Tonight's the night

[Eric]

. It sounds like Eclipse is going to be the album that should have followed Frontiers.

Whether or not someone likes the new songs or not, this statement is really dead on.

[Saint John]

I've listened to all 5 clips and I feel like something's missing. Perhaps I just need a few more listens, and to get used to the fact that Jon's keys are noticeably absent. And those keys have been there for exactly 30 years. Hmm ... off for another listen.

Yeah dude, remember you guaranteed!

I may have predicted as much, but, as always, I will also be honest.

[RedWingFan]

Dan, if ROR was a Perry solo record and not Journey.

You have to admit this sounds like a Niel solo record and not Journey. I'll take ROR any day. At least that has a few gems on it.

[The_Noble_Cause]

There's nothing here that really pulls me in, even like the chorus of "Higher Place". I mean you hear that lead in, "oooh and I try, I try to reason why..." just grabs ya and doesn't let go.

Even a song as catchy as "Higher Place" took more than one listen to get in your head. I've listened to the tracks twice now and am enjoying the hooks. With the absence of keys it reminds me of SoulSirkus, which was both melodic and rocking. That may be a problem for some.

[RedWingFan]

I've listened to all 5 clips and I feel like something's missing. Perhaps I just need a few more listens, and to get used to the fact that Jon's keys are noticeably absent. And those keys have been there for exactly 30 years. Hmm ... off for another listen.

Yeah dude, remember you guaranteed!

I may have predicted as much, but, as always, I will also be honest.

I never doubted that.

[Eric]

Chain of Love is a monster. Loving it on the first listen.

These are songs that are part of a concept album. So we can rate them based on youtube clips individually, but to be fair they should also be given a chance listened to on the whole too.

[marco17]

The new stuff isn't bad, but I fear for a lot it may go down the same was as Red 13 [regardless to whether you liked any of those tracks or not], that is was pretty rocking, but at least based on the live YT videos [thanks Rip] it doesn't have that "Journey" sound. It sounds like a Neal, harder rocking solo album or side project, but not Journey. Journey's biggest marketing tool is their sound, and even the radio or other outlets that played or promoted AATY and got into the Arnel hype before, would steer clear of anything that doesn't sound like Journey. Just my initial take, as usual, have to wait for the album.

[Carlitto H@kk]

Sounds very interesting, indeed.
A nice departure from the usual cookie-cutter
mix that has been standard.

Wouldn't worry too much about the "lack of keys";
I'm sure the album will have a lot more "depth" than what you're
hearing from these initial live performances.

And I find it hilarious that some folks are now worried that the album
will be "too hard" or "not Journey, more like Soul Sirkus"...
I seem to remember so many people that were THRILLED when
JSS what let go, and replaced with Arnel, because they were
affraid of the band "not sounding like Journey"...

We gonna see cries for Schon's removal now

I say its about time these guys really stretched there musical muscles
a bit, and did something alittle more extreme... Do you really think they care if they have hits or not?

[RedWingFan]

Do you really think they care if they have hits or not?

Well we do know that Neil hates when people are indifferent to his new tunes in concert and use them for piss breaks.

I think that's what he's given the crowd for this upcoming tour.

[Jana]

Put on my earphones and listened. Resonate is so amazing. Chain of Love is absolutely epic and has some keys there. Arnel tears it up, as does Neal. City of Hope I love the absolute moodiness to the song. I love Jon's keys, too, and was worried about the lack of them, but I'm sure they will show up on the album here and there. This is definitely more of a guitar album, but I love the creativity and the vibe of the album. I can't wait to hear these songs off an album with a great sound system, and sonically I think they will be stunning.

[The_Noble_Cause]

I think that's what he's given the crowd for this upcoming tour.

That would be happening regardless. As a fan, I think it's great that Neal wants the band to be more than just a touring act. At one point after "Arrival", Cain was talking about never doing another album. They could've rested on their laurels like so many other classic acts, but they aren't

[S2M]

I really wanna like it. Honestly....and it won't stop me from seeing them, but right now Journey is that over-the-hill athlete that doesn't know it's time to retire....Ripken, Rice, Favre.....sorry.

These new songs have absolutely no emotion, or energy.....maybe it is just the liveness of it. I'll reserve further judgement until I hear the studio tracks, however, it is not looking good....

Also, I think fans talk themselves into liking new stuff....this album will struggle to sell 200,000 units.

[S2M]

Put on my earphones and listened. Resonate is so amazing. Chain of Love is absolutely epic and has some keys there. Arnel tears it up, as does Neal. City of Hope I love the absolute moodiness to the song. I love Jon's keys, too, and was worried about the lack of them, but I'm sure they will show up on the album here and there. This is definitely more of a guitar album, but I love the creativity and the vibe of the album. I can't wait to hear these songs off an album with a great sound system, and sonically I think they will be stunning.

