Survivor Fan's Essential For Sure
susumu-5 | Japan | 03/22/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"After enjoying Journey's GENERATIONS, Toto's FALLING IN BETWEEN, and SURVIVOR's comeback album REACH or Chicago return album with XXX, maybe Pride of Lion's third album is the next for you to listen.
Pride of Lions is a duo made up of ex-Survivor rock legend JIM PETERIK and young turk TOBY HITCHCOCK. Toby's amazing voice range made it possible for Jim Peterik to play the game again as passionate as when he was in Survivor and rock masterpieces followed in 2003 and 2004.
My first pick from the album is LANGUAGE OF THE HEART uptempo drivethrough pop rock song somewhat like movie theme songs by Kenny Loggins. During Survivor days uptempo songs are quite rare and most songs are in mid-tempo. Yet with Toby Hitchcock leading the vocal the duo could force out a bunch of up-tempo rockers the most impressive of which is BORN TO BELIEVE IN YOU from the previous album The Destiny Stone. Ballads are quite moving as well just take a few example from this album, LOVE'S ETERNAL HEART, and FAITHFUL HEART. And see-breeze light pop like SECRET OF THE WAY who may capture the heart of late 70s AOR fans who love AMBROSIA or SUPERTRAMP. And ASTONISH YOU stabilizes the soft appeal of the band. And that never betrays the avid melodic rock fans who love HOUSE OF LORDS or SUNSTORM albums. Top track HEAVEN ON EARTH just sap the current melodic rock scene.
Only listners who might get a bit bored might be the fans of previous two albums because this album is more like the summarization of the two rather than moving into the next adventure. 12th track TURNAROUND gives you a few surprises. A new talent, sister of Toby Hitchcock is revealed. She may well be melodic rock version of AMY LEE? A bright hope for the band.
Verdict: Mixes the element of previous two albums. Nothing new to old fans.
Rating: 91 out of 100
Recommnded for: Most suited for 80s rock fans who might have lost touch with the music they love most. Survivor and general 80s pop and rock fans."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1
