Return of the Pride

It’s been well over a decade since the last White Lion album was released. Now, Mike Tramp is back with a new band and new songs. Return of the Pride (Frontiers, March 2008) features these songs:

1. Sangre de Cristo
2. Dream
3. Live Your Life
4. Set Me Free
5. I Will
6. Battle at Little Big Horn
7. Never Let You Go
8. Gonna Do It My Way
9. Finally See The Light
10. Let Me Be Me
11. Take Me Home (European Bonus Track)

It’s very brave of the band to invoke the word “pride” in the title, isn’t it? The word is now synonymous with White Lion. It’s also synonymous with Vito Bratta, and he ain’t nowhere to be seen on this recording. The album features appearances by:

Mike Tramp - Vocals
Jamie Law - Guitar
Claus Langeskov - Bass
Henning Wanner - Keyboards
Troy Patrick Farrell - Drums

The album isn’t bad, but it didn’t strike me as phenomenal either. Return of the Pride is a long time coming. I’m not sure what I expected…except that I expected more. Mike Tramp’s voice sounds both familiar and gravely. That isn’t necessarily a good thing. The song writing didn’t really impress me either, but I do like “Finally See the Light” and “Live Your Life.” Almost nine minutes in length, “ Sangre de Cristo” blows every other album track out of the water. It’s long, dark and melodic – exactly what you want from a Glam band during reinvention mode. Above all else, the track has depth – which is appropriate for such an album. It’s pretty clear Tramp wants to be taken seriously and I can understand that wish. After all, he’s been in the music business for a long time – at the end of the day we all just want some respect.

Even though this album didn’t wow me, I still think you should give it a try. If you are a die hard White Lion fan, you probably already ordered a copy. I’d say Return of the Pride is above average – just don’t expect to hear anything as strong as “Wait.”

Haven't heard any preview tracks? Here's "Set Me Free." 

For more information, visit Return of the Pride online

Comments

[Pat]

White Lion without Vito Bratta = Van Halen without Van Halen.

I'll probably buy the album though - even if I have to import it - because I'm a sop.

[gerry gittelson]

ugh. this song does NOT sound good. White Lion is dead in the water ... boring.

[George]

I saw them last summer in concert and they were pretty good. Tramp may have lost a step or two vocally but most of his peers from that era have too. The new guitarist does a reasonable Bratta impersonation. Can't blame Tramp for not having the original lineup because he's extended the opportunity, but no one else was willing or able.

[Rhodeislandrock, Heavy Metal Addiction]

I got into White Lion with PRIDE and then I went back and grabbed FIGHT TO SURVIVE so I will probably order this and see how it is. The album is streaming at the Mike Tramp website, or at least it was when I double checked the release date last month!

I know that NEH Records has it for $16.99 plus S+H, they are based in Colorado.

Steve
Heavy Metal Addiction
http://hardrockheavymetal.wordpress.com/

[ALEXX]

THE CD IS OK SO I HAVE TO WAIT TO SEE THEM LIVE IN MY CITY BY THE WAY THIS IS GONNA BE APRIL GLAM VINCE NEIL WHITE LION LA GUNS KIP WINGER AND JANIE LANE (ACUSTIC)

[don]

the cd is good. instead of already saying they're dead in the water perhaps you should wait and actually listen to all of the cd before judging it. white lion was great at rocklahoma last year. they really surprised me. and yes i did see them live back in the day so i have something to compare it with.

by the way allyson, i really like track 5 "i will." maybe it's because i have an 11 month old son that it resonates with me.

[fletch]

Mike Tramp is very down to Earth and I admire his courage. Vito Bratta could be Eddie-ish, but unfortunately, he acts likes Axl.

[Gary]

I agree with Pat, White Lion w/o Vito is kinda like Zeppelin w/o Jimmy Page.....

[Rob Rockitt]

I haven't heard anything positive about this disc yet. I may have to skip it.

[Joe]

I agree with you Allyson..Mike's voice does sound pretty gravelly.

[Don]

personally i find out for myself, i don't listen to what others say about music to see if i will like it. as far as comparing white lion to zep (i know it's not a musical comparison but still) is quite a stretch. is it their fault that vito doesn't want to do it? there are so many bands from the 80s that don't have their original lineup but are putting out good music that i think it makes it a moot point. let the music do the talking.

[Don]

plus mike tramp sounded incredably better than steven pearcy did last year. and that's a fact.

[Xandra73]

I'm looking forward to getting the CD, no matter what others say. I love White Lion, I've seen Mike Tramp with his new band in late 2006 and they a great bunch of guys. Mike tried again and again to convince Vito to continue but he doesn't want to. So much shit happened until Mike got the rights that he can use the name of the band again and I'm glad he finally can. Can't await to see them live again this summer!

[Kenny Ozz]

The cd is pretty good, the ballad "I will" is phenominal.

[Avi Cenna]

First track Sangre de cristo confirmed our suspicion about Mike Tramp "belief". I thought his current belief is tolerant to other faith, but i guess not. The more intolerant the belief is, the more chances that such belief is false. He should learn more from Ali Sina.
Mike Tramp has changed a lot after married Indonesian. His song "Kadijah" is DISGRACE to glamm metal. He was a hero, but kadijah ruined him. If you think Milli Vanilli suck, i tell you.. his song kadijah is worst. Besides, White Lion is finished without Vito Bratta.

Don't expect much from this album, it's average album,i like Vito Bratta era tho.

[Jill]

Although everyone is entitled to their own opinion....TRUE White Lion fans will stick by them no matter what and not put them down! Are YOU perfect? Are YOU writing songs for an album? White Lion is NOT "dead in the water.....boring." Drop me a line and a picture if you THINK your so special so all my friends and I can judge YOU.