Blog Post
Pride of Lions -'Dream Higher'
Iain McArthur • 20 June 2023
Album Review
Jim Peterik must surely be the Burt Bacharach of AOR. He’s brought his Midas touch to so many great melodic songs over 7 decades, starting with his first big hit ‘Vehicle’ with the still-going-strong Ides of March, and he’s subsequently utilised other vehicles like Survivor, Jimi Jamison, .38 Special and World Stage to release countless other impeccable compositions into the wild. He’s been so prolific that you might think he can write these in his sleep but, of course, he’s got a template and he’s even written a book on song-writing but somehow, even after all these years, nobody does it better.
Since 2003, the golden vocal tones of Toby Hitchcock have been bringing Jim’s songs to life under the Pride of Lions banner and their latest album is another very fine addition to the long list. ‘Blind to Reason’ is the opening track and it kicks off with some bright and breezy keyboard action with Toby and Jim alternating vocals before the chorus sets sail for the heavens. The very talented Mike Aquino is again on guitar duties and he delivers the fine solo which heralds the arrival of a classic key-change before nailing a sublime outro solo which is the money shot ending to a very fine song indeed.
‘Dream Higher’ is a recycled song title from the Jim & Jimi ‘Extra Moments’ album but it’s a completely different song. It is built on the simplest of keyboard motifs and, like many of Jim’s songs, it is inspiring and motivational. Don’t make the same mistake as George McFly in Back to the Future – the third song is called ‘My Destiny’ not ‘My Density’ and it is an absolute show-stopper. It builds through a swelling strings and piano opening to become a showcase for Toby’s extra-ordinary vocal talents and he fully releases his inner Michael Bolton with some exceptional power-crooning on a song that would have graced any Las Vegas stage in any decade.
‘Find Somebody to Love’ is a fast-paced guitar-driven song but infused with positivity and it should be compulsory listening for temporary incels everywhere, while ‘Renegade Heart’ continues Jim’s fine tradition of composing anthems fit for a ‘Rocky’ sound track, in the vein of ‘Burning Heart’ and the still ubiquitous ‘Eye of the Tiger’.
The smooth and sultry ‘Driving and Dreaming’ sumptuously narrates the anticipation of a rendezvous with a long-distance lover and it is followed by the funky and exotic ‘Through it All’ which features glorious harmony vocals and an almost Santana-esque groove. I know that Jim does not like the term ‘Yacht Rock” in relation to his music but I could certainly picture myself enjoying this one on a small boat with a Pina Colada.
To still be producing life-affirming work of this quality after over half a century of top-quality song-writing is a quite remarkable achievement and is testament not only to Jim’s talents and skills but also his undimming positivity and zest for life. Have a listen to this album and maybe some of that might seep into your soul too. It’s my feel-good album for this Summer.