There are few things in the 1980s that scream cheesy more than Survivor. I can scarcely call what they made rock—it was more like music intended from the outset to be on soundtracks. In fact there is no better example than Eye of the Tiger which is both corny and lives up to its original intention as the distinctive theme song of Rocky III.

Over the course of their decade-long career, Survivor eked out a dozen or so hits but their albums were largely panned. It is for this reason exactly that you should, if you feel it necessary, invest in a greatest hits compilation. Ultimate Survivor (BMG Heritage, 2004) is by no means perfect, but it does collect the band’s most notable songs from each of their seven studio albums. I can’t think of a better way to experience a band that seems so dated twenty years later than with this CD. Unless, of course, you are a major fan of Survivor and even then there are still treats (early rarity Rebel Girl and the band’s version of Rockin’ into the Night which was originally performed by .38 Special).

Formed in Chicago during the winter of 1977 by guitarist/keyboardist Jim Peternik, Survivor’s lineup included lead singer Dave Bickler, guitarist Frankie Sullivan, Peternik on guitars and keys, Stephen Ellis on bass, and Marc Doubray on drums. From 1978 through 1983 this was the group that yielded hits—most notably the aforementioned Eye of the Tiger. It was in 1983 that Bickler chose to leave the band and was replaced by Jim Jamison. This changed lineup went on to rack up even more hits.

Unlike many rock bands of the 1980s, I don’t think Survivor’s music has aged all that well. There was something magical about this lipsticked and hairsprayed era in music. Bands by and large didn’t take themselves too serious and were much more concerned with nailing the girl or doing a line of coke or drinking booze than with making timeless music. This carefree attitude is what led to the era’s biggest and most lasting songs. Survivor on the other hand took themselves very seriously—these were intense fellows more similar to Journey, Foreigner, Boston, and Night Ranger than anybody else. That said, I still see some great kitsch value in the songs contained on Ultimate Survivor if nothing else.

Not surprisingly, the album begins with the band’s most distinctive hit. Eye of the Tiger is almost hilarious in its intensity. It was certainly the perfect song for Rocky to kick butt to, but out of context it is anything but serious. That said, it still works wonderfully in hyping crowds for sporting events and at eighties-themed parties. It was strategic to put Suvivor’s best known song in the first slot, but the better tracks are scattered throughout the album. While they are indeed known for just one or two (or three) songs, it’s amazing how familiar much of this material is. Poor Man’s Son is easily one of the best with the emotional delivery and gospel choir. I Can’t Hold Back is also an outstanding mid-tempo pop-rocker.

Unfortunately there are songs like Is This Love which mar the album. Songs like this should be here because they were minor hits, but the synthesizers meshed with sticky-sweet mid-tempo melodies make this a truly horrendous track. It goes nowhere even if it is decently well performed. This one is definitely best left in 1986. Just as I begin to lose faith in the band they provide another great song—the piano-driven ballad The Search is Over. A Muzak staple, the original is still plenty lovely and well worth checking out. It has aged more gracefully than most of the selections here. Speaking of aging badly, hit Burning Heart from the Rocky V soundtrack is painfully bad. It was intended to be the second part of Eye of the Tiger but it sounds like a less pointed, less energetic, and less interesting version of the same song.

There are eighteen songs in total. Some are great, some are good, and some border parody. The worst of the bunch include First Night, the synthesizer heavy High On You, the melodramatic Man Against the World (which does at least feature some nice piano work), and American Heartbeat with the awful vocal harmonies and synthesizers. Luckily for every awful song there is at least one good selection. I am drawn in particular to three songs from 1988’s Too Hot to Sleep. Survivor tried to change slightly with the times during the late 1980s and tossed in some extra electric guitars for extra rock appeal. This worked nicely on songs Across the Miles, Desperate Dreams, and Didn’t Know It Was Love. Additionally, I like Summer Nights with the slow pace, easy going attitude, a lovely melody.

The final notable song is also the last. Rockin’ into the Night was originally performed by .38 Special, but was written by Survivor’s own Peternik. I love the original because of the country rock edge, but this version injects a smoother and more theatrical sound. It works nicely—fans of this song and Survivor’s music will be pleasantly surprised by the end product. All-in-all, I don’t think this album will blow anybody’s mind. It showcases a band’s biggest hits and most popular songs—whether they are good or bad, dated or timely. The fact that Ultimate Survivor portrays the band with flaws is refreshing.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Track Listing:
01. Eye of the Tiger (Eye of the Tiger, 1982)
02. Poor Man’s Son (Premonition, 1981)
03. I Can’t Hold Back (Vital Signs, 1984)
04. Is This Love (When Seconds Count, 1986)
05. The Search is Over (Vital Signs, 1984)
06. Burning Heart (Rocky V Soundtrack, 1985)
07. First Night (Vital Signs, 1984)
08. Across the Miles (Too Hot to Sleep, 1988)
09. High On You (Vital Signs, 1984)
10. Man Against the World (When Seconds Count, 1986)
11. Desperate Dreams (Too Hot to Sleep, 1988)
12. American Heartbeat (Eye of the Tiger, 1982)
13. Caught in the Game (Caught in the Game, 1983)
14. Didn’t Know It Was Love (Too Hot to Sleep, 1988)
15. Rebel Girl (Survivor, 1980, bonus track)
16. Summer Nights (Premonition, 1981)
17. Somewhere in America (Survivor, 1980)
18. Rockin’ into the Night (original version, .38 Special)

Recommended: Yes