INDEPENDENT CD 1998

Transit is a band from Masachusetts delivering a wise combination of progressive, pomp and pop elements. "End of the Line" is their second album after "Silent Movies" that was released back in 1995. As I have just said variety in style clearly defines Transit music. From the progressive Saga-esque opener "Until the Day that I'm Still" which contains a good keyboard solo to the straightforward shiny pop of "Together Forever" this albums deals with almost everything inbetween. In fact just one song in the record clocks over the 5 minutes ("Hottest Show"), something extremely weird for a standard prog cd. Particular favourites are the ninth track "Gun" and the catchy "Silent Movies", that combines acoustic guitar and keyboards to build a great pomp/AOR tune. Although the entire record lacks of the enough bite to consider it a killer, it's quite good if you are in the more poppy oriented progressive rock. I don't know but maybe a couple more of hooks would have raised the mark some points. A couple more comments, Nathan Linsky, the keyboardist in the band, is the one who steals the spotlight with impressing solos and diverse tricks. Amazing job. Secondly, these guys have been playing together since 1980 and I think it's time someone give them a good budget to produce their next record.

ROGER BROSEL GOIRICELAYA
AOR Land - Barcelona, Spain

New England Performer July 1998

Transit - End of the Line
One of those records that seems so straightforward, so easy to figure out - it's retro fluff, right ? Not exactly. There are Rush elements, Oingo elements and some Joe Jackson harmonic sensibilities. A good dose of technique from Chris Reddys guitar and from Mark Venterea's drumming (that beat in "Mind Made Up" gave me a headache it's so cool ). Melodies catch and stick, Reddy's vocals have lots of character and tunefulness. An overall great recording !

Like the groove rock and mighty commercial, too. Guitar, keys, bass, drums, and lots of world-class vocals. Crystal clean engineering and brain power production combine to keep this one sounding furious. The songs are leaning toward the early eighties keyboard oriented power pop but I'm not complaining. Sure is happy stuff. Yup-happy. I like "Together Forever" and "Gun" but my numero-uno cut is "New Wave Bayou". Got some interesting guitar scapes and arresting back vocals. Once again a great looking bunch, all. This is as mainstream as it gets, right down the middle of the highway!

Can’t say I know much about Transit, except they appear to be from the Boston area and are a four piece. All I can do is listen to it then! "Until the Day that I’m Still" despite, or because of, its long-winded title is progressive and pompy at the same time, though the vocals are far superior to those you would hear in your fair progressive band. An excellent mix and interplay of keyboards and guitars plus a slightly quirky edge too - an interesting approach I was not expecting!

"Silent Movies" again has dense layers of keyboards that would normally make it sound progressive, but the directness of the other instruments and the arrangement brings in much closer to ‘70s pomp bands like MPG and Morning Star. Despite those sort of reference points it also manages to escape sounding dated which is no mean feat. As the songs go on things become clear to me, Transit are like Saga in that they draw together some very diverse influences to produce a sound that’s a very complex magma of accomplished rock. Nowhere is this clearer than on "End of the Line" which has a superb intro and even a strong early Saga intonation, which is also shown on the instrumental "12:48 at the Border".

"Hottest Show" blows me away with its superb intro, and is then full of Z-bends and quirky hairpins, yet "Together Forever" is much more direct, tidy and commercial. To finish off they throw in another instrumental - "Nuthin’ 2 It" - which, if anything, is like the Dixie Dregs meets Bruce Hornsby!

I’ve seen this many times before, a US band takes a barrel load of progressive influences and adds some directness to the sound to superb effect. Perhaps as a complete piece of work this album lacks an overall killer punch that really drives home all the points that are being made, but its still very good indeed and is a clear avowal of intent.

Local music scene veterans TRANSIT have released a new compact disc featuring all original material. The band, which has been together since the 1980's, consists of vocalist/guitarist Chris Reddy, back-up vocalist/bassist John Philips, drummer/back-up vocalist Mark Venterea, and Keyboardist Nathan Linsky, and is still writing and performing their "progressive popsongs." The sounds on the album, entitled "Silent Movies", range from danceable metal to squeaky clean pop-rock, with topics ranging from teenage violence to environmental and political issues. The track" Together Forever" brings the listener back to the retro-80's sounds of Men at Work, a sound which has been missed in recent years, and is making a strong recovery. The track "Gun" takes a serious look at the problems facing today's youth. The title track, "Silent Movies" alludes to the difficulties of a long term relationship. Overall,the musicianship is first rate, as is the production quality of the CD, as can be expected from a band that has been performing and writing together as long as TRANSIT has.

Fitchburg/LeominsterSentinel

"Their music borders on lighter metal, but it would be misleading to call it that. Interesting, experimental changes and variety charge this disc!"

Worcester Telegram

"Reddy's fondness for thinking-man's pop in the vein of XTC and Elvis Costello comes through on " Silent Movies" particulary on the cuts "Gun" and Together Forever."

Transit Rock At Goody's

"Opening band Transit performed a tasteful set of all-original material which was the subject of several favorable comments, the group's music being described as " very diversified,...very original,... a little ahead of their time."

Transit, c/o C. Reddy
Tel: 978-453-5091
188 Haverhill Street
Dracut, MA 01826