Survivor - Survivor

4 stars for nostalgia...but 3 for actual album

I was lucky enough to get this release on CD a number of years ago as a Japanese import; though I paid through the nose for it, I considered it money well-spent, because the Japanese CD DID have the hard-to-find "Rebel Girl" track.

Brian & Patrick...you'd mentioned in your reviews that you missed having "Rebel Girl" available...it once again IS. "Ultimate Survivor" is a newish greatest hits release, available on Amazon, that not only has "RG" but a longer version of "Summer Nights" not available on "Premonition." AND, the original version of "Rockin' Into the Night." Those three tracks alone I though were worth the price of the CD. August 27, 2005

I love this stuff!!!

They just don't make music like this anymore. Carefree rock 'n roll that didn't try to be anything more. Many of Survivor's later albums fell victim to that. Which is all the more reason to appreciate this one; their first and most seasoned. August 9, 2005

Lots of Great Songs Long Forgotten

Survivor's first album may not be their best but still a great debut. The band was founded by songwriting guru Jim Peterik, with lots of top musicians such as Frankie Sullivan and Dave Vickler of Mariah, Gary Smith and Dennis Johnson of Chase. Jim Peterik, himself was part of Chase in latter days as lead vocalist. This album offers variety of power pop, hard rock, blues rock that represents late 70s. They had been really ahead of the game, but commercial success would had to wait until 1982 when Rocky III theme song EYE OF THE TIGER rocked the world. SOMEWHERE IN AMERICA is BOB SEGER/JOHN MELLMCAMP styled dynamic acoustic rock, while CAN'T GECHA OFFA MY MIND is somewhat like The Cars. AS SOON AS LOVE FINDS ME reminds me of STYX and QUEEN as in KILLER QUEEN/BOHEMIAN RAPSODY styled dynamism. YOUNGBLOOD can be the original prototype of EYE OF THE TIGER. LET IT BE NOW reminds a bit of HOLD THE LINE in TOTO's debut. LOVE HAS GOT ME is the only song that Jim Peterik leads the vocal part. Jim used to be the vocalist of latter days Chase and recently he sings some of the songs in Pride of Lions album. Dave Vickler was so great a vocalist then he gave up the lead vocal part to Dave. That was part of the reason this rock grop eventually became far beyond Jim Peterik rock project and we now have 6 more excellent melodic rock gems. WHOLE TOWN'S TALKING and 20/20 are some of my most favorite early Survivor tracks. Also must be noted is that this album was directed by that RON NEVISON who is known to be severe in track choice. ROCKIN' INTO THE NIGHT that was rejected as Survivor debut found a chance in 38 Special's ROCKIN' INTO THE NIGHT album that won them their first commercial success.

Recommended for late 70s/early 80s American rock fans. June 14, 2004

Clarification

I remember seeing Survivor at Rock It North, a tiny club just across the border in Wisconsin where 18 year olds could still legally drink. The band at that time had a not yet strong local following. Wow!! This was one terrific band that unfortunately fell into the homogenized trap that also befell Styx, REO, Journey, and others. I heartily recommend this album.

Anyway, to answer the above post: Rebel Girl was not on the original release. It should have been, as it is a great song. It was released on a 45 only. I wish I still knew where mine was. I have the song on a 25 year old TDK casette, and it still sounds good. August 12, 2003

An underrated album which contains pure rock treasures

I discovered the band Survivor with the famous "Eye of the Tiger" hit, so I just wanted to try a Best-of album and any other album in their discography. I decided to try this first effort of Survivor because it contained no songs from the Best-of.
And now, I'm completely amazed of it. This is a great rock album.
I don't own the other albums but I guess this one is the BEST.

Believe me, it really rocks, better than "Eye of the tiger".

Personal ratings :

Somewhere in America - B+
"Somewhere in America, she waits for me...". Nice story, but the guitar riffs could be more elaborate.

Can't getcha offa my mind - A+
First amazing song. This synthesiser intro, yeah ! The subject of the song is common, but what a pleasure to hear this !

Let it be now - A+
My personnal favorite. It has a loud and catchy chorus that surronds you. What an atmosphere in this song !

As soon as love finds me - A
An interesting song that has a good vocals demonstration in the middle, followed by a guitar solo.

Youngblood - B+
A generic chorus, quite monotonous.
This song has a vocal solo.

Love has got me - B+
A slower song. The chorus is a little boring.
This time, the singer is Jim Peterik.

Whole town's talkin' - A
An interesting intro on acoustic guitar.
The chorus is slow and nice, like on a ballad.

20/20 - A
Survivor is pretty good for chorus.
This song has a good guitar demo.
If I had a mark to give, it would be 20/20.

Freelance - B+
Hmm... This reminds me a lot "Runnin' with the devil" from Van Halen. Similar guitar intro, similar first sentence.

Nothing can shake me (From Your Love) - A+
This song is a ballad. A soft song that becomes suddenly hard. I hear "Oh no, oh no" and after a catchy chorus, it becomes soft again. An excellent piece.

Whatever it takes - A
A nice intro on both guitar and synthesiser.
A nice dialog-bridge :
"Will you break the rules?"
If I gotta
"Will you play the fool?"
Every time

This album is really awesome. I wasn't born when it was realeased but I guess that it had no success and that it was terribly underrated. It's really hard to find some flaws in this ...
If you don't own it, don't hesitate to buy it.

Line-up :
Frankie Sullivan & Jim Peterik : Guitar & backing vocals
David Bickler : Lead vocals & keyboards
Gay Smith : Drums
Dennis Keith Johnson : Bass January 14, 2003

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