If you’re into multi-part harmonies like Queen and Yes then Trillion will appeal to you.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Trillion
ALBUM: Trillion
LABEL: Epic
SERIAL: JE 35460
YEAR: 1978
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Dennis Frederiksen – vocals * Frank Barbalace – guitars, vocals * Ron Anaman – bass, vocals * Patrick Leonard – keyboards * Bill Wilkins – drums, percussion
TRACK LISTING: 01 Hold Out * 02 Big Boy * 03 Give Me Your Money Honey * 04 Never Had It So Good * 05 May As Well Go * 06 Fancy Action * 07 Hand It To The Wind * 08 Bright Night Lights * 09 Child Upon The Earth
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
Trillion are a band easily associated with the melodic rock movement for several reasons. As a lead-in, this is what was said on the bio-sheet which came with the LP:
‘Collectively, Trillion is a group of superbly skilled and remarkable inventive musicians who have deverloped a tremendously powerful sound characterized by tightly arranged and consistently melodic songs, performed with all the instrumental and vocal flash of major British bands such as Queen, Genesis, Yes and Supertramp and combined with the fundamental rock ‘n’ roll power of American counterparts Kansas, Styx and Journey.’
With that introduction out of the way, I guess it gives you an idea what direction they were coming from. Talking of direction, Trillion hail from Chicago and were formed in 1976, and like fellow Windy City residents Styx, found the late 70’s scene to their liking.
The Songs
For the debut, which was recorded in Colorado with Gary Lyons (Foreigner, Queen, Crawler etc) at the helm, the band set about reproducing their version of ‘commercial pomp for want of a better phrase.
If you’re into multi-part harmonies like Queen and Yes then this band will appeal to you. Whether it’s long-flowing moments like ‘Child Upon The Earth’ or sharp snappy bursts like ‘Never Had It So Good’, there’s something here for everyone. The punctuated moments of ‘Fancy Action’ combined with the straight-ahead but regimented approach of ‘Hold Out’ ensure there is contrast throughout.
In Summary
For album number two ‘Clear Approach’ released in 1980, Frederiksen had departed for L.A (later to join Toto and Le Roux), with replacement Thom Griffin joining the fold. That album was decidedly softer, but the climate had changed, and Trillion’s brand of rock was no longer in favor – so only the two Trillion albums were the by-product of 3-4 years together.
Leonard went on to become Madonna‘s right-hand man, also turning up in Toy Matinee and Third Matinee, while Barbalace went on to join Chicago area band Wild Blue who released the AOR/pop release ‘No More Jinx’.
While Trillion’s follow-up album received a CD reissue back in 2008, it wasn’t until 2010 that this album also received a digital update thanks to premiere reissue label Rock Candy Records. Pick it up before it becomes a scarcity.
Video
Give Me Your Money Honey
Fancy Action
