1: Takes Time 2: Bringing It On Home 3: Rocky Mountain Way 4: Street Fighter 5: Street Fighter (Reprise) 6: 24 Hours A Day 7: Blinding Light Show/Moonchild 8: Rock 'N' Roll Machine

This is the US compilation released in '78 that took songs from their debut, and the Canadian release of Rock'N'Roll Machine. Sadly on this compilation Rik's instrumentals don't show up here. The reason I liked Triumph originally was because they did a kick ass version of "Rocky Mountain Way" and for years this was the definitive version for me. Oddly enough it's only recently I've actually picked up a lot of their older albums.

Triumph were a straight on rock and roll band, and although a lot of this hasn't aged as well as some of the 70's classic rock. It was the age of the pretentious rock song after all, and at times Triumph was as out there as anyone, however, there's no denying the impact they had on a generation of kids.

The showpiece on Rock'N'Roll Machine is without a doubt "Blinding Light Show/Moonchild" it has it all: it’s loud, long, pretentious, and has one of Rik's classical solos. In short it's an opus. The title track features an extended Rik solo that draws some comparisons to "Eruption" but predates it by a year - although it's not as groundbreaking, it is a great display of fretplay.

They were Canada's other power trio, and although they don't get the respect many of their counterparts receive, they were indeed a Rock'N'Roll machine.

Long live rock.

Reviewed July 15, 2005

Just A Game (©1979 TRC)

the songs: Movin' On / Lay It On The Line / Young Enough To Cry / American Girls / Just A Game / Fantasy Serenade / Hold On / Suitcase Blues

I never bought any of Triumph's albums in the 70's or 80's other than Sport of Kings. Over the years I've snagged a number of their albums on CD, and the other day while I was looking around my local record store I found this old gem for about five bucks, so I thought I'd pick me up a copy.

What a good album. Then again I am partial to dinosaur guitar rock. I bought the album on the strength of Lay It On The Line, and found that the rest of the album was just as good (of course it's dated and all that, but it's still a good rock and roll album).

Reviewed July 30, 2000

Progressions of Power (©1980)

1: I Live For the Weekend 2: I Can Survive 3: In the Night 4: Nature's Child 5: Woman in Love 6: Take My Heart 7: Tear the Roof Off 8: Fingertalkin' 9: Hard Road

When I think of Progressions of Power I always think of it as coming before Just a Game. I can't put my finger on it but it felt like a step backward. To use an example from that other power trio. You'd never guess that Caress of Steel followed Fly by Night.

Gil's songs were prominent on this one, and although I'll freely admit to being more partial to Rik's voice, I will say that Gil is a hell of a rock singer, and he really gets to to go to town on a number of the songs. "I Live for the Weekend", "I Can Survive" and "Nature's Child" are a lot of fun. Although the only song I have vague memories of hearing on the radio is "I Can Survive" - but radio has never been the best barometer of good for me.

Of the Rik songs, they were kind of hit and miss. I know the 70's were rife with insipid ballads, and few get any worse than "Take My Heart" - a song so sucky I don't think even the late Dan Fogelberg would touch it with a barge pole. Then there's the instrumental piece - another flemenco infused piece - that shows off Rik's deft touch. The album closed with "Hard Rock" which is Rik's best song on the album, and one other the better songs on the album.

I'm not trying to rag on an album that is pushing 30 - it's a decent rock album, and for the most still rocks. I've not gone out an purchased any of the remasters - I just can't justify buying them again - but I'd be willing to bet that they sound even better than the copy I have.

Reviewed March 3, 2008

Sport of Kings (©1986 TRC Records)

The Songs: Tears In The Rain / Somebody's Out There / What Rules My Heart / If Only / Hooked On You / Take A Stand / Just One Night / Embrujo (Instrumental) / Play With The Fire / Don't Love Anybody Else But Me / In The Middle Of The Night

1986 - man even the year brings back a warm sense of nostalgia. The radio still played rock and roll, and hair metal was killing rock for everybody who liked big guitars and bombastic drums. Triumph was still Canada's other power trio. Gil, Rik, and Mike were still functioning in relative harmony and Sport of Kings was another solid record. I'll admit to a bias toward Rik's songs and voice in the band. As the guitar player he was front and centre, and viewed by default as the front man. This probably wasn't a good position for Gil who as the other singer, songwriter and as the drummer he was at the back on the riser. Although part of the fun on a Triumph album was the interplay between Rik and Gil - on this one each had a pretty solid hit. "Somebody Out" There for Rik, and "Just One Night" for Gil.

Musically this one is typical of the time. Triumph was always a hit and miss band for me. I'd like some of the songs, but rarely did an entire album strike home for me. This one was close - there's really no filler, just solid rock songs - but nothing that truly pushes it to the next level.

Reviewed May 1, 2002

Surveillance (©1987 MCA)

the songs: Prologue: Into The Forever / Never Say Never / Headed For Nowhere / All The King's Horses / Carry On The Flame / Let The Light (Shine On Me) / Long Time Gone / Rock You Down / Prelude: The Waking Dream / On and On / All Over Again / Running In The Night

Golly if this isn't a good album. Widely blasted as the limp into the sunset by Canada's other premiere rock trio. Rik, Mike, and Gil put out a collection of polished rock tunes that still sound good. I always wanted to like Triumph more than I did. Rik Emmett is a great guitar player and has that tweeter voice that cuts through almost anything. Perhaps if they'd waited more than a few months more rather releasing this hot on the heels of The Sport of Kings this album would be viewed as more than an after thought. There are some great songs such as "Let The Light (Shine On Me)", "On and On", and my favourite "Headed For Nowhere", which features some great interplay between Rik and Steve Morse. After thirteen years this baby still cooks (and cleans and does dishes).