Rik Emmett-RES9 (2016)

"RES9" is the title of the thirteenth studio album by former Triumph guitarist Rik Emmett. By this point, Emmett had long since moved beyond the hard rock style with progressive elements that characterized his work with his original band in the 1970s and his early solo releases in the 1990s. In these later works, the Canadian prefers to focus on classic rock and blues rock, with an intense sound full of elegant and sophisticated arrangements. Backed by a band comprised of Dave Dunlop, Steve Skingley, Paul Delong, and featuring guest appearances by Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson and Dream Theater singer James LaBrie, the album offers energetic compositions such as the blistering tracks "Stand Still" and "End of the Line", the mid-tempo "I Sing", and the bluesy "When You Were My Baby" and "The Ghost of Shadow Town".