Alaska – The Pack

It was slightly disappointing that Alaska moved away from a keyboard heavy approach on ‘Heart Of The Storm’, where they reverted to a radio friendly for 1985’s ‘The Pack’, their second and final album.

Written by: gdmonline

ARTIST: Alaska
ALBUM: The Pack
LABEL: Music For Nations
SERIAL: MFN41
YEAR: 1985
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: England

LINEUP: Robert Hawthorn – vocals * Bernie Marsden – guitars * Don Airey – keyboards * Brian Badhams – bass * John Marter – drums

TRACK LISTING: 01 Run WIth The Pack * 02 Woman Like You * 03 Where Did They Go (Bonneville Blues) * 04 Schoolgirl * 05 SOS * 06 Help Yourself * 07 Miss You Tonight * 08 The Thing * 09 I Really Want To Know

Background

Alaska started life off as Bernie Marsden’s SOS back in 1983, but gradually morphed into Alaska by the following year with a slightly modified line-up for their classic pomp debut ‘Heart Of The Storm’. This was an excellent set, and a revered album by yours truly.

However, it was slightly disappointing that Alaska moved away from a keyboard heavy approach on ‘Heart Of The Storm’, where they reverted to a radio friendly approach not unlike Rio for 1985’s ‘The Pack’, their second and final album. Some great songs admittedly but not as consistent as those found on ‘HOTS’.

The Songs

Alaska start out with the blistering title-track opener ‘Run With The Pack’. The guitar/keyboard interchange is swapping riffs and melodies like a bookie on course at Arlington Raceway! ‘Woman Like You’ sounds much better than what I originally remembered it (thanks to digital technology!), but my favourite track is the rather cool radio rock of ‘Where Did They Go’ which sounds just as good now as it did then.

‘Schoolgirl’ is a bit crassy and sassy while ‘S.O.S’ is the kinda rock/blues thing Marsden when in the employ of Mr Coverdale. ‘Help Yourself’ takes a leaf out of the Magnum rough n ready songbook, the next track ‘Miss You Tonight’ is a keyboard laced ditty, and is a cover of the song made popular by Kim Carnes. I like this version better though.

‘The Thing’ if I recall was inspired by the John Carpenter movie of the same name. Unusual yes, but things are restored to Alaska like greatness with the tremendous pomp of ‘Really Want To Know’, which harks back to the sound and attitude of ‘Heart Of The Storm’.

In Summary

Alaska followed this album up with a VHS release of a performance in the UK called ‘Alive’, but beyond ’86, the band were toast. Pinnacle/Castle Communications did come up with a single CD of both albums plus bonus tracks on a 2000 CD package.

Interestingly, in an interview on a Deep Purple tribute site, Bernie said that in hindsight both Alsaka albums sounded good, but that he wasn’t 100% into it, and that it wasn’t fair on the other band members, so he folded the band. A shame really.

Marsden went on to form the band MGM with ex members from Whitesnake, plus he took Alaska drummer John Marter along for the ride. This outfit lasted until 1987 and after that Marsden hooked up with old mate Micky Moody to form the Marsden Moody Band, which has sustained itself in various guises right up until current day.

Video

SOS (Live)