Survivor - Reach (12 tracks) +Album Reviews

Survivor is Back after many years

Stuart M. Tysinger | Johnson City, TN | 04/25/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When I first heard of this CD I was excited. But then I realized that Jim Peterik was absent and that worried me because he was a main songwriter. Then I heard samples of the CD and was sure it would be a great CD. Jim Jamison is in top form on vocals and Frankie Sullivan continues with his blues style guitar riffs and solos. Besides the song Nevertheless, everything is perfect. Nevertheless just doesn't fit the style and theme. All the other songs are Survivor greats and need to be heard to be appreciated. Tell everyone you know about this cd because it it very good."

Comeback Album For Wider Listeners

susumu-5 | Japan | 04/25/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Long-awaited Survivor comeback album became more adult rock oriented than any of fans had expected but with fine twist.

Most of the fans might be expecting TOO HOT TO SLEEP like hard-edged one. So fans may at first find it a bit soft and easy listening. Suppose this one was released right after When Seconds Count fans might more readily accept this one for sure.

The opener REACH is an upbeat pop rocker with message of hope which is what 80s Survivor had been very good at. FIRE MAKES STEEL is another pop rocker but with more blues flavor. Fourth track SECONDS AWAY will in future added in their Greatest Hit albums. It should be extensively played at adult rock stations.

TALKIN' BOUT LOVE is another excellent song with typical Survivor hook but surprisingly it is Frankie Sullivan on vocals.

HOME is emotional slow country rock flavored ballad.

Verdict: Fine comeback album which attracts wider listeners than before.

Rating: 89 out of 100. For lack of Jim Peterik they did a fine job.

Recommeded for: Wide range of 80s pop rock fans who love recent comeback albums by TOTO, Chicago and Journey."

Jamison has left Survivor again!

D. Logan | Ohio | 07/31/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Survivor's first new release in 17 years sees the return of Jimi Jamison on vocals, joined by original members Frankie Sulivan (who also produced)on guitars and Marc Droubay on drums. The album is a great melodic rock release. Best tracks include the rocker "Fire Makes Steel," the moody "Gimme The Word," and the power ballad "One More Chance." Frankie Sullivan sings two songs, the catchy "Talkin' Bout Love, which sounds like the Rembrandt's theme to the TV show "Friends" and he also sings on the terrible "Nevertheless," which at track three kills the momentum of the album. The biggest criticism of the album is too many ballads, but Survivor achieved most of their success thanks to the mid-tempo songs that are found on "Reach." Unfortunately, the album is dead in the water because Jamison has again left the group citing creative differences with Sullivan, who has recruited Robin McAuley as the new vocalist. So fans waited 17 years get an new album , and then they don't get the chance to see the band live performing the new songs! Buy the album, it is their last classic release."

True to Form

Cory T. Shaeffer | Pittsburgh | 11/21/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is classic Survivor. It is evident from the opening track "Reach" that time has basically stood still for this band, remaining true to their fan base and cranking out an awesome CD for 2006. Three tracks stand out, including "Reach," Talkin' About Love," "Seconds Away." These would have all been top 5 hits back in 1986. As it stands, the music is fantastic although not relevant to this decade, and Jamison's voice has hardened a bit but not nearly as much as one would think given the number of years that have passed, and his deeper vocals actually suit his singing style just fine. A follow-up with Peterik back in the fold that would coincide with the new Rocky film could produce one of the more unlikely, but welcome suprise hits of 2007."

Classic Survivor fans should "REACH" for this CD

Pauloha | 06/23/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"First off, let's get something clear. This IS Survivor, but it's also NOT Survivor. Survivor has a history of consistent quality commercial rock/pop appeal. This cd lives up to that. There are some true Survivor style tracks... ones that take you back to the 80's and their signature sound. It also, however, strays as a whole from the classic Survivor formula. It is also not as consistently strong as their peak albums. To the details:

REACH- As has been said already, this is CLASSIC Survivor. What a great song. Reminiscent of "I Can't Hold Back" and "Moment Of Truth". This is THE track of this cd.

FIRE MAKES STEEL- The song that almost never made the light of day. Both this track and "Reach" sound like they are sending a message to Sly Stallone, "We're ready for Rocky Balboa" Catchy movie soundtrack type tune. Definitely a hit in a different era.

NEVERTHELESS- No cd is ever perfect, and this is the first flaw. The song and production are sophmoric at best. And Sullivan's vocals remind me of the bands that used to play at my high school dances back in the 70's. Well beneath the band.

SECONDS AWAY- Attempt # I don't know to recapture the "Search Is Over" magic again. It fails. Very generic, but listenable. Uplifting lyrics, but it just doesn't flow.

ONE MORE CHANCE- A lot of people like this one, but again, it's just a so-so track. I think maybe it's getting more favorable reviews because it is a stronger song than the previous one. That's not necessarily saying a lot.

GIVE ME THE WORD- A bit harder edge, more reminiscent of "Too Hot To Sleep" cd. Which really means it would have as much commercial appeal as the songs on that cd had, which is... not much.

RHYTHM OF YOUR HEART- Midtempo filler. Like Survivor does so well, you won't be saying WTF with this or any other song on this cd. But you will skip over it after awhile.

I DON'T- Uptempo filler. See notes for the previous song. More of the same here.

HALF OF MY HEART- Pretty good chorus on this ballad, but the rest is pretty generic.

TALKIN' 'BOUT LOVE- The intro on this one got me fired up, sensing classic Survivor again... and then Sullivan starts singing. Now don't get me wrong, he can carry a tune fine, but his voice has no soul, no depth. Jimi Jamison sings this song... it's a hit. Instead it's a B-side at best. This song is a wasted opportunity.

DON'T GIVE UP- The third track for "Rocky Balboa"! Really, the lyrics have "Rocky" or "Karate Kid" written all over them. Listenable, again, but not a hit or even a rock radio cut.

HOME- Somebody get me the crackers and wine, cuz this is pure cheese. Jimi Jamison couldn't sing a bad ballad if he tried, but this is pretty lame.

So as I read back over what I've written, to summarize, Survivor did the smart thing and put the two best tracks first, which puts the listener in a better frame of mind to hear the rest. Like I said, there are no terrible songs on here, but usually with Survivor you could easily pick at least 4 or 5 songs that could earn airplay. On this one, there's really only the two. But what a great two they are!

So three stars, one each for the first two tracks, and the third because the cd as a whole is listenable."

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