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www.melodic.net
September 2008
Jimi Goare used to be in a US band called The Affair that released one album
back in the late 90s which was filled with nice 80s AOR with some pop/rock
influences.
The Age Of Grace contains some songs that was on the Affair album. This is
an album filled with 80s AOR with rock and pop influences that made me think
of some classic artists like Van Stephenson, Eric Martin, Stan Meissner,
Richard Marx, Robert Tepper and many more but not as good though.
There are 13 songs on The Age Of Grace and the quality is varied. A few
songs are pure classic 80s AOR-songs but at the same time he also bring
boring and average pop/rock songs.
Jimi handles the vocals together with two other singers named Brett Hardin
(The Affair) and Wilbur Strutt that both has good voices.
As I said, some of the songs are really great like the Night Ranger sounding
Miranda with great keyboards in the background with strong hooks and
melodies. Bernadeane is a stunning 80s AOR-song with fat keyboards,
fantastic hooklines and the chorus is pure magic with powerful background
vocals.
A song that reminds of Robert Tepper.
Tonight is more Pomp/AOR that has some Touch influences with great harmony
vocals and fluffy keyboards. I'm not that keen on instrumental songs but Top
Of The Hill is a great song with fantastic melodies that reminds of Toto.
Suspicious sounds like a pure 80s soundtrack song from a movie like Over The
Top, Karate Kid or Footloose and even features some classic hand-claps,
great song.
Rock This Way is a brilliant AOR-rocker with catchy hooks and a stunning
chorus with strong background vocals. A song that reminds of Survivor and
that’s not a bad thing.
Jimi Goare has done a album that should please fans of pure 80s AOR and if
you miss the sound of your classic heroes then check out The Age Of Grace.
Just take away a couple of fillers then you will have a flashback of the 80s
and it’s done with class. The album ends with an Extended version of
Bernadeane and it’s not boring to hear this fantastic song twice on the
album. So don’t hesitate to grab a copy of this album.
Strutterzine review
(Points: 8.9 out of 10)
 JIMI
GOARE ‘AGE OF GRACE’ (RETROSPECT RECORDS)
Wow, 10+ years ago I reviewed and interview this little
band called THE AFFAIR (didn’t they do a cover of a 707 classic???) and
see here, the guitarist of that band has released a solo-CD. The CD
contains some great material, a little lighter than THE AFFAIR, more AOR/Poprockish,
although a few THE AFFAIR songs can also be found here. It’s quite
TOTOish actually, although some RICHARD MARX shines through as well and
the ballads are just pure HALO/JOHN ELEFANTE’s 90s records (listen to
“The end of the road”). Obviously this is a collection of songs from
various periods, because you can’t fool me with the pure 1984 US Radio
song “Bernadeane” that sounds like BENNY MARDONES, ROBERT TEPPER, DONNIE
IRIS, MICHAEL ZEE, STAN MEISSNER, BERNIE LABARGE with it’s keys and
harmony vocals (and sax sadly!). And so we are going through the AOR and
Poprocksounds of the early keyboard dominated 80s right through the more
90s acoustic guitar tingled style. Happily, all 13 songs are sounding
pretty good and this CD is something you gotta check out if you’re a fan
of AOR/Poprock in the style of mentioned acts, with as highlight the
pure 80s AOR Classic style rockers “Tonight” that has some similarities
with BOOTCAMP, AGENT, BE TAYLOR GROUP and AVIATOR and the FM ‘Tough it
out/Indiscreet’ ish AOR rocker “Rock this way” (almost made me sing “Bad
luck finding a lover”!). AOR fans know what to do here… More info at:
www.jimi-goare.com
(Points: 8.3 out of 10)
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