Torreon is a collaborative process and set of rules for making music shared by several people, most of whom attended Hampshire College (Amherst, MA) around the turn of the century. Our center of gravity has recently moved to the West Coast (La Jolla, CA). As an experimental endeavor, Torreon does not self sensor. Nonetheless, some efforts have produced better output than others. You can find everything in our catalog here in free, mp3 form (someday). FYI, I have marked my personal favorites within each album with this: Torreon is part of Magic Orb Records. Some of Torreon's members participate in non-auditory arts for the phOtOsynthesis art project.

New to Torreon? With so many songs (over 100, last time I felt like counting), it can be hard to know where to start.  These three songs come as close as a basis set as you can in the Torreon music space. 

Sun in the Fun (2007, in progress)

	Dead in La Jolla {1:43, 2003}  Nobody lives in La Jolla, California.
	All about junk email {2:46, 2003} A song with three distinct movements, concerning the world of unsolicited commercial email. Note that song sounds better if you turn up the volume.
	In the Faculty Club {1:48, 2003}  If you wanted to eat food at UCSD, you might end up in the faculty club. What would that be like? More to the point, if you sang a song about it, would you use any instrument other than your own voice?
	Treesong {4:18, 2004} What the world needs is more songs about trees, and especially, more songs about their feelings. Trees really get the short end of the stick, if you know what I mean. PS: be on the lookout for the subtle cues that explain why the song is dominated by such a sad piano.
	Multi-Lingual {1:05, 2004} Torreon's first 'true' multi-lingual effort. Very experimental/mellow.  Featuring the most important Spanish catchphrase ever.
	Motz or Motz {0:47, 2006} Pronunciation can be tricky, and sometimes it really matters.
	Where is the Motz {3:29, 2006} DavidG's brilliant idea. So good it probably shouldn't be called Torreon.
	Angst {1:46, 2006}  Jymm's brilliant idea. The start of a fruitful collaboration. Hear how it all began!

Local download not working? Then download mp3s from this album here.

		Leaving Dakin (2006) Started in 2001, with some works dating back to a year before that, and only ended in 2006, this is Torreon's longest-term work ever.  But is it the best? You decide.

 

		Born on a Pirate Ship (2001, EP) This EP was recorded in one or two evenings, during a short return visit David made to the Hampshire campus.  The idea was to make a themed EP which came together in a cohesive whole, in contrast to our other releases which were finalized the moment we had completed ~70 minutes of music since the last release.  David brought along his newly trained skills in guitar, so this release sounds markedly different from other collaborations.  But it's very clearly Torreon!

	Born on a Pirate Ship {3:04, 2001}  A light and happy picture of pirate-ship life. This is the official, professional mix. Alternate (less corporate rock) mix here.
	Questions {1:14, 2001} An atmospheric/experimental song. The biggest question might be, "What does this have to do with pirates?".
	My Trees are on Fire {1:49, 2001} This song rocks, in a mellow, The New Torreon kinda way. If this EP had a hit single, this might be it. Or maybe it would be the next song...
	On the Sea (on the sea) {2:49, 2001} This amazing song is entirely David Hellman's work. He "kicked" me out of "the studio" while recording it. A rare chance to hear David sing.
	Whatever {2:08, 2001} Musically this is a mix between BoaPS and Questions. In fact, this song is an answer (of sorts) to the question "What happened to the Pirate Ship Theme?".
	Rolling on the Seas {4:40, 2001} More of what you've come to expect from The Good Old Torreon. Imagine how crazy it was before I tamed it down (tracks and length both!). Things were so happy in BoaPS, but as this song shows; not all pirate ship life is like that. Don't you wish you had a hero in a box?
	Torreon {0:41, 2001} Another startling departure from the theme, but it is really, really worth it. The only song in our catalog good enough to be called Torreon. I think we recorded this in one take and one overdub.

