PRIDE OF LIONS 'Unbridled'

PRIDE OF LIONS
Unbridled 
Frontiers Music
https://www.facebook.com/PrideOfLionsBand/

I’ll tell you straight up that I am a fan of Jim Peterik’s work over the last six decades with bands like IDES OF MARCH, and that band you’re not supposed to mention when talking about the guy that wrote their biggest hit “Eye of the Tiger”.  My admiration also carries over to JIM PETERIK’S WORLD STAGE, in which the eccentric guitarist features other established and up-and-coming talented musicians. PRIDE OF LIONS was started in 2003 to capture the spirit, and lets face it, songwriting style that Peterik brought to his former band SURV- - - R.  The addition of powerhouse vocalist Toby Hitchcock only sealed the deal. 

Even though I am a fan, the eight PRIDE OF LIONS albums have been a mixed bag.  Their 2004 self-titled album and 2005 follow-up were top tier in the world of Melodic Rock.  The next couple of albums, not so much.  PRIDE OF LIONS came roaring back with ‘Fearless’ in 2017 and ‘Lion Heart’ in 2020.  2023’s ‘Dream Higher’ just didn’t feel the same to me. I’m a little surprised that PRIDE OF LIONS is still going when WORLD STAGE is really where Jim’s heart is at.  I haven’t talked to him personally about that, but I can tell by the songwriting, musicianship and production.  

Unfortunately, ‘Unbridled’ is another PRIDE OF LIONS album that misses the mark and forgets what the band was founded on.  Peterik opens the album with an uncharacteristic shred style guitar solo on “Unbridled”.  Jim also handles lead vocals for this one, with Toby Hitchcock coming in to back him up on the chorus.  The song is uplifting lyrically, but just doesn’t have that ooomph an opening anthem usually has.  

I do recall Peterik singing a bit on past releases by PRIDE OF LIONS, but two tracks in a row seems a bit unusual.  Jim is a bit more weathered in the vocal department versus Toby.  It’s not off-putting, just different.  Hitchcock is a bellowing high-register, while Peterik is more of a crooner.  I wish I could write something interesting about “Edge of Forever”, but it's just not there.  

Toby Hitchcock is front and center as lead vocalist on the acoustic/electric ballad “Don’t Waste A Wish On Me”.  This is one of the strongest tracks on the album, full of passion, melody, and emotion.  Peterik returns on the microphone for a tale of love left behind on “1000 Long Goodbyes”.  Picture KISS’ “Beth” as an upbeat rocker.    

Next, Jim takes on the ballad “What The Whole World Needs To Know”.  Once again he’s pushed Toby Hitchcock to the background.  Peterik has always had a way with words about love, life, and everything in between.  Having just heard the prior ballad, this one feels like a leftover.  “I’ll Be Your Rock” is chock full of inspirational Rock And Roll tropes.  That’s not a knock on this one at all.  Jim & Toby pair perfectly here, going back and forth on the vocals.  Another strong one, but too mid-temp to be anthemic.     

The duet vocal method works once again on “Hell or High Water”.  Two slower tracks back-to-back is a little odd for pacing, but it’s now clear this is going to be the main tempo throughout the album.  With a title like “Ride The Lightning” I was expecting the album to finally kick things up a notch and rock out like it was 1984 all over again (or at least 2003 for PRIDE OF LIONS).  I was wrong.  Another ballad.  Toby sounds great, but the tender love ballads are getting a bit tiresome.  

“Lose Like a Winner” is reminiscent of a song that plays faintly in the background of a low budget, underdog overcoming the odds movie.  I’m picturing our hero losing the first battle and training for his next.  Cannon Films would have had a field day with this one.  We’re at track ten now and guess what?  Another ballad!  I hate to say it, but “I Can See In The Dark” follows the same pattern as the ballads before it.  There are two more songs on the album, but I wouldn’t be describing anything new.         

‘Unbridled’ is more of a Jim Peterik solo album than a PRIDE OF LIONS album.  Toby Hitchcock is clearly a background player on this album. Had this album been labeled a Peterik standalone, then maybe ballad after ballad after ballad would make more sense.  PRIDE OF LIONS was, for all intents and purposes, a continuation of Peterik’s work in SURV - - - R.  ‘Unbridled’ is too far from that. To start an album off with a fiery guitar solo and follow it up with 10 mid to slow tempo songs, is a bold move to say the least.  Where are the energetic anthems?!

2.5 Out Of 5.0