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The Gray Lions Run Wild Review by Larry Toering This is a great debut CD from a band with a lot of history, produced by the legendary Mark Hudson, father of Kate Hudson and member of the famous Hudson Brothers who had a hit TV show in the 70's. He plays guitar, keyboards and sings along with Marc L. Rubenstein, John T. Leight and J.A. Landry. Classic rock with a colossal hard edge is featured on this well recorded collection of outstanding tracks. Big beefy guitars and husky vocals accompanied by harmony backing vocals to spice everything up are what make this such a fine quality disc, along with its well produced feel. It's a very bold recording with big vibrant sound. This is a disc worth revisiting time and again for its explosive and infectious sound and energy. This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2011 Volume 1 at lulu.com/strangesound.

Track by Track Review

Lost My Woman Harmony vocals open before a crunching riff kicks in and the humor starts with multiple vocals. This is a frantic way to get things started.

Who Do You Love The humor and tempo are maintained. I love the infectious chorus and big "yeah”s, This one bites with the hardest of tracks on the disc. It’s an excellent guitar and vocal rocker with a sort of western vibe.

Crimes of Passion This is a way to keep things grinding, and there are a lot of big grooves here.

Luck of the Draw An epic number with huge hooks and crushing guitar, there is great short soloing with atmospheric backing.

Love Come Soon Darkness falls as things slow down in classic fashion with this cool ballad featuring searing guitar and piano. This is very nice, and very rock and roll.

The Forgotten Man This is a shuffle that kicks along nicely. A bouncy little semi-folk track, this is very catchy.

It Just Ain't Enough This is a change to a lighter, more pop groove. It’s probably one of the most accessible and satisfying numbers on Run Wild.

Disarming Prince Charming A chunky guitar and underlying organ start this and the story begins. Another epic groove keeps it together so well, making this another high point of the set.

Don't Do It Built on more traditional classic rock with a sort of Huey Lewis appeal, this is a very good track to my ears. Tasty guitar helps all the more, as do the falsetto vocals at the end. It’s a touch that could've been used more on this great CD.

Smaug's Revenge There are a lot of tempo changes on this, a very heavy Frank Zappa reminiscent track. More of the atmospheric sounds are heard in places throughout this number.

Years Of Gold Here is a charming and very humorous track with great lyrics, but then lyrics are one of the strong suits that hold the tracks together so well. "I'm turning my later years into gold..."

You Were Wrong This is a nice way to end things with a pulsating groove based on heavy percussion, lots of cowbell and psychedelic guitars and sassy vocals.

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