ILLUSIONS ON A DOUBLE DIMPLE

One of the most well crafted algums in the 70´s, Illusions On A Double Dimple was only, unbelievingly, Triunvirat´s second release. And the first one with the classic line up of Jürgen Fritz (keyboards), Hans Bathelt (Drums) and newcomer Helmut Köelen (Bass, vocals, guitars). First bassist Hans Papen did play some bass on Illusions, though.

It´s hard to believe how such an young and unexperienced band, in a country that had at the time almost no rock music scene, produced such a milestone in prog music. A concept album telling two different stories, it showed the world the talents of Fritz, who not only wrote most of the music, but also arranged strings, horns and choir. Hans Bathelt, a very talented drummer, on the other side proved a good lyricist, even though he was writing songs in a foreign language, an act no very common at the time. Koellen was also an excellent choice, being a far superior vocalist than Hans Papen (hear their first album and see for yourself if you don´t believe), a good bass player and also putting some tasteful acoustic guitar licks on several songs.

All this combined to produce an outstanding album that was critical to put Germany on the map as a country capable of creating original rock music. The record hit even in the USA which was something quite remarkable, since the germans were seen up to that point as rock lovers rather then rockers themselves. Even today the music stands on its own, growing old like wine. The themes they chose (alcoholism and greed) are as valid today as they were at the time (pehaps even more so today).The music still impresses by its sheer melody sense, the great arrangements and the skillfully playing. No real highlits here, the album can be enjoyed as a unit (although I still think Illusions... is actually a little better than Mister Ten Per Cent)

A classic, a masterpiece of prog music, a must have for anyone who calls himsoelf a prog lover.