When it comes to music, people throw around the word “classic” as if it were a standard reference. Even I have found myself guilty of this… sometimes just throwing it around in frivolous conversation but when I sat down to think about it, it really is a tough word to use when trying to describe just about anything because everyone bases their opinion on what they consider the most important variable. When it comes to music, some people base it on album sales, how popular a song and/or songs was, how influential the album was to other musicians, etc., etc., etc. or any combination of those categories.

I have always tried to base my description of a “classic” according to the quality of the music as a whole. That being said, I have found myself a bit more skeptical when it comes to reviewing and throwing out 5 out of 5 star reviews because if that’s what I have to measure my reviews by, then a 5 out of 5 should be an absolute “classic” and nothing less and I have given a few and I stand by my opinion.

In the realm of AOR/Melodic rock, when I have spoken with people about the subject immediately certain albums keep coming up over and over again; “The Grand Illusion” by STYX, the first s/t BAD ENGLISH release, “Slippery When Wet” by BON JOVI, BOSTON’s first release or (what seems to be the beat-all/ end-all/ grand-mother of Melodic Rock/ AOR releases) JOURNEY’s “Escape.” I would have to agree that they are all indeed worth a mention but basing this review on MY opinion of what I am basing MY definition of the word “classic” on, for the first time I want you to simply ignore my 5 out of 5 star rating because (to me) Jimi Jamison’s new release “Crossroads Moment” is off the chart and simply nothing less than an instant AOR classic!

I must admit that ever since I heard this project was in the works a little over a year ago, I have had some high expectations especially knowing that this album would once again reunite Jimi with his long-time friend, writing partner and ex-SURVIVOR band mate Jim Peterik… I just never expected anything like this. Every note… every chord… every arrangement is sheer perfection.

There’s nothing on this entire disc that any melodic rock/ AOR fan cannot appreciate. Solid, up-beat rockers like the opening track “Battersea,” “Behind The Music,” “”Friends We’ve Never Met,” and “She’s Nothing To Me” are the mainstay while other tracks like “Bittersweet,” “Lost,” and “Love The World Away” are classic AOR anthems. Then on pseudo-power ballads like “Alive,” “Till the Morning Comes” and “Can’t Look Away,” Jimi shows us his softer side but it’s the powerful, up-beat and inspirational tracks like “That’s Why I Sing,” “As Is” and the title track “Crossroads Moment” that really solidify this masterpiece and lift this CD above and beyond your typical CD standards. And lest I forget the final, anthem-like track entitled “When Rock Was King” which takes the listener back on a musical journey to a better place and time… along with special guest vocalists Joe Lynn Turner, Mickey Thomas (STARSHIP), Mike Reno (LOVERBOY), Don Barnes (.38 SPECIAL), Jim Peterik and Dave Bickler (JAMESTOWN MASSACHRE/ SURVIVOR)… now that’s one Hell of an ensemble!

What else can I say? This is just about as close to perfection in an AOR/ Melodic Rock release as you are going to get nowadays. Fans of this music genre will not simply love this release but will be able to take it in, feel it and live along with every word and every note. In a word… brilliant! It’s been a long, long time since I’ve actually felt privileged to review a CD but with “Crossroads Moment” I feel just that. As I said in the beginning, simply ignore the 5 out of 5 stars I am giving this because “Crossroads Moment” goes way beyond any simple scale. Time will tell if this will ever be mentioned by others when they are speaking of the best Melodic Rock/ AOR releases of all time, but for me… it always will.