I called “Rising” (Great White’s last studio album, released in 2009) “too lame and too tame”, so I wasn’t particularly interested to hear new stuff from the (teethless) sharks, even though I knew that they had recruited ex-XYZ Terry Ilous as the successor to Jack Russell. “Elation” is the band’s 12th studio effort filled with blues-drenched hard rock songs, but once again I can’t escape the feeling that the automatic pilot is still on. Where’s the punch and the energy that made albums like “Once Bitten” and “Hooked” such a huge must haves? One thing is for sure for me: “Elation” is NOT the album that will bring Great White back on the map! (CL)
 

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rkblues (on 11/08/12) Not great but not that bad either...thought Terry did a good job...there is some stuff I really liked on here that rocks in a cool bluesy hard rockin' way and some stuff that is just OK...still a decent album.   Jarryguo (on 12/06/12) ..........................   LeRoux (on 12/06/12) Obsolete reunion, yawn   guitarman (on 1/06/12) A solid comeback for this legendary bluesy-hard rock band. This time with a new singer, the excellent Terry Ilous from XYZ and the result is a very good comeback release full of great bluesy-hard rock songs. Welcome back Great White!!!!!!   YNGWIEVIKING (on 1/06/12) I just experienced an emotional rollercoaster and a carousel of mixed feelings for this album. The resignation / sack of Jack Russell was a shock, the lawsuit and the fact that the band decided to keep going on without him was another disappointing decision. I wasn’t convinced by their last works but I always high rated Russell, like the Ace in their deck & the brightest element of GREAT WHITE. Later, when it was clear that the vacant position of singer in the shark tribe was attributed to Terry Illous (XYZ / CAGE), I was truly curious in a very positive way. In fact, I always thought that Ilous was an unsung hero of the L.A. 80s Scene and deserved to be much more remembered by the community. So maybe it was a chance for him to shine again and perhaps even be the fin for a brand new direction. Then I heard here and there some quite flattering comments about this release. I also read that the band was ready to reach the top shore again, so I was very hot for it and even quite sold to its potential quality and dangerousness without listening to a single note. Finally, after giving some spins it’s obvious: This is a letdown. Don’t get me wrong, the voice and the performance of Mr. Illous is more than satisfactory but the song-writing is lame and dull, sometimes lethargic or even boring, More like a BLUE PILCHARD than JAWS|) |) :D |). Nah, sorry for this :| but it’s not exciting at all. GREAT WHITE sounds like a good Bluesy Hard Rock band but nothing more. I think this is more of the same, lack-lustre music already displayed on “Rising” of 2009. If you liked that one, maybe you can give it a go. I still recall the first time I heard “Bad Boy” from their early LP, back in 1984. What a blast it was, what a thrill. Ok, it was in another life, time changed it all. Sorry, I think I am not the right guy for this CD review. I also changed a lot so maybe I’m not interested in this kind of stuff anymore. Therefore I invite all the GREAT WHITE fans to respond and post comments about how wrong & how pathetic I am and how shitty my ears are.*** (originally written for www.metal-temple.com)   astonbob (on 31/05/12) Jack are missed big time, but a decent one anyway.   WOLF 359 (on 31/05/12) You know what? I'm gonna be the fly in the ointment here because I never really liked what Great White did with Jack Russell. His voice always got on my nerves and so I didn't really like what they did as a band. But I do like the new album with Terry Ilous on vocals. Lots have called the album boring, for me it is a good solid hard rock album, that has some great songs on it and I love the band's performances as well. Not for everyone I fear but from me a thumbs up.   adolfo (on 31/05/12) sounds like classic GW to me. at least the major part of the disc is ok. and "love is enough" is the ballad of the year   Elival (on 31/05/12) Sounded ok when I heard the first samples, but now after hearing the whole album a few times, I don´t like it at all. Ordinary stuff and uninspiring.   Metal Mark (on 31/05/12) I really found the new Great White to be uninspired and a bit lame. I was thinking, yeah Terry Ilous is a great singer (mainly XYZ) but he doesn't jive here. Then I was thinking, 'Would Jack Russell even SING on this stuff. The lyrics are 2nd rate and the music, pretty damn boring. So, I don't know if it's Ilous' fault or the band's without Russell. Didn't even really get into one song here. Blahhhh! Disappointment of the Year, thus far.

 

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