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30 of 31 found the following review helpful:
From The Perspective of a 24 year-old aspiring music criticAug 23, 2001
By Knyte
"To The Stars"
Of all the Jacksons albums (in my humble opinion) this is the one to own, or at least the one to start with. I bought 'Triumph' in the fall of 2000; I already knew that I was going to like "Can You Feel It" because I had seen the video once, and was amazed by the mystical vibe they were able to accomplish with it all the way back in 1980...anyone remember it? "Lovely One" (written by Michael and Randy) is one of my favorites - it's a perfectly frenetic blend of funk, disco and pop/R&B that will have you bobbing your head once you get into its groove; lyrically, the song has Michael trying to convince a doubting girlfriend that she is his "lovely" one. I've seen Michael do this one in concert (albeit on TV), but boy did he get the crowd moving...Oh, and yes, this song does sound a bit like it should be called "Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)" part II... "This Place (Heartbreak) Hotel" (written by Michael) is easily the highlight of the album - it has elements of mystery, suspense, and pure sonic energy; can't miss this one. Music factoid: In 1991, rapper Heavy D used this song as the basis for his hit, "Peaceful Journey", a somber track dedicated primarily to Trouble T-Roy (one of his dancers) who died in an accident on stage; R&B supergroup Jodeci sang the background vocals... "Time Waits For No One" is a ballad (written by Randy and Jackie) ready to be remade, it's so shimmeringly beautiful. Michael blesses this track with one of his most tender vocal performances ever, a la "She's Out Of My Life". Honestly though, it kind of ends too soon for me...wish it could have been a little longer. Trust me, this is a solid album, but I must also mention by name songs like "Walk Right Now" (Prince-like), and "Give It Up" which has a (pun intended) "triumph"-ant feel to it, especially near the end when the marching drums come in. Folks, I highly, highly recommend starting with this one. I also own 'Destiny' which in my opinion is a lesser album than 'Triumph', but with songs like "Blame It On The Boogie" (a favorite), "Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)" (ditto) and a decent filler ballad like "Push Me Away", I still suggest getting that one too. I have yet to try out the 'Victory' album, but I've been warned to stay away...but with songs like "Torture" (I remember the 1984 scary video) and "One More Chance" (remade by Janet as a B-side to the 1993 "If" single) it'll probably be my next Jacksons purchase, along with their remixed album, and the live album. Thanks for reading! C.H.R.
11 of 11 found the following review helpful:
Michael and his brothersJul 03, 2009
By Tom
Sandwiched between the stunning success of "Off the Wall" and what would be his opus, "Thriller," Michael Jackson rejoined his brothers for "Triumph." Jackson really didn't need to; the mammoth success of "Off the Wall" proved that he was a solo star, but working with his brothers on "Triumph" allowed Michael to develop the style and sounds that would eventually be heard on "Thriller."
"Can You Feel It" is a blockbuster single, a brilliant pop/R&B song that ranks with MJ's best solo songs. Strangely, the single was not a top ten hit on either the R&B or pop charts. But it has become an old-school favourite, and its lavish video was an indication of what was to come with Michael's own videos. "Lovely One" and "This Place Hotel (aka Heartbreak Hotel)" did better on the charts and they're still catchy songs, even if like most of the album, they have been eclipsed by Michael's solo success. "Walk Right Now" is also presented here in an album mix and club mix, and it's an underrated club stomper.
"Triumph" is a tight, funky album that is worth hearing, particularly in this re-mastered edition. It is an important album, because it was the precursor to "Thriller," an album that would change Michael, both musically and personally. It was also one of the last occasions Michael worked with his brothers on an album proper, aside from "Victory."
8 of 8 found the following review helpful:
The Best Of The JacksonMar 03, 2002
I think Triumph is The Jacksons best album,espically with the timeless classic "This Place Hotel"which is my favorite song and the song that Michael wrote.I also like their hit song "Can You Feel It" and the lovely ballad "Time Waits For No One" which showcases Michael's vocal talent.Triumph also has some good songs to dance too.Like "Lovely One","Walk Right Now","Wondering Who" and "Everybody".I also like "Give It UP".Evey song on Truimph is very catchy and the first time you listen to the album you would to know all the words to every song.
