Revelation - MelodicRock Review

[Aaron]

I understand your view and agree with your points. However, I think it will be very hard to follow the best vocalist ever. If Arnel can top Perry on the classics, then I'll retract my crap statement. I'm heading to Walfart now to see if it's out early here. It wasn't last night.

Mac,

Thanks for the review man. I haven't read it in detail yet but I do have one question. Why not review the new material separately from the rehash crap? I don't think most folks give a crap about the re-make of the old material. What do you think?

Thanks,

Aaron

Thats quite an insular view when the review clearly explains that the redux versions were recorded primarily for licensing purposes (although I don't doubt there is a one fingered salute to Perry in there somewhere). The fact that they have done this might mean that Journey's music finds a larger audience through possible future ventures and initiatives. More recognition for the band can only be a good thing and therefore to me at least the re-recorded classics could never simply dismissed as crap and I look forward to hearing them in their entirety.

[finalfight]

I understand your view and agree with your points. However, I think it will be very hard to follow the best vocalist ever. If Arnel can top Perry on the classics, then I'll retract my crap statement. I'm heading to Walfart now to see if it's out early here. It wasn't last night.

Mac,

Thanks for the review man. I haven't read it in detail yet but I do have one question. Why not review the new material separately from the rehash crap? I don't think most folks give a crap about the re-make of the old material. What do you think?

Thanks,

Aaron

Thats quite an insular view when the review clearly explains that the redux versions were recorded primarily for licensing purposes (although I don't doubt there is a one fingered salute to Perry in there somewhere). The fact that they have done this might mean that Journey's music finds a larger audience through possible future ventures and initiatives. More recognition for the band can only be a good thing and therefore to me at least the re-recorded classics could never simply dismissed as crap and I look forward to hearing them in their entirety.

I hope you find a copy and sincerely hope you enjoy it. Hugo/Ramos up next!

[Aaron]

Yea baby! And then a new Valentine record. Jeezus, I'm about to pass out as all the blood is rushing from my head.

I understand your view and agree with your points. However, I think it will be very hard to follow the best vocalist ever. If Arnel can top Perry on the classics, then I'll retract my crap statement. I'm heading to Walfart now to see if it's out early here. It wasn't last night.

Mac,

Thanks for the review man. I haven't read it in detail yet but I do have one question. Why not review the new material separately from the rehash crap? I don't think most folks give a crap about the re-make of the old material. What do you think?

Thanks,

Aaron

Thats quite an insular view when the review clearly explains that the redux versions were recorded primarily for licensing purposes (although I don't doubt there is a one fingered salute to Perry in there somewhere). The fact that they have done this might mean that Journey's music finds a larger audience through possible future ventures and initiatives. More recognition for the band can only be a good thing and therefore to me at least the re-recorded classics could never simply dismissed as crap and I look forward to hearing them in their entirety.

I hope you find a copy and sincerely hope you enjoy it. Hugo/Ramos up next!

[Barb]

I finally got to finish reading your review. I agreed with most of it, but as a girl, I love the sappy lyrics on Like a Sunshower. I think it's beautiful.

[Sarah]

I don't necessarily love the lyrics, but LaS sounds great. It's the only song I've really wanted to listen to again.

[Andrew]

Extremely well thought out review and objective as possible. I don't think we'll ever see a better all round review anywhere else.

That's what I aim for Thanks!

[Andrew]

Neal and Jon are both very interested in Andrew's opinion as well as the opinion of the board as a whole. I'm quite certain they're very pleased by Andrew's review and the mainly positive initial feedback from the fans' reviews. I would fully expect for Andrew to hear from Neal. Probably a short e-mail.

Did you hack into my computer?

There was indeed an e-mail from Neal - a thank you for the positive review. Now Neal and I haven't always agreed on things, so for him to do this was very classy and I appreciated it very much.

Kev Caveman also dropped me a note and says he will be in town in January, so I look forward to hooking up with him then.

[Andrew]

Nobody writes more complete reviews than you Andrew.....excellent...no matter the content...everytime.

Thank you sir!

[Andrew]

I finally got to finish reading your review. I agreed with most of it, but as a girl, I love the sappy lyrics on Like a Sunshower. I think it's beautiful.

You go girl

[slucero]

Great review (as always) 'Drew!

[stevew2]

I feel totally different. I think Faith In The Heartland is much improved and arguably the best track on Revelation. Can't find a 'skip' track on that record.

