WHITE LION
"Return of the Pride" (Airline;
2008)
Reviewed by Mike SOS
This band should be named Mike Tramp's White Lion 2008, not White Lion, because sans Tramp's trademark vocals, there's nothing about this incarnation related to the original NYC metal troupe. No Vito Bratta, no James Lomenzo, no Greg D'Angelo. Still, despite this questionable marketing ploy, "Return of the Pride" portrays a decent mix of AOR rock with touches of hard rock elegance (particularly on the curious eight-minute pseudo power metal affair "Sangre De Cristo") throughout the duration of this 10-track endeavor.
Loaded with commercial hard rock tunes and a couple of slow dance, heartstring-tugging ballads for the perfect 80s metal wedding song ("Never Let You Go"), this disc is watered down with an unbalanced weight of generic rock leanings and at times sounding downright desperate to recreate the 80s at any cost.
"Return of the Pride" yields a passable, updated version of hair metal and showcases Tramp's welcome vocals, but it comes nowhere near the original lineup's songwriting prowess and overall musical aptitude, thus rendering a disappointing return to form for the new version of White Lion.
For more information, check out www.myspace.com/returnofthepride.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2008 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 04 Nov 2008 01:18:57 -0600.
