PILGRIM

In 2003 the Dutch trio Trion (an abbreviation of the words trio and Mellotron) released their debut CD entitled Tortoise, a wonderful symphonic prog album layered with beautiful Mellotron samples. It was received very well by the press and progrock fans and soon Colossus (Finnish Progressvie Rock Society) invited Trion to contribute to the 2-CD The Spaghetti Epic (featuring progrock bands from all over the world). Trion was OK and delivered the epic Frank. This composition can be found on this new CD (in a re-arranged version) while originally Trion was only founded to make one album!

Listening to Pilgrim I notice a huge progress in comparison with their first effort, way more dynamic and alternating, also due to the more varied vintage keyboard sound. That variety is very present in the first song Pilgrim: a violin-Mellotron intro, a piece with Fender Rhodes piano and a sensitive guitar solo, a compelling rhythm with Hammond organ runs and propulsive guiar riffs, a mid- tempo with fluent synthesizer flights and a final part with first fragile Grand piano/Mellotron and then organ, Mellotron and slide guitar, wonderful! In the other tracks the atmospheres range from dreamy to compelling with echoes from Seventies Camel, Genesis and Focus. Especially the interplay between organ and Mellotron with the electric guitar is beautiful and moving, like in Silence of the Universe, Giant Man, The Deep Ocean and Out There Somewhere. In between we hear interludes with warm play on classical - and acoustic guitar like in How We Used To Go (solo piece) and Reveal The Mystery (wonderful interplay between organ and Mellotron). Also worth to listen to are the tracks The Book (majestic church organ sound aling slide guitar and Mellotron) and the mellow A Dream (warm sound of the Grand piano and fragile acoustic guitar). But the absolute highlight is the final composition Frank: it begins with twanging 12-string guitar (like early Genesis) and violin-Mellotron, then lots of shifting moods (with moving guitar, beautiful Mellotron), a captivating duel between fiery guitar and fluent synthesizer runs and a compelling grand finale delivering a long and moving guitar solo, supported by mellow organ and strong drums, this is Progheaven!

What a wonderful album, I am glad Trion decided not to remain an one-shot-band!

When I heard Trion had released a second CD I was a bit suspicious. Tortoise was supposed to be an one offshot side project by members of Flamborough Head and Odyssice. That first release was excellent but it seemed to me it could not go further from that. Well, I was wrong. Pilgrim is quite a big step forward. So much it got me completely off guard. Those guys are in their prime both as songwriters and players.

Edo Spanninga keyboards are even more varied than before, using a vast array of old-but-gold analogic sounds like the Hammong Organ, Fender Rhodes piano, mini-moogs and, of course, mellotrons. Eddie Mulder´s guitar playing is another highlight thorughout the CD: he is an acomplished player of both the electric and the acoustic guitars. Sometimes his style bearing the trademarks of such great ones like Andy Latimer, Steve Hackett and Jan Akkerman. Menno Boomsma is also a precise and creative drummer.

The music on the album is that kind of instrumental progressive music that has the rare quality of mixing simple structures and melodies to fine craft and intricated arrangements. The result is both complex and accessible, captivating and challeging. One fo those rare albums you hear with the same pleasure from start to finich (ever rarer in a 76 minute long CD!).

Highlights? Yes! Giant Mn with its killer guitar solo and a wonderful mellotron sound that sends shivers down the spine everty time I hear it. The Silence Of The Universe (great Hammond Organ runs and good use of acoustic and eletric guitars sounds). And then, of course, there is Frank. Frank is a 22:57 prog epic that was born a classic. It has nods to early Genesis, Focus, Yes and Camel with many shifting moods, tempo changes and a grand finale that would make any of those great bands proud of. I never heard the original version of this song,but this one might be the definitve one! I´m really glad it was included as a bonus track!

This is one of the best prog albums of 2007 and certainly one of the top five instrumental prog albums of all time. A classic. Highly recommended!

