Age of Reason
John Farnham · 1988
52 min · 12 tracks · pop rock
A powerful blend of anthemic melodies and introspective lyrics, capturing the essence of late '80s pop rock.
Top tracks — play these first
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Age of Reason Start here — The title track encapsulates the album’s themes of reflection and empowerment, featuring a soaring chorus that showcases Farnham’s vocal range and emotional depth.
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Two Strong Hearts — This duet combines heartfelt lyrics with a memorable melody, illustrating Farnham's ability to convey deep emotion while appealing to mainstream audiences.
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When the War Is Over — This track stands out with its poignant narrative about loss and resilience, resonating with listeners through its rich instrumentation and heartfelt delivery.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Strong melodies and production mark this late '80s pop rock album, though it follows familiar patterns.
What we noticed
- The title track opens the album with a slow build, featuring layered instrumentation that crescendos into a powerful chorus.
- Several tracks, like 'Two Strong Hearts' and 'Burn Down the Night', incorporate prominent backing vocals that enhance the anthemic quality of the melodies.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo sing-alongs
- heartfelt anthems for reflection
- uplifting melodies for motivation
- engaging storytelling throughout tracks
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer experimental or chaotic sounds
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album solidified Farnham's status after his prior success.
- Themes
- Australian resilience· late '80s empowerment· introspective ballads
- Career context
- Released in 1988, Age of Reason marked John Farnham's commercial resurgence following the massive success of his previous album, Whispering Jack. This album solidified Farnham's status as a leading figure in Australian music, showcasing his vocal prowess and broad appeal during a pivotal time in his career.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Richard Marx· Michael Bolton· Air Supply
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Age of Reason
The bridge shifts from introspection to a rallying call for action, creating a sense of urgency and hope.
Tracklist
- 1 Age of Reason Start here 5:08
- 2 Blow by Blow 4:36
- 3 Listen to the Wind 4:25
- 4 Two Strong Hearts 3:35
- 5 Burn Down the Night 3:34
- 6 Beyond the Call 4:43
- 7 We’re No Angels 4:51
- 8 Don’t Tell Me It Can’t Be Done 3:35
- 9 The Fire 4:25
- 10 Some Do, Some Don’t 4:19
- 11 When the War Is Over 4:50
- 12 It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ’n’ Roll) 4:12
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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