You Were Robbed – White Lion

"You Were Robbed" features artists and bands that should have gotten much more recognition and fame than they did. Check them out now...better late than never!

The band White Lion roared onto the late 80s melodic rock scene with their “Pride” record, which featured big hits like the catchy “Wait” and the tender acoustic ballad, “When The Children Cry”. The band inexplicably fell prey to the sophomore jinx with their excellent follow up, “Big Game". What should have been the comeback of the year, the band’s third album “Mane Attraction” was tragically ignored.

I was inspired to write this post when I heard that an American Idol contestant actually did a cover of “Broken Heart”, one of the first songs White Lion wrote as a band (and was incidentally re-recorded for “Mane Attraction”).



Here is White Lion’s version from “Mane Attraction”:


The real surprise was that the super catchy leadoff single, “Love Don’t Come Easy”, with a great video to boot, failed to ignite a third chapter in this band’s career.



Infinitely popular at the time was the majestic power ballad – White Lion delivered big time on these with the beautiful acoustic “You’re All I Need” and the piano-driven tune “Till Death Do Us Part”, which I’ve heard at several weddings.



“Mane Attraction” also shows the bad evolving a harder edge with epic cuts like “Lights and Thunder” and “Warsong”. "It's Over" is another well done melodic song. In listening to the closing track, “Farewell To You”, I get the sense that perhaps the band had a gut feeling that the ride was coming to an abrupt end.



The record also contains a stunning instrumental called “Blue Monday”, a tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan. This song, like all the others on the record, is testament to the sheer brilliance of Vito Bratta as a guitarist. His retirement soon after this record is a catastrophic loss to the entire music community. Anyone know what he is doing now? As for lead singer/songwriter Mike Tramp, he’s gone on to release a number of solid solo records, and his latest work with Rock N Roll Circuz is just fantastic (see review here).

Review: Mike Tramp and Rock N Roll Circuz “Stand Your Ground”

Melocid rock/AOR
After recently launching a reunion record of sorts for his old band White Lion, Mike Tramp returns this year with a new solo effort with his backing band, The Rock N Roll Circuz. Comprised of Soren Andersen (guitar), Claus Langeskov (bass), Morten Hellborn (drums) and Emily Garriock (backing vocals, keyboard and percussion), the Rock N Roll Circuz complement Tramp’s songwriting style and vocals perfectly, delivering a sound that is sure to please old school fans as well as younger rockers.

Tramp’s previous solo efforts have typically been mixed affairs, but they have been steadily getting better with each release. I think “Stand Your Ground” may rank among his best yet. This record is filled with consistently awesome tunes that are bursting with memorable hooks and sing-a-long choruses. I didn’t expect it going in, but “Stand Your Ground” is easily in the running for best melodic rock record of the year. There are so many good songs to highlight, so don’t neglect certain tracks just because I didn’t mention them.

After a reasonable beginning with an arena-ready encouragement anthem, “Don’t Let Them Put It On You”, the record kicks into high gear with a sizzling set of melodic rock goodies. “Alright By Me” features a classic Tramp chorus – the kind that could have been found on White Lion’s “Mane Attraction” album. The mid-tempo song “Distance” has immediate likeability with relatable lyrics and an earnest vocal from Tramp. An excellent ballad is found in “Straight From The Look In My Eyes”, which offers up one of the best choruses on the album. “Got Me Crazy” is an affable rocker about life’s trials and tribulations. “Prettiest Girl” is a silly little love song, but it’s undeniably catchy. The rocking “Say What You Will” is another highlight with a driving beat escorting you to another terrific chorus.

Mike Tramp is back in a big way with a fresh modern sound and a plate of memorable melodies - don't miss this one!

iPOD-worthy: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10

Mike Tramp – Official site.

Review: White Lion "Return of the Pride"

Here we go with another example making us contemplate "What's in a name?" Similar to Journey, how much classic White Lion is really in the new White Lion? In this case, the answer is just Mike Tramp. So does this new CD truly deserve to be called White Lion? In my opinion, no freakin' way. And I would have said that before even hearing a single note off the CD. White Lion - at a minimum - MUST include guitar wizard Vito Bratta.

I've spun this CD several times now and it only sounds like White Lion twice...on the two live bonus tracks "Wait" and "When the Children Cry". Even that is a stretch because no one can play Vito Bratta like Bratta. So pox on Mike Tramp for engaging in this cash cow nonsense. Why was he not content to just put out a fifth solo CD, which this truly is?

Anyway, sorry about the rant. And don't get me wrong...while I don't think he is a great vocalist, I still think Mike Tramp is a solid, prolific songwriter that continues to crank out some of the catchiest AOR of the day. Fans of classic White Lion are not going to get much out of this CD, but fans of Mike Tramp will love it.

The CD starts off with one of those epic 4-songs-in-1 that Mike Tramp used to write for White Lion, "Sangre de Cristo". Another one bores us later called "Battle of Little Big Horn". There are some interesting bridges in these tunes, and the politically charged lyrics are OK, but overall I can't get into them. In contrast, Mike Tramp's more simplistic songs that encourage listeners to keep dreaming and never give up ("Dream", "Live Your Life") come across rather well - it is his specialty. The upbeat father-son tune "I Will" is another highlight. "Never Let You Go" brings back memories of the superior love ballads on "Mane Attraction", but this piano-driven sap fest is pretty good in its own right. "Gonna Do It My Way" is an excellent rocker with a Def Leppard-style chorus and Van Halen inspired guitar work in the verses. "Finally See the Light" is also a cool track, with a groovy verse and sing-along chorus. They should have quit here, because the chorus of the final track, "Let Me Be Me", showcases how bad Mike Tramp can really sound.

All in all, one of the better and more rocking Mike Tramp solo CDs under the guise of White Lion. There is plenty on this CD to delight most AOR fans if you don't mind the thin and raspy vocal styling of Mike Tramp.

iPOD-worthy: 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9

White Lion (?) on MySpace. Official site.
Vito Bratta on MySpace.