Post by jptheprofessor on Feb 18, 2008 16:53:23 GMT -5
WHITE WITCH – NEVER DIES THE DREAM (no label) Never Dies the Dream is the latest album by reunited Williamsport 80's hard rockers White Witch; but perhaps more so, it’s a celebration of survival and perseverance by the group’s centerpiece and ringleader, singer Jeff Pittinger. Jeff has lived some life and purged some demons, in the aftermath now standing tall and carrying forth ‘the dream’ of getting his band’s music to the masses. Jeff describes his demons on the powerful and autobiographical rocker “Game That I Play,” documenting his life on the edge and how it provided the launching pad for him to move forward. On the lengthier and less-focused “The Seed,” Jeff confronts and shrugs off his doubters, reaffirming his will to go for broke in pursuing his dream. Jeff and White Witch pay homage to famous rock madman Ozzy Osbourne, offering their fiery live rendition of Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid.” White Witch’s base sound continues to be firmly rooted in 70’s/80’s vintage hard rock and metal. “Slaughter in Salem” has a raw, New Wave of British Heavy Metal feel to it; although visions of a Spinal Tap-like miniature Stonehenge dropping from the stage ceiling might come to mind during the song’s campy spoken prelude. The songs “Singleman” and “Street Corner Madness” bring to mind 70’s-era Scorpions, while “Prince of Darkness” and “Underneath the Lights” align closer with UFO. The group’s presentation is solid overall, with drummer Carl Berry and bassist Jack Death anchoring the sound with sharp, driving rhythms. Guitarist Doug Lehman turns in some excellent lead solo work; including his “Fly Me to the Moon” reference in the middle of “Singleman,” and some Tony Iommi/Randy Rhoads-like pyrotechnics during “The Seed.” Jeff Pittinger gives a sharper, more on-target vocal performance overall, showing more of the personality, vigor and vinegar consistent with his live performance. With final production and engineering by Bret Alexander at Saturation Acres in Danville, this album’s sound is bigger and deeper than the group’s last effort, The Power, with the guitars given clarity, sting and jaggedness, and Jeff’s vocals more up front in the mix. The album is dedicated in memory of the group’s longtime stagehand and bouncer, “Crazy Eddie.” Despite a few minor flaws and awkward lyrical moments, White Witch’s Never Dies the Dream is a listenable effort, an improvement over their last album, and a confident statement of survival and grabbing life by the horns. (The CD can be obtained through www.cdbaby.com.)