Some might argue the necessity for an "Ultimate" Survivor compilation, but as a longtime fan, I think it is overdue. Though there have been a couple of compilations released in the States over the past 10 years, Ultimate Survivor is the first compilation that top to bottom, gets it almost completely right. Jim Peterik and Frankie Sullivan were one of the finest songwriting teams of the 80s, and it is nice to see some of the best of their output collected here.

Starting with the packaging, the artwork is top notch, and features comprehensive liner notes from Sullivan, lead singer Jimi Jamison, and former keyboard player Peterik. I was a bit bummed not to see any liner notes from original lead singer Dave Bickler, but it is possible, judging from Peterik's inclusion, that perhaps Bickler was asked and chose not to participate.

Musically, the compilation is a great mix of singles and choice album tracks. It's particularly nice to see a good helping of tracks from albums like Premonition, Caught In The Game, and the band's self-titled debut, which have been largely ignored with previous compilations.

With the band's catalog brought back into print in recent years, now is a good time to catch up on the Survivor albums that you missed over the years, and Ultimate Survivor is definitely a good primer to start you off.

Notable inclusions include the full length version of "Summer Nights" from the Premonition album, with an extra verse, which was previously only available on import. The non-album track "Rebel Girl", long a fan favorite, also makes this a must have, but probably the coolest inclusion, is Survivor's version of "Rockin' Into The Night", a Peterik/Sullivan composition that of course went on to become a big hit for 38 Special. The song was originally recorded for Survivor's debut album, but not used, and makes its CD debut on Ultimate Survivor.

Among the hits and album tracks here, "Didn't Know It Was Love", "Desperate Dreams", and "I Can't Hold Back" are a few of my favorites, and there are not many tunes I see missing here, besides curiously, "How Much Love". Survivor had two distinctively different lead vocalists during their recording career, and equally distinctive guitar tones and keyboards that clearly identified a Survivor song. One of the things I always dug about Survivor, was their ability to create a total atmosphere, musically and lyrically, with a track like "Desperate Dreams."

The band continues to tour with Jamison and Sullivan at the helm, and hopefully from recent updates, we might actually FINALLY get a new album from the band in 2005. That album would be 12 years late, but hey, who's counting? And, while you are at it, feel free to release the stuff that was recorded with original lead singer Dave Bickler in the early 90s - we'll take it!

Ultimate Survivor is a 18 track / 75 minute plus document of songwriting at it's finest. There isn't a bum track on here, and as hits compilations go, this is one of the better ones.

Survivor Official Website