You must be stoned, Im likein the other tunes,but this is over produced and sounds gay in comparison. Should have left the fucker alone, What ,did they run out of songs?? Were they trying to prove something?? Write a new song for the new Cd Friga. Them two glasses of wine you have in you must burn have burned your brain.If he was going to change it get rid of that lame 2nd {FITH} II different song

[Rick]

I feel totally different. I think Faith In The Heartland is much improved and arguably the best track on Revelation. Can't find a 'skip' track on that record.

You must be stoned, Im likein the other tunes,but this is over produced and sounds gay in comparison. Should have left the fucker alone, What ,did they run out of songs?? Were they trying to prove something?? Write a new song for the new Cd Friga. Them two glasses of wine you have in you must burn have burned your brain.If he was going to change it get rid of that lame 2nd {FITH} II different song

The reason they put it on there is because it's a great song and was getting zero attention on that shit album Generations. So now it has another chance. I think it's a great idea and I think Arnel blew the lid off of it. I haven't been stoned in years. Sure sounds fun though.

[stevew2]

I feel totally different. I think Faith In The Heartland is much improved and arguably the best track on Revelation. Can't find a 'skip' track on that record.

You must be stoned, Im likein the other tunes,but this is over produced and sounds gay in comparison. Should have left the fucker alone, What ,did they run out of songs?? Were they trying to prove something?? Write a new song for the new Cd Friga. Them two glasses of wine you have in you must burn have burned your brain.If he was going to change it get rid of that lame 2nd {FITH} II different song

The reason they put it on there is because it's a great song and was getting zero attention on that shit album Generations. So now it has another chance. I think it's a great idea and I think Arnel blew the lid off of it. I haven't been stoned in years. Sure sounds fun though.

The lid was already blown of when Augeri did it, the rest of the Cd blew, and with all the other bullshit that went on ,they should have left it alone.They should have written a new song, You dont see them putting previous Perrys songs on the new cd just cause it didnt make it.I think it is a kick in the balls to Augeri{not that he needed it problablly from Friga {who wrote it} ,just for that added twist

[ProgRocker53]

I feel totally different. I think Faith In The Heartland is much improved and arguably the best track on Revelation. Can't find a 'skip' track on that record.

You must be stoned, Im likein the other tunes,but this is over produced and sounds gay in comparison. Should have left the fucker alone, What ,did they run out of songs?? Were they trying to prove something?? Write a new song for the new Cd Friga. Them two glasses of wine you have in you must burn have burned your brain.If he was going to change it get rid of that lame 2nd {FITH} II different song

The reason they put it on there is because it's a great song and was getting zero attention on that shit album Generations. So now it has another chance. I think it's a great idea and I think Arnel blew the lid off of it. I haven't been stoned in years. Sure sounds fun though.

The lid was already blown of when Augeri did it, the rest of the Cd blew, and with all the other bullshit that went on ,they should have left it alone.They should have written a new song, You dont see them putting previous Perrys songs on the new cd just cause it didnt make it.I think it is a kick in the balls to Augeri{not that he needed it problablly from Friga {who wrote it} ,just for that added twist

I'm not a fan of the new FITH at all. The original kicked ass, the new one has several glaring issues:

1) The blandest Arnel vocals I've heard yet (I've only listened to four of the new songs so far)

2) The intro's abbreviated

3) Friga raised up the keys in the mix

4) Friga plays gay keys over top of Neal and Deen's closing jam

5) It's choppier than all hell, sounds like an amateur cut and paste job on Pro Tools

[Rick]

I feel totally different. I think Faith In The Heartland is much improved and arguably the best track on Revelation. Can't find a 'skip' track on that record.

You must be stoned, Im likein the other tunes,but this is over produced and sounds gay in comparison. Should have left the fucker alone, What ,did they run out of songs?? Were they trying to prove something?? Write a new song for the new Cd Friga. Them two glasses of wine you have in you must burn have burned your brain.If he was going to change it get rid of that lame 2nd {FITH} II different song

The reason they put it on there is because it's a great song and was getting zero attention on that shit album Generations. So now it has another chance. I think it's a great idea and I think Arnel blew the lid off of it. I haven't been stoned in years. Sure sounds fun though.

The lid was already blown of when Augeri did it, the rest of the Cd blew, and with all the other bullshit that went on ,they should have left it alone.They should have written a new song, You dont see them putting previous Perrys songs on the new cd just cause it didnt make it.I think it is a kick in the balls to Augeri{not that he needed it problablly from Friga {who wrote it} ,just for that added twist

I think it will help Augeri. He gets paid every time that song is played. It'll have a whole lot better chance now.

[Since 78]

I feel totally different. I think Faith In The Heartland is much improved and arguably the best track on Revelation. Can't find a 'skip' track on that record.

