Triumvirat Appreciation Thread

Jacob Schoolcraft wrote: I heard Illusions On A Double Dimple on the radio. It was probably on WMMR or WYSP out of Philadelphia. I ran out and bought the album that week. Then I saw them on IN CONCERT. I brought the album to a friend's house. I said to her.."This is a new band and this is their first album "...She said.."They are not a new band and it is not their first album " Then she pulled out Mediterranean Tales and said.."This is their first album " It was an import album with a flimsy cover..and a sticker on the front which red..."Another Import From Jem" That's how I ended up obtaining a copy of the album..through Jem Records mail order service. From that point onward I collected every Triumvirate album as they were released. Curt Cress played drums on a later release..probably Pompeii...and I was a huge fan of Passport so it was exciting that he was working with Triumvirate.

Thanks for sharing this Triumvirat story. 

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.

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!

I love this band. 

Octopus II wrote: I love this band.  Controversial opinion, I even quite like 'A La Carte' and 'Russian Roulette'.

I think the following, for instance, is fine for what it is. But, good, bad, or other, people can be negative about such things for what it is not. I don't care much if music is good, just that I enjoy it.



I think Chilliwack and BTO might appreciate that. I enjoy it.

Edited by Logan - January 12 2024 at 14:28

Hrychu wrote: 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

^^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.....

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

To paraphrase a common saying: "audio or it didn't happen"

verslibre wrote: No YouTube over there, buddy?

whoa! for some reason the search results completely skipped over this one. O_O stupid YT search algorithm!

EDIT:
I listened to it. It's super weird. Feels kinda like a karaoke. xD From what I can hear, the backing track is mostly the same recording (except for the piano) as the Barry Palmer version but with a completely different mix (different level balance, panning, EQ and so on), and played at a different speed.

Edited by Hrychu - January 13 2024 at 16:14

richardh wrote: Is this anything to do with the 'gated reverb' affect that was used by Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins on PG3 and later just by Collins on In The Air Tonight?

No. It's a totally different sound! The IoaDD drum sound is super dry and crispy, exactly what you'd expect from a 70's drum recording, except the snare mic track has a short repeat after the initial hit, so insted of 'Ptsch', you hear 'PtschPtsch'. :)