Van Tramp - Wheels Of Fortune

Van Tramp

Released: 4th Sept 2006

How many bands do you know who snuck into a football stadium without any body knowing just to record their album?  Well now you can put at least one band on that list, yes that is right – The bulk of the band’s album was recorded in an executive box overlooking the pitch at Fulham FC’s Craven Cottage stadium while Fulham were ground sharing with QPR.

Van Tramp is a UK based band, which to me sound like a soft/folk rock sort of band – though that may well not be what they are classifying themselves as. Nonetheless I found myself rather entertained by their album, which has 12 very cool tracks plus one which they secretly snuck in about 20 seconds after the final track of the album, ”Happy now”.  So make sure you carry on listening through the long silence or you will miss it!

I would go into detail on all the songs but to be honest there is a bit of a running theme through out, which I don’t need to mention over and over. Instead I will talk about my favourites and you can make your own minds up when you hear the album, which I think everyone should do. Their website is an awesome place to go to see if you like them with out paying for the album as they play some tracks there (www.vantramp.com). Now listening to the album and reading the lyrics book inside I start to think that this is a band full of people who really don’t know who they are and just want to find themselves, which appeals to me and I am sure many other people, as it’s a life journey most people find themselves taking.

3) THE GARDEN – This Nostalgic song has a great vibe to it, I’m not sure if it’s the lyrics or the melody but there is something about this song, which really draws me in. I think this song is something I could listen to in most moods and wont get bored of too quickly. (Written by Mike Potter – Base Guitar)

7) YOUTOPIA – This song has a slightly different sound to all those which have come before it on the album sounding more folk rock than soft rock. The music from this track has to be the best on the album! (Written by Patrick Mascall – Guitars)

8) HELP ME MAKE IT – This song is amazing! The lyrics are blue, as they ask for help “through the night”. I am assuming this is a religious band from songs like this one and the albums opening track “Hope & Pray”, which I personally quite like. This track uses language to create double meaning –without the lyrics booklet I might not have noticed– for example, “keep me from the wrongs I’m bound to write”. They give reference to a number of things in this song from music to religion to America, discussing a fear of perhaps being average “was it mediocrity what scared me half away”. (Written by Patrick Mascall)

11) JUST LISTEN – An upbeat sounding song! Who would have guessed? As we approach the end of the album we find a song about waiting for happiness. This song put a smile on my face! The guitarist from this band plays a nice little riff in the middle, which just adds to the upbeat vibe. (Written by Patrick Mascall, Mike Potter and Tim Howar - Vocals)

So overall what do I think? Well the album is great, for now I am entertained and it serves as good “chill out” music. To be honest though I am pretty sure the novelty will soon wear off ? there is nothing overly exciting about the album which would make it stand out to me in a few months time when I reach for my CD collection randomly one day – as you do – just to listen to.

If you like soft/folk rock this band are pretty good for whether you want to hear songs with meaningful lyrics or just background music whilst you work. But I’m not sure its going to be a long lasting band – PROVE ME WRONG THOUGH GUYS – but if the singing careers fall through I’m sure they have a back up plan…Tim (vocals) is currently playing the lead role in “Rent” on Broadway, so I’m sure he could always go into acting…