You must be stoned, Im likein the other tunes,but this is over produced and sounds gay in comparison. Should have left the fucker alone, What ,did they run out of songs?? Were they trying to prove something?? Write a new song for the new Cd Friga. Them two glasses of wine you have in you must burn have burned your brain.If he was going to change it get rid of that lame 2nd {FITH} II different song

The reason they put it on there is because it's a great song and was getting zero attention on that shit album Generations. So now it has another chance. I think it's a great idea and I think Arnel blew the lid off of it. I haven't been stoned in years. Sure sounds fun though.

The lid was already blown of when Augeri did it, the rest of the Cd blew, and with all the other bullshit that went on ,they should have left it alone.They should have written a new song, You dont see them putting previous Perrys songs on the new cd just cause it didnt make it.I think it is a kick in the balls to Augeri{not that he needed it problablly from Friga {who wrote it} ,just for that added twist

I agree with both of you here. The Band thought that this was a great track that wouldn't be heard and saw a chance to get it out there. however I don't think they did the song justice on Revelation and it should have been left alone.

[Rick]

I feel totally different. I think Faith In The Heartland is much improved and arguably the best track on Revelation. Can't find a 'skip' track on that record.

You must be stoned, Im likein the other tunes,but this is over produced and sounds gay in comparison. Should have left the fucker alone, What ,did they run out of songs?? Were they trying to prove something?? Write a new song for the new Cd Friga. Them two glasses of wine you have in you must burn have burned your brain.If he was going to change it get rid of that lame 2nd {FITH} II different song

The reason they put it on there is because it's a great song and was getting zero attention on that shit album Generations. So now it has another chance. I think it's a great idea and I think Arnel blew the lid off of it. I haven't been stoned in years. Sure sounds fun though.

The lid was already blown of when Augeri did it, the rest of the Cd blew, and with all the other bullshit that went on ,they should have left it alone.They should have written a new song, You dont see them putting previous Perrys songs on the new cd just cause it didnt make it.I think it is a kick in the balls to Augeri{not that he needed it problablly from Friga {who wrote it} ,just for that added twist

I agree with both of you here. The Band thought that this was a great track that wouldn't be heard and saw a chance to get it out there. however I don't think they did the song justice on Revelation and it should have been left alone.

I guess it's just personal preference. I think it's now improved and one of my favorite tracks on Revelation. The only thing I like less about it is I miss Augeris soaring scream right at the beginning.

[stevew2]

Hey we all have valids points, and I agree on some disagree on others. I hope we can all agree that Friga is gay,and I wouldnt want that fucker patting my backside even you Progg

[Liam]

The only thing I can say that I like on FITH is the extended "live" outro. The rest of it is awful. But it DOES boil down to personal preference. Where Did I lose Your Love is easily the best track on the album, followed VERY CLOSELY by Never Walk Away.

[Centaure]

I'm not a fan of the new FITH at all. The original kicked ass, the new one has several glaring issues:

1) The blandest Arnel vocals I've heard yet (I've only listened to four of the new songs so far)

2) The intro's abbreviated

3) Friga raised up the keys in the mix

4) Friga plays gay keys over top of Neal and Deen's closing jam

5) It's choppier than all hell, sounds like an amateur cut and paste job on Pro Tools

Yeah, wtf happen to the intro ? Shirley should have cut it completely if he wanted to abbreviated it. The double guitar attack was pretty cool, but now it sounds ordinary.

All the cool vibe of the original seems to be lost. And as for Arnel, Augeri was better on the original.

As I said before, Shirley is an average producer. Most of his ideas are mediocre. He is a very nice guy and an awesome mixer and sound engeneer, but I usually don't like much of his albums that he produced.

Shirley liked the song and wanted to fix it... If it ain't broken, don't fix it !

[stevew2]

I'm not a fan of the new FITH at all. The original kicked ass, the new one has several glaring issues:

1) The blandest Arnel vocals I've heard yet (I've only listened to four of the new songs so far)

2) The intro's abbreviated

3) Friga raised up the keys in the mix

4) Friga plays gay keys over top of Neal and Deen's closing jam

5) It's choppier than all hell, sounds like an amateur cut and paste job on Pro Tools

Yeah, wtf happen to the intro ? Shirley should have cut it completely if he wanted to abbreviated it. The double guitar attack was pretty cool, but now it sounds ordinary.

All the cool vibe of the original seems to be lost. And as for Arnel, Augeri was better on the original.

As I said before, Shirley is an average producer. Most of his ideas are mediocre. He is a very nice guy and an awesome mixer and sound engeneer, but I usually don't like much of his albums that he produced.

