Survivor/Jim Peterik Fans Must Have This!
susumu-5 | Japan | 01/20/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Pride of Lions is the Jim Peterikfs latest melodic rock project featuring 25-year-old bud Toby Hitchcock who has four-octave amazing voice. Because Jim Peterik is best known by the founder, songwriter, keyboardist, and guitarist of Survivor, it has already received high ratings from melodic rock community such as melodicrock.com and BURRN!. However, it must be pointed out that Jim Peterik is beyond Survivor. Because he has been a top songwriter even outside Survivor as some of 38 Special hits and some of the recent albums he had deeply involved such as Mecca prove. This album has striking difference from previous associated works and even Survivor gems. On Pride of Lions, Jim himself takes lead vocalist role and countering fairly well with such talented bud Toby Hitchcock. During Survivor time Jim took lead vocal only in gLove Has Got Meh, one of the debut album track. Jim Peterik and Toby Hitchcock exchanging vocals is what the album is all about. PRIDELAND in particular is an excellent showcase of Jim/Toby duet. Toby Hitchcock vocal style is versatile but somewhat reminding me of Richard Marxfs debut album. In Survivor terminology, it could serve as missing link between Premonition/Caught In A Game/Too Hot To Sleep edginess and Vital Signs/When Seconds Count catchiness. Japanese version has three more tracks than European 12-track release. Among them STAND BY YOU and SO DEADLY are included in single EP gSound Of Homeh. So to be precise, SURRENDER TO THE NIGHT, Richard Marx styled ballad is a Japan-only track.If you pursue Vital Signs/When Seconds Count like catchiness, GONE, INTERUPPTED MELODY, TURN TO ME, LAST SAFE PLACE will please you. If you pursue ROCKY like track I recommend ITfS CRIMINAL, UNBREAKABLE ( I suspect both were Rocky IV candidates). MADNESS OF LOVE could have a place in Too Hot To Sleep. If you like Mecca like song FIRST TIME AROUND THE SUN might fit your taste. MUSIC AND ME is heavy at times but mid-bridge is dramatic and catchy as well. SO DEADLY is a sort of experimental stuff having European metal feel.Essential for Survivor and mid-80fs melodic rock fans."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1