Sean Schenker

Elmore Magazine – “Saving American Music”
March/April Issue 2007

The Trapps – Good luck or Goodbye? (Self-released)

On their first full CD release, Good Luck or Goodbye?, The Trapps show a diversity of styles held together by Sean Schenker’s writing and vocals. Primarily a rock band, their first cut, “History,” begins with a soothing Native American flute sounds and evolves into a guitar-based jam. Lyrically, there’s both hope and despair as they retell an American history saga. Their sound derives from the southern bluesy tradition of bands like the Black Crowes. Sean’s vocals remind me somewhat of Roger Daltry’s singing, but is no copy.
“Alright Now,” the first radio single (“resonate your radiance and capture that somehow”), has a 90’s Gin Blossoms appeal. “Blood on our Hands” expresses their political bent and has been listed among the top protest songs of all time. A folk ballad with words like “Give me a sign/Send me an SOS/There’s blood on our hands and we can’t go on like this” and “Isolation’s deadly if you can’t see you’re alone”, along with stunning guitar work, help prove the power of music to convey their thoughts.
Good Luck or Goodbye? Is a thoughtful album that combines music and words consistently. While most of the songs from this New Paltz, NY, group are well-crafted, “Count Your Blessings” opens up their louder side and shows that they can rock hard. Think “Synchronicity.” “Disappear,” tells a story of searching (“I asked the kitchen/Tell me the truth/They kept on mixing/They kept on mixing the stew”) with a definite Beatles feel emanating throughout. And don’t miss the great power ballad “Dream.”
The Trapps have recorded a debut CD that shouldn’t be overlooked.
- Gene Knapp
- Elmore Magazine