ATLANTIDE

A Trip to the Atlantide!

Everyone of us have our personal stories about how we discovered a band or an album or a song in particular, i, personally like to share those stories when writing a review. So about 1 year ago i was lurking on a national website where we can sell/buy (kind of an ebay) things, i found a seller offering some of his prog albums, i remember there was some VdGG, Soft Machine etc, and the name of The Trip appeared, i had heard only one song of them in a compillation named Il Pop Progressivo, but didn`t catch my attention, when i got interested was when i read the description of the band made by that seller, among some things, he said that Ritchie Blackmore was the founder guitarist of the band, that only fact caught my attention and of course i searched for The Trip`s music.

So believe it or not, The Trip`s first guitarist was the same Ritchie Blackmore we all know, and that led me to discover that this was not actually an Italian band, but an English one which went to Italy searching for better luck. They had released The Trip and Caronte both very different to each other, and their third effort was Atlantide when a legendary Italian drummer named Furio Chirico joined the band, and Joe Vescovi took the leadership of the band, i believe this was their pinnacle and most succesful moment, by the way Blackmore is not here, i mentioned him just for the record.

The album is pretty short actually, just half an hour of music, but nice music of course and featuring 8 songs. It opens with the self-titled song Atlantide, a strong keyboard driven song which shows since the very first moment the leadership of Vescovi, the music will remind you immediately to ELP, the style is pretty similar. Evoluzione features vocals for the first time, english lyrics so its not the typical vocal of an italian band, i mean the characteristic RPI vocal style. This song shows a psychedelic touch in the non-vocal moments, reminding me a bit of Eloy. Leader starts again with those lush keyboards, then Chirico`s drumming and Andersen`s bass appear, and this now reminds me to The Nice, not ELP but The Nice. Energia has a great sound, when you have so good musicians the result will be great, actually what i least like on the album are the vocals, this is an instrumental song again with a psych feeling and may sound as a movie theme, keyboards takes all the attention. Ora X in this song the vocals return with a rockier feeling, ala Lonely Hearts Club Band, the last minute of the song is a powerful ending, though it fades out very softly. Analisi starts with a piano intro, then the vocals and a church organ along with some kind of funeral drumming, after a couple of changes, it returs to the same style and finishes stronger. Distruzione the longest track and without a doubt best one, the first minute is just some background noises, then it becomes stronger and it has a crescendo with the superb Chirico`s drumming, then after a silent moment, bass enters and keys after it, the sound is again very ELP like, this song may be divided in various movements since it has several rythm and time changes, there are some moments that may sound just like an improvisation. Il Vuoto, this is simply the outro, just one minute of keyboard music, the goodbye of the Atlantide.

It is a nice album, but not outstanding nor very complex, it didn`t provokes the same satisfaction as some other albums, give it a try, you may like it more than me, also i`d like to warn you, if you are looking for italian symphonic prog or rock progressivo italiano (whatever concept you have in your own mind) this is not what you would expect. Now i would give it 3 stars, just good but non-essential.

Enjoy it!

THE TRIP had been around since 1966 but didn't release their first album until 1970. This is their third record and first with the great Furio Chirico on drums, he of course would later lead ARTI & MESTIERI. And for me the highlight of this album is listening to Furio play.The band is a trio with no lead guitar, and this album clocks in at just under 31 minutes. English vocals too.

"Atlantide" opens with piano that picks up speed then the drums and bass join in around a minute. A dark calm 3 minutes in with vocal melodies to end it. "Evoluzione" is an uptempo tune with vocals. Piano and drums lead. "Leader" has a keyboard intro before the drums and vocals take over. Catchy tune.it blends into "Energia". I like the organ here with the steady drums. Great sound. Piano ends it. "Ora X" is catchy until it changes late as we get some powerful instrumental work.

"Analisi" opens with piano as reserved vocals join in. Organ before a minute. Contrasts continue. Drums end it. "Distuzione" is experimental early on then the drums come in after a minute. Bass and organ 2 minutes in .The drums before 4 minutes are incredible as he starts to solo. It goes on for too long though as we get these little outbursts coming and going. "Il Vuoto" is the short closing number with organ and a powerful atmosphere.

