MIKE TRAMP & THE ROCK N' ROLL CIRCUZ / STAND YOUR GROUND (2011)

One of the most recognisable voices in the hard rock scene, Mike Tramp, is back with his brand new effort called "Stand Your Ground". So, Tramp & The Rock N' Roll Circuz, is finally back with one of the best, after the White Lion years, albums that this great musician has ever recorded. Pure rock n' roll played with attitude, heart and soul! With White Lion, Tramp has offered some really classic tunes that stood through the time. After the split of White Lion, Tramp formed another very good act, Freak Of Nature. Then he went as a solo artist. As a solo, he has released some good albums but, also, some average too.

"Stand Your Ground" has everything that the Tramp's fans wanted all those years. It has heart, soul and a Rock N' Roll feeling that was missed from the artist's previous releases. The band seems tight and after a long time Tramp's voice sounds better than ever! The songs are all well-written, the guitar sound is big and there are plenty of melodies. "Don't Let Them Put It On You" is the track that opens the album. A solid song and a sample that shows Tramp's back to some great melodic rock paths. "Alright By Me" is one of my personal favorite tunes from the new album and "Distance" is a beautiful semi-ballad about love. "Gotta Get Away" rocks harder and it's a song full of energy and the guitar solo is really vintage. "Straight From The Look In My Eyes" and "Got Me Crazy" are both really good rockers. In "The World Is Changing" reminds a bit the Freak Of Nature years. It's a darker tune and it has a catchy pre-chorus with a nice guitar solo.

Overall, this is a very good album from one of my favourite singers ever. Mike Tramp wrote his name with capital letters in the hard rock scene with White Lion. He doesn't need to prove anything to anyone. He is a great performer and with this release shows that he hasn't lost anything during the years. He is still among one of the best performers out there!
HeavyParadise's Rating : 8,5/10

1 - Don't Let Them Put It On You, 2 - Alright By Me, 3 - Distance, 4 - Gotta Get Away, 5 - Straight From The Look In My Eyes, 6 - Got Me Crazy, 7 - Wish You Well, 8 - The World Is Changing, 9 - Prettiest Girl, 10 - Say What You Will, 11 - The Soldier Never Started A War