Depending on where you are in the world, you may be looking at different front cover to this album as there are a few different variations. Hailing from Mississauga in Ontario, Gil Moore still has ties to the city as his Metalworks studio and school (which he runs) is located there.
This was the band’s first release from ’77. I’m sure a lot of bands at the time (especially if they were from the Toronto area) were influenced in some way by Rush, and I’m sure Triumph were. Maybe not sound wise, as they do have a more commercial approach, but in composition – definitely. Tracks like New York City Streets and The City, where the tracks are split into several parts, have a definite nod to Rush. Having two singers in a three piece is an abundance of Rich’s for sure, and the differing style vocals of guitarist Rik Emmet and drummer Gil Moore do complement each.
Most people will be familiar with the Progressions Of Power/Allied Forces era of the band where they were huge throughout North America, but this album is a band finding their feet in what they wanted to play. There are so many styles on this album, and they have a lot in common with jam bands of the time. It’s the harder rockin’ tracks that do it for me like Bringing It On Home, and Rock & Roll Machine, where the band really let fly. I really love the jam vibe to New York City and that’s my favourite on the whole album.
8.5/10 from The Grooveman.
