Trio - Trio [Remastered Deluxe Edition] (2003)

Say what you will about the German trio called Trio, but "Da Da Da" remains one of the most memorable songs to emerge from the '80s. It was so memorable, it enjoyed a new lease on life in the late '90s when used in a Volkswagen commercial. Although first heard in the U.S. on the Trio & Error album (which compiled tracks from the band's first two German releases), this is the album that spawned that glorious hit and thrust Trio into the brief spotlight of fame. Sung mostly in German, this album isn't the perfect place to start for the casual listener (buy Trio & Error if you want a good starting point), but for music fans, this is a quirky and enjoyable listen. Trio performs simple, basic, and stripped-down rock & roll, which is neither punk nor new wave. Vocalist Stephan Remmler's droll voice may irritate some, but it's always remained one of the lovable charms of Trio. Most of the tracks are more basic than "Da Da Da," consisting only guitar, voice, and drums. And there is little to no bass here, although legendary bassist Klaus Voorman produced the album. Other popular party favorites here include "Broken Hearts for You and Me," "Nasty," "Kummer," "Energie," and "Sunday You Need Love Monday Be Alone." If you're looking for the band's new wave side, you won't find much here. This is raw and real rock & roll played with a quirky sense of humor that certainly crosses the language barrier. [Mercury's 2004 Deluxe Edition featured four bonus singles, nine previously unissued demos and an additional EP on two compact discs.]