Customer Reviews

Crossroads Moment

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
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One of the finest voices in melodic rock is back in action: Jimi Jamison. His first album in nearly 9 years is aptly titled Crossroads Moment, and it marks the magnificent return of the singer-songwriter duo of Jimi Jamison and Jim Peterik for the first time since the 1980s. Crossroads Moment is one of the best albums of 2008 without a doubt.

The album starts off with an amazing rocker called "Battersea". Blazing guitars and keyboards create a deep and full sound, and Jimi lets you know that he is back in full force. "Can't Look Away" sets a moodier tone and is a mid-tempo rock song with a great raw guitar sound. "Make Me a Believer" jumped out at me right away, it has an amazing chorus that will have just about anyone singing, and the pulsing keyboards are reminiscent of Toto's "Hold the Line".

The title track is a catchy song with a great guitar sound, and "Bittersweet" turns it down a notch with powerful vocals from Jimi and a slower tempo. "Behind the Music" starts out as a slower song, but don't let it fool you - it's one of the best rockers on the album and it showcases Jimi's amazing vocal ability. "Lost" is a mid-tempo song with a driving guitar tone and heartfelt vocals. Sqealing guitars sound the intro to "Love the World Away", a hook-filled song with a great bridge and fantastic vocals throughout. "She's Nothing to Me" is another rocker with a more modern feel, but it fits Jimi's voice in a great way. Jimi himself said that "As Is" brought him to tears, and his souful vocals and the pounding beat of the song make it a standout track.

"Till the Morning Comes" is an impressive song that sounds like it could have come right off of Survivor's 1986 album When Seconds Count. It has a fantastic guitar solo and ends with a catchy sing-along chorus. "That's Why I Sing" is another track with a modern approach and a chorus that simply sounds like classic Survivor. "Friends We Never Met" is a song that goes out to the millions of concert-goers around the world, and "When Rock Was King" also reflects on the concert experience by bringing in Mickey Thomas, Mike Reno, Dave Bickler, Don Barnes, Joe Lynn Turner, and Jim Peterik as guest vocalists. It's a great tribute to the 1980s - big dreams, big hair, big visions.

The album's two bonus tracks are "Alive" (European) and "Streets of Heaven" (Japanese). Both are mid-tempo gems written about the topics of life and death, respectively.

Jimi Jamison, Jim Peterik, and everyone else involved have accomplished something special with Crossroads Moment. I'm still amazed at the raw power of Jimi's voice on this record. This album is a must have for anyone who appreciates great music!

As everyone reading this probably knows, Jimi Jamison was the voice of Survivor throughout the latter half of the 80s. Then Survivor pretty much disappeared for over a decade, and finally returned with "Reach," which was a good, though not totally satisfying, comeback.
In many ways, "Crossroads Moment" feels more like Survivor's comeback than "Reach" did. Many of the songs here would very easily fit on Survivor's classic albums "Vital Signs," "When Seconds Count" and "Too Hot To Sleep." This is largely due to two factors: First, Jamison's voice hasn't aged a day since his 80's prime, and second, the songs here are all written by Survivor's primary auteur, Jim Peterik. If you're looking for something revolutionary and new, you won't find it here. This is purely a throwback album, celebrating the joys of 80s pop, and the final track "When Rock Was King" makes this adundantly clear by gathering a collection of various 80s vocalists (including former Survivor frontman Dave Bickler) and namedropping as many 80s bands as they can possibly squeeze into the lyrics.
Of course, with the 80s sound does come a certain amount of cheese, and while I enjoy it, some may find it a bit much at times. The synth lines, the powerhouse choruses, the guitar solos-- yep, it's all back in full force here and done with utter conviction. If you're not a child of the 80s, you may find it all a bit too corny. If you are a child of the 80s (with a good sense of nostalgia) you'll love the trip down memory lane.
The album has been getting a fair amount of comparison to Survivor's brilliant "Vital Signs." Overall, though, I have to say "Vital Signs" is more consistant. There simply isn't a track on Vital Signs that is anything less than great. On "Crossroads Moment," there are a few less-than-stellar moments. Not to say they're bad, but a small handful of tracks don't quite wow me ("'Til the Morning Comes," for example, wouldn't be particularly missed, nor would "Alive.") In fairness, though, "Vital Signs" only had 9 songs, whereas "Crossroads" has 15, and there are EASILY 9 great songs contained with those 15, so I guess it all evens out in the end.
"Crossroads Moment" is definitely recommended for anyone who still enjoys 80s-style theatrical melodic pop-rock, and particularly for anyone who grew up enjoying the Jimi Jamison era of Survivor.

