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.
