For Mike Tramp, former "Mabel", "White Lion" and "Freak Of Nature" vocalist, the 15 years or so since his time in those bands have taken him on a musical journey that in a way have  mirrored the "endless highway" on which he has travelled.  Whilst releasing four studio albums that went incredibly close to defining Mike Tramp the solo performer, the "beast" that is White Lion seemingly lingered and remained.  Perhaps as much an exercise in finally laying the "beast" to rest, as much as giving loyal White Lion fans what they have demanded over the years since the bands demise, Mike put on hold his solo pursuits and took the legacy of White Lion (with a brand new band), to parts of the world that others have not dared take their rock 'n' roll, also releasing "Return Of The Pride" under the White Lion name in 2007.  

Since returning home to Denmark earlier this year after basing himself in Australia for a number of years, Tramp re-emerged as a public figure in his home country via his appearance on the TV show “All Stars", providing him with the chance to show and tell an entire country his life story of 32 years in rock’n’roll.  With the "beast" now seemingly laid to rest and the "endless highway" now leading him back home, Tramp has delivered his most profound musical statement yet, with the release of new album "Mike Tramp & The Rock 'n' Roll Circuz". An album which he refers as "my best ever, my masterpiece".

In classic Tramp style, the album opens up with the autobiographical epic rocker "All Of My Life".  Musically it takes "More To Life Than This" to a whole new level, whilst lyrically could be dubbed the sequel to "Endless Highway" off second solo album "Recovering The Wasted Years".  On "Endless Highway" Tramp wondered "will I ever make it home, to the place where I was born and the town where I grew up".  Well, "All Of My Life" tells that story.  "I have been gone all of my life, my heart and soul for rock n roll, I gave up everything, I wanna go back, I wanna go home....".  Without doubt, this is the definitive Mike Tramp song in every way possible.

Starting with a muted guitar riff "Gonna Get Back To You" explodes into the dawning of a new musical chapter for Tramp. A fresh and contemporary slice of rock, laden with a killer chorus and harmonies, it a song that demands high radio rotation.  In a similar way, the upbeat rock and Beatlesque pop of "Come On" has a distinct European feel and also seems destined to stamp itself as a radio hit having been released as part of the Danish TV promo campaign for the new album.  This is Tramp like you have never heard before and distinctly comes across as a songwriter who has finally found his "home".  

In stark contrast, the musical sparseness of "Anymore" and the haunting "When She Cries" certainly amplify the impact of the deeply personal and almost confessional nature of their lyrics.  Never one to shy away from baring his life in his songs, these are songs which some listeners may also associate with in a lyrical sense. "Highway"  is another classic Tramp sounding melodic rock song and could easily have been lifted from "Recovering The Wasted Years" or "More To Life Than This".

Co-produced with fellow Dane, guitarist Soren Andersen, from a production sense, this is Tramp's most complete yet, whether it be giving balls to the riff oriented rock of "No Tomorrow", allowing songs to breath such as "The Road" or providing atmosphere to the acoustic driven and enchanting "Wiseman".  The latter two songs incidentally feature some fantastic backing vocals which are in fact a highlight throughout this whole album.  Speaking of vocals, Tramp's voice has never sounded better and the album also has a distinct band feel throughout, with nothing but the best in musicianship.

In "Sunshine" Tramp has in a way created a modern day version of the Thin Lizzy classic "Sarah" and for me is one of the album's highlights.  The lyrically reflective "Between Good And Bad" is the albums big rock moment and could easily of appeared on "Return Of the Pride" with it's 70's rock inspired guitar riffs.  Perhaps by specific intent, "Lay Down Your Guns" closes the album in a fashion that does indeed deliver the feeling of an "old fallen apart circus", which Tramp described himself in explaining the concept behind "Mike Tramp & The Rock n Roll Circuz".  A very loose feeling song, clocking in at over 6 minutes it ebs and flows before eventually ending with an ad lib to fade of "la la la la's" and guitar.

For those of you who like myself, enthusiastically embrace with open arms his solo work, you will be rewarded with Mike Tramp's defining moment, his finest work ever in a career spanning over 32 years.  "Mike Tramp & The Rock N Roll Circuz" an album delivered in the same way as the life he has lived - "with no limit's, rules or compromise".  

Those outside of Denmark can pick up a copy via the following website: http://www.targetshop.dk/miketramp

You can check out our feature interview with Mike Tramp right HERE!!!