ALLIED FORCES

"Keep up your faith, baby." It's always amusing to me to note the pearl clutching that goes on in certain Triumph reviews and comments. They focus on different things, but one of the charges is based around misrepresentations. The band isn't prog (despite the fact we don't have them in a prog category.) The band isn't as good as Rush (as if they've ever claimed or coveted such a silly notion.) No, Triumph is what they always were, another good rock band in an era that had a bunch of good bands trying to make the transition from the '70s to the '80s. They get hit with the same "cheesy" charge as Styx and others, like they're not cool enough as some of their band peers of the day. Sometimes it's like we're still in high school, which I guess is not all bad. Anyway, to my Canadian friends, I support your boys from Toronto. They had plenty of FM airplay in the American Midwest where I believe they also sold a lot of albums.

After some fits and starts, Triumph actually did better than many at that difficult transition in the late '70s. And anyone who tells you they didn't absolutely SMOKE the biggest names in Metal at the '83 US Festival is full of---well, never mind. By that time, they were a formidable live band. Triumph's biggest problem was always their inability to make a truly great studio album, to translate that live act to something comparable on vinyl. Allied Forces would be just another example of the Triumph consistency issue in the studio. About half of the album would be good to very good, but the other half would be forgettable to weak. Same story this time out, and yet I also think Allied through Thunder Seven probably summarizes their most convincing period both studio and live, if you were lucky enough to see them in this period. While Thunder Seven was probably my favorite because of the slightly conceptual undertones, I would ungrudgingly admit that Allied Forces was probably the best party album (or windows-down-in-the-Monte cruisin' album) in the Triumph catalog.

This was a fantastic but challenging time in my junior high life, being a geek trying to survive the actions of the always-dangerous older kids. Walking those halls and riding those buses could be treacherous. Around this time I was hearing "Magic Power" on FM radio waves and, while it might be corny or cheesy to today's PA readers, at the time it was more than relatable to my young geek-self. I did call local DJs in an effort to hear a favorite song. "Fight the Good Fight" was another junior high hard rock classic. I've no idea if Triumph are Christian or had any such intention, but the lyrics suggested at least some Christian residual positivity which, to me, were and are appreciated. People can sneer contempt at them for such lyrics, but, again, watching Rik sing "Fight" at the US Fest was to feel his sincerity. I'll always appreciate any "rock star" willing to project a humble sincerity and positive message to young people rather than the usual anger or negativity or nihilism required to be proclaimed cool by the media and critics. Good for them. And the positive messages are needed more now than they were at that time.

Some of the deeper non-radio tracks here are actually pretty decent too, particularly "Ordinary Man," while Gil's straight-on hard rockers hit home a little more solidly here than the cringier attempts present on other albums. While not exactly Wakeman territory, Michael adds his little synth dressing here and there to good effect. As always, we get the cool little Rik Emmett acoustic instrumental. They are never long enough to be truly awesome, but they are absolutely a pleasant bonus every time. His lead guitar playing is exceptional throughout. That said, even I can't quite get myself to go 4 stars on a Triumph studio album. I would put this one at 3.5 though, and it would be the most successful album they'd make sales-wise, achieving Platinum numbers. Allied Forces compares pretty well with something like Billy Squier's Don't Say No, released a few months earlier. So if you enjoy melodic hard rock as I do, don't let the cool kids shame you out of a good time. And trust me; watch Triumph's set at the '83 US Festival. It's on DVD and YouTube. It might just boost your faith and change the way you see this oft-dissed band.

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