TRIUMPH – The Sport Of Kings

                    [Millennium Remastered Series]

Posted: 02/25/07

Reviewed by: Dirt

Category: 80s Rock

Original Release: 1985  Remastered: 04/12/05

Label URL: www.triumphmusic.com

Artist URL: www.triumphmusic.com

The Sport Of Kings is the album that led to the demise of Triumph, as I believe its direction divided vocalist/guitarist Rik Emmett from vocalist/drummer Gil Moore and bassist Mike Levine.  With a noticeably more commercial and slick direction than previous releases, the band gave up their edgy sound.  Whether the pop direction was dictated by MCA Records (the band’s label at the time) or Rik Emmett (Gil and Mike wanted the band to go in a heavier direction), or a combination of the two, it’s not completely clear, but it is a fact that The Sport Of Kings is a pop rock album.  The singles and videos for the upbeat “Somebody’s Out There” and the full-on ballad “Just One Night” were evidence of where the label was trying to push Triumph, but looking back on it, who could blame them, when you consider that cleanly produced pop music was getting tons of airplay.  Oddly, it was “Somebody’s Out There” that got all the airplay and “Just One Night,” the lighter of the two, only got a few video plays on MTV.

Ironically, it was The Sport Of Kings, that first got me into Triumph.  While I was familiar with “Lay It On The Line” and “Mind Games,” I knew nothing else.  While I wouldn’t consider Sport to be Triumph’s best album, if I discount their change in direction, the songs are all well-written compositions that still display the instrumental and vocal talent of the band.  The heavy opener “Tears In The Rain” is still one of my favorites and I will always have an affinity for “Somebody’s Out There.”  Deeper cuts like the rockin’ “Play With The Fire” and the drum prominent “Take A Stand” are also of good quality.

The Bloody Truth:  Triumph is definitely one of my favorite bands, and probably the one band that I would kill to see live again.  They were magnificent on The Sport Of Kings tour even though Rik had his leg in a cast, and the band came to an end much too soon.  As a full album, The Sport Of Kings is an enjoyable listen if you like slick AOR, pop melodies, and well-produced 80s rock.  It is not Triumph’s best recording but it is something that I still reach for in 2007.  As with all the cd's in the Millennium Remastered Series, this one sounds impeccable.  Of course bonus tracks would have only made a good thing better, but I guess we'll have to wait on a  box set of unreleased and demo tracks.