Allied Forces [Original recording remastered]

Triumph | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 9, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Tml Entertainment
• ASIN: B00065GILE
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,200 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Digitally remastered edition of this 1981 album from the Canadian Rock trio. Formed in Toronto during 1975, Triumph was consisted of guitarist/singer Rik Emmett, drummer/singer Gil Moore and bassist/keyboardist Mike Levine. Frontiers. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Triumph's finest studio album, May 22, 2000

By 

R. Gorham "RCG2" - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Allied Forces (Audio CD)

THE BAND: Ric Emmett (guitars, vocals), Gil Moore (drums & percussion), Michael Levine (bass).

THE DISC: (1981) 9 tracks clocking in at just under 39 minutes. Originally included with the disc is/was a 2-page foldout with next to no information (an illustration of a Flying-V guitar, and the statement that all songs written and produced by Triumph). The remastered version (1995) contains additional pictures and song lyrics. Label - MCA Records.

COMMENTS: Canada's 2nd best rock trio (Rush being the 1st) hit the top of their career with "Allied Forces"... truly a rocking masterpiece. Ric Emmett sings all but two of the songs here, but it's nice to see Moore's songs up front in the album. Moore starts off with the rocking opener "Fool Your Love". The title track, probably the heaviest song on the disc, is Moore's as well. When I first got the vinyl album in the early 80's, the title track was the one I kept going back to... that, and 6 minute "Fight The Good Fight" (#18 on Billboard's pop charts) - arguably the band's trademark swan song. "Fight The Good Fight" may be inspirational, but the melody of Emmett's acoustic guitar and the shredding electric guitar solos are what makes it such a strong song - structurely in the same vein as Led Zeppelin's "Stairway To Heaven" with a soft slow start; the rest of the band joining in making the song heavier as it moves along; great guitar solo(s); lyrically strong; climactic ending. The big hit here is/was "Magic Power" (#8 on Billboard's pop charts)... perhaps the song the band is best known for. If forced to choose my least favorite track here, it'd be "Hot Time (In This City Tonight)"... not a bad song, but this album is so full of strong tracks that this 50's style rocker is simply pale in comparison. The deep album gem is "Ordinary Man" - starting off acoustic and slow, a heavy middle section and a mountainous ending. If there is one Triumph album I can listen to any time, all the way through, it's Allied Forces". Start your Triumph collection here. Classic disc (5 stars).

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars READ OUR OTHER REVIEWS @ www.metaldreams.go.to, March 6, 2005

By 

Dirt (NY, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Allied Forces (Audio CD)

Posted: 3/7/05
Reviewed by: Lynn Phillips
Category: Hard Rock / Classic Rock
Original Release: 1981 Remaster Release: 11/9/04
Label URL: www.triumphmusic.com
Artist URL: www.triumphmusic.com

Allied Forces was my first exposure to Triumph and, in regards to rock and roll, my life was changed forever. Prior to hearing this disc, I was a casual rock fan listening primarily to a handful of Kiss and AC/DC cassettes, but that was the extent of my interest in music. Then I purchased Allied Forces based on the airplay "Magic Power" was getting on rock radio. (Can you remember that era?) I was completely blown away by the band's musicianship and the melodic quality of every song on the album. After seeing the band put on an amazing live concert in Binghamton's Broome County Arena, I was hooked on all things rock and roll, especially Triumph. To this day, the band has a special place in my life, as they showed me how powerful good music can be. Now that I have acquired the re-mastered version of Allied Forces, the good memories of a by gone era of great rock n' roll have come pouring back.

The songs on Allied Forces are all strong, if not incredibly diverse. Ranging from metal (the title track) to pop ("Magic Power") to folk rock ("Ordinary Man") to classical ("Petite Etude"), no two songs sound the same, yet all are of superb quality. The best part of the re-mastered versions is the renewed volume and clarity compared to the originals. By playing the discs side by side, the original version of Allied Forces sounds like it was recorded under water. Now, turning up the volume will net you noticeable results and you can actually hear little nuances in the music, especially on the acoustic segments and the "Air Raid" introduction of the title track.

The lyrics, which were missing in the barren insert of the original, are now included with the remaster. Some people may complain that there are no extra tracks on the disc but I wouldn't want to water down the quality of the songs with live tracks or throw away extras. What you get is souped-up versions of the original songs, which are meant to be played loud and proud.
 
The Bloody Truth: Canada's "other" three-piece band is, in my opinion, the best import to come from our northern neighbor. On Allied Forces all the songs are nothing short of spectacular, with no weak tracks to be found. Now that the songs have been digitally enhanced, the cd sounds better than ever, and that ought to make Triumph fans very happy indeed.

-LYNN PHILLIPS (www.metaldreams.go.to)

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An underrated release from an underrated band., August 18, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Allied Forces (Audio CD)

This Canadian trio really knew how to make some noise and some great music. "Allied Forces" is arguably their best release and does not get as much air-play as it should. Three classic tunes "Fight The Good Fight,""Magic Power," and "Ordinary Man," make this album a must have for any rock fan. Add the title track, "Hot Time (In the City Tonight)," and "Fool For Your Love," and your listening to a hidden masterpiece. Living in the shadow of fellow Canadians Rush, may have hurt this band here in the states, but "Allied Forces" is definitely a great album.