Shirley liked the song and wanted to fix it... If it ain't broken, don't fix it !

He is definetly good at "fixing things '" {If you know what I mean}

[Andrew]

Yeah, wtf happen to the intro ? Shirley should have cut it completely if he wanted to abbreviated it. The double guitar attack was pretty cool, but now it sounds ordinary.

Well, it isn't an album opening track now, so the intro would kill the flow of the song. I think they did well with it and it's different song - I treat them as 2 different songs. Initially it was hard to get past the idea of it being covered again.

I absolutely accept some won't ever be able to get past this new version.

[Liam]

Yeah, wtf happen to the intro ? Shirley should have cut it completely if he wanted to abbreviated it. The double guitar attack was pretty cool, but now it sounds ordinary.

Well, it isn't an album opening track now, so the intro would kill the flow of the song. I think they did well with it and it's different song - I treat them as 2 different songs. Initially it was hard to get past the idea of it being covered again.

I absolutely accept some won't ever be able to get past this new version.

Me being one of those. I DO see it as a slight against Augeri though.

[Andrew]

Me being one of those. I DO see it as a slight against Augeri though.

Absolutely. I understand that.

[Fire99]

One thing Andrew's spot on about is Arnel is at his absolute best when he's singing his own material and his own personality gets to shine through.

I dont believe Arnel was involved in writing any of the songs..

[finalfight]

Yeah, wtf happen to the intro ? Shirley should have cut it completely if he wanted to abbreviated it. The double guitar attack was pretty cool, but now it sounds ordinary.

Well, it isn't an album opening track now, so the intro would kill the flow of the song. I think they did well with it and it's different song - I treat them as 2 different songs. Initially it was hard to get past the idea of it being covered again.

I absolutely accept some won't ever be able to get past this new version.

Me being one of those. I DO see it as a slight against Augeri though.

Augeri's bank balance disagrees.

To me the new version of Faith in the Heartland makes a more sweeping statement than the rockier, more direct original. Its like its been given room to breath.

[Ehwmatt]

One thing Andrew's spot on about is Arnel is at his absolute best when he's singing his own material and his own personality gets to shine through.

I dont believe Arnel was involved in writing any of the songs..

Not what I meant.

[Andrew]

One thing Andrew's spot on about is Arnel is at his absolute best when he's singing his own material and his own personality gets to shine through.

I dont believe Arnel was involved in writing any of the songs..

Not this time around. My point here - to explain further - is he sounds great when not being forced to live up to certain expectations on songs we all know and love. Of course he sounds greta on all songs anyway...but less pressure on new material and more natural. Great stuff.

[cdjssfan]

Cheers Andrew. Any word on when it'll be released in Europe and who'll be stocking it?

Frontiers will be releasing it with an extra track on june 6. I've received a mail from them this morning that it will be shipped tomorrow so I guess the release date has been pushed up to june 3rd as well.

This Friday and most usual outlets I believe.

Are you guys sure on that one, every single store over here in the UK has the release date still listed as the 9th June on their respective websites (Those being Amazon, HMV, Zavvi, Tesco, Woolworths, WHSmith and Asda (who are owned by Wal-Mart)).

I'll have a look about on Friday in Glasgow or East Kilbride, the closest places to me where there are stores big enough for staff to put the CD out by mistake if the release date is actually still Monday 9th.

[Big J]

Yeah, wtf happen to the intro ? Shirley should have cut it completely if he wanted to abbreviated it. The double guitar attack was pretty cool, but now it sounds ordinary.

Well, it isn't an album opening track now, so the intro would kill the flow of the song. I think they did well with it and it's different song - I treat them as 2 different songs. Initially it was hard to get past the idea of it being covered again.

I absolutely accept some won't ever be able to get past this new version.

Me being one of those. I DO see it as a slight against Augeri though.

Augeri's bank balance disagrees.

To me the new version of Faith in the Heartland makes a more sweeping statement than the rockier, more direct original. Its like its been given room to breath.

The appeal to me of the original was that it was expansive and melodic like you expect from Journey, but had a frantic I dunno...power to it, almost had a Dream Theater type thing going on in there. Heavier, I guess, to state it simply. Cain ruins it, I don't like the deedle-dee lead-in to the chorus on the new one...Arnel's screams at the beginning and lead in to the solo aren't as powerful or passionate as Augeri's.

Really, the problem for me comes down to the synth shit Cain adds to the mix and Arnel's vocals...NOT in that order. That track was SA's finest hour of 8 years or so that I really, truly enjoyed.