Will headphones really help? Would shit served on Elizabethan era china taste any better?

[RedWingFan]

I think that's what he's given the crowd for this upcoming tour.

That would be happening regardless. As a fan, I think it's great that Neal wants the band to be more than just a touring act. At one point after "Arrival", Cain was talking about never doing another album. They could've rested on their laurels like so many other classic acts, but they aren't

I would agree with you. But they really had built up a little momentum with "After All These Years". That seemed to be one people would stick around for. But that was a ballad that Neil deems unacceptable this time around for the new record.

As mediocre as Revelations was, at least it had a bit of success. Niel seems to have figured screw what people want to hear, I'm gonna play what I want to play. Good luck with that.

[Jana]

Put on my earphones and listened. Resonate is so amazing. Chain of Love is absolutely epic and has some keys there. Arnel tears it up, as does Neal. City of Hope I love the absolute moodiness to the song. I love Jon's keys, too, and was worried about the lack of them, but I'm sure they will show up on the album here and there. This is definitely more of a guitar album, but I love the creativity and the vibe of the album. I can't wait to hear these songs off an album with a great sound system, and sonically I think they will be stunning.

Will headphones really help? Would shit served on Elizabethan era china taste any better?

It's hard to listen to a noisy youtube clip on a computer. Headphones just brought the sound closer is all.

[RedWingFan]

I really wanna like it. Honestly....and it won't stop me from seeing them, but right now Journey is that over-the-hill athlete that doesn't know it's time to retire....Ripken, Rice, Favre.....sorry.

These new songs have absolutely no emotion, or energy.....maybe it is just the liveness of it. I'll reserve further judgement until I hear the studio tracks, however, it is not looking good....

Also, I think fans talk themselves into liking new stuff....

Agree with you completely her S2M, except for the fact that you forgot to add Ali to that list.

[NoMoreTails]

I think that's what he's given the crowd for this upcoming tour.

That would be happening regardless. As a fan, I think it's great that Neal wants the band to be more than just a touring act. At one point after "Arrival", Cain was talking about never doing another album. They could've rested on their laurels like so many other classic acts, but they aren't

I think having Arrival pretty much stolen absolutely crushed them and they lost their desire to create new music for a while. Cain is not interested in recording anything if he thinks it won't sell, at least that's the impression I have after reading his remarks about his solo work in the interview that was posted this week. Neal on the other hand will always be creating new stuff.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Also, I think fans talk themselves into liking new stuff....

And I think some fans resort to projection when they feel left out. Just becuz you don't dig it, doesn't mean everyone else is deceiving themselves. I like alot of what I'm hearing. Resonate, especially.

[The_Noble_Cause]

I would agree with you. But they really had built up a little momentum with "After All These Years". That seemed to be one people would stick around for. But that was a ballad that Neil deems unacceptable this time around for the new record.

Ermm..do you really want to hear another Journey ballad? I agree that would be the easiest way to getting heavy rotation on Delilah. Good on Neal for taking another chance on rocking out.

[Carlitto H@kk]

Also, I think fans talk themselves into liking new stuff....

And I think some fans resort to projection when they feel left out. Just becuz you don't dig it, doesn't mean everyone else is deceiving themselves. I like alot of what I'm hearing. Resonate, especially.

Fully agree, TNC.
Some people are never gonna be happy unless they essentially get Escape II.

You'd think the supposedly huge following Arnel has in here would actually be happy...
Moving in a 'forward' direction, instead walking on the same old tired treadmill,
is allowing Arnel to be himself, and actually sing like "Arnel" and not the
latest guy trying to be like "Perry"

I'm actually pretty darn excited to hear this album in ots entirety!

[Jana]

Also, I think fans talk themselves into liking new stuff....

And I think some fans resort to projection when they feel left out. Just becuz you don't dig it, doesn't mean everyone else is deceiving themselves. I like alot of what I'm hearing. Resonate, especially.

Bingo. Spot on. I don't talk myself into anything. I'm not a hard rock person, so don't know if I will love the whole album if it doesn't have a few ballads and more midtempo songs. I didn't even expect to love anything on here without Jon's keys, which is why I loved Arrival, the brilliant mixture of haunting keys and guitar. But out of what I've heard so far I love the three I mentioned, City of Hope, Resonate, and Chain of Love. Bands have to go with what they're feeling and not stagnate. Some fans will love it and some not.

[brywool]

CITY OF HOPE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceSmLs2wO4I

This is a great song. Awesome.

