D’Virgilio, Morse, Jennings - "Sophomore" album out Nov 10, 2023

[King Postwhore]

I actually know who these people are now.

 

[Kram]

Sounds awesome!  Will definitely be picking this up.

[darkshade]

I'll wait for a 'single'.

[romdrums]

Sounds really good, and I’m definitely interested in hearing more. 

[ErHaO]

This sounds right up my alley, their voices harmonise really well.

[Orbert]

I get that recording things remotely, especially during pandemice/lockdown times, is the way most music is getting done these days, but it still seems strange to me that bands can record entire albums without ever being in the same physical space at any point.  I guess that when I think of a band, part of it includes the members of the band actually playing together.  Just jamming, getting to know each other musically, that sort of thing.  If it's a band that's been together for years already, that part probably isn't as necessary, but Neal specifically stated that he formed this group because he was thinking of three-part vocal harmonies, then they write and record an entire album without hearing how the three-part vocals actually sound.

Blah blah blah... Get off my lawn!

[Elite]

I get that recording things remotely, especially during pandemice/lockdown times, is the way most music is getting done these days, but it still seems strange to me that bands can record entire albums without ever being in the same physical space at any point.  I guess that when I think of a band, part of it includes the members of the band actually playing together.  Just jamming, getting to know each other musically, that sort of thing.  If it's a band that's been together for years already, that part probably isn't as necessary, but Neal specifically stated that he formed this group because he was thinking of three-part vocal harmonies, then they write and record an entire album without hearing how the three-part vocals actually sound.

Blah blah blah... Get off my lawn!

I hear you completely, being a musician myself as well. I recall a video of Caligula's Horse rehearsing a song from their last album (Rise Radiant, which I didn't enjoy at all) and they mentioned that it was the first time they ever played the song together. How in the hell do you write music and record it without ever playing it together to test out how it works? No wonder the album was balls, they had never even played the thing before!

[The Letter M]

From Burning Shed:

Nick D’Virgilio (Big Big Train), Neal Morse (Transatlantic) and Ross Jennings (Haken) combine their immense talents on Troika.
 
The album began with Neal Morse writing some acoustic songs he thought would be enhanced by strong vocal harmonies. After reuniting with former Spock's Beard bandmate Nick D'Virgilio, the duo specifically sought out Ross Jennings to complete the trio (all of whom contributed material to the project).
 
Limited CD with bonus track.

1  Everything I Am 5:43 
2  Julia 6:07 
3  You Set My Soul On Fire 3:22 
4  One Time Less 4:53 
5  Another Trip Around The Sun 4:39 
6  A Change Is Gonna Come 4:24 
7  If I Could 4:02 
8  King For A Day 5:47 
9  Second Hand Sons 4:43 
10  My Guardian 3:43 
11  What You Leave Behind 4:16 
12  Julia  Alternative Version 8:19 

Pre-Orders at Radiant begin at 10am EST (in 46 minutes or so).

-Marc.

[MinistroRaven]

I'll wait for a 'single'.

Today, the band is also sharing the album’s first single “Julia”.  You can watch the video by Christian Rios here:
https://youtu.be/Y31eVTnMIxI

[faizoff]

I'm watching the live premiere and am really liking it. The harmonies are on point.

[MinistroRaven]

Ross had this to say about the track:
"With my original demo clocking in at around the 8-minute mark and possibly leaning too close to 'prog epic' than the singer/songwriter vibe we were attempting to present on this record, Neal arranged my lengthy ballad into something more concise, in-keeping with the album’s essence and writing in a powerful new chorus in the process!

“This one was all about the 3-part vocal harmony interplay and ‘pull-at-the-heartstring’ lyrics which deals with themes of regret and forgiveness in the context of a broken father-daughter relationship.”
- Ross Jennings
 

[The Letter M]

https://www.nealmorse.com/product/dvirgilio-morse-jennings-troika/

Radiant exclusive: first 100 pre-orders receive a set of three signed polaroids of Nick, Neal, and Ross!

Just placed my order with Radiant! And I just listening to the new sing, VERY good stuff! I love how seamlessly their voices blend together so well!

Edit - so Neal's site doesn't mention the bonus track or the CD being a Limited Edition like at Burning Shed, so I ahead and ordered from BS as well, so I guess I'll have 2 copies of Troika. Maybe if I get the signed polaroids, I'll frame them with the album I get from Radiant.

Edit 2 - apparently I am blind and Radiant's item description states the CD is a Limited edition version with bonus track, right at the top, just not listed in the actual tracklisting like at Burning Shed. Ah well, I guess I'll have 2 copies of Troika, maybe I'll gift one to a friend.

-Marc.

[axeman90210]

Never ordering a new release from Radiant again after the shitshow that was I&D, but dig the first single.

[HOF]

I'll wait for a 'single'.

Today, the band is also sharing the album’s first single “Julia”.  You can watch the video by Christian Rios here:
https://youtu.be/Y31eVTnMIxI

Oh, this is fantastic in every way. And it's a Ross composition (which I had no idea what to expect from him). I am really excited for this now. So pumped to hear Nick and Neal singing together again, and Ross blends right in. Also, Nick is such a ham!

