ALLIED FORCES

Wow. Laughing at all the haughty reviews on here; "pleasant listen for those times when we can't take anything too complex and demanding". I guess something as...easily digestible as a Triumph record is going to get a cold response on a progressive sight.

Because, really, there's very little progressive about Triumph, and almost nothing by this point in their career. Still, from a hard / melodic rock aspect, this is an above average album. From beginning to end you have outstanding guitar work, and a number of fun to sing-along-with tunes.

Ordinary Man is clear standout here....with the only hint of prog to it (and just a hint, at that, as only the arrangement warrants the term). The title track is the other noteworthy track as it simply rocks from beginning to end and appropriately showcases Rik Emmett's otherworldly guitar skills.

Magic Power and Fight the Good Fight are your typical early 80's radio fodder, signaling the coming onslaught of hair metal. The remaining songs range from straight-ahead rocker (Fool For Your Love, Hot Time in the City) to the obligatory acoustic guitar solo to filler (Air Raid).

Yes, the lyrics are cheesy and often juvenile. Yes, the singing from both Emmett and Gil Moore rarely rates above mediocre. Still, for a hard rock album, it does quite fine, far outclassing most offerings from this category. If you like Triumph or had rock, a recommended album.