Risk Everything

I was just reading Jim Peterik's new book while on a vacation and happened to see this album by chance after a youtube video was stumbled upon. I truly liked what I heard and ordered this aptly-timed new release. I was drawn to qualities seldom heard in the post-grunge/boy-band/EDM/diva days since the 1980's. Jim's DNA is wired for melody and he doesn't skimp by putting out three chord paint by numbers tunes. His Survivor songs had hooks galore, and at times dramatic ultra-romantic sensibilities lyrically. He championed the soaring vocals and harmonies of the best AOR traditions found in Boston, Journey, Foreigner, Styx, Kansas and other great bands of the day. Critics often lumped them into a herd of "faceless corporate rockers". I say, listen to those very bands and you will hear the common denominator of above average singing, skillful musicianship and a flare for bombast, in a good way.This new album by Jim Peterik and collaborator Marc Scherer makes no apologies for sounding like it has risen from the ashes of the 80's. They need not worry. It is this very adherence to all that was great about melodic rock of that decade displayed here, which makes it sound fresh and trump current offerings. These are anthemic rockers and power ballads with big arrangements and grand settings. That is what Jim and Survivor did best. Why try and fight those qualities? Embrace them and celebrate them. That is exactly what this album is about to my ears. In Jim's book, it was mentioned that Survivor guitarist Frankie Sullivan saw himself as the whole show. This disc, and Jimi Jamison's excellent collaboration album with Jim, Crossroads Moment, easily disproves that suggestion. Peterik's fingerprints and Survivor traits abound here. It was always his music/lyrics (in conjunction with whatever ideas Frankie might have contributed), along with a great voice like Jamison or Bickler which defined Survivor, not merely the guitarist. Now, we have Marc Scherer. I confess, I had not been familiar with him despite the familiar sounding surname. He is a man with an incredibly appealing voice. It soars with the best qualities of a Dennis DeYoung or John Farnham. A gorgeous, powerful range with a timbre that does not falter or get thin in the high register. He has excellent intonation and that intangible "million dollar vocal quality" that people like Jimi Jamison, Steve Perry, Lou Gramm, Brad Delp, Steve Walsh and Mickey Thomas hold claim to. Not even four songs into Risk Everything, and I was super impressed with Jim Peterik's ability to give us hooks but also interesting chord changes. Listen to the bridges in his songs. He gives the ear little twists and turns of unpredictable harmonic changes that don't sound forced. You wonder how a guy like this could not run out of ideas, keeping things interesting and commercial at the same time. I really miss music like this (but as long as Jim's around, we don't have to). Bravo!

Yes, it was recognizable as Jim Peterik compositions, but nothing really catchy. Still considered a good purchase.

I have to admit that I enjoyed this CD even better than I expected I would. While many critics lament that the album sounds too "80s," I am glad of that, and do not see it as a weakness. If you like melodic rock with an 80s flare (think Survivor, Journey, etc.), you will like this.

Would have been good in the 80's! Still trying to sound like Survivor 30 years later. I respect Peterik's song writing ability and musicianship, considering he's written many of Survivors, 38 Special and countless other bands hit songs (bands I grew up with!). This particular album just sounded dated. I'll throw it in again just for grins. I had the pleasure of working with him early in my engineering career in Nashville, TN. Good guy, great song writer and musician. Just didn't care for this album.

Marc has great vocals (wow! what range) and as always, with Jim, fantastic songs. Certainly consistent with Jimi's Crossroads Moment, Pride of Lions albums, and Survivoresque moments too. Love 'Risk Everything' 'Cold Blooded' 'Desperate In Love' 'Thee Crescendo' 'Milestones' 'Independence Day'.....if you're thinking about it, just go ahead and get it.

This is easily the Best Album of 2015! I purchase tons of new CDs, and Jim Peterik and Marc Scherer hit a home run out of the park with this one. There must be a follow-up!

Run of the mill melodic rock light, not much going on here.

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