[Fritzinger]

I'm not listening to any singles as always, but reading the positive comments on the new single has me hyped up 

Also, HOF, I'd like to know what exactly a ham is 

[HOF]

I'm not listening to any singles as always, but reading the positive comments on the new single has me hyped up 

Also, HOF, I'd like to know what exactly a ham is 

It’s an acting term for someone who overacts and ends up being unintentionally comical. Usually it’s applied to people who kind of act dramatic for a laugh. Nick just has a way of expressing himself while singing that is a bit exuberant, but you know it’s said in love!

[emtee]

Very enjoyable. Those are A-level harmonies. Quite a beautiful song.

[Kwyjibo]

Ross had this to say about the track:
"With my original demo clocking in at around the 8-minute mark and possibly leaning too close to 'prog epic' than the singer/songwriter vibe we were attempting to present on this record, Neal arranged my lengthy ballad into something more concise, in-keeping with the album’s essence and writing in a powerful new chorus in the process!

“This one was all about the 3-part vocal harmony interplay and ‘pull-at-the-heartstring’ lyrics which deals with themes of regret and forgiveness in the context of a broken father-daughter relationship.”
- Ross Jennings

I quite liked this, but the chorus was the weakest part imo 

[Kram]

I love it - the song sounds awesome.  Love how their voices blend.  And yes, Nick is "hamming it up" a bit with the facial expressions and the tambourine.  I'm assuming it's Nick playing the drums and Neal on piano and keyboards?  For those of you holding off on watching the video, it just shows Neal and Ross playing guitars and Nick with a tambourine in parts - but there's a lot more going on instrumentally than that.

[HOF]

I love it - the song sounds awesome.  Love how their voices blend.  And yes, Nick is "hamming it up" a bit with the facial expressions and the tambourine.  I'm assuming it's Nick playing the drums and Neal on piano and keyboards?  For those of you holding off on watching the video, it just shows Neal and Ross playing guitars and Nick with a tambourine in parts - but there's a lot more going on instrumentally than that.

The song strikes a really nice balance between being a stripped down singer/songwriter affair but it still has some nice changes and instrumentation. It's not super proggy, but it's not boring either. Just a really well executed song.

[King Postwhore]

This reminds me of a prog version of The Thorns.  Mathew Sweet, Pete Droge & Shawn Mullings.  3 part harmonies with all 3 singing leads.  Melodic.  I dig it a lot.

[romdrums]

I get that recording things remotely, especially during pandemice/lockdown times, is the way most music is getting done these days, but it still seems strange to me that bands can record entire albums without ever being in the same physical space at any point.  I guess that when I think of a band, part of it includes the members of the band actually playing together.  Just jamming, getting to know each other musically, that sort of thing.  If it's a band that's been together for years already, that part probably isn't as necessary, but Neal specifically stated that he formed this group because he was thinking of three-part vocal harmonies, then they write and record an entire album without hearing how the three-part vocals actually sound.

Blah blah blah... Get off my lawn!

I hear you completely, being a musician myself as well. I recall a video of Caligula's Horse rehearsing a song from their last album (Rise Radiant, which I didn't enjoy at all) and they mentioned that it was the first time they ever played the song together. How in the hell do you write music and record it without ever playing it together to test out how it works? No wonder the album was balls, they had never even played the thing before!

That album was such a let down after In Contact. 

[hefdaddy42]

I dig the single!

[hefdaddy42]

Well, that's a first.  After following the group on Spotify, they now have 1 monthly listener.  It's me!

[King Postwhore]

Well, that's a first.  After following the group on Spotify, they now have 1 monthly listener.  It's me!

The one, the only!

[Cocopjojo]

This started out good enough, but it gets super strong by the end of it! The latter third of the track is killer!

[DTwwbwMP]

Never ordering a new release from Radiant again after the shitshow that was I&D, but dig the first single.

 

[Orbert]

I just listened to the single.  It's nice.

[KevShmev]

Nice song, with some killer harmonies.  I think the part at the end could have been left off, to make it a perfect 4-minute pop song, but those prog guys can never help themselves.   I am sure the whole album will be nice.

[HOF]

Help me out, folks. The phrase “ocean winds blow on the land” is also from another song, I’m thinking either another Neal Morse tune or something from Big Big Train, but I can’t place it.

[Metro]

Help me out, folks. The phrase “ocean winds blow on the land” is also from another song, I’m thinking either another Neal Morse tune or something from Big Big Train, but I can’t place it.

The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway

[HOF]

Help me out, folks. The phrase “ocean winds blow on the land” is also from another song, I’m thinking either another Neal Morse tune or something from Big Big Train, but I can’t place it.

The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway

Oh, good call! That’s definitely where the phrase comes from but also not what I thought it would be. I wonder if there is another.

[Orbert]

I think the part at the end could have been left off, to make it a perfect 4-minute pop song, but those prog guys can never help themselves.  

I thought the exact same thing! 

[HOF]

I think the part at the end could have been left off, to make it a perfect 4-minute pop song, but those prog guys can never help themselves.  

I thought the exact same thing! 

Yeah, but the harmony on that section is really killer.

[The Letter M]

I think the part at the end could have been left off, to make it a perfect 4-minute pop song, but those prog guys can never help themselves.  

I thought the exact same thing! 

What's funnier is that this version of "Julia" is the SHORT version! Ross' original version is over 8 minutes long and is the bonus track on the album.

To he fair, "Julia" is the longest song on the album with others averaging around 4 minutes.

-Marc.