Survivor - Survivor (1979)

Survivor is the eponymous debut album by the American rock band Survivor released in 1979.

All groups have to start somewhere, and the way Survivor started with this album wasn't all that bad. While I prefer most of the music with Jimi Jamison later on, this album is still a good one. If you like rough, rugged, edgy, chunky, down-and-dirty, foot-stompin' rock, then this is the album for you. Each song is exhibited with virtually the same kind of flavor and technique, but all are very listenable and enjoyable enough. David Bickler, along with Frankie Sullivan and Jim Peterik provide the rough and somewhat raspy lyrics which are a perfect fit amongst the charging guitar of Sullivan and Gay Smith's pounding drums. "Somewhere In America" was Survivor's hit off this album, and is one of my favorites. I love the swaying up-and-down sound of Dennis Keith Johnson's bass in that song, and the song is a prime example of how Survivor music was back then; pure guitar power and crunching beats with rugged vocals. "Can't Getcha Offa My Mind" is another favorite of mine. It's a bit faster paced, and I love Bickler's flawless, melodic keyboards. It really gets you going. As with each song, the vocals are intense and soulful. "Nothing Can Shake Me (From Your Love)" is awesome! This song rattles through your system with some of the most intense vocals on the album, and the way the surging guitar chords and drum beats build up in that song together just echo through you! "Whatever It Takes" is great too. Some great keyboard and guitar work can be found in that song as well. Though not Survivor's best album in my opinion, no Survivor or classic rock collection would be complete without it. Grab this album and use it to party on down!