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eMusic Contributor

Amelia Raitt is a former writer for the television program Mr. Belvedere and has been writing about pop music of all colors and stripes for eMusic since 2005. S...more »

06.29.10

Steel Train, Steel Train

Label: Terrible Thrills

Indie rockers from New Jersey are having a fantastic year. 2010 has seen energetic new releases from Titus Andronicus and Gaslight Anthem, and now comes a less gritty but just as compelling album by Jersey boys Steel Train. Their self-titled third record is brimming with power pop hooks and danceable beats, from the breezy rocker "Touch Me Bad" to "Turnpike Ghost," which has echoes of Modest Mouse at their most euphoric. And while Steel Train is getting lots of press for its famous friends — Scarlett Johansson, Nellie McKay and Tegan and Sara are just some of the female performers who are featured on a Steel Train covers album — these guys have more than enough charisma to stand on their own. Call it that good old Jersey charm.

Great Indie Rock

I downloaded this CD, and the first few times times I started at track 1. A bit of a mistake, since this is one of the more bland 90's rock style songs. Next time I had it on shuffle and hit You are Dangerous. What a great song! Then I bounced around and Bloody Lips is an amazing Beatlesque tune, and Fall Asleep is a dreamy piece set to the Canon on D. These guys can rock, and they have some real creativity to go along with it. Other favorites are Soldier, and S.O.G. Well worth the download for a band putting out music as good or better than other mainstream indie stars!