Panda Transport

Panda Transport – “Monorail” Review

{ January 31, 2010 @ 4:09 pm } · { alternative, band, electro pop, indie,music, pop, review, singer songwriter }
{ Tags: Panda Transport }

we met jeremy in summer of 2007. he calls himself the kid with the hair in his face. he’s humble and passionate about music. our kind of bloke. he is relentless in the pursuit of turning people on to music. the kind of person every musician ought to cherish. we do and we wanted to share our love for him with you- so check out jeremy’s up to on his ms-
www.myspace.com/starvationarmyzine

thanks for all you do jeremy!

xo, kat and ti

December 16, 2009 | by Skope Staff

Kathy Compton and Thierry Holweck are bringing a diverse array of audio to the forefront.  As the sole songwriters on Monorail, Compton and Holweck aka Panda Transport have created Electro-Pop grooves.  The record offers acoustic & pop elements mixed with a unique display of sounds.

Monorail comes after Panda Transport’s debut release, Plush Mechanique.  Their former recording was literally all done via the Internet where Kathy & Thierry initially met.  As pen pals, these two artists turned E-music into an actual record with Plush Mechanique.  The single off their first album titled “Transmission” was even featured on Grey’s Anatomy.

Now it’s time for something new as Compton & Holweck decide to meet in person to make a more personable/organic record.  Just as on a monorail system, the train moves steadily along on a single track; here reality is put into motion on a single disc.  This is the music of one’s own place, space and thoughts.  Monorail is focusing on today more so rather than on the past, but ironically with a futuristic approach.  The recording is experimental, but fun & poppy at the same time.  An abundance of natural elements were included on this album due to the windows being open during the recording sessions.  This tactic would appear to be a very OPEN and CAREFREE performance, which is exactly what Panda Transport were after.

The CD starts up with the title track as we are introduced to the lovely singing of Kathy Compton.  Her vocals are pleasant to say the least with a nice ‘n’ tender melody to go along with an easy-going, light poppy feel.  The next track, “Saint’s Revel”, has a Cross Continental vibe about it with American & international influences.  On “Up the Disco”, an interference of sorts is detected in the background.  You’ve probably heard of the famous “Wall of Sound”; well this song would signify the Back Row of Everything Else in Between!  Scattered & sporadic audio snippets are heavily absorbed upon while listening to this record.  Going off of audible sensations, “Freakshow” supplies an extremely different & unorthodox sound.  On track five, “Cicadas in Stereo”, I simply loved the element of percussion here with a very primitive-sounding beat.

Panda Transport have come up with six songs for you to enjoy NOW and hope that you will get wrapped up in the moment.  This duo’s creativity shines through bright as this Monorail pushes forward.  Although on one hand, I wasn’t completely blown away by this album; on the other hand I was taken back by the sheer uniqueness of two individuals bringing their music to life.  For more on Panda Transport and their new release, Monorail, SKOPE out www.pandatransport.com.

By Jimmy Rae (jrae@skopemag.com)

Panda Transport - Monorail (CD EP, Alpinechic/Europe, Pop)
We don’t cover many EPs…and we only do so when something really impresses us. As such, you can draw your own conclusions about Monorail. Panda Transport is the duo consisting of Kathy Compton and Thierry Holweck who created the band in 2006 after hooking up with one another on the internet. This is the follow-up to the duo’s well-received debut album (Plush Mechanique). The Monorail EP features six cool, dreamy, free-flowing modern pop tracks. Panda Transport songs are direct and to-the-point…and feature some wonderfully groovy, warm keyboard sounds…as well as some rather fantastic subdued vocals. The more we spin this one…the better it sounds. Cool cuts include “Monorail,” “Saint’s Revel,” and “Dark Horse.”

KINDERLUST
PANDA TRANSPORT/Monorail: Breezy contemporary take on sunshine pop that is a delightful dose of aural cotton candy and is just what you need in the headphones when the palette needs clearing. Nothing to sink your teeth into that won’t disappear into the ether and that’s what makes it so much fun. A proper antidote to the current times, the only gripe is that it’s only an ep. Clear the decks and let this make you smile.

http://www.looseylucy.com/news.htm

The music of Panda Transport is extremely unique, experimental dance pop with a taste of lounge and noise. The duo combines electronic sound with live instruments and a cerebral lyrical style. “Paint by Numbers” is an addictive, pop dance tune with pretty vocals by Kathy Compton, and “Back to School” has an interesting experimetal dance beat combined with ethereal vocal harmonies. “Devil in Me” is an ultra-modern lounge song with a beat box beat, while “Transmission” will enchant you with its captivatingly beautiful melody. “Le Voile” is a jazzy love song with an alluring beat and a seductive flute solo. The intriguing, “La Fin du Prince Charles,” has a melody that is slightly reminiscent of the 80’s hit, “99 Luftballoons.” Thierry Holweck sings on “Faith,” which is perhaps the most radio-friendly track. It has an infectious hook and melody and a crazy breakdown with unconventional sounds and whistling. The largely instrumental, “Chapeau,” has an electro-funk beat juxtaposed against a Depeche Mode-influenced intermezzo. On “Cosy,” Ms. Compton raps about the story of a man who just wanted to be “cozy and luxuriously warm,” while a robot voice adds on the chorus that all he wanted was to “die laughing.” The noisy dance track, “Wanted,” which is remixed by Frank Cavet, posseses a full haunting melody and sound. The album also contains a techno remix of “Paint by Numbers” by Bart Thissen and an experimental/noise remix of “Transmission” by The Noise Affinity. Interesting sound!