Jimi Jamison is one of the best vocalists and has been for the past 25 years. He never got the respect he deserved. He was always as good as Steve Perry but Survivor, unfairly, never got as much radio play. Now the man that brought us the ultimate ballad performance, "The Search Is Over" in 1984, re-emerges with an album that will stun you. One reason is because Jim Peterik wrote some of the best songs of his career. The man that co-wrote every Survivor song is at his best here. There isn't one lackluster song in the bunch. It's 70+ minutes of outstanding music and lyrics without any filler at all. The other reason this album is awesome is Jimi Jamison himself. A few years ago, before he quit Survivor, they put out an album called Reach. I thought it was awful and still do. Jimi's vocals sounded rough and uninspired. I truly thought he had lost it. I was wrong. I was very wrong, because this man sounds as good as he did in Survivor's glory days. His vocals are strong and powerful and all the range is still there. It's like it's 1985 again. This album features several great ballads, such as "Bittersweet" "That's Why I Sing" and "As Is". All have beautiful melodies and are delivered with passion. Then there are catchy up-tempo songs like "Love The World Away", "Make Me A Believer" and " 'Til The Morning Comes". The latter has a chorus that will make your jaw drop, it's that good. And lastly, there are the reflective, mid-tempo tracks. The mid-tempo title track and "Can't Look Away" deal with the struggles of everyday life. Both have excellent melodies. There is a novelty track on the album called "When Rock Was King". This song is really good, but it seems a bit out of place on the album. It is a great, rock epic with progressive elements and has great vocalists like former Survivor singer, David Bickler and Mickey Thomas from Starship, among others. Being the rest of the songs are so reflective, this doesn't really fit. However, it stands on its own as a really catchy and fun track that reminds us that rock was king and still is. The bonus track "Alive" is every bit as good as the rest of the album and has one of the best vocals Jamison has done. What more can I say? It's just so damn good. The production is perfect, with lots of atmospheric keyboards, strong drumming and cool guitar parts. All fans of this genre of music should get this album. It is absolutely essential and frankly, it makes life a whole lot better. Enjoy!

What can you say, as Jimi sang on Vital Signs "It's the Singer, Not the Song". Lou Gramm and Foreigner, Steve Perry and Journey, Plant and Zep, Survivor and Jimi. Not one to judge, I haven't heard the Reach album or anything with Robin McAulay by Survivor, but I think without Bick or Jimi it just ain't the same. Jamison hammers the songs home here with authority and one can only sit back and enjoy-this is classic Survivor at its best. Jimi is awesome, not a dud among the lot.

Survivor fans have waited for another Vital Signs for far too long. We weren't entirely satisfied with When Seconds Count, and weren't expecting a change like "too hot to sleep," and were utterly disappointed with "reach". We've waited for 24 years, I have given up on hearing music like that again. I listened to the previews few weeks ago, and I must say there are songs in this album that continue where Vital Signs left off in 1984--with 24 years of wisdom and musicianship added. They rock! "Crossroads Moment" is a comeback like the one Journey did with the equally strong "revelation." This is no low budget recording by some heritage artist, this stuff sounds fresh, and muscular! Just listen to the crunchy guitars, the bold piano textures, and the incredible drums. The songs themselves are engaging till the end with melodic and rhythmic twists and turns that make your heart jump. There are power ballads (as is, lost) that make their contemporaries sound "weak." They are Billboard-magazine-top-10 material, (which may use some exposure on mainstream radio and TV). This is Jim Peterik's best writing so far.

when i heard the chorus of "that's why i sing," something came over that me made me feel very very good, something i felt with Journey's "change for the better" early this summer. Thank you Mr. Peterik and Jamison for bringing back the kind of joy i haven't had for a long time from listening to music.

Jimi Jamison's Crossroads Moment is one of the best CD's I have ever heard. I have been a huge Jimi fan since he joined Survivor back in 1983. He puts so much feeling into these songs. He sings from the heart. The song As Is brought tears to my eyes the first time I heard it. It really moved me.

Jimi just gets better with Crossroads Moment. This is like a whole new level. Coupled with the rythms & melodies of Jim Peterik - they bring it! The perfect ingredients!

Definitely the best CD I have purchased in years and top of my playlist. You won't skip over tracks on this one. The vocals are magnificent and the songwriting relevant and solid. The songs tell a story that builds a picture of the singer's and songwriter's lives - the passion in the writing and the singing is something to be reckoned with and leaves you wanting more.

As a "new" fan in the U.K. I feel I have some catching up to do - since purchasing this I have bought up as much of Jimi's/Survivors/Cobra's back catalogue as I can get my hands on and am thoroughly enjoying the musical ride. Awaiting the next release - Extra Moments - due for release in August.

More please!

Like some other reviewers here, expectations can make you want a certain outcome before it happens. I have to say that this album will exceed all your expectations. First, this is vintage Jimi J with voice in tact. No aging whatsoever. No weak notes, or straining, or vocal pitch changes. This the reason for Jamison's incredible live shows these days. There's been no degradation of vocal skills. Much like what Paul Rodgers is still able to do. Secondly, the music is a pure throwback to 1987 Survivor with hooks and keyboards and guitar flourishes in all the right places. And while you might think any song here is a contender for the new Baywatch theme song, that also illustrates how good the material is here. We also find lyrics that are powerful, optimistic and forward looking. The formula is in place for something special. And "Crossroads" delivers. The title track is a hit single in the making. And for anyone who missed them, keyboards are back and so is brilliant sidekick Jim Peterik who is nothing short of a musical genius dating back to his days with Ides of March. The album is unabashedly '80's and celebrates the decade with all the intensity of a full Bic lighter. The ballads are all waiting to be played for the women to swoon, the rockers are here to make you delight in melody again. "Battersea" recalls early Survivor and is as hard as Jimi has rocked solo. One of my favorite moments on this collection was the album's closing track "When Rock Was King". A melodic tribute '80's sendoff with the help of friends like Mickey Thomas, Mike Reno and Don Barnes. A great ending to one of the strongest retro collections ever assembled. This is a must have for someone who loves the era. Five stars.

Awesome cd some of Jimi's best work just want to listen to over and over again As Is and Behind the music are great Friends We've Never Met Is all about you the fans Awesome must hear