TRYS

I've debated for a while whether one-star reviews serve any purpose and if I should even bother writing them; well, this came on the iPod shuffle the other day and I decided that someone needs to know how truly awful it is. Maybe awful is too strong a word, but it is definitely below average and just poor enough to not even warrant a two-star rating. Unnecessary is the first word that comes to mind. Trys is marginally unlistenable and only of interest to Il Balletto di Bronzo completists or concert collectors.

Trys is a live album recorded in 1996 and released in 1999. Keyboardist and singer Gianni Leone used the Il Balletto di Bronzo moniker for what is essentially a solo album - he is the only original member of the group in participation. Obviously the main draw here is going to be the live rendering of that group's seminal 1972 album, Ys. Unfortunately, there is about twenty minutes of filler to sit through while waiting for it. The only track of interest is "Donna Vittoria," b- side to the "La Tua Casa Comoda" single released shortly after Ys. This version however is an industrial-tinged creepfest - any redeeming qualities of the original are completely obliterated and replaced with a cheap facsimile. This seriously sounds like music played by robots.

Once the Ys suite begins we see that Gianni Leone's voice has not aged that well but he has managed to amass an amazing collection of throwaway digital synthesizers and effects pedals, all of which will be used ad nauseam. The sound is a lot like like what Yes was doing circa Keys to Ascension, which permeated most of the mid-nineties and is the main reason I try to avoid that period of progressive music. If you like that sound then this may be your cup of tea, but it assuredly isn't mine. My main complaint is the utter ruination of a masterpiece such as Ys, and the decision to record and release it. The only positives I can find are the sound quality (which is quite good), and the competent drumming of Ugo Vantini. Other than that, Trys should be avoided at all costs.