White Lion Albums (6)
'La Nueva Kamada'
Release Date 10/7/2008
Tracks 11
Label Machete Music
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Return of the Pride'
Release Date 3/14/2008
Tracks 10
Label Frontiers S.
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
The last time White Lion issued a new studio album, the musical world was a very different place. Hair metal was still en vogue, but its death knell was rapidly approaching (with the arrival of Nirvana). The group collapsed soon after the lukewarm reception bestowed upon the release of 1991's Mane Attraction, and remained in hibernation until the late '90s, until singer Mike Tramp began touring under a few different White Lion-related names (such as "Remembering White Lion" and "Tramp's White Lion") and issuing live albums. But 2008's Return of the Pride is the first post-1991 release to be credited solely to White Lion. Despite Tramp being the only member present from the group's late-'80s glory days, the group's heavy yet melodic sound remains very much intact. Instead of attempting to give White Lion an updated stylistic makeover, much of Return of the Pride sounds as if it could have been released in 1989 and not be out of place at all. New guitarist Jamie Law manages to fill Vito Bratta's shoes pretty well, which is no small task (as Bratta was considered one of the more talented "shredders" of the hair metal era). Close your eyes and be prepared to be taken back to the carefree days of hair spray, spandex, and cowboy boots, as evidenced by such unmistakably White Lion-sounding tracks as the surprisingly heavy album opener, "Sangre de Cristo," as well as "Live Your Life" and the obligatory power ballad, "Never Let You Go." ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
White Lion's Mane Attraction was a commercial disappointment; none of the singles or videos garnered much radio or MTV airplay, and the album's sales dropped off rather quickly. The overall level of songcraft is not quite up to the band's two previous releases, although there are some decent songs here. The cream of the album is gathered on The Best of White Lion, making Mane Attraction necessary only for completists. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Pride was White Lion's breakthrough album, thanks to the Top Ten hits "Wait" and the gentle ballad "When the Children Cry," but the rest of the album is also well-constructed pop-metal, with little of the over-the-top, testosterone-heavy posturing of their peers, as well as a low sleaze factor. In addition to the socially conscious "Children," there are positive-vibes anthems like "Don't Give Up" and "All Join Our Hands," and you wouldn't catch Bret Michaels or Axl Rose bowing on their knees before the "Lady of the Valley." Of course, nice-guy attitudes won't be as major a selling point for many hard rock listeners as Vito Bratta's showy Eddie Van Halen imitations. Although these border on obsessive at times, Bratta's interesting acoustic guitar work keeps the sound varied, and he displays a welcome penchant for melodicism. All in all, one of the more overlooked '80s pop-metal bands. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Even though none of the singles matched the chart performances of "Wait" or "When the Children Cry," and even though it runs a bit long, Big Game is still a worthy follow-up to Pride. There are two major MTV hits present, a Van Halen-ized version of Golden Earring's "Radar Love" and "Little Fighter," an ode to Greenpeace. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
