Some Fine "80s Songs from the "Other" Canadian Power Trio - Triumph
Canadian hard rock and arena rock band Triumph always had a bit of a tough road to travel as the lesser-known, even more critically vilified musical cousin of the hugely successful but similarly dismissed progressive rock-influenced Rush. Both bands functioned undeniably as power trios, and yet Triumph's sound always tended to skew more toward mainstream, hard-driving melodic rock music. The band could certainly be cerebral at times but usually focused on loud, brash guitars and the one-two lead vocal punch of usual frontman/guitarist Rik Emmett and singing drummer Gil Moore. Ultimately, Triumph released six full-length albums during the first eight years of the '80s, presenting more than a few legitimate rock classics along the way. Here's a chronological look at the best Triumph songs of the '80s.
With its sparkling acoustic guitar opening and operatic break into hard rock riffage, this track from 1980's Progressions of Power serves as a fine introduction to what Triumph was capable of and would largely deliver during the upcoming decade. Moore's lead vocal here is both assured and vulnerable, helping the song's earnest lyrics about perseverance and the conquest of self-doubt ring true more often than not. Emmett, meanwhile, proves himself a master - even early in the band's career - of a fine balance of muscular guitar riffs and nimble, confident lead work.Buy from Amazon »
Triumph's most well-received album may just be 1981's Allied Forces, not that such a statement means many critics were subject to its charms. Nevertheless, this Emmett-sung mid-tempo power ballad accurately represents Triumph's uniquely balanced blend of beauty and power. As a portrait of music's central importance to many rock listeners, the tune's lyrics may not stand out as permanent poetry. But in a rock and roll context, Emmett's passionate, earnest take on the broad reach of music for its fans succeeds more often than not in its quest to embrace pure inspiration. Buy from Amazon »
As a songwriter, Emmett always displayed more of a tendency to favor inspirational lyrical material than his bandmate and competing lead vocalist Moore. Even so, the occasionally outright Christian perspective of this classic rock staple threatens to overdo the display of Emmett's softer, contemplative side. Still, the sheer power of his explosive riffing and active, electrifying lead style on display here ultimately wins out. Fans of guitar rock with voracious, eclectic appetites should find plenty to enjoy in this prime track from Allied Forces. Listening to it simply never gets old.Buy from Amazon »
Though Triumph often specialized in mid-tempo melodic rock featuring layers of a combined electric-acoustic guitar attack, the band also knew its ways around full-tilt rockers. More often than not, Moore took lead vocals on these scorching tunes, namely this one and "Allied Forces," which also makes a strong case for making this list. However, ultimately the high-octane, efficient thrust of "Hot Time" feels like a more permanent entry on the Canadian hard rock short list of all-time '80s classics.Buy from Amazon »
Dreamy, arpeggiated acoustic guitar helps set the stage for this powerhouse track from 1983's Never Surrender. Emmett skillfully balances the gentle aspects of his guitar sound during the verses and then unleashes economical, effective electric guitar riffs during the bridge and chorus. Even more importantly, his high-pitched vocal style - as much as it sometimes resembles the wail of Rush's Geddy Lee - has always for me (of the two) been far more palatable to the ear. Overall, the blend of elements makes for a memorably solid arena rock track that holds up better than it perhaps should three decades hence.Buy from Amazon »
When at its best, the music of Triumph stayed one or two steps removed from a full-fledged hair metal sound. 1984's Thunder Seven occasionally verged into indistinct pop metal territory, particularly on a track such as the somewhat disappointing "Spellbound." However, this track features the group's trademark melodic touch, and in this case the backing vocals of Emmett help support one of the final lead vocal turns for Moore in the band's career. This is straight-ahead driving rock that favors simplicity over conceptual complexity, one of the key elements that defined Triumph during its peak era.Buy from Amazon »
Some observers viewed this track from 1986's The Sport of Kings as Triumph's overblown attempt at securing a genuine pop hit. However, the keen use of an unforgettable synthesizer riff actually blends quite naturally with Emmett's still-forceful guitar work. By this point, Triumph had largely become the Rik Emmett show, but his work here as both lead vocalist and melodic alchemist certainly deserves merit rather than scorn. Though the song did manage to become the group's biggest U.S. pop hit (with a peak at No. 27), it does so without sacrificing much of the band's strongest elements.Buy from Amazon »
1987's Surveillance would turn out to be Triumph's final record with Emmett, so for all intent and purpose it stands as the group's LP swan song. As such, this mid-tempo, synth-heavy track serves as an appropriate bookend for a pretty impressive decade of melodic rock. Profundity may not be a consistent strong suit of the group's lyrics, but Emmett & Co. certainly make the most of honest, rocking grooves to craft an effective attack. Triumph always got a lot of flak for being representative of AOR in a negative sense, but for those who enjoy quality examples of such a sound, this band rarely misfired.Buy from Amazon »
1. "I Can Survive"
