Yeah I know, typical Ace is mostly to steer towards the hip-hop / rap albums but I figured I'd broaden my horizons and venture into rock and roll to see how I do.

I actually grew up listening to music just like this. White Lion - Pride was my very first CD I bought and their greatest hits album followed soon thereafter. I had friends that listened to them and I really caught on to some of their catchy songs and was really touched by some of their more heartfelt tribute songs as well. They didn't seem like the conventional rock and roll group to me and I think that's what attracted me to them. P.S. After resurrecting this album and listening to it for this review, I really forgot how good it was. HA

The group is made up of four members:
Mike Tramp - Lead singer with a unique and intriguing voice
Vito Bratta - Guitars He takes many of the solos throughout the album and really shows off his talent
James Lomenzo - Bass has a few songs where he adds an aura of emotion to them
Greg D'angelo - Drums This skilled drummer is all over the album and really exemplifies what a drummer should sound like

Here are all of the tracks on the album and a short piece of info about each songs meaning (or what it appears to be at least), how I liked the track, what it's about, and lastly in italics is a snip of my favorite lyrics from the song.

1. Wait
Wait is a decent opening track. I don't think it could be the best one for their greatest hits album but such is life. The song starts out slow and amps up to a typical rock and roll love tribute. Its a song talking about a lost love, telling them to wait because I never had a chance to love you. The lyrics are decent, nothing outstanding but rock and roll love ballads were never very appealing to me. I always imagined slow music to be more applicable but that's just me.
"Wait and show your loving like it was before because I won't let that feeling walk out through the
door
Yeah wait just a moment and try once more cause
babe I need to hold you like I did before..."

2. Radar Love
This song starts out with a bang and if you ask me they should have started the album with it. The hard cymbals and guitar strums in unison with it really get your attention. The more the song plays the more the impression changes, as the beginning is strong and energetic, some parts are slower and more calm, then speeds up again. The song talks about the different type of love, the "radar love" that the singer has with a woman and how they just send signals to each other to tell the other they want to be with them. Its an interesting concept, not too far off for some people who believe in a real spiritual and emotional connection that some have. There are some really good drums in this song that definitely get me amped up.
"When I get lonely and I'm sure
I've had enough she sends her comfort coming in from above
We don't need a letter at all we got a thing that's called radar love..."

3. Broken Heart
If you couldn't guess from the title the song is about heartbreak. But it changes from where you would think he is going with it. The beginning starts out slow and melancholy, with a nice guitar solo. The lyrics talk about how he's trying to fight the pain he has from a broken heart and wondering why she left him. Then the drums come in and the guitar picks up with really encouraging lyrics that you can "fight the pain of a broken heart." It turns out that the song is actually more encouraging and positive than first anticipated. This is probably one of my personal favorite songs on the album because it's a refreshing change from the normal sob story, crying song you would hear after a heartbreak.
"There is life even after a broken heart. You can fight the pain from a broken heart. I know that life will be much better. Because I know the sun will shine again..."


4. Hungry
This song describes the singer being hungry for the love of another. Its more or less a leather love tribute that you'd expect to hear between a hard core hell's angel and his girlfriend. The lyrics of "take of all your leather and show me all your lace" certainly attest to that. Its a pretty fast paced song, more upbeat rather than begging for love like some songs can sound like. There's a great guitar solo in this song about three fourths of the way through the song that you'll love.
"Pick me up and take me home. Let your love be all I own. Just be my baby through the night..."

5. Little Fighter
Completely uncharacteristic of a rock band, this song is a really interesting tribute (and I'm sure a metaphor, but for what I don't know) to the "little fighter" who is a beacon of light for causes all over the world such as peace and who keeps getting knocked down. The encouraging lyrics urge him on to stand up and keep fighting, while at the same time thanking him for his deliberate and persistent attitude he's had in doing the good works he's done. His passive approach to war ends up getting him killed, but his spirit lives on and encourages. Its upbeat and heartfelt and the lyrics are phenomenal. It's really something that you have to listen to to appreciate.
"Without a weapon in your hand you came to fight a war. They took your life, but didn't know that you would never die..."


6. Lights and Thunder
Probably one of my least favorite songs on the album, it starts out strangely in my opinion, and proceeds to get more strange. The longest song on the album at 8:09 it seems to drag on a little too long. If you like solos this is your song, otherwise I don't feel it has too much substance. The song talks about having a completely neutral world, no religion, hatred, sorrow, or sadness just a utopia where everyone will meet with their loved ones and be happy. It compares to heaven but then again, he says in the lyrics that there will be no religion so you have me baffled.
"Come inside and see tomorrow where happiness replaces sorrow."

