My 2-year old neutered male, Quincy, likes to do this - he is very loud when he comes home and you would think that someone is stepping on his tail with the noise he makes. Once he gets our attention, he is just as happy as can be and he quiets down. He isn't really very vocal otherwise.

He has been like this since he was a tiny kitten so I think its just a personality trait of his.

(well, we do encourage the loud meows because its so entertaining)