weightlifting album review

amplifier magazine

by will harris
september/october, 2004 (issue 44)

TRASHCAN SINATRAS - Weightlifting

spinART (trashcansinatras.com)

It may not be accurate to say that the world has been anxiously awaiting the release of the Trashcan Sinatras' fourth album, but it'd be safe to say that the band's incredibly dedicated fan base is as giddy as a schoolgirl. Early 90's releases like Cake and I've Seen Everything may have only caught the ears of a select few, but the few they caught, they never, ever let go. 1996's A Happy Pocket never saw stateside release, but, in 2004, the band made a triumphant US return via dates in L.A. and at SXSW; the result was a US record deal with spinART. Weightlifting may not show a tremendous amount of stylistic growth, but the Trashcans have definitely continued to hone their strengths. "All the Dark Horses" is this record's "Only Tongue Can Tell," destined to bring the band a new generation of fans, but there are another eleven songs here just as strong, with "Freetime", "It's a Miracle" and the appropriately titled "Welcome Back" being but a handful of the highlights. If even an eighth of the mainstream populationwho bought Coldplay's last two albums picked up Weightlifting, the world would be a much mellower, happier place.

Originally appeared in Amplifier Magazine.