7. All You Need Is Rock And Roll
Much more typical up beat fast paced rock. Active guitars and drums for the intro that get you into it. The song asks you if you've lost all hope and are feeling down, then reassures you that all you need is rock and roll. Its kind of an amusing song simply because of the lyrics but that doesn't make it bad. The lyrics aren't too varied and aren't very innovative but as I said before it's an amusing thought that rock and roll will be the cure all of your hopes and dreams. Another guitar solo in this song for you guitar lovers. The song is a typical, I'm a rocker and I love this music" type of ballad, if that makes sense.
"Are you feeling down, are you all alone, have your dreams been shattered, have you lost all hope? All you need is music..."

8. When The Children Cry
By far my favorite song from this group of ALL TIME. I believe it was one of the first songs I heard of theirs and I loved every second of it. It's a very slow, relaxed pace song that starts with a nice guitar solo. It talks about the injustices in the world and apologizes for the young children of the world for turning it into what it is, and for bringing them into it. Its a tribute to them that they're the new world and they carry with them endless possibilities. Its encouraging lyrics and slow beat are very touching. Also, there is a great guitar solo in this song that lasts for about 30 seconds. Its a fabulous, toned down, riveting solo that conveys the feeling of the song.Sorry the quote is so long but it really is a riveting song and I really want anyone who reads this to try to appreciate the lyrics.
"Little child, dry your crying eyes. How can I explain, the fear you feel inside. Because you were born into this evil world where man is killing man, and no one knows just why. What have we become, just look what we have done. All that we destroyed, you must, build again..."

9. Love Don't Come Easy
Another love song, yeah I know these guys are sensitive huh? Its talking about how love is something you have to work at and once its found you, it's worth the effort to enjoy it, but it doesn't come easy. Its lyrics are decent, pretty upbeat song overall.
"You know it isn't always easy, it isn't always right, when love finds a place in your heart..."

10. Cry For Freedom
A very socially aware tribute to various causes this song is very good. It touches on racism, starvation, broken families, people in prison, and war and how you have to stand up and cry out for freedom of all these burdens to keep the dream alive. The first time I heard it I think it was the first time I had heard a rock and roll band tackle a social issue(s). Its a refreshing change from the conventional songs you would hear with any normal rock band.
"Straight from our hearts we cry. This war has stolen too many lives, because for the sake of freedom we will die. Our songs will carry on..."

11. Lady Of The Valley
This is actually the live version of the song and adds some contrast and energy to the album. It's fast upbeat intro grabs your attention and the lyrics keep it. It speaks of how he lost his brother to a war and he cries out to the lady of the valley to bring him back to him. Its a very heartfelt tribute and the varied pace keeps the listener on their toes. Yet another guitar solo in this song that lasts for a bit, this one is very good and certainly shows the skills and abilities of the guitarist Bratta.
"Lady of the valley can you hear me cry, in the stillness of the night? I have lost my brother, in the fights of war, and my heart has broken down..."

12. Tell Me
A tribute to a love that he runs away with, the lyrics tell a story of two teenagers who were in love and ran away with each other. He is constantly telling her to "tell me" that she'll always stay with him and be with him, never letting him go. They found happiness together when they ran and vowed not to turn around and go back to what they left. The lyrics are average, nothing special but the guitars/drums were enjoyable for me.
"We were teenagers far away from home. We were cold and all alone. Together we were one, we found the place where dreams were made..."

13. Farewell To You
Finally the last song, (I'm impressed you've lasted this long) Definitely an appropriate song to end on. Its a goodbye to a friend who stood by him through thick and thin. The lyrics are touching, I actually liked them a lot. They really help the song and give it more substance than just being a sappy goodbye song. Hey, it's early 1990's rock, what do you expect. :)
"It was easier to say hello than to say goodbye. Now the bus is leaving once again. I bid farewell to you..."

Overall the album was good, decent collection of songs, not all of their very best but most of them were of good quality. I would recommend it for anyone who is a fan or anyone who is trying to get an idea of what type of sound or theme of songs they have. I am certainly going to put this back in my rotation, and my friends are going to be shocked that a huge hip-hop fan like me is listening to this. HA

Thanks for reading and please feel free to leave comments.


Feel Free To Read My Other Music Reviews:

Alicia Keys - Songs In A Minor
DJ Honda - H II
Mos Def - Black On Both Sides
Mos Def - Travellin' Man (Single)
Mos Def and Talib Kweli - Blackstar
Talib Kweli - Quality
Talib Kweli - Reflection Eternal
The Roots - Do You Want More?!!!??!

© 2006 - ace3502

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Driving