Album Review: Ronnie Atkins - Trinity

Optimism is a funny thing, isn't it? We treat it as an admirable trait to be able to look into the future and expect good things, but why is that a good thing if there's no reason or evidence pointing us in that direction? Sometimes, optimism is as much about denying reality as it is about trying to make our futures better. There's that line of thinking out there that says good things will come if you simply want them enough. It's no wonder, when we have garbage like that passing as 'advice', why we treat acknowledging things for how they are as a sign of something being wrong with us.

For his third solo album, Ronnie Atkins keeps up his optimism, but lets the music take a bit of a heavier turn this time. It's very much like the Nordic Union project he's a part of, but with a bit more spiritualism thrown into the mix, as opposed to caramelized sugar. Ronnie's voice is clearly better for music on the heavier end of the rock spectrum, so that much is a welcome development. His previous solo albums were a bit too cloying for my taste, even though I completely understand and appreciate why they were that way.

This one is more up my alley, but it moves into territory where the comparison with Nordic Union becomes harder to put aside. Since this is mining much of the same territory, I can't help but think of that project when listening to this album, because... it's just better. That's not to say this album is bad, but whether it's the too smooth for it's own good chorus on "Shine", or the hook-devoid "Godless", the songs Erik Martensson wrote with Ronnie are better at sticking the landing.

In fact, I would also say the last couple of Pretty Maids albums, which veered into quite heavy territory, are also better records. Maybe I'm just not in a place where sunny optimism is what I want or need to hear, but the most upbeat parts of this record feel more annoying to me than uplifting. When he sings that "if you can dream it you can do it", it rings hollow, since I've spent the last year watching dreams get further away. Hearing the implication that it's my fault for not manifesting it makes me angry, to be honest. As I said to someone in an off-handed manner; fate must have been created by someone who already got what they want in life.

When the album stays a bit less sugar-coated, like on "Sister Sinister" and "Raining Fire", there's a lot of good it has to offer. That doesn't make the album great as a whole, but it's enough to move the needle into the green. This record isn't as good as (especially the first two) Nordic Union's efforts, but there are a few winning songs here well worth hearing. I don't know if that qualifies as the optimistic take on the record, but then again, I really don't care.