Frontiers are re-releasing this album which originally saw the light of day back in 1999 as Jimi Jamison and Survivor. There is the added bonus of the Christmas tune ‘Keep It Evergreen’ and a live version of the Survivor classic ‘Too Hot To Sleep’. Jimi Jamison is joined by guitarist Chris Adamson, drummer Klay Shroedel and keyboard player Hal Butler.

I liked this album when it first came out and it was a joy to hear it again! There is a definate Survivor vibe on many tunes including the rocky ‘Cry Tough’ that has a classic Survivor chorus line and the brooding ‘Run >From The Thunder’. Most well known track on here will be the theme from TV’s Baywatch, ‘I’m Always Here’, a prime time slice of AOR. The title track is a ballad complete with a tasty guitar solo outro. But the album’s highlight is ‘Just Beyond The Clouds’, a gorgeous ballad with crashing drums/guitar on the chorus and a fine showcase for Jimi Jamison’s vocal talents. There are now three live Survivor tunes with ‘Rebel Son’ pick of the bunch. As for the Christmas tune, ‘Keep It Evergreen’ its what you’d expect - a mellow tune and seasonal lyrics complete with choral chorus. Not bad but hardly a seasonal classic!

Timely re-issue with the heightened interest in Survivor following the Pride of Lions debut featuring ex-Survivor member Jim Peterik. Overall it is less rock orientated than Survivor’s ‘Too Hot To Sleep’ but with a voice as good as Jimi Jamison’s you can’t go far wrong. How about a new Survivor album now please? One for Survivor and melodic rock fans - nice one Frontiers!

****

Review by Jason Ritchie

£12.99

***** Out of this world | **** Pretty damn fine |
*** OK, approach with caution unless you are a fan |
** Instant bargain bin fodder | * Ugly. Just ugly