FUNFAIR FANTASY

Trion started out as a quirky little homage to the mellotron has now blossomed into a de facto band that keeps giving the instrumental prog fan more joyous pleasures. It has become serious enough for guitarist Eddie Mulder to quit his mainstay Flamborough Head gig (he is not on their imminent 2013 release) and, for the time being at least, see how far the mellotron worship can sustain itself. Let me just opine that the previous work 'Pilgrim' will be a very hard act to follow, as it was a superb collection in all aspects, from artwork, composition, material to playing. Certainly slanted in the mellow rock direction, a la Camel and its Dutch cousin Odyssice (drummer Memmo Boosma is a member of that band as well), the sky can be the limit when you have a deranged mellotron to be inspired by.

Some tracks are utterly magnificent such as the luscious and anthemic 'Scotland' and the ravishing finale 'Secret Matter' while the rest remain firmly entrenched in a solid formula of sonic expectations within simpler frameworks. The amusing opener 'Ampelmannchen' is playful enough, with even some brief backing vocalizations, but it's really an Eddie Mulder show as he spreads nicely on both guitar and bass, while Spanninga does some nice work on piano and adds some wistful recorder samples. Nice and breezy. 'Gananogue' is a little town in Ontario, Canada and as such, it's a short and sweet tune, highly melodic, sunny disposition and all. It has a latter sister track called 'Song for Canada' , a gorgeous track which is flattering I guess for us ice-skating Canucks. For those of you who do not know, Holland and Canada have a rather unique relationship, the Dutch never ever forgetting the liberation from the Nazi regime by troops from Canada, who also fed the famished populace. Some things stay imprinted forever!

But 'Scotland' has definitely strong ties to Latimer's dromedary, as it portrays dense emotional guitar phrasings, some delightful flute-synth ornamentation and solid rhythmic backing. Keyboardist Edo Spanninga lays down some evocative string mellotron carpets, as Mulder paints wildly on the fantastic 6 string canvas, a truly ravishing 11 minute piece of delectable mellow rock of the chiseled variety, perhaps even Trion's finest moment. 'In the Distance' is gifted with a soaring blues melody, clearly led by the slow-hand guitar solo which then evolves into a sweet pastoral acoustic section before reverting to the original theme. It's something you swear you have heard before, yes, that good! Acoustic interlude, you ask? Well, of course, Eddie taking his acoustic guitar for a little stroll among the tulip gardens in the aptly-titled 'Wandering'.

'Towers' is perhaps the least convincing tune here, a laborious arrangement that, to my ears anyway, has a tendency to plod on, missing some kind of spark, which is too bad, as it could have been a Focus-like masterpiece. 'Sealth' reverts to the acoustic/pastoral realm, a style that suits Trion well, very characteristic of their previous albums, seeping mellotron weavings, flute samples and stunning Spanish guitar phrasings that are truly magnificent. The oddly titled 'Meat Prizes' has a brisker tempo, not really as good as the rest of the material as the disc ends on the previously mentioned 'Song for Canada' and the amazing 'Secret Matter', a colossal finale. Both have rather impressive symphonic deliveries and majestic guitar lines, full of vibrant delicacy.

In all, a very enjoyable release but frankly, nowhere near the brilliance of the first 2 albums.

4 carnival whims

The third Trion album `Funfair Fantasy' sees the band return with another winning selection of lush, endlessly melodic symphonic prog, and a more lovely and carefully crafted collection of instrumental music you won't find. Anyone who enjoys the pleasant instrumental passages of bands such as Rousseau, Camel and a little bit of Genesis will find an album lovingly crafted in the same style, proudly in debt to them yet not simply remaking their work. The music by the trio of Edo Spanninga, Eddie Mulder and Menno Boomsma is so gloriously joyful and proud of it's prog heritage that it's very easy to be swept along for the ride!

