trainspotting. Oh, those wacky Scots. Following the This is Teen-C Power EP, The New Transistor Heroes launches into the singalong “Tell it to the Kids,” a rockin’ little number warning hyping liars to watch their backs. Blending a “Love Shack”-esque beat and a melody you’d expect to hear on the Weird Science soundtrack, “Tell it to the Kids” cleverly taps the vein and gives you a little caffeine and Cheez Whiz injection to get you in the mood for the rest of the disc. “Sweetshop Avengerz” leads the chant, mixing in a subtle flavoring of breakbeats, then leads into the cartoony “Starbright Boy.” You get the idea – clever ’80s synth syrup mixed with melodies of undeniable catchiness (though some songs toward the end of the disc slide dangerously close to ignorable indie rock) and peppy paces to keep the kids jeeped up and ready for the revolution.