TRANSCENDENCE: Nothing Is Cohesive
"I've seen the future and it's clear/Revolution in me," sings Transcendence mainman Ed Hale, in his creaking Bono-esque voice on "Revolution In Me." Filled with pomp, the New York/Miami Beach rockers' third disc, Nothing Is Cohesive, makes the case that the past remains a huge component in the future. Tapping power pop's greatest sounds, the band combines Jellyfish's innate melodicism, Queen's layers of orchestral glitz and enough synthesizers to make John Hughes grin. "Somebody Kill The DJ" (perhaps a lyrical nod to the Smiths), has the best synthesized Star Trek music bed this side of Paramount Pictures. On "Tomorrow," they play bouncy Paul McCartney-like pianisms that would make Matthew Sweet jealous, including a leg-kicking outro suitable for any Abbey Road knockoff. Though named after the revolutionary Brazilian pop music sensação, "Caetano" neither bossas nor novas. Instead, Hale's clever verse-chorus sensibilities float over a deep Phil Spector wall of sound. "Caetano" also features Hale channeling the sexuality of his vocal step-fodders, Bono and Michael Hutchence, when he sings, "Now you're a god, the power to heal from just your singing… Man you are the only man I'd make love to, I would, I swear it." Throughout this disc, Transcendence make it evident that the only thing cohesive about the future is their footing in the past. 
- Kory Grow
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Transcendence bring to mind the pomp and glitter sounds that may collide if you merged classic Love `n Rockets, Matthew Sweet and Iggy Pop with David Bowie, T. Rex, World Party, The Thrills, Frank Zappa, even U2 and White Stripes. While that sounds all over the place, it works because the band here has control of its self-made manifesto and the confidence and talent to pull off the disparate sounds, well, `cohesively`. A bold and beautiful collection of post-modern rockers and lush seventies-style piano ballads that the band recorded in their garage studio just may be their best effort to date. You`d never guess that, tho, w/ the quality of the recording here...very organic, sounds analog, as well(is it?). "Tapping power pop`s greatest sounds, the group combines Jellyfish`s innate melodicism, Queen`s layers of orchestral bliss and enough synths to make John Hughes grin..On "Tomorrow", they play a bouncy Paul MCCartney-like pianoisms that would m ake Matthew Sweet jealous, including a leg-kicking outro suitable for any Abbey Road knock-off."-CMJ. Not sure about the Jellyfish vibe, it`s here and there but the boggling and enraptured spirit here reminds me a lot of Polyphonic Spree playing the soundtrack to Hedwig And The Angry Inch and Tommy. A true original and a most appropriate band name for these ears.
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The musical talent expressed on Nothing is Cohesive is mind blowing. Hale and the boys can belt out a rock ballad(All this is beginning to feel like an ending), get jiggy with a pop tune(Somebody Kill the DJ), or plain rock with the best of the best(Come On and Revolution in Me). At times there is a hint of Bowie or Bono, or even Lennon...but overall a unique sound. Although Caetano is my absolute favorite(even if you don't know who he is), I could listen to this entire CD over and over without getting tired of it. Transcendence deserves far greater than college radio airplay. 
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The new Transcendence album Nothing Is Cohesive, their third release, is my own personal throwback to what is sacred, the music of the 60s and 70s. Ok, its 2005, I know, but you have to hear this band to understand the entire picture. They rock, no doubt about it, and they do it in such a way that you cannot resist them; you will like this band's sound. Ed Hale is a superb vocalist, sounding very much like the enigmatic U2 front man Bono at times throughout the recording. 

Transcendence said a mouthful when they titled their new CD Nothing Is Cohesive. In the world we live in, one never knows what is going to happen from one minute to the next. As we become more and more unpredictable as a human race, the world that surrounds us becomes less
cohesive. Look at the CD cover; it is swirling masses of color traveling in different directions, which is not exactly an image that projects cohesiveness.

I found it interesting how they ended the album with the title track. It is an instrumental highlighted by some tasteful avant-garde keyboards. The entire album rolls right along with evocative lyrics ("Somebody Kill the DJ" & "Bored") then ends in an unusual fashion with a track like that. Proving once again that Nothing Is Cohesive, just when you expect a certain outcome, it all changes, viola! There is the concept of the album. Transcendence is one of the unsung rock bands of our generation, grinding it out day after day, and releasing quality music consistently every time they get together to record.

I love this band; their name is perfect because they transcend time and the barriers we throw up for protection. Just listen to one song and you are theirs, well at least for 45-60 minutes you are. The Beatles are an obvious influence in their sound, and that is but one element found in their sound and approach. The production aspects are notable in this
fine effort as well. This is a band with one foot in the past musically and the other is right in today. They are on top of their game in today's ultra competitive independent music scene. The "Revolution In Me" makes me want to hear this CD again and again.

© Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck - http://www.muzikreviews.com

April 21, 2005
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