This is album number two for Mike Tramp’s project after White Lion. Freak of Nature ended in ’96, which is a shame as I really like the two albums, but playing melodic rock in the mid-nineties was a bit like having leprosy as one would touch it.
This album isn’t as hard and raw as the first one, but they had found their sound. After the short rootsy intro of The Gathering the album kicks off with Enemy, a great hard edged melodic rocker with a nice groove, and I love the hook and chorus; it’s also my favourite track. Stand back follows, a kick-ass groove fest with a great funky undertone, and the solos are killer. Raping The Cradle slows the tempo right down until the main groove kicks in then normal service is resumed. Big Black Hole reflects what was popular at the time, as Seattle seems the main focus of this one. I love the dark moody intro to The Tree as the song builds and explodes into life.
Side 2 starts up with Candle, a song which has a big Americana roots feel, especially with the hook and chorus. That midwest country vibe continues with Need, a song way before its time as every man and his dog is doing this vibe now. Killer opening riff and groove to Open Space, and the harmony guitars sound cool. This band have a great knack of doing killer intros, and Get It Yourself is no exception. The main riff and groove have a great swing to them. Powerless is up next and it’s the most frantic of the bunch, with a wild drum and guitar pattern. The album closes out with The Parting, an accompanying piece to the opening.
So if you were a perceived hair band guy in the mid nineties no one wanted to know your music, and if you released a harder edged, more raw project you were accused of trend jumping. A classic no win situation which Mike Tramp was caught in.
8/10 from The Grooveman.
