Album Review: "Shine" by Triangle (1992)
Released in 1992 under Red Handed Records, Triangle’s Shine is a curious blend of Pop/Rock and Rock that feels like a forgotten gem from the early '90s. Hailing from the US, Triangle carved out an album that doesn’t scream for attention but instead quietly lingers in your mind. The tracklist includes "Chain the American Heart," "Melanie," "Destination," "Outside of You," "Blackhill," and the title track "Shine." While it may not redefine genres, its understated charm and raw energy make it worth revisiting.
One standout track is "Chain the American Heart." It's hard to forget this song because of its biting lyrics and unrelenting rhythm. The guitar work here isn’t overly polished—it has grit, almost as if it's rebelling against something intangible yet deeply personal. The chorus grabs you without needing flashy production tricks; it just hits differently. If you’re into songs with a mix of political undertones and emotional weight, this one sticks with you long after the needle lifts off the record.
Another track I keep coming back to is "Outside of You." There’s something haunting about how the melody drifts along while the vocals sound almost detached, like they're floating above the instruments. It's melancholic but not overwhelmingly so—more like watching clouds roll by on a gray day. The repetition of the title phrase somehow adds depth rather than redundancy. For me, it evokes memories of staring out car windows during road trips, lost in thought but feeling oddly connected to everything around me.
The rest of the album holds up well too, though some tracks feel less memorable compared to these two. "Blackhill" brings a darker edge, while "Shine" delivers the uplifting anthem you’d expect from a title track. But overall, Shine avoids falling into predictable patterns, which was refreshing for its time.
Reflecting on this album now, it strikes me how little fanfare surrounded its release. In today’s music scene, where hype often overshadows substance, Triangle’s approach feels almost radical. They weren’t trying to reinvent the wheel—they were simply sharing their truth through chords and verses. And maybe that’s why it works. Or maybe I’m just overthinking it. Either way, listening to Shine feels like finding an old photograph tucked inside a book—you didn’t know you needed it until you stumbled across it.
Rating: 7.8/10
Final Thought: Not every album needs to change the world. Sometimes, being quietly unforgettable is enough.