7 of 7 found the following review helpful:
 The Best of the Jacksons' Epic ReleaseJun 11, 2000
By Reginald D. Garrard
"the G-man"
After leaving Motown, the former Jackson 5 moved on to Epic records and released several albums with moderate success. The best of these is "Triumph" which features songs that previewed the rise of Michael to superstardom. Michael either wrote or co-wrote nine of the ten cuts featured with older brother Jackie penning "Your Ways." The songs bear the undeniable signature Michael Jackson-sound of the era. Great tunes are "Can You Feel It," "Lovely One," "Heartbreak Hotel," and "Time Waits for No one. A good collection from a legendary group.
7 of 7 found the following review helpful:
Possibly One Of The Greatest Albums I've Ever HeardFeb 25, 2009
By Andre S. Grindle
"Andre' Grindle"
The Jacksons 1980 release Triumph is.....well something I simply don't know how to put into words.Since I first heard it 15 years ago to today it continues to thrill me more and more hearing it and gets better with each listening.Everything from the bands then new eye popping logo to the cover art depicting the brothers as hi tech celestrial aperitions from with an aura from another world puts this awe inspiring music even higher.Here the band are totally free in terms of writing and production,which they were beforehand but overseen.That sense of independance,drama and intense passion permeates every corner of this album.The musicians on the album are the same but everything is just totally different. Whereas the previous album Destiny features a very earthbound style that is really musically diverse,this coeleses everything into a distinctive sound with a high octane,mildly new wave inflected production that not only defined post disco R&B of the day but succeeds in a soundscape with a marvelous use of studio gloss and downright funkiness."Can You Feel It" really sets the mood,a truly epic plea for cultural unity that,like it's accompanying video clip that combines contemporary funk with the feeling of a modern call to arms kind of secularized gospel.The Jacksons were also obviously effected by Quincy Jones' recent production on Michaels solo album Off the Wall on "Lovely One" and "Everybody",both bass bottom heavy,rhythmic tunes of high funky preportion but again the bands self production is still in a league of it's own.In terms of the era nothing really brings to mind the death of disco then "Your Ways",with it's creepy sense of forboding and uniqueness.Similar is the terrific "This Place Hotel",one of The Jackson's classic;errie,funky and with Michael very much in control of the concept-again returning to the theme of romantic doom. "Time Waits For No One" is the only song here that could qualify as a ballad yet it's yearning,heartbroken lead vocal puts it leagues ahead of most schmaltzier ballads of the era. Continuing with the epic feel are two more amazing songs;"Walk Right Now" is a hard edged dance-funk burner that brims with energy,rhythm and a heavy kick from beginning to end. "Give It Up" has some echoes of Paul McCartney's "Let Em' In" in terms of the arrangement but again there's an otherworldly undertone."Wondering Who" is really probably the most ear catching thing here;it concludes the album with a very early electro-funk tune complete with staccato synths,vocorders and great vocals from Jackie. The fact that he got such a forward thinking tune as his one solo spot on the album says much for the bands collective unity as they recorded this album. There are three bonuses here too.The single version of "This Place Hotel" is interesting but adds nothing to the brilliance of the full version,considering the outro that was edited out for the 45 RPM format. Where John Luongo's disco remixes on the reissue of the previous albums really add to those songs,there's nothing that can truly add to what is already there on "Walk Right Now",although the instrumental version will be great for aspiring musicans to play along with and will score big at kareoke parties. Taken together this album is the most ambitious,musically solid album The Jacksons ever made.And the huge commercial and artistic success of this album laid the groundwork for further success not only for Michael's own upcoming masterpiece Michael Jackson 25th Anniversary of Thriller but for the entire genre to which this belongs in general.
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