		The Lawnmower Suite (2001) This album was started as a commentary on an important topic of cognitive science research - self operating lawn mowing machines. The importance of this topic is widely underestimated, hence the need for an advocacy piece such as this.    In the middle of the recording process David Hellman joined Torreon, and forever changed the direction and sound of the band. By the time the order of the tracks was to be decided it was clear that the songs that David contributed to were the real point of this album, and Torreon gave up it's high-minded ideals, relegating the lawnmower songs to the tail end of the CD. This album is largely considered to be the most listenable CD in the Torreon library, as long as you stop playing around the Punk Lawnmower song.  The song descriptions are the originals from mp3.com, and reflect the feeling of new and exciting directions the band was taking at the time. The new and startling direction of Torreon then may be the tried and true sound of today, however.

	Dead in Bed {4:04, 2000} Love is so misread, when you're dead.
	What I did Summer Break w/ David Hellman {0:41, 2000} A Startling New Release from Torreon, Featuring the musical genius of David Hellman on Piano, Drums, Strings, Timpani, and backing vocals.
	Give me the JAM! {2:34, 2000}  Brooding and intelligent mix of music and voice.
	The Gates of Hell (TM) {0:57, 2000} The Gates of Hell are the happiest gates of all.
	The Ballad of Eddy (You don't have to..) {1:42, 2000}  Thick, textured duet with David and Ed Hellman.
	One Trick Pony {0:41, 2000} We are not that which the title of this song suggests, ThankYouVeryMuch.
	Famous Confrontation, (the) {1:14, 2000}  The famous, heated in-studio debate between Torreon and David Hellman in the fall of 2000, accidentally recorded by a negligent techie who left the tapes running when he went for coffee. Having circulated for years among bootleggers, the underground classic is now available through official Torreon channels. With added ethereal backing vocals and pop rhythm.
	Before the Lawn Mowers {6:43, 2000}  The introduction to the saga.
	The Happy One {1:08, 2000} It's been said that Torreon's songs are all overly moody. Is this the exception that proves the rule?
	Regression to the Mean {5:39, 2000}  Statistics are a part of life, whether you know them or not.
	Punk Lawnmower {4:33, 2000}  Raw emotional brain tap - me & my lawnowers: A bond that cannot be broken.
	More... many more songs are on this CD (8 actually). Perhaps they will be posted in a moment of free time.

 

The Older Music

Kudzu (2000)

	Aqua, The RainFall {8:05, 1999} An early new age piece, much better than I remembered it being at the time. Torreon fans, enjoy this look back at the early days!
	The Angry Anthem {3:43, 2000} The song of all angry people, everywhere, whether or not they will admit it. Hear the truth here first.
	Argon of the Interlude {1:08, 1999} Another early instrumental bit, quite good.
	End of the Elements: no more Tritium {4:33, 1999} Now that Torreon is gaining popularity in the world, I though it was time to give fans a look at how we started out, with one of our earliest works. Quite different in style, no?
	The Experiment {3:02, 2000} Vocal Track with almost a full second of instrumentation. Ever run a experiment under the guidance of an IRB? Scientists, take note.
	Ritual Warezing {2:49, 2000} A story about moralz, set to the melodic sound of my voice.
	Terminal Song {3:27, 2000} This song is about a very sad event in my life. Please listen to it or I will be made even more sad. Don't worry, it won't make you sad, it has a very happy piano bit, just like I know you like.
	Mountain Bliss {2:33, 2000} A new classic; this song has it all. Torreon,has not, repeat, has not, lost it. A must downloadfor all our fans and soon to be fans.
	I said I would love you forever; I lied {5:39, 2000} The full title of this song is: I said I would love you forever, thankfully it didn't work out that way. And even that blunt sounding truth isn't the whole story.
	Forever No More {1:14, 2000}
	Shower of Tears {7:55, 2000} A deeply introspective story of my past and where I am today (or was, in 2000). Something like a "love song" but really, not.
	Laundry Mine {4:30, 2000}
	Betrayed by Tyan and Be, inc. {5:01, 2000}
	The End is Near (or is it Here?) {1:25, 2000} A prophecy of sorts, pay close attention and you may learn important facts about your future
	Terminal Song {????, 2000} This song is about a very sad event in my life. Please listen to it or I will be made even more sad. Don't worry, it won't make you sad, it has a very happy piano bit, just like I know you like.
	Repress Depression {1:59, 2000}

Download mp3s from this album here.

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