Customer Reviews

Surveillance

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album has definitely a pop metal production, but this is not bad, TRIUMPH seldom sounded so tight and focused in their production. The annoying factor is Gil Moore's reverbed drums.

The songs by themselves are very good, keeping the tradition of great songs by this unlucky band who had the misfortune of having existed in the same spam of years as RUSH.

I like this album from Triumph quite a bit. There's some good material that's energetic and melodic throughout. Surveillance is in a straight-ahead pop rock musical direction. There's a total of twelve tracks--two of them are instrumentals ("Prologue: Into the Forever" and "Prelude: The Waking Dream"). The album's musicianship, songwriting, and production are tight and satisfying. There's some cool and tasteful guitar playing from Rik Emmett, also. His guitar riffs and solos are attractive and meaty. Lead vocals are handled by both Rik Emmett and Gil Moore (drums). I find both of them to be pretty good singers. Rik Emmett has a cool high-pitched voice. I also like the keyboard playing that is utilized on the songs. The album starts off with the instrumental "Prologue: Into the Forever." This instrumental consists of a nice and moving blend of guitar and keyboard playing--it's a good start for the disc. The tracks that I like the best are "Prologue: Into the Forever," "Headed for Nowhere," "Let the Light (Shine on Me)," and "All over Again." "Let the Light (Shine on Me)" is a power ballad that I have always respected. The chorus of the song is beautiful and etherial--Rik Emmett does a good job with the vocals. "All over Again" is another well-written power ballad that I find to be enjoyable (Gil Moore handles the vocals.). Triumph did a decent job with this album. Surveillance is catchy and worth a listen.

Triumph is truly a one of a kind band. With the unmistakeable vocals of Rik Emmett, the lyrics of society ring loud. In my opinion one of the largest reasons why I am a huge fan of Triumph (other than the fact that they're probably the second best act out of Canada -- Rush being the first) is that they tackle some of the more important items society has to deal with in their songs (unlike the lyrics of other 80's Glam Rock bands such as Winger, Warrant, Poison and countless others). This album would be the last of the original line-up after Emett had some differences of opinion when it came to the business side of Triumph. Listening to the overall instrumentation of this album, the sound is superior to that of some of the other albums that came out around the same time (Europe's Final Countdown, Winger's self-titled debut, and even Whitesnake's first album). In my opinion any one who loves the lyrics and vocals of Rush should also check out anything by Triumph (especially Survelliance).

The first song just grabs you and leads you into the rest of the album with no regrets. The band shows a move in different directions but nevertheless every song holds it's own magic. especially songs like running in the night and never say never. prologue into the forever is one song you'll never forget as it's so captivating. consider owning it in you don't already

No wonder Rik Emmett left theband soon after this album. THis is almost a hair metal album, with glossy production and some "I love you" lyrics. The only factor that makes this album a little bit enjoyable is that TRIUMPH has such great musicians that even in a lame effort they manage to do some great stuff.

The last leg of the original Triumph lineup, "Surveillance," represents yet another classic collection of superior works from virtuoso guitarist Rik Emmett and rhythm section cohorts drummer Gil Moore and bassist Mike Levine. Since they disbanded in 1988, no one since has come closer to weaving straight-forward hard rock, heavy metal, classical, blues, jazz and other timeless influences into the convergence of one, cohesive blazing package. Add to that mix Steve Morse, 1986 guitarist of the year and unquestionably one of the greatest pickers of all time, and the chemistry is nothing short of sweet but explosive. Emmett and Morse absolutely cook with their distinctive but complementary styles on the progressive masterpieces "Headed For Nowhere," "All the King's Horses" and "Carry On The Flame." Meanwhile, the power trio delivers the heavy goods with brutal power yet delicate precision on "Rock You Down" and "Long Time Gone". "On and On" and "Never Say Never" anchor the disc's rock steady favorites, while ballads such as "All Over Again" and "Running in the Night" offer some continuity from the collection's predecessor, the generally softer and lighter "The Sport of King's" from 1986. And, few hard rock outfits would have the guts to roll out a truly sensitive piece such as "Let the Light (Shine on Me)". "Prologue:Into the Forever" and "Prelude: The Waking Dream" tie both ends of the passage together. My "waking dream" would be to see Emmett, Levine and Moore reform Triumph, but that doesn't appear very likely any time soon. In the meantime, "Surveillance" stands as strong testimony that Triumph's sound endures the test of time. It's excellent to outstanding and shouldn't be overlooked as one of the greatest rock collections ever.

A disgraceful effort by Triumph.... The album stars more or less effiiciently with "Never Say Never", and then comes "Heade Foer Nowhere". Then begins a "pop metal opera" without end, lifeless, utterly commercial it seem it is another band altogether. This would be the last album to buy if you're wanting to know this great Canadian band.

this is a good cd by a band that is overlooked and underrated a good cd that has a lot of music that you don,t hear on the radio

Dream Theater lovers should all check out this amazing disc. The signature time changes, metal crunch and amazing vocals are all here, as well as the thought provoking lyrics and vituoso guitar playing. Steve Morse makes an excellent guest appearance and He and Rik trade riffs like two warriors trying to outdo each other.

Modern bands like Dream Theater owe this band alot of credit for keeping the progressive hard rock groove alive during the late '80s when no one else would do it. And Surveillance is as fine an example of this genre as one can expect to find. Take out Images and Words and put in this older album and see where modern progressive rock came from.

I am a huge Triumph fan but I have to be quite honest, this is not a very good album. Released less than a year after 1986's "The Sport Of Kings", I sense that the band is mere fulfilling a contractual obligation, the band usually releases albums every TWO years. They would break up shortly thereafter.

"Surveillance" is a rather overblown and uninspired effort, with only two really good songs being the straight-ahead rockers "Long Time Gone" and "Rock You Down". The more progressive numbers never seem to take off. I recommend any other Truimph release before this one and would advise that if you are going to buy a Triumph CD, spend your money wisely on any of them except this one.