retroblog.net

The memorable voice behind big 80’s hits like “High on You”, “The Search is Over” and “Burning Heart” is back with a new album titled, Crossroads Moment. Jimi Jamison, best known for his stint as frontman for Survivor, is out on his own after leaving the group in 2006. The interesting thing about this project is that former Survivor keyboardist and songwriter – Jim Peterik is on hand as producer and main collaborator. So as you might imagine, the songs on the album sound a lot like Survivor. In fact, the album sounds too much like mid-80’s Survivor right down to the pseudo-metal guitar sounds and Peterik’s signature keyboard patches. I’m not sure if it was their intention but the limited sound palette that they utilized on the album unfortunately made listening through the whole album a bit monotonous. After listening to the same guitar/bass/drums/piano arrangements over and over again, you just wish for some new sound elements to appear but they never come. It’s too bad because there are some nice gems on the album that could have been HUGE hits back in the day. Ballads like “As Is” and “Lost” sound like they could have come straight out of Survivor’s hey-day back in 1986. “Crossroads Moment” and “That’s Why I Sing” are two other well written songs found on the album. The downfall of the record are some real cheesy moments including the “We are the World” for 80’s rockers anthem titled “When Rock was King”. It’s an absolute cringe-fest with lame lyrics sung earnestly by a bunch of long-lost singers including Dave Bickler, Mickey Thomas and Mike Reno. You simply can not keep yourself from laughing whenever this song comes on. It’s unintentionally hilarious. I feel bad to see the cheese factor come into play here since I like Jimi Jamison and Jim Peterik. When the songwriting and the performances come together, the magic is still there. If they could only dial down the cheese, things would be so much better.

retroGrade : C

Jimi Jamison
Crossroads Moment
label: Frontiers Records
released: November 2008
Produced By: Jim Peterik & Larry Millas

(more…)

to celebrate Arnel Pineda’s successful debut fronting Journey last night in Chile, I thought I’d put together a mix tape of various songs by legendary rock bands with replacement singers…

- the (New) Cars without Rick Ocasek??? his replacement? why Todd Rundgren of course!! yup, it’s still a head scratcher…: More
..I thought I had kicked, kicked it out of my bloodstream, but there’s nothing I can do…

- Journey with Steve Perry who stepped in for Robert Fleischman: After the Fall
..So now love is gone I can’t go on, love is gone
I want to say Now it’s just too late, waited far too long…

- 80’s supergroup Asia with John Payne filling in for John Wetton: Who Will Stop the Rain
..This problem is insoluble, the answers seem impossible
The logic ceases to exist, emotion is the beat we miss..

- Survivor with Jimi Jamison instead of Dave Bickler: Didn’t Know it was Love
..It felt so easy in the morning sun
When love was in season I was on the run
I was lookin’ for trouble and the thrill of the chase
Love was lookin’ at me eye to eye, face to face…

- a syrupy Chicago ballad without Peter Cetera?? yup, that’s Jason Scheff singing: King of Might Have Been
..What have I done? and why do people run away from what they really want?
She… she was the one, I know it now, just like a blind man
Feels the setting sun...

- Toto with Joseph Williams instead of Fergie Frederiksen (who only lasted one album): Stop Loving You (also featuring Jon Anderson)
..Reflections in my mind, thoughts I can’t define
My heart is racing and the night goes on…

- and finally, nerdy, thick glasses wearing Trevor Horn fronting prog-rock group Yes without Jon Anderson: Tempus Fugit
..Born in the night, she would run like a leopard
That freaks at the sight of a mind close beside herself..

Have a great weekend!!