Wednesday 18 May 2016

Trevor's Head - "Tricolossus" (Album Review)

By: Phil Weller

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 26/02/2016
Label: Independent


As it is, there are some killer songs on here – namely ‘Blood Moon’, ‘Idiot Time’ and ‘Ordinary Kind’ – but it still feels like there is room to grow for this band. Yet, as their track record suggests, they seem locked in a state of perpetual evolution and experimentation, and for that, they have to be lauded.

“Tricolossus” CD//DD track listing:

1. Blood Moon
2. Government Whores
3. Deep Blue Fish
4. Idiot Time
5. Ordinary Kind
6. But A Scratch
7. I Had Dreamt I Was Man...
8. Pan-Galactic Peaceniks
9. Roll It Over
10. 21 Tonnes
11. Casa De Eduardo


The Review:

Tricolossus’, as the title of this Redhill power trio’s first full length release suggests, is a veritable threesome of mighty sounds. Combining here is grimy grunge, hazy stoner rock and puncturing, aggressive punk. Yet, despite such opposing forces vying for your aural G-spot at all times, the multitude of fumbling hands only heightens the sense of pleasure that diving into bed with this album portrays. Too many cooks can indeed spoil the broth but here each song progresses with a fluidity that justifies their multi-faceted means.

Taking the templates of their almost pop punk debut EP ‘Juice’ and it’s heavier follow up, ‘Otherside’, they have here found a way to make several musical styles feel at home alongside each other without the music feeling disjointed, convoluted or confused.

Take a song like ‘Ordinary Kind’ which begins with a repetitive, chugging bass line and moody, atmospheric drumming; which leads you by the hand into an ear-worm in the making chorus, complete with lofty ‘ooh aahs’. That’s all before the final chapters are dedicated to a punk-edged, furious battle scene of rapid fire guitars and ambitious, layered acapella vocals which later cry out over the fading remnants of the battle. While the vocals may not be spectacular – more outer than inner bullseye in terms of execution – you cannot fault their desire to push their own boundaries and are taking on a task that many other bands of their ilk would cower away from.

But A Scratch’, conversely, merges a fast paced aggression with a melodious chorus; an intricate, detailed bass line colouring the background beneath. Alongside the Clutch meets Fu Manchu on happy pills boogie rock of ‘Deep Blue Fish’, it represents a moment where it all comes together with a convincing gusto.

Blood Moon’, which opens the album, is founded upon an evil blues shuffle on top of which the vocalist really makes his own. It’s a stanch introduction – the progressive interlude of the middle section, flavoured by Eastern flavoured guitar and flutes hinting at them being more than just sounds to get high to – works hard to wholly represent their sound as a whole. While it would be unfair to praise or dismiss the quality of the record based solely on this track, it does give you a taste of things to come.    

Casa De Eduardo’ meanwhile, pocked with Spanish tonalities, may stand for their outside-the-box thinking and keenness to surprise, comes across more whimsical than it does a stroke of genius.
In the end of course it all comes down to personal preference and perception. For me, while it pertains many flavoursome hallmarks that make this a multi-dimensional release, I feel it needs that extra dash of spice, an extra punch or zest to kick it up a notch to be truly impressive. To make you keep coming back for repeat listens.

As it is, there are some killer songs on here – namely ‘Blood Moon’, ‘Idiot Time’ and ‘Ordinary Kind’ – but it still feels like there is room to grow for this band. Yet, as their track record suggests, they seem locked in a state of perpetual evolution and experimentation, and for that, they have to be lauded. Could the best be yet to come?



Tricolossus” is available here


Band info: facebook || bandcamp