Triumvirat Appreciation Thread

JD wrote: Dapper~Blueberries wrote: You know this group has kind of always interested me, but I never got around to listening to them. I heard they were kind of like ELP, and as a ELP fan that certainly intrigues me. Plus Double Dimple and Spartacus have really cute album covers, I mean look at that little mousey! They're adorable! :3 Where ELP were a gritty and heavy organ driven band, T-Rat was a little more refined and jazzy. Now don't get me wrong, They are excellent prog/symphonic. So if you haven't really sat down and given them a listen, then take it from me (a HUGE ELP fan)...Do It ! Go through the discography chronologically, you won't be disappointment. Well, until you get to Russian Roulette, then all bets are off.

They have been compared to ELP, but, I find they have their own overall vibe or atmosphere to their music, so for me, they are unique! Let us all know what you think of them. And, yeah, their last official album Russian Roulette is a pretty far stretch from their appealing characteristics.

You definitely should!

No clue. You gotta ask the engineer. I think they used a different technique because in 1973-1974 the commonly used recording techniques were different in general to what came along in the early 80's plus the gated reverb sound was originally achieved by recording the drums in a stone room I think and placing the microphones in a very specific spot. On IoaDD my guess would be that the mixer used a tape echo or something similar.

Underappreciated band. Every album I've heard is superb. Looking forward to listen to more in the future.

Jacob Schoolcraft wrote: presdoug wrote: Hrychu wrote: I've a question. How do you find the echo'd "slapback" drum sound on "Illusions..."? Do you like it? It's kinda weird, because it sounds like the drummer is flamming every note. For that type of music it almost works, but IMHO the album would've sounded way better without that echo on the drums. I do like it; I wouldn't want to change anything on Illusions, even if I could. It's definitely a kind of "slapback " on the snare drum and it's definitely not more commonly used in Prog. A more commonly usage of delay is a slight repeat on an instrument. For example the slight delay on Rick Wright's keyboards creates an ethereal affect which is smooth. On Triumvirat the slapback delay is quick and snappy . It doesn't resonate their music, but gives it a peculiar drive . It's the exact same effect used by certain Blues guitarists in the studio ...as if they are trying to capture the acoustics of a juke joint in the Southern United States back in the 1930's and 40's . It's not concert hall type of acoustics and it's a million miles away from sounding like an instrument being played in a Cathedral. It's a kind of punch impact to the driving rhythm in Triumvirat's case. Obviously they decided on that sound for a reason. I do understand how it gives the music on Illusions character. It's a strange album and I like it!

No YouTube over there, buddy?

verslibre wrote: Hrychu wrote: presdoug wrote: ^^That is interesting. There are two different versions of that song, Barry Palmer's and one sung by Doug Fieger, later of The Knack. I prefer Barry's vocals. The Fieger version of the song was included as a bonus track on the deluxe Friday Music edition of Spartacus..... Are you sure you're not making this up? I can't find it anywhere. Might as well be lost media. It's the last bonus track on this particular reissue. https://www.discogs.com/release/7740547-Triumvirat-Spartacus

presdoug wrote: ^^That is interesting. There are two different versions of that song, Barry Palmer's and one sung by Doug Fieger, later of The Knack. I prefer Barry's vocals. The Fieger version of the song was included as a bonus track on the deluxe Friday Music edition of Spartacus.....

Are you sure you're not making this up? I can't find it anywhere. Might as well be lost media.

I like Barry Palmer's vocals both in Triumvirat and Satin Whale. It would've been awesome to hear him sing some Köllen material if only it existed.

EDIT:
Also, I find Take a Break Today enjoyable. The best thing about it is the illustrative sound effects! :3 That's really cute.
Take a listen and pay attention to this:

🗎❛The Sunset Boulevard traffic lights all synthesized in tune❜ ― 🔈 sci fi style synth arps signifying the traffic lights lighting up in sync

🗎❛On Sunday afternoon with people on the run❜ ― 🔈 angular syncopated drum fill signifying a bunch of people walking in different directions

🗎❛The New York jets they say flew in from JFK❜ ― 🔈 filtered noise oscillator signifying jet planes taking off

Edited by Hrychu - January 12 2024 at 15:01

A concert that was advertised, that did not take place, unfortunately. Triumvirat had passport difficulties with Canadian appearances at the time. It ended up being Chilliwack with BTO. But the advertisement looks cool, anyway...