Triumph – Allied Forces

Triumph is one of those bands that I (probably unfairly) take for granted. Mostly I hear them through other people, or maybe on the radio. But I recently snagged a beautiful vinyl copy of this record and it’s really, really excellent.

There is a lot of thought and effort in this record, as there should be, but it’s very apparent to me. This is not your typical bonehead rawk. All the elements of the Big Rock Song are here, but there are also lighter moments of beautiful acoustic guitar, and even an air raid siren. 

I liked that the lyrics have some oomph* to them, and this really is smart hard rock/metal. I was working away here in the basement as I played this record, and whenever I passed nearer the stereo I caught some very positive messages, and that’s wonderful.

The vocals veer towards Rush’s Geddy Lee territory at times, and my ear caught a couple of Zep-ish guitar riffs, but hey, those were the times and those were the big guns and no one would ever say that this band is derivative of either – they are their own animal, and it’s an animal I would gladly let out of the cage any time. I will be playing this record again, for sure.

Two thumbs way up for the RAWK of Triumph.

 

* I’d like to believe that this may be the first time I’ve used the word “oomph” in a music review. But I could be wrong about that.