November 3, 1977 - Triumph and Rock & Roll Machine

6 days after my last release a new band joins my library when Canadian band Triumph released their second album "Rock & Roll Machine" on November 3, 1977, of which I have just two songs and they are the only songs I have in my library by this band. But who is Triumph? They were a 3-piece rock band from Mississauga, Ontario consisting of Rik Emmett (guitars, vocals), Gil Moore (drums, percussion, vocals) and Michael Levine (bass, keyboards). I am not a big fan of most of Triumph's music but there are two songs off this album that are both really great: "The City" and the title track "Rock & Roll Machine". 

The second side of this record starts with "The City", a nine and a half minute song that is mostly instrumental. This epic song starts with some snare drumming and some slow bass that get louder to form the main backing riff. Emmett plays some guitar overtop that sounds really good as he slowly ascends up his guitar with an awesome climbing riff. Moore plays some pretty good drum fills at the end of this mountain-climbing riff and things move into a new part led by some wicked acoustic guitar by Emmett. He takes over for one of the best acoustic guitar solos I've ever heard! He is just shredding it and things sound amazing for this whole solo! He finally slows it down at the end and around the 4-minute mark things settle into a calmer, but still pretty epic main riff. Emmett's guitar sounds pretty solid and Levine plays some epic backing keyboards while Emmett also sings this verse. His voice sounds decent: not the best rock voice I've heard but certainly not bad. Moore joins in with a slow drumbeat and this verse sounds pretty good overall. Emmett switches back to electric guitar and another drum fill by Moore segues into an epic guitar solo. This solo isn't extremely flashy, but it fits the mood very nicely as he slowly plays along. Moore's drums once again signal a shift as they start to speed things up again. Emmett plays some more nice guitar and sings a brief new verse that sounds pretty good. They end this epic song with some trippy keyboards and a big gong splash to bring it to a close. A very epic song indeed! The only other Triumph song I have is "Rock & Roll Machine", which ends this album. They kick right into the main riff led by some cool guitar and this song is sung by drummer Moore. His voice sounds more like a lead rock singer I think as he sings about going to a concert and seeing a guitarist who is just unbelievably good. The chorus flows right in with the verse and after each one we hear a snazzy drum fill by Moore that sounds pretty good. After the second chorus they move into the first guitar solo and Emmett really kills it! He plays some incredibly fast stuff and then the whole band forms this epic building riff! Once this riff reaches it's peak, it's finally time for a true guitar solo by Emmett. The other members are not necessary as Rik Emmett puts on one of the best guitar solos I've ever heard in my life. He is certainly the machine that the lyrics speak of as I have no idea how his fingers were able to pull this off! Words do not do justice as Emmett takes the listener on an amazing ride with so many twists & turns. It really does sound fucking amazing and it goes on for several minutes! Moore and Levine finally rejoin the mix as Emmett has just a bit more awesomeness to play before they resume the epic building riff. This connects into a final verse and Moore's half yelling sounds pretty good. After the last chorus another Moore drum fill takes us to the rock and roll flourish ending. They draw it out a little bit, but that's ok with the amazing guitar that's being played as they epicly bring this song to a close. Just some absolutely fantastic guitar playing by Emmett! This also happens to be my final release of the year, and so begins the year-end wrap-up! 12 albums this year is slightly down from recent years but still roughly my norm but the way some bands are going that number might continue to drop.

Favourite song of the year: As usual, picking just one song is very difficult. With honorable mentions to "Rock & Roll Machine" and Rush's "Xanadu", I believe my favourite choice would be "Soul Sacrifice / Head, Hands & Feet", the extended live song off "Moonflower". Santana really give it their all in this near 13 minute song that is jam-packed packed with amazing solos from several different instruments!

Top 5 Albums of the Year:

1. Moonflower by Santana
2. A Farewell To Kings by Rush
3. Animals by Pink Floyd
4. Works Vol. 1 by Emerson, Lake & Palmer
5. Songs From The Wood by Jethro Tull

2-5 have become staples of great music throughout this decade, but Santana's blend of studio and live songs on this double album is expertly done. Unfortunately they do not have the staying power as they are one of the bands that I stopped following after this year. Will there be more familiar faces in the top 5 next year, or will some newcomers have to fill the void? I can't wait to start listening to 1978!

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