Progressions of Power (seaoftranquility.org)
Triumph: Progressions of Power (remaster)
Following up Triumph’s marginally successful Just a Game came the sweaty monster Progressions of Power, a forceful beast that is long on Gil Moore testosterone-fueled heavy rockers, short on Rik Emmett fronted melodic tunes. This album usually is given a mid-level vote of approval from most Triumph fans; it has some very good tunes, but overall lacks the catchy songwriting and depth that most Triumph albums had.
If you dig the heavy, boogie/metal thumpers sung by Moore, then there’s a chance that Progressions of Power might realy float your boat. One of the bands best “get up and shout” rockers is the blistering “I Live For the Weekend”, which kicks things off in rampaging fashion, almost like Foghat on steroids, complete with beefy power chords, Emmett’s slashing guitar solos, and Moore’s powerful shouts. Many tracks fall into a similar pattern, like “Tear the Roof Off”, the anthemic “I Can Survive”, and the grinding hard rock of “Natures Child”. Problem is most of the album is all Gil Moore, and his voice, while perfectly suited for heavy rockers, tends to be a little one-dimensional. Emmett on the other hand, has a more melodic voice, that works better on the more progressive and textured tunes, which there are couple of here. We do get the engaging “Hard Road”, complete with crushing power chords, keyboards, and multi-layered vocal harmonies, as well as the powerful “In the Night”, an emotional piece featuring loads of acoustic and electric guitars, Levine’s plaintive keyboard washes, and Emmett’s gripping vocal delivery. The other tune sung by Emmett, “Take My Heart”, is a little pop love ballad ditty, that really doesn’t fit in here at all. Of course, you have the obligatory guitar instrumental, “Finger Talkin” (curiously misspelled on the back of the CD!), another wonderful piece of fretwork wonder from Emmett.
So, Progressions of Power still ranks as a very good Triumph record, and this remaster sounds great and has all the lyrics included in the booklet. However, stacked up against albums like Just a Game, Allied Forces, Thunder Seven, or Never Surrender, it falls a little short. Still, for some headbanging & bluesy fun that goes great with a night of hell raising and beer drinking, this would be a good choice.
Track Listing:
1. I Live for the Weekend
2. I Can Survive
3. In the Night
4. Nature’s Child
5. Woman in Love
6. Take My Heart
7. Tear the Roof Off
8. Finger Talkin’ (Instrumental)
9. Hard Road