As I was given the opportunity to preview Rio - though without the context of liner notes and lyrics - I thought I would post my initial impressions with the aim of publishing a longer in-depth review upon official release.
My initial impression, much like some others who've had the chance to preview the album, is that this is not entirely Trevor the hook-master writing in previous idioms. I feel as if he has progressed into other realms which express the breadth of his stylistic impulses while at the same time embodying certain aspects which we might expect, but again going beyond in a playful and adventurous way. And I feel like the vocals are also confounding our expectations a bit, Trevor is still the melodic singer we know, but the current context of his artistic life allows for something new and interesting.
"Big Mistakes"
As numerous others have noted, this track has a great hook-y rock-pop sensibility and thus opens the album in a context we recognize as regards Trevor's overall identity. To me it feels like a familiar friend, from Lou Molino's stutter-step drum fill to that big riff and lots of dynamic Alembic bass. It is quite different from the rest of the album, but as I've noted that stylistic diversity is one of the hallmarks of Trevor's career then it's entirely fitting for him to pull a bit of playful bait-and-switch. And the cellphone gag is classic Trevor!
"Push"
This track has received a lot of positive feedback from those prog-loving fans of both YesWest and Trevor's solo career. Vinnie Colaiuta certainly comports himself well, as we would expect. There is a feel of metaphorical messaging rather than direct rhetoric as regards the lyrics, which Trevor has noted are about "the horror of politics and politicians." I would say of all the tracks, this one feels most like the spiritual successor to what we heard on Jacaranda.
"Oklahoma"
This track in particular seems to meld Trevor's scoring sensibilities with his instincts as a songwriter. There is an anthemic bent to the grandeur of the orchestra. I particularly enjoy the fretless bass and acoustic guitar textures. The way the song shifts from one movement to another has a "score suite" type of structure to it. This song is said to be about the Oklahoma City bombing of 1995 and does have an elegaic feel to it.
"Paradise"
This song features a fairly straight-ahead riff with lots of vocal harmony filigree, it has a similar vibe to "Big Mistakes" as regards how the hook hits in the chorus. If I were to guess, I'd say this is the other song which features Liz and Dante on vocals. To me the highlight is the vocalese-style multi-tracked section which comes towards the end of the track and then full-on transitions into a piano jazz section with a bit of brass. Very fun!
"Thandi"
There are sounds which introduce this track which remind me specifically of Ryan's debut on Can't Look Away and so I wonder if this is Miss Rio's debut (but pitch-shifted to be more texture than specifically a voice). This song mixes a rock structure with a ZA-style mbube chorus, which indicates to me that the target of Trevor's criticism is his homeland. There is a lot of guitar goodness on this track (in the classic sense)! And if I had to guess, I'd say Ryan is the drummer on this track.
"Goodbye"
This is the "chicken-pickin" style song which Trevor mentioned recently in media coverage. It's more traditional, to my mind, it's not pop-country but rather something more like Paul Simon's "Kodachrome" (which was meant to mimic the Muscle Shoals sound specifically). Towards the end it shifts into more of a rock-sounding motif. Trevor is definitely channeling Chet Atkins in his playing and I think there's banjo entwined in there as well.
"Tumbleweed"
As pointed out by Trevor in regards to overall vocal stylings, there is a lovely Manhattan Transfer-style acapella vocal to introduce this track which then gets a bit more playful and segues into a lovely guitar landscape with gentle vocals and a bit of organ. Because so many people seem to want to insert his former bandmates into this effort, this is the song I could imagine Jon Anderson contributing to. Not that I think it's necessary at all, but it's got that vibe. It's so lovely in the various sections and the overall mood, definitely a favorite from first listen.
"These Tears"
This also makes me think of Trevor's scoring work in terms of how the track is constructed: the layering of the voices and synth elements contrasting against the warmth of the guitar and the ethereal mood of the vocals. The doomed romance aspect of the lyrics is something we'd likely expect from Trevor, but set within this mood they take on an interesting gravitas. It's also a bit of a nod to "Promises" in terms of all that ambience, in my estimation.
"Egoli"
Of course a song with this title is also going to reference the township jive and mbube styles of Trevor's homeland. A tribute to the city which raised him, embodied by positive memories and associations and nostalgia. This comes across as Trevor attempting to come to terms with his overall ambivalence regarding South Africa.
"Toxic"
The intro to this one seems like a different take on "Market Street" but then immediately shifts into a upbeat blues mode. There's a lot of interesting texturing in the verses. Trevor's vocal is quite bright and melodic against the more gritty mood of the music. I do feel like the ride-out is a bit short, I think the track would have benefitted from a more dynamic full-stop.