As I stated in my previous review of Trion's debut "Tortoise", I was in a state of advanced trepidation while waiting for this sophomore contribution. The first album was an exemplary mellotron orgy, loaded with bristle melodies, sensational soloing by guitarist Eddie Mulder and winks at Camel, KC, Ant Phillips and Focus. Because of incredible feed-back from both fans and media, the Dutchmen decided to turn their one- shot deal into a sequel offering "Pilgrim", without any attempt to not progress into deeper adventure: the mighty 'trons are still present of course but Edo Spanninga has wisely added some organ, piano and even synthesizer to his arsenal. Eddie continues to double on bass but he really gets to showcase his incredible talent (not always apparent with day-band Flamborough Head) with some well crafted signature solos. Odyssice's talented Memmo Boosma is steady as a dyke, keeping it all together. This remains an all- instrumental affair of the highest caliber, with a multitude of ingenious workouts that have more substance than endless noodling, suggesting deep felt emotions that need no lyrics or vocalist. Had this been in vinyl LP form, we would have a double album as this monster is 76 minutes in length. So how to these Hollanders set sail? With an opening title track that seizes the casual listener by the melodic jugular, a 7 minute + ride that is certainly mellow (no crunch here!) but fully loaded with passionate evocations of the Jemetrion saga (first broached with the debut), a story with no singing (similar to Xang, who have deep lyrics and momentous storylines but no vocals). There is no point in describing each track as they are all luscious affairs, my fellow colleagues have done a splendid job throwing light on the magnificent moments. Suffice to say that this is a huge melodic banquet that has everything a progfan needs to get his jollies: stupendous mellotron expressions, fascinating guitar solo sorties and a rich variety of acoustic and electric adornments. Without a doubt the epic monster "Frank" is a typical example (or recap) of the creative genius expressed in the grooves, full of alternating contrasts, shifting moods and unpredictable surprises. An unmitigated instrumental masterstroke. After all, we PA reviewers can't be wrong, we do have taste ! Also very cool : the debut had a Roger Dean style artwork while here we are in an overt Hipgnosis mood, very reminiscent of Yes' Going For the One . 5 Try-ons

TRION are from The Netherlands and they are a trio with Menno coming from ODYSSICE while Eddie and Edo are from FLAMBOROUGH HEAD.Their band name comes from the fact they are a trio and also that they use mellotron. It's interesting though that they've chosen to use sampled mellotron instead of the real thing. I like this better than the debut. It's very pleasant sounding with lots of acoustic guitar, light drums and keyboards (organ, piano).

"Pilgrim" opens with mellotron as drums and organ join in. Guitar after 2 minutes comes in soaring.The tempo picks up 3 1/2 minutes in. Some nice guitar before 5 minutes as well. Piano follows with mellotron only as it settles down. "Silence Of The Universe" takes a while to get going then the guitar starts to soar with a beat and organ.Synths after 3 minutes. "Walk On Land" has this slow repetitive rhythm that starts to pick up then we get acoustic guitar only after 2 minutes as contrasts continue. "How We Used To Go" features acoustic guitar melodies throughout.

"The Magnificent Forest" has more life to it as a full sound kicks in right away.Synths lead a minute in. It settels back 2 1/2 minutes in and mellotron comes in after 3 minutes. "Reveal The Mystery" opens with gentle guitar and mellotron then it picks up quickly with drums and organ as contrasts continue."Giant Man" is one of my favourites. A beat with bass and mellotron leads early then the guitar comes to the fore. Back to that earlier sound as the contrasts continue,. "The Book" opens with mellow sounds that pulsate. Organ and drums kick in then guitar before 2 1/2 minutes. "Blue Shadows" opens with acoustic guitar melodies as the mellotron rolls in. "A Dream" is mostly piano and mellotron while "The Deep Ocean" opens with an almost haunting mood and acoustic guitar. It comes to life with organ and electric guitar then settles back as contrasts continue.

A relaxed and enjoyable instrumental album. 3.5 stars.

An album filled with melodically pleasing music of exceedingly syrupy and simplistic pop/New Age sounding constructs, this would not even warrant my consideration or attention were it not for the presence (on my acquisition) of the wonderful bonus song, "Frank (new version)." Don't get me wrong, the album is a very pleasant listen, all songs are engaging and likable, but the lack of complexity, lack of intricacy, lack of unpredictability, all make for a highly uninteresting album. I want something with meat in it--something that makes me take notice, step back, and say "wow!" This has none of that. But listen to Frank.