"Stand your Ground" is a very telling title about Rock N' Roll survivor
Mike Tramp. Tramp has always followed his dreams and stayed true to Rock N' Roll.
The album follows the Danish only release "The Rock N Roll Circuz" from 2009. This album is recorded with the same line-up as the predecessor. The band is tight and sounds like a well-oiled machine after playing 100 shows in support of "The Rock N' Roll Circuz".
Stylistic the album is natural follow up to "Rock N Roll circuz" and yet...
Mike Tramp has succeeded in making an album that sound-wise is much like "Capricorn" and "Stand Your Ground" is also his most rocking album since "Capricorn". In my book "Capricorn" is a fantastic album and ranks among my top 20 albums ever, so the fact that "Stand Your Ground" compares with "Capricorn" is huge.
Album opener
Don't Let Them Put it on You is one of the best
Mike Tramp solo songs. For a while his fans have hungered for a full blown rock track and the opener only leaves high expectations for the album.
The album has almost everything; Radio friendly Rock on
Distance, a breathtaking ballad
Straight From the Look in My Eyes and a tough bouncy moody rocker
The World is Changing.
Mike Tramp pays kudos to his former touring mates
AC/DC on the simple rocker
Gotta Get Away - check out the
Whole Lotta Rosie middle play.
Wish you Well is an earhanger, while you cannot avoid tipping your toe to
Alright by Me.
The album is consistent with a rich full sound. Guitarist and co-producer
Soren Andersen has put some fire into
Mike Tramp's songs. Even though
Mike Tramp is the leader, vocalist and main song writer the album sounds like a band effort. The guitars are juicy and it suits Tramp's songs with an Americanized Rock N Roll sound.
The epic
The Soldier never started a war rounds off the alum in a spectacular way much like
The Good the Sad the Ugly. Several critics have stated Tramp's music and lyrics as a bit trivial. However, Tramp writes from the heart and about his experiences.
Alright by Me is about Tramp's life and when listening to
The Soldier never started a war you get an inner movie rolling.
Cry For Freedom, 92 and
Little Fighter are other great examples of impressive Tramp lyrics.
"Stand your Ground" is a dozen honest Rock N' Roll songs played with heart and soul. Only
Say What you Will falls a bit out of place.
Mike Tramp's philosophy of "
Rock N' Roll is not a fashion it's a way life" permeates the entire album and Tramp deserves to be rewarded for standing his ground.
The Danish version of the album has a bonus track
Hymn To Ronnie. The song is a tribute to Ronnie James
Dio and cleverly plays with song titles from
Dio's impressive career. A great moody rocker and a worthy finish to Tramp's best solo album since "Capricorn".
Written by
Michael Sunday, April 17, 2011
Show all reviews by MichaelRatingsMichael: 8.5/10Members: No members have rated this album yet.
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