John Farnham - Age Of Reason (1988)

"Age Of Reason" is a studio album by Australian pop singer John Farnham. It was released  on 25 July 1988. His career has mostly been as a solo artist although he briefly replaced Glenn Shorrock as lead singer of Little River Band during 1982–1985.

This album was also hugely popular in Australia but did not match the success of its predecessor. In part this was because John Farnham was no longer certain who his target audience was: a pop audience or an adult contemporary audience.

As always, John Farnham's voice was the weak link, although in many places this is disguised by the choice of some very competent backing singers in the form of Venetta Fields and Lisa Edwards.  The album starts with an outstanding opening song called 'Age of Reason' (a song which should be heard by soldiers before they go fighting...maybe teach them the futility of war)and ends with 'When The War is Over'. The theme of this album is simply the futility of hate. Farnham puts his message across well and not in a political way like the Oils did. Farnham keeps things harder-edged than usual, including a cover of AC/DC's It's "A Long Way To The Top". Two of Farnham's biggest hits are featured: the soaring message of "The Age Of Reason" with its textured vocal harmonies and the anthemic passion of "You´re The Voice". Other strong tracks: the driving "Burn Down The Night", the emotional ballad We´re No Angels,  the powerful "Beyond The Call" and the infectious Some Do Some Don´t.

Musically, "Age of Reason" was not greatly different to "Whispering Jack". In fact, the first single from this album "Age of Reason" was an attempt to recreate the success of "You're the Voice," right down to the bombastic lyrics.

Track listing

01.  "Age of Reason"  (T. Hunter, J. Pigott)  - 5:08

02.  "Blow by Blow"  (D. Stewart, O. Ormo, B. Harrison)  - 4:37

03.  "Listen to the Wind"  (B. Thomas, J. Stevens)  - 4:26

04.  "Two Strong Hearts"  (B. Woolley, A. Hill)  - 3:35

05.  "Burn Down the Night"  (B. LaBounty)  - 3:32

06.  "Beyond the Call"  (D. Batteau, D. Brown, K. Dukes)  - 4:43

07.  "We're No Angels"  (R. Wilson)  - 4:52

08.  "Don't Tell Me It Can't Be Done"  (C. Thompson, A. Qunta)  - 3:35

09.  "The Fire"  (C. Thompson, K. Reid, Leiber)  - 4:26

10.  "Some Do, Some Don't"  (S. Hague, M. Mueller)  - 4:19

11.  "When the War Is Over"  (S.Prestwich)  - 4:50

12.  "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'N' Roll)"  (A. Young, M. Young, B. Scott)  - 4:11

Released:  25 July 1988

Genre:  Pop, Rock

Length:  52:50

Label:  Sony BMG

Producer:  Ross Fraser

Personnel

John Farnham - vocals

David Hirschfelder - keyboards

Brett Garsed - guitars

Angus Burchall - drums & percussion

Wayne Nelson - bass

Venetta Fields - vocals

Lindsay Field - vocals

Jon Stevens - guitar on "Listen To The Wind"

James Morrison - trumpet on "Some Do, Some Don't"

Bill Harrower - sax on "Blow By Blow"

Thomas Metropouli - mandolin & piano accordion

Lisa Edwards - additional vocals

Ross Hannaford - additional vocals

Joe Creighton - additional vocals