It's no surprise to find that the album is overloaded in Mellotron glory throughout, as well as plenty of tastefully melodic electric guitar solos in the Andy Latimar fashion. It's superb beginning to end, not a dud track or filler to be found. But special mention must go to the upbeat opener `Ampenmunnchen', the regal and drowsy Pink Floyd-styled `In The Distance' with it's gently humming Hammond and grand, bluesy David Gilmour guitarwork, and `Song For Canada', with the kind of hearfelt extended guitar soloing that would make Nick Barrett and Roine Stolt green with envy! The playful `Towers' could have appeared on any Glass Hammer album, the jazzy `Meat Prizes' features spiraling Moog runs that would have any Neo prog band taking notice, and the gently psychedelic closer `Secret Matter' is a warm and perfectly hazy soundtrack for balmy summer breezes.

A number of shorter pieces are also just as charming at the longer workouts. `Sealth' floats on a cloud of dreamy acoustic guitar over gentle synth and Mellotron washes, while acoustic ditty `Wandering' serves the same purpose as the Steve Howe solo pieces do on several Yes albums as a breather between the longer stretches.

But the emotionally charged dual Mellotron 11 minute epic `Scotland' may be one of the best instrumental pieces of the year, with numerous themes that will lodge themselves quickly and firmly in your mind! It's full of lovely Tron-flute passages, sky-high electric guitar soloing, murmurring bass that slinks around the backbone of the piece and confident punchy drumming. Dramatic, mellow, delirious and in a few spots ridicuously foot-tappingly upbeat, it's sure to make symph fans weep for joy.

2013 has seen an endless number of strong instrumental albums, and, along with Willowglass's `The Dream Harbour' and `Progenesi's `Ulisse: L'Alfiere Nero', this one will please fans who prefer carefully composed symphonic lusciousness over noodly jazz-fusion or fully improvised works. Trion has now released three terrific releases in a row that all beg for constant replays, and I have no doubt many symphonic prog fans will come to prize this one as a wonderful addition to their collection. `Funfair Fantasy ' is an album of tasteful, delicate and supreme instrumental timelessness bordering in near perfection.

Four stars.

Oh, well, it took a long, long time to write this review. I really had mixed feelings about Funfair Fantasy. I guess they are all related to this band´s past. Their debut album was a pleasant enough surprise. After all, who could guess that members of Flamborough Head an Odyssice would put out an entire work dedicated to instrumental prog based on the sounds of the ol´ mellotron? And make it much more than a curious experiment? And who could have guessed their second effort would be so powerful and remarkable as Pilgrim was? So the stakes were high. Too high, maybe.

For Funfair Fantasy is an excellent symphonic instrumental prog album. Still, it took some time for me to fully appreciate it. It has no real stand out track like The New Moon or Walk On Land, not to mention the massive and wonderful 24 minute epic of Frank (something one can expect to achieve once in a lifetime, if he´s lucky). But that does not mean that the CD´s tracklist is inferior: in fact the selection is very good and the overall quality of their work remains more or less the same. As usual we have the brilliant keyboards sounds os mastermind Edo Spaninga (yes, lots of mellotrons sounds!), the melodic and moving guitar lines of Eddie Mulder (who is still in the band although no longer a member of Flamborough Head) and the precise drumming of Memmo Boomsma.

Also as usual the production is crystal clear and the music is varies from the bombastic to the pastoral, with great flow and harmony. There´s no low moment in the entire album, although, as mentioned before, no real surprises either for those who know their previous output like me. The longest track, clocking at 11 minutes, In The Distance, is surely the most adventurous and interesting of the lot, with its several different sections and swinging moods, all very well done and performed. And I never get tired of listening to Spaninga´s tasteful keys neither Mulder´s beautiful guitar solos (oh, echoes of Latimer and Akkerman!)

So in the end, another winner CD from Holland. if Funfair Fanttasy maybe deserved a 3 star rating compared to their earlier works, it is nevetheless at least a four star piece of music when you listen to it on its own merits.

Are you a fan of great instrumental symphonic prog in the vein of Focus and Camel at their peak? Then you have to check this out. Highly recommended.