MIKE TRAMP – Songs of White Lion

Renowned Danish guitarist/vocalist Mike Tramp recently released this wicked 12-track offering via Frontiers Records, and as the title of the record signifies, this one is rather special in that it sees Tramp interpreting (or rather re-imagining, I suppose) the songs of glam metal outfit White Lion, i. e. his former band. Now, White Lion is undoubtedly a name that many of you are familiar with, and those guys wrote some good tunes back in the day, but there is something invigorating and inspired about Tramp’s meaty renditions of those songs included on this cool-looking disc. I actually prefer these to the originals and not merely because they are punchier and heavier affairs; I suspect the primary reason for me liking this one quite a bit is that these sharp and potent new versions are performed with such a pronounced sense of authority, style, melodic flair, and determination. The nuances of the core material are more prominent, and the compositions somehow seem a little more cohesive and dynamic in this setting.

Fans of well-written and catchy rock music harking back to the late eighties and early nineties should try it out as it offers plenty of good and juicy stuff for you to sink your teeth into, and the musicianship is obviously excellent. ‘Hungry’ and ‘Cry for Freedom’ in particular work splendidly here and deserve a serious listen.