Jimi Jamison - Never Too Late
Frontiers Records
AOR
12 songs (52"43)
Release year: 2012
Frontiers Records
Reviewed by Chris
Album of the month

Another Frontiers release, another killer release. Frontiers is one of the most reliable label you can find, and Never Too Late is another precious gem you can find in their catalog. Jimi Jameson, Survivor's original singer, is an amazing singer, but add to this Erik Martensson (Eclipse amongst others) and you get one of the best AOR release to come in a long time.

If you like great AOR with amazing vocals, great hooks, melodies and catchy songs, then this album is definitely for you. This sounds like classic stuff, the killer songs line up one after another relentlessly throughout the 52+ minutes of material present on this great slab of AOR. If you miss the good old days, then this album is what you need. The production is crystal clear, Jimi's vocals are simply on a dizzying high here and the songs simply mirror his very emotional vocal delivery. It's hard to find any fault with this record, maybe it's too classic, but is there such a thing ? It reminds me of Journey, Asia, Survivor (duh !) and even some Brian Adams (I know, shoot me, but I used to love Brian at one point, I still like him I guess, I just don't listen to any of his albums except Walking Up the Neighbours, though rarely). It can be a little cheesy sometimes (but in my opinion it's the right amount), but it gets to me nonetheless. One thing has became clear to me, whenever Erik Matensson is involved into a project, I will most definitely pay attention from now on. Guitars are amazing, even if it's mostly simple stuff, it seems each note is perfect here. Be it riffs of small solos, they are simply magical. The rhythm section and arrangements (keyboards) are also great and they help round up the overall sound and feel of the songs.

I don't have much else to say, really, this is AOR at its best, it's fresh while also sounding like 80's stuff, and the melodies (be it vocal or otherwise) are simply pure pleasure. Like I said, another Frontiers Records release, another killer release, simple as that. If you like AOR, you cannot miss this album. Looking forward to anything these two (Jimi & Erik) can do. They seem like a match made in heaven, and you'll understand that as soon as you'll listen to the first song of this fantastic album. Another one that will most likely end up to my year's best albums list and a fantastic trip down memory lane. What a great album Never Too Late is !

Killing Songs :
All of them !
Chris quoted 92 / 100
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