SURVIVOR: Survivor (A.O.R.): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Formed in Chicago by the duo Frankie Sullivan / Jim Peterik, Survivor quickly caught the attention of John Kolodner, head of Atlantic Records, and of the Scotti Bros label with whom he had signed this first eponymous album, after having recruited the drummer Gary Smith, the bassist Dennis Johnson, and especially the singer Dave Bickler (ex Jamestown Massacre). Produced by Ron Nevison and mixed by Bruce Fairbairn, this first offspring doesn't lack famous sponsors, and even the young actress Kim Basinger, already seen on several TV series, comes and puts her pretty face on the cover.

Based on melodic hard-rock riffs, catchy choruses, and worked melodies, Survivor is reminiscent of Journey's first works, and especially Foreigner's, without the folksy erring of the latter. The whole benefits from David Bickler's aggressive and melodic singing, whose blues-rock roots fit perfectly with the already asserted identity of the quintet. The vocalist is perfectly supported by the backing vocals, especially those of Jim Peterik who even takes the lead on the groovy mid-tempo 'Love Has Got Me'. To pack all this, Frankie Sullivan ensures effective riffs and some luminous soli ('Let It Be Now'), while Bickler also offers some keyboards lines, discreet most of the time, but sometimes very catchy ('Can't Getcha Offa My Mind').

The whole album is coherent without sinking into a too great linearity, benefiting from two potential hits. Somewhere In America' has a hard rock riff on blues bases, with a chorus that quickly becomes engraved in the memory without being overly simplistic, and an aerial break of the best effect. On its fact, the scathing riff of 'Youngblood' will leave no one unaffected. The choirs and the piano break of 'As Soon As Love Finds Me' will remind Queen in the middle of a dynamic and efficient track, 'Whole Town's Talking' lets appear a soul and urban spirit on its chorus, '20/20' wants to be more AC/DC-like, while 'Freelance' slows down the tempo and adds a touch of heavy. Finally, 'Nothing Can Save Me (From Your Love)' alternates power-ballads and power-ups on which Bickler's vocals become heartbreaking, before 'Whatever It Takes' throws a more common but nice melody.

If it needs confirmation, "Survivor" imposes itself as a reference album of an Aor style in full expansion. It will not leave insensitive the amateurs of this alloy of melody and energy that Journey, Foreigner or Boston already started to spread successfully on the North American territories, and they will make a duty to possess this opus within their collection.

It is worth noting that the track 'Rockin' Into The Night', which was not chosen by Nevison during the final editing because it was too southern, was offered to 38. Special who will make it a hit in his own field. - Official website

SURVIVOR

SURVIVOR

ATLANTIC RECORDS

A.O.R.