Alaska – The Pack (1985): Album Review, Tracklist, Credits & Trivia
Released in 1985, The Pack is the second and final studio album by British melodic hard rock/AOR band Alaska, led by legendary guitarist Bernie Marsden (famous for his work with Whitesnake). The record continues Alaska’s blend of melodic rock, blues‑tinged riffs, and ’80s AOR sensibilities — showcasing Marsden’s guitar prowess alongside strong vocals and polished production from the era.
Although the band never broke into major chart success, The Pack remains a cult classic among fans of melodic hard rock, capturing a snapshot of mid‑1980s British rock outside the mainstream blues/hard rock scene.
🧨 Album Overview
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Artist: Alaska (Bernie Marsden’s Alaska)
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Album: The Pack
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Release Year: 1985
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Genre: Hard Rock / Melodic Rock / AOR
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Label: Music for Nations / Bronze Records
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Recording Locations: Bray Studios (Berkshire) & Clock Studios (London)
This album followed Alaska’s debut Heart of the Storm (1984) and featured a slightly altered lineup and more melodic, radio‑friendly rock direction.
🎵 Tracklist (Standard Edition)
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Run With the Pack – 3:47
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Woman Like You – 3:34
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Where Did They Go? (Bonneville Blues) – 4:39
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Schoolgirl – 5:03
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S.O.S. – 5:22
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Help Yourself – 4:25
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Miss You Tonight – 4:17
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The Thing – 4:51
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I Really Wanna Know – 6:09
Bonus tracks (on some reissues):
10. Coupe de Ville
11. Show Some Emotion
12. Be Good to Me
13. You Don’t Have to Worry
Total running time: ~58 min.
🎸 Band Lineup & Credits
Core Members
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Bernie Marsden – Guitar, backing vocals (leader of the project)
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Robert Hawthorn – Lead vocals
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Brian Badhams – Bass, backing vocals, piano
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John Marter – Drums
Guest Musicians
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Don Airey – Keyboards & synthesizers (famous for his work with Deep Purple, Rainbow, Ozzy Osbourne)
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Billy Paul – Saxophone on select tracks
Production
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Produced by Alaska & Stuart Epps (with recording at Bray and Clock Studios)
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Labels included Music for Nations and Bronze Records, especially in the European market.
🎧 Notable Songs
“Run With the Pack”
A driving, melodic opener with strong hooks and layered guitar/keyboard work — perfect for fans of ’80s AOR.
“Miss You Tonight”
A lush, keyboard‑rich ballad that reflects the AOR influences of the time while giving Marsden room for expressive guitar solos.
“I Really Wanna Know”
The longest track on the album, with a dynamic arrangement blending synths, riffs, and vocal hooks — a standout closer on many editions.
“S.O.S.”
An emotive melodic rock tune with bluesy undertones that highlights the band’s core strengths.
🎶 Sound & Style
The Pack leans into melodic rock and AOR territory, more polished and radio‑friendly than earlier blues‑based works by Marsden. Keyboards play a significant role alongside hard rock guitar leads, creating a sound that sits comfortably with mid‑1980s hard rock and melodic FM radio styles.
Marsden’s guitar work remains a highlight — balanced between melodic phrasing and blues roots — supported by strong vocal performances from Robert Hawthorn and rich keyboard textures from Don Airey.
📈 Reception & Legacy
The Pack did not reach major chart positions on mainstream lists but has gained respect among melodic rock enthusiasts and fans of Bernie Marsden’s broader career. Its polished production and engaging songwriting make it a compelling piece of 1980s hard rock history — particularly for listeners exploring the post‑Whitesnake paths of influential guitarists like Marsden.
The band dissolved shortly after this release, making The Pack a final studio statement from Alaska as a project.
🧠 Fun Facts & Trivia
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🎸 Second and Last Album: The Pack is Alaska’s final studio album, released just a year after their debut Heart of the Storm.
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🎷 Sax Feature: Tracks like Where Did They Go? (Bonneville Blues) include saxophone contributions, giving the album a diverse sonic palette uncommon in some hard rock circles.
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🎹 Keyboard Power: With Don Airey on keys, the album blends melodic rock with progressive textures — a treat for fans of ’80s rock keyboards.
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🎤 Vocals: Robert Hawthorn’s voice on this project has been compared to classic rock singers with strong mid‑range delivery, contributing to the AOR appeal.