Return of the Pride * by White Lion (CD, Apr-2008, Airline Records)

I know, I know....Some of you are probably saying "It isn't White Lion without Vito Bratta tearing up the fretboard or throwing in the melody hooks and power." Well, believe it or not.... Mike Tramp's voice will keep you in line if you had any doubts.... It's White Lion. No mistaking him or missing that old connection to our 80's roots. I promise you that you will like this album if you ever had a spot on your playlist for this band. There aren't any familiar names in this new version of the band other than Mike Tramp.. but... he has been touring as Mike Tramp's White Lion for a good part of 4 maybe 5 years... trying to get his band to break through the doubt and cliches. He really hasn't quit since the Lion broke up in the early 90's. He has several solo albums and projects such as Freaks of Nature (all of which I have little info on or experience with)... I just know that he has been keeping busy and now he has brought fans a return to that which makes us happy.... the 80's. Not a return to the culture...but a return to music that has everything we need... great vocals, catchy lyrics and hooks, guitar riffs, drums and proof...that their was a time when music was great... and hope... that we can always have it when we want it.
Just get through the first song.....It isn't the first song I wanted to hear tumpeting in the return of the pride... it becomes tolerable later, once the entire album earns your respect... Once you get past that opening tune... It all becomes familiar AND fresh at the same time.
So... to sum up..... Great Album, Solid Return..... Now... When will Vito be joining the band. Get Vito back and this album would have gone Gold.