Pride of Lions - Lionheart (Album Review)

With each passing day, this kind of music disappears from radio formats that are beginning to move past the valuable relics from the 1970's and 1980's. There are still some radio formats time traveling 40 or even 50 years, whether it be a Motown song or a one hit wonder that has survived to speak to us now. But it's clear the sounds of 2020 are devoid of the soul and well thought out melodies of days gone by. So when an album like Lionheart comes along, with a genius writer, producer and arranger and one of the top vocalists on the melodic rock scene today, it's an extra special event. 

Jim Peterik should be in the rock and roll hall of fame on his own. He's done so much for rock music starting way back in the 1960's with Ides of March. Jim has remained devoted to the sound he created in the band Survivor. Pride of Lions is an organic extension of that vision Peterik pioneered nearly 40 years ago. Whereas some of the other POL albums were only somewhat derivative of the Survivor template, Lionheart fully embraces it. It's as if Peterik has decided to throw the entire kitchen sink at the music establishment hoping it will wake from it's eternal slumber. 

The album's title track is exactly what you need to crank those engines of nostalgia. Vocally the mix between Peterik and the incredible Toby Hitchcock instantly recalls the late great Jimi Jamison. These are songs Jimi should be singing. And maybe he is looking down with his blessing. "We Play For Free" recalls "Jackie Don't Go" from Survivor's underrated "Caught In The Game" album. Peterik rarely composes a melody that lacks a giant hook. Peterik himself is a rather convincing singer and when you combine his talents with those of Hitchcock, these songs just soar. "Heart of The Warrior" completely mirrors 80's Survivor with a good dose of John Parr. The keyboards score points for being so omnipresent and complimentary. Guitarist Mike Aquino channels the early days of great guitar solos on this amazing track. 

"Carry Me Back" arrives like a top 10 single from 1983. The subject matter is total nostalgia with lyrics and musical refrains that feel like you know the track, even though it's brand new. Hitchcock commands the mic with Jim Peterik augmenting his brilliance. "Sleeping With A Memory" will insantly recall Foreigner's "Waiting For A Girl Like You", awash in ascending keyboard notes but then evolving into a mid-tempo track. Again the duet of Hitchcock and Peterik is incredibly effective. "Good Thing Gone" is an uptempo big hook laden melody with haunting lead and backing vocals from Hitchcock with some verses sung by Peterik. This is muscle car music, where both rhythm guitars and keyboards are hammering the melody home. 

"Unfinished Heart" is a spectacular power ballad that mixes Foreigner, Journey and Dennis DeYoung's Styx into something that old time radio would be playing every few hours. "Flagship" begins with a big chorus followed by a cascade of keyboards and guitars. A perfect music bed for the dualing vocals of Hitchcock and Peterik. Again, the power of a great melody and empowering lyrical themes make this continued listening bliss. "Give It Away" is more of a pop-rocker, using some choppy guitar riffs and a compact melody. The bridge on this track is really a work of art. "Rock and Roll Boomtown" is a tale of Hollywood's former music glory. The old west goes bust. The melody is extraordinary, a tad darker with some sparse moments that recall Aerosmith's "Amazing". The timely lyrics will certainly resonate with this album's key demographic. 

"You're Not A Prisoner" is another potential big hit single with a driving rhythm guitar and might be suited for .38 Special fans. A total AOR late night rock radio feel. Love, love this track. "Now" begins as a sparse acoustic track that kicks into gear. It sounds a bit like "Come Again" by the Damn Yankees. But it's got it's own Pride of Lions legs. Aquino unleashes an amazing guitar solo to extend the track out just when you think it's over. I got some goosebumps.

This album is easy to summarize. Big vocals, great guitars, unique soaring melodies, excellent production and fine musicianship. This record will compete to be the best melodic rock record of 2020. An amazing achievement, even from a guy you kind of expect it from. Lionheart comes from the musical heart of a champion - Jim Peterik.

Album Rating 9.9