3.5 stars. I liked this album a lot. It is a little inconsistant to my tastes but well worth checking out regardless. By the way I think THE TRIP is a fantastic name for a band.

Exit William Gray (guitars): "The Trip" has turned into a trio now (bass, drums and keys). Yes, like ELP. And you can notice this while you are going to listen to this album.

From wild psychedelic on their previous effort ("Caronte"), the sound is more melodic even if "Evoluzione" still shares the psyche feel. Upbeat, solid drumming and English vocals are on the menu.

The intro of "Leader" could have come out of Jon Lord's organ. Some jazzy touch is only adding to the feel. Vocals though are not very convincing (as usual should I say). It is the weakest number from "Atlantide".

In a sense, this album is more diversified than their prior ones; but globally it holds less interesting songs and it leans too much on ELP ("Energia"). Highly energetic indeed: the rhythmic section plays a solid role here.

This album leaves me a flavour of being too disparate which is quite bizarre for a concept album: little unity during this work. After the rocking "Ora X" comes the pompous "Analisa". Quite unpredictable!

The long "Distruzione" sounds quite improvised: most of it consists of a drum solo that can't really fill my prog heart.

Two stars for this third album. Their weakest effort so far IMHHO.

"Atlantide" is the third studio album by The Trip and was released in 1972 on the RCA label with a renewed line up featuring Joe Vescovi (keyboards, vocals), Arvid 'Wegg' Andersen (bass, vocals) and Furio Chirico (drums, percussion) who stepped in after Pino Sinnone departure. Former guitarist Billy Gray left the band for a solo career and wasn't replaced, so the band went on as a trio turning to a keyboard-driven sound that every now and again could recall Emerson, Lake & Palmer. The first result of this new course is a concept album inspired by the myth of Atlantis and dealing with environmental issues where the plot is explained by the subtitles (in Italian) while the English lyrics by Arvid 'Wegg' Andersen add touches of colours to stir your imagination. The beautiful art cover by the Up & Down Studio tries to describe the complex musical content...

The instrumental opener 'Atlantide' (Atlantis) takes you back in time, on the sea, to show you a spectacular sunrise on the continent of Atlantis. It begins softly by a delicate piano intro, then the rhythm rises and the arms of the clock start to go backward, faster and faster. When the rhythm calms down the music conjures up a dreamy, exotic landscape...

Next comes 'Evoluzione' (Evolution) where the music and lyrics describe the first signs of life on the mysterious continent and its advanced civilization where empty minds blindly follow their leader, the chosen one, a ruthless maniac who defies Mother Nature looking for more and more power...

The following 'Leader' with its pulsing rhythm evokes scenes that could recall Fritz Lang's 1927 expressionist science-fiction drama film "Metropolis". The Atlantis people believe in their leader and in his promises for a better life in a future where Energy rules... Then the instrumental 'Energia' (Energy) depicts the moment when Energy, the source of an unlimited, uncontrollable power, falls in the hand of the leader and his madness explodes... All men will be slaves!

'Ora X' (X-Hour) opens the second side of the LP giving voice to the madness of the leader who wants to be king forever ruling all over the world... But the thunder is approaching and Energy breaks through blowing the leader and his followers up.

The melancholic 'Analisi' (Analysis) is a kind of elegy and in the meantime a caustic warning for the future. The illusion to harness Mother Nature crumbles as men who do not use its vital powers in the correct way are swept away by its force. A whole continent has been destroyed by greed because foolish crowds didn't fight to be alive and free but chose to follow the empty promises of an unscrupulous, merciless leader...

Then a dark marching beat solemnly leads the way to the last two instrumental tracks, 'Distruzione' (Destruction) that depicts anarchy and cataclysm and features a great drum solo, and the short 'Il vuoto' (The void) that closes the album describing the last moments of Atlantis, erased from the maps and submerged by the sea. Mother Nature's triumph is merciless and ineluctable... Beware!

On the whole, an excellent album whose dystopic concept in a time of climate changes and environmental challenges is still actual and fresh.