Album Notes

The Trillionaires rock. On their first album, Honeycomb Conjecture, songwriter Larry Hirshberg covers a lot of rocky ground. From the opening feedback guitar of Plan Z to the synth rhythms and phased guitars of the closer, Just A Kiss, the band passes through some ska (Really Love); some reggae (Public Restroom); a tune based on an African-type riff and four-on-the-floor kick drum that rocks like and references Neil Young (In Every Kitchen); and a hip-hoppy drum ‘n bass grooved ballad (Short But Sweet). But at the heart of it all is the solid rock sensibility that will satisfy all lovers of loud guitars, thundering bass, and hot drums.

Here’s what The Missoula Independent had to say about Honeycomb Conjecture:

“The honeycomb conjecture posits that a hexagonal grid represents the most efficient way to divide a surface into regions of equal area with the least total perimeter. Which means, of course, it holds the most honey. The Trillionaires’ debut album, Honeycomb Conjecture, seems to maximize space with a similar theory.
Travis Yost strategically unleashes smart drum fills into every nook and cranny while Tyson Roth keeps the bass lines simple but interesting. The latter is especially evident in “Birds of Paradise,” wherein Roth executes climbing and descending scales with snappy vigor. The album is not overproduced, which makes it all the more charming, and though it’s a basic three-piece rock record, the composition is refreshing and the lyrics sharp.
Larry Hirshberg’s vocals have the frank casualness of Tom Petty, and in new-wave songs like “Someone Specific,” he brings a conversational tone that evokes the coolness of David Byrne. “Public Restroom” is one of the album’s catchier creations, with a reggae-influenced riff and the gem line: “This public restroom has afforded me the clearest view/of the world so far.”
A bee’s design captures honey in a uniform grid, but The Trillionaires have fashioned an album with strong, diverse tunes that hold just as much substance.” (Erika Fredrickson)