MIKE TRAMP & THE ROCK N ROLL CIRCUZ

STAND YOUR GROUND

Released 2011

Mike has never managed to set the world slight quite like he did back in the eighties with White Lion, but over the years he’s had a bloody good go at it! First with the much underrated Freak of Nature; then as a solo artist and more recently with the Rock N Roll Circuz.

To be honest with you, down-under we’ve always had a soft spot for Mike: and while he lived here first in Tasmania and then in Melbourne we had plenty of opportunities to catch him live, whether it was as a solo artist or on special nights like ‘an Evening with White Lion’- great days!   

During his solo career Mike’s output was a little variable at times to be fair but you always got some gold in there. With Rock N Roll Circuz there’s understandably a bit more rock in the mix, though to our ears things are still a little more ‘solo-sounding’ than ‘White Lion’.

This is a good album and at times it hints that he’s just a step away from doing something truly memorable again. We like it and as we play it more we like it more.

In truth though there’s still a bit of a mixed bag ‘Wish You Well’ is more like Mike’s solo mid-paced stuff; songs like ‘Distance’ you could see someone more ‘fashionable’ having a hit with; but the real shine is from songs like ‘Got Me Crazy’ which rocks in an almost cars-like way. Elsewhere there’s plenty to like but please don’t come looking for White Lion – that’s history.

Definitely tracking in the right direction.

By Jo