Trion ~ Netherlands

Tortoise (2003)

---Jan 2004

I don’t tend to scour the Cyclops catalog in search of my next purchase, but Trion proves once again the label does have surprises up their sleeve (like Henry Fool for example). Basically this is a guitar, mellotron (sampled), drums trio playing symphonic instrumental progressive rock. For a unreconstructed prog head like me, this fits the bill entirely. It’s like discovering a new burger joint with a great tasting meal. Yea, it’s not new, but darn if a good double meat with cheese doesn’t hit the spot! Trion is very much of the Dutch variety of progressive rock. Generally that means the music tends to be mid-paced, highly melodic, and somewhat rhythmically uninteresting. So it always gets down to the execution of melodies and the change of tone and color (check out the obscure bands Mirror and Lethe to see what I'm referencing). And here is where Trion excels mightily. Plenty of nice electric leads are contrasted with acoustic guitar strumming. The mellotron (with many different tape samples – not just the usual suspects) provide the color and tone. The group that comes most to mind is Lady Lake. Other references are Camel and Focus 3, and maybe even the Swedish group Dice in their slower moments.

---9/15/23

No changes to that opinion. Trion is a made up word of Trio and Mellotron, so we're clear on where their headspace was. It's prog rock extract. ChatGPT generated progressive rock. Computer girlfriend. All ideal, none real. No 1970s group would have sounded exactly like this, and mellotron wouldn't have been specifically identified as the lead instrument. Most groups were proud of their keyboard "setup", and mellotron was a key instrument within that. Occasionally a group would show up with nothing more than a mellotron, because that's about all they owned (Quarteto 1111 comes to mind here). In the progressive electronic world, Froese of course was obsessed with the instrument. And finally the mellotron-only sampler act Celluloid took matters to its logical endpoint. All that to say, why not? Tortoise is a very easy listen for prog rock veterans. Sometimes you want to watch black and white TV shows for their comforting and uncomplicated narrative.

Ownership: 2003 Cyclops (CD). Colorful booklet containing album story and liner notes. Acquired in 2004.

1//04 (review); 9/15/23 (update)

Funfair Fantasy (2013)

I had held off purchasing Funfair Fantasy, as the initial ratings and reviews seemed to demonstrate a downturn in quality. But no, that's not the case at all. If you liked the first two, then Funfair Fantasy will be certain to delight. Trion are a conservative bunch, and there are few surprises to be found. I picked up a bit of a jazz undertone this time, which I consider a major plus. Still, no denying this is fastball-down-the-middle instrumental symphonic progressive. The "nothing new here" crowd will want to steer well clear of this act. Sometimes I'm not looking for new, but perhaps a new recipe on an old favorite. And that's what Trion excels at.

Ownership: 2013 Oskar (CD). Acquired in 2015.

6/13/15 (review)

  

Pilgrim (2007)

Trion is a made-up word that combines trilogy and mellotron, which gives a pretty good idea where these lads are going musically. The group is made up by members of the veteran Dutch progressive rock bands of Odyssice and Flamborough Head. Their charter, as it were, is to play instrumental rock music utilizing only analog instruments and 70s era recording techniques. While Tortoise is an impressive debut, Pilgrim is even better as they add more diversity in the keyboards (not just mellotron samples). As well, more acoustic guitar is deployed than prior, adding some much needed contrast. A beautiful album.

Ownership: 2007 Cyclops (CD). Acquired in 2008.

2008; 2/18/11 (review)

2/18/11 (new entry)