[marco17]

[quote="Carlitto H@kk"]And I find it hilarious that some folks are now worried that the album
will be "too hard" or "not Journey, more like Soul Sirkus"...
quote]

Totally disagree [respectfully], I think the point that some, including myself are making is that this may not appeal to the casual fan or the same media that helped promote Revelation. This board primarily, like it or not, is a lot of Journey phanatics who come here every day hoping to get a small piece of J news, not casual fans going to hear the dirty dozen every summer, and therefore they are willing to see the band take chances, expand musically, and creatively. I know I am in the minority, but I liked Red13 because it was different and I think was more of what Augeri, at the time, could bring to the band vocally, and more rocking, especially after a very ballad heavy Arrival album. But, it even upset diehards who didn't like the change in direction. But, regardless, some are going to like it and some are not.

[Escape Artist]

I really wanna like it. Honestly....and it won't stop me from seeing them, but right now Journey is that over-the-hill athlete that doesn't know it's time to retire....Ripken, Rice, Favre.....sorry.

These new songs have absolutely no emotion, or energy.....maybe it is just the liveness of it. I'll reserve further judgement until I hear the studio tracks, however, it is not looking good....

Also, I think fans talk themselves into liking new stuff....this album will struggle to sell 200,000 units.

No, I don't talk myself into liking anything. These you tube clips don't do it justice. ... who needs another effin' ballad? I am digging what I am hearing despite the poor audio quality.

[Ehwmatt]

I'm listening to City of Love. It's not giving me that windows down, summertime Journey feel, but I do see it as a grower. I think, however, that I am going to abstain from listening to the rest of these clips until the album. It's not that far off, and I just don't want to go into the album biased because of audience cam YouTube clips. Good on Rip for uploading them, but I just think these clips can hurt my views of upcoming music sometimes.

[brywool]

I've listened to all 5 clips and I feel like something's missing. Perhaps I just need a few more listens, and to get used to the fact that Jon's keys are noticeably absent. And those keys have been there for exactly 30 years. Hmm ... off for another listen.

Dan- tough to get it all from Live clips (with all due respect to Rip). I bet when you hear the album, there'll be more keys and orchestration there that wasn't there on the live clips.
If I had to go from these live clips, I'd agree that I don't hear a lot of hooks, but I would bet that when I get the album that those will stand out much more. I think the hookiest is "Human Feel". Arnel sings his a$$ off here.

Rip, how were the new songs received by the audience? Tough to tell from these clips (other than the gals screaming next to you).

To some of the other posters- you'd complain no matter what the band did so...

[conversationpc]

Also, I think fans talk themselves into liking new stuff....this album will struggle to sell 200,000 units.

I was that way when I was a young music fan. I remember becoming a huge Van Halen fan after "5150" came out. Then, when "OU812" came out, I thought it was the greatest thing ever simply because it was new and I WANTED to like it. Honestly, it's not a horrible album but, in hindsight, it's probably the worst thing the Hagar-era lineup ever put out. Now, however, I may have positive expectations about an impending release but I form my opinion as I hear the new material, which may change over time, but I don't talk myself into liking anything if I don't really enjoy it to begin with.

[brywool]

I'm listening to City of Love. It's not giving me that windows down, summertime Journey feel, but I do see it as a grower. I think, however, that I am going to abstain from listening to the rest of these clips until the album. It's not that far off, and I just don't want to go into the album biased because of audience cam YouTube clips. Good on Rip for uploading them, but I just think these clips can hurt my views of upcoming music sometimes.

Excellent point.

[StevePerryHair]

I've listened to all 5 clips and I feel like something's missing. Perhaps I just need a few more listens, and to get used to the fact that Jon's keys are noticeably absent. And those keys have been there for exactly 30 years. Hmm ... off for another listen.

Dan- tough to get it all from Live clips (with all due respect to Rip). I bet when you hear the album, there'll be more keys and orchestration there that wasn't there on the live clips.
If I had to go from these live clips, I'd agree that I don't hear a lot of hooks, but I would bet that when I get the album that those will stand out much more. I think the hookiest is "Human Feel". Arnel sings his a$$ off here.

Rip, how were the new songs received by the audience? Tough to tell from these clips (other than the gals screaming next to you).

To some of the other posters- you'd complain no matter what the band did so...

Yeah, I feel the same way Dan did. I thought of that possibility too though, that it could be a "live" issue. I won't make any judgments until I hear the actual album.

[conversationpc]

I think the hookiest is "Human Feel". Arnel sings his a$$ off here.

Arnel sounded really good on all those clips. Sounds like his voice is in good shape.