Review for Jim Peterik 'The Songs' and 'We All Bleed Red'

Classic rock legend Jim Peterik has released a new album titled The Songs.

Longtime songwriter and performer, Jim Peterik, collects in his solo acoustic album The Songs, with 13 tunes that best describe a retrospective of his career. It is a career that purveys the musical American landscape. From his humble beginnings in Chicago to bringing his greatest hits to Nashville, Peterik attempts to transcend the minds of listeners everywhere as he tries to bring on social change and awareness with his music in the midst of tragedy.

“Vehicle” functions in this solo acoustic compilation, with its strong melodic hooks and invigorating, startling delivery as a tie in to the sugary and bluesy tunes that makes this record a strong semblance of fresh and innovative contemporary music. The sparse arrangements of sometimes just the electric piano, guitar and vocals, shows Peterik working with the bare minimal to jump start a work that would get the maximum sound available.

“Is This Love” shows lines of lyrics that really reach out. Here, Peterik showcases his talent for writing music and a penchant for highlighting his simple songwriting abilities. The sounds of static in the beginning of this track wells up and makes for an elaborate and sparkling tackle to the music. All this sets in motion an added sense of atmosphere to the song.

The third track is a cohesive example of what Peterik is trying to attempt in his overall collaborative project. A bluegrass interpretation with fiddle, banjo and mandolin on the track, “The Eye Of The Tiger” was featured in the film, Rock III, becoming an undeniable classic and has earned him Grammy and People’s Choice awards, as well as an Oscar nomination.

“Caught Up In You” is a Beatles-inspired track that is true and simple. It really shines and has a love-defining and dynamite vibe.  Its appealing sound maneuvers from a wide breadth of rhythmic to a catchy style.

In “L.A. Goodbye” and “Hold On Loosely,” there are nuances there that speak of Peterik’s sentimental side. In the former track, Peterik addresses the music field and dreamily says goodbye to all things he loves including the city he is leaving. Although he is down and ready to bustle out of the Sunset Strip, the song hints at a fulfilled career and that he is just celebrating life. The track is followed by a straightforward and exhilarating sound.

“High On You” provides for some atmospheric rock. All caught up in his long and noted career of writing and producing the tracks on this compilation, Peterik has made many classic hits, but listeners will be more or less thrilled by the heated storytelling that lends a lilting hand in making this light-hearted fare all the more special and intoxicating. The melodic, catchy beat of these tracks gives a fierce look into a Caribbean sound and beachy feel.

“Miracle At Ground Zero” speaks about the tragic events leading up to 9/11.  It is an up-lifting track, where Peterik lends his support in embracing the nation’s heroes. It is also about the healing power of love, how hatred can be overcome and the miracles that happened around those who worked to save the lives of others when the dust fell on Ground Zero. Peterik offers support with this track to those who have lost family or loved ones.

The final track to this album, “The Same Muse,” is a solid rock song with a look into the inter-working's of Peterik’s artistic life as a musician.  Some of the prior compositions are about producing and recording music – deliberately about being a seasoned musician and the hardships that may follow. The soaring sounds on this track offers a range that is poetically wistful and filled with some acoustic piano at the same time.

Like “Miracle At Ground Zero,” “We All Bleed Red” is a lyrics music video that was inspired from a tragic event. Shortly after having released his album, The Songs, on June 3, our entire nation was shocked by the news of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando. As a reaction to the horrific act of terrorism, Peterik put together the music video for “We All Bleed Red” as a message for solidarity.

The track offers a thundering sound. The song is meant to be played loud and is best described as an anthem for igniting hope and uniting people in the midst of fervor and chaos. The blend of harmonies produces an insistent vibe with its marching resonance and atmospheric guitar riffs, followed with a great and demanding drumming beat.

In The Songs, Peterik’s revisit down his list of catalogue is a meditative piece of work that celebrates his long-standing career.  The talented solo rocker has worked with many of Music City’s finest artists, and his accomplishments doesn’t just stop there.

But for those who are only just first discovering Peterik’s music will be immensely pleased by the work’s solid foundation.  These classic hits have the stamina to prove themselves worthy enough to become the timeless rock commodity they have been shaped out to be.