This Survivor album is a combination of harder hitting tracks coupled with their success recipe from previous albums – melody infused ballads showcasing the vocals of Jimi Jamison.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Survivor
ALBUM: Too Hot To Sleep
LABEL: Scotti Bros
SERIAL: FZ 44282
YEAR: 1988
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Jimi Jamison – vocals * Frankie Sullivan – guitars * Jim Peterik – keyboards
Additional Musicians: Bill Syniar – bass * Mickey Curry – drums * Peter Vitesse – keyboards
TRACK LISTING: 01 She’s A Star * 02 Desperate Dreams * 03 Too Hot To Sleep * 04 Didn’t Know It Was Love * 05 Rhythm Of The City * 06 Here Comes Desire * 07 Across The Miles * 08 Tell Me I’m The One * 09 Can’t Give It Up * 10 Burning Bridges
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
With a change in fortunes, and a change within the music industry, previous stars which shone earlier in the decade were starting to fade.
Many acts could be lumped in here, possibly also Survivor. After 1986’s very good ‘When Seconds Count’, the album yielded one very successful song (‘Is This Love’ which went to #9 on the US Charts) though the album itself was less popular.
With one more contracted album with Scotti Bros and the writing more or less on the wall, the band decided to go out with a bang, rather than a whimper.
‘Too Hot To Sleep’ was the result. Unfortunately for the previous rhythm section of Stephan Ellis and Marc Droubray, both departed during the lead-up to recording of the album.
In came former Tantrum bassist Bill Syniar, plus seasoned session vets Mickey Curry and Peter-John Vitesse to fill the gaps.
This Survivor album is a combination of harder hitting tracks coupled with their success recipe from previous albums – melody infused ballads showcasing the vocals of Jimi Jamison.
The Songs
A tasty little rocker is ‘She’s A Star’, a mainly guitar based track devoid of all the rich trappings of keyboards and thick melodies.. these will come later. When the ballads appear, they are on a par with previous songs.
‘Desperate Dreams’ is one of the best tracks they’ve done in that softer style, while the duet ballad ‘Across The Miles’ is lush to the point of being non-recognisable as Survivor, save for the voice of Jamison. That track was also one of the singles from the album, along with another highlight ‘Didn’t Know It Was Love’.
The title track ‘Too Hot To Sleep’ is a moody and despairing track, you can’t help but toss-n-turn listening to this steamin’ slice of AOR.
‘Rhythm Of The City’ didn’t do a lot for me, it’s followed by the early 80’s AOR stomp of ‘Here Comes Desire’. The regimented bass line locking this one into a late 70’s timeframe.
‘Tell Me I’m The One’ is glorious AOR but one could be mistaken after hearing the very ‘5150’ flavoured guitar intro a la Eddie Van Halen.
More fist-pumping up-tempo rock comes courtesy of ‘Can’t Give It Up’ – complete with pulsing bass lines, mega keys and some of the strongest guitar we’ve heard from Sullivan for awhile.
The power-ballad ‘Burning Bridges’ finishes up the album. Another moody and atmospheric piece, this one features some smokin’ guitar from Frankie.. who really does cut loose for once.
In Summary
Sadly the album only made it to #187 on the charts, but the purists would’ve been happy that the trio returned to the sound prior to the era of 1983’s ‘Caught In The Game’ album.
Due to the lack of success with ‘Too Hot To Sleep’ the band were put on hold indefinitely. It wasn’t the end of the road for Survivor though.
As we all know, the band continues to this day but the line-up changes reads like a daytime soap opera, plus the 90’s legal disruptions was a complete sideshow in itself.
Thankfully it was resolved, though the future still looks uncertain now that Jimi Jamison is no longer involved with the band, departing after 2006’s disappointing ‘Reach’ album.
Survivor on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
