STRANGEWAYS – Age Of Reason (A.O.R.)

Scottish AOR legends STRANGEWAYS are back with a new album; “Age Of Reason“, produced and released by themselves on their own label. Since the last year’s pretty disappointed return ‘Perfect World’, the band has reunited with its original line-up; extraordinaire vocalist Terry Brock, guitarist Ian J. Stewart, bassist David Stewart, keyboard player David Moore and drummer Jim Drummond.

The first good news are that “Age Of Reason” is much, much better than the previous CD.
Ian Stewart is the musical director of this band, and he never has followed the trends or wrote his music in a way that how supposedly should sound regarding the genre.
So where does this new album stand amongst the Strangeways catalogue?
There is enough here to remind older fans of the ‘good old days’, but as always, there is material in there that is there because this is what the band wanted to do, not were forced to do.

‘Perfect World’ possibly strayed too far away from the Strangeways core sound, but “Age Of Reason” returns the band to more familiar territory, albeit still far removed from the ‘AOR by numbers’ approach of other bands, or indeed earlier albums.
This brand new album is rootsy, melodic, sometimes bluesy, melancholic, moody, rocking in varying degrees and quantities, but as always the quality shines through.
Obviously Terry Brock has lost none of his talent and you will enjoy some fine guitar work and melodies on this CD.

The album kicks off with two absolute snorters in the shape of “The Sentinel” (think on their classic ‘Where Are They Now’) and “Run”, showing that old dogs, happily, don’t learn too many new tricks, with Brock’s silky voice soaring effortlessly and Stewart’s extraordinary wailing guitar in good form.
The slower “Playin’ It Over” is amongst the best on show and is much more than just a simple midtempo. It is dark and moody with a superb rolling bass that allows the vocal to flow gently over the beat.

“Call” is a good ballad evoking some magnificent Scottish atmosphere, in spite of the American at the mike, whilst the semi-midtempo “End Of The Day” has a sweet melodic rock feel.
“Alive Again” has a ring of UK’s Magnum meeting up some American classic bands in a well suited paced track, one of the best composed on the album.
“Frozen” is the more rocking song here, although too formulaic and simple, while the good last track “Long Road’ straddles the semi balladry that Strangeways seem to do better than anyone else, and once again shows the difference that the song is always king.

Compared to their previous effort, Strangeways’ new CD “Age Of Reason” is much, much more solid and enjoyable.
This is soft Melodic Rock with sweet relaxed AOR moments. Not glossy as the 80’s material, but draws upon influences from that era, highlighting a band happy not to retread old ground yet pay a respectful nod to the past whilst moving forward.

If I were to level one criticism at “Age Of Reason” I would say that there are too many slow-paced tracks on offer. Most long standing fans of the band would have preferred a few more uptempo rockers, but we are dealing with a band that have always done things their way, and writers that always put songs first, everything else second.
Overall, “Age Of Reason” demonstrates a classic Strangeways affair.

An album that grows on you, with good moments and melodies. Good listen.
Being self-released, the CD has become pretty hard to find now, with remaining copies sold quite expensively.

01 – The Sentinel
02 – Run
03 – Playin’ It Over
04 – As We Fall
05 – Call
06 – End Of The Day
07 – Alive Again
08 – Silver Moon
09 – Frozen
10 – Long Road

Terry Brock (vocals)
Ian James Stewart (guitar)
David Stewart (bass, backing vocals)
Dave Moore (keyboards)
Jim Drummond (drums)

BUY IT !
www.amazon.co.uk/Age-Reason-Strangeways/dp/B006516BF6