With its sparkling acoustic guitar opening and operatic break into hard rock riffage, this track from 1980's Progressions of Power serves as a fine introduction to what Triumph was capable of and would largely deliver during the upcoming decade. Moore's lead vocal here is both assured and vulnerable, helping the song's earnest lyrics about perseverance and the conquest of self-doubt ring true more often than not. Emmett, meanwhile, proves himself a master - even early in the band's career - of a fine balance of muscular guitar riffs and nimble, confident lead work.Buy from Amazon »
2. "Magic Power"
Triumph's most well-received album may just be 1981's Allied Forces, not that such a statement means many critics were subject to its charms. Nevertheless, this Emmett-sung mid-tempo power ballad accurately represents Triumph's uniquely balanced blend of beauty and power. As a portrait of music's central importance to many rock listeners, the tune's lyrics may not stand out as permanent poetry. But in a rock and roll context, Emmett's passionate, earnest take on the broad reach of music for its fans succeeds more often than not in its quest to embrace pure inspiration. Buy from Amazon »
3. "Fight the Good Fight"
As a songwriter, Emmett always displayed more of a tendency to favor inspirational lyrical material than his bandmate and competing lead vocalist Moore. Even so, the occasionally outright Christian perspective of this classic rock staple threatens to overdo the display of Emmett's softer, contemplative side. Still, the sheer power of his explosive riffing and active, electrifying lead style on display here ultimately wins out. Fans of guitar rock with voracious, eclectic appetites should find plenty to enjoy in this prime track from Allied Forces. Listening to it simply never gets old.Buy from Amazon »
4. "Hot Time (In This City Tonight)"
Though Triumph often specialized in mid-tempo melodic rock featuring layers of a combined electric-acoustic guitar attack, the band also knew its ways around full-tilt rockers. More often than not, Moore took lead vocals on these scorching tunes, namely this one and "Allied Forces," which also makes a strong case for making this list. However, ultimately the high-octane, efficient thrust of "Hot Time" feels like a more permanent entry on the Canadian hard rock short list of all-time '80s classics.Buy from Amazon »
5. "Say Goodbye"
The need for selectivity for such a task means that selecting four songs from Allied Forces for this list quickly becomes a bold statement. However, this melodic mid-tempo gem stands the test of scrutiny quite nicely. It certainly runs through some rather tired lyrical ground in its take on the old "I'm-a-rock-star-must-ramble-on" stereotype, but the band's songwriting remains tight and focused on creating a compelling blend of aggressive rock and a thoughtful troubadour acoustic guitar foundation.Buy from Amazon »
6. "A World of Fantasy"
Dreamy, arpeggiated acoustic guitar helps set the stage for this powerhouse track from 1983's Never Surrender. Emmett skillfully balances the gentle aspects of his guitar sound during the verses and then unleashes economical, effective electric guitar riffs during the bridge and chorus. Even more importantly, his high-pitched vocal style - as much as it sometimes resembles the wail of Rush's Geddy Lee - has always for me (of the two) been far more palatable to the ear. Overall, the blend of elements makes for a memorably solid arena rock track that holds up better than it perhaps should three decades hence.Buy from Amazon »
7. "Follow Your Heart"
When at its best, the music of Triumph stayed one or two steps removed from a full-fledged hair metal sound. 1984's Thunder Seven occasionally verged into indistinct pop metal territory, particularly on a track such as the somewhat disappointing "Spellbound." However, this track features the group's trademark melodic touch, and in this case the backing vocals of Emmett help support one of the final lead vocal turns for Moore in the band's career. This is straight-ahead driving rock that favors simplicity over conceptual complexity, one of the key elements that defined Triumph during its peak era.Buy from Amazon »
8. "Killing Time"
For this truly collaborative track from Thunder Seven, Triumph wisely delves into slightly darker perspectives, musing about the apparent aimlessness of much of modern life. This marks a temporary suspension of the band's trademark positivity, and the result is definitely a favorable one. Moore and Emmett trade lead vocals in a song that ultimately retains an edge both lyrical and musical. It's a welcome change of pace that allows Triumph to stand tall on its strengths as a solid, potent mainstream rock band. There's no real attempt at poetry here, just a fine rock and roll song.Buy from Amazon »
9. "Somebody's Out There"
Some observers viewed this track from 1986's The Sport of Kings as Triumph's overblown attempt at securing a genuine pop hit. However, the keen use of an unforgettable synthesizer riff actually blends quite naturally with Emmett's still-forceful guitar work. By this point, Triumph had largely become the Rik Emmett show, but his work here as both lead vocalist and melodic alchemist certainly deserves merit rather than scorn. Though the song did manage to become the group's biggest U.S. pop hit (with a peak at No. 27), it does so without sacrificing much of the band's strongest elements.Buy from Amazon »
10. "On and On"
1987's Surveillance would turn out to be Triumph's final record with Emmett, so for all intent and purpose it stands as the group's LP swan song. As such, this mid-tempo, synth-heavy track serves as an appropriate bookend for a pretty impressive decade of melodic rock. Profundity may not be a consistent strong suit of the group's lyrics, but Emmett & Co. certainly make the most of honest, rocking grooves to craft an effective attack. Triumph always got a lot of flak for being representative of AOR in a negative sense, but for those who enjoy quality examples of such a sound, this band rarely misfired.Buy from Amazon »
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