Jim Peterik & World Stage – Roots & Shoots Vol. 1
6/10
Jim Peterik has held the baner for melodic rock up quite high in recent years by writing catchy hit tunes with the same warm, melodic touch that has defined his artistery for the last 50 years and culminated during the Survivor hey days in the 80’s. The biggest obstacle in these modern times has not been his skills as a song writer, but rather modern technology, which innovations such as autotune can be murderous to a genre like AOR which relies so hard on the strength of the singers voice.
Roots & Shoots Vol. 1 is a collection of ten songs, each featuring a guest artist joining Peterik for the vocals. The stage is set in opening track Dangerous Combination, a Peterik composed tune made by REO Speedwagon back in 2007 that now gets new shot in the shape of a duet between Peterik and REO frontman Kevin Cronin. To call this rock music is slightly misguiding, this is actually not far from the country pop sphere, and serveral tunes on this album could blend in perfectly on a Shania Twain album. Aint nothing wrong with that if you ask me, but be prepared.
More old profiles join up throghout the album, such as Kelly Keagy (Night Ranger) and Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad), but also younger talents like Colin Peterik (yes, son of Jim). They all give their own touch to the songs, and the restrained running time keeps the album from overstaying its welcome. Naturaly, you can hear some of these voices belong to men well passed their prime, but these voices also brings a sense of decency to the album as well. As long as they are not using autotune.
So let’s talk about the sound. Like I said, it’s pretty close to country pop, which means it’s very slick. If I had it my way, I’d like the edges to be a bit more rough. And of course, autotune is treachorous in this genre, and there’s some of it here, although not a disastrous bunch.
As with many recent Peterik albums, Roots & Shoots Vol. 1 lacks somewhat of how modern day melodic rock is produced. His songs are best presented with a really big, glossy, expensive 80’s production, and should be performed by the best musicians and vocalists in the business, something his present days collaborators can’t really live up to. But to do a duet album is a smart move, and makes Roots & Shoots Vol. 1 into something a little more extra. I do look forward to lend my ears to Vol. 2.
Artist: Jim Peterik & World Stage
Title: Roots & Shoots Vol. 1
Country: USA
Label: Frontiers
Date of release: 12/1-24
Time: 42,30
Rate: 6/10
Stand Out Track: Dangerous Combination
