***Forum Members Revelation Reviews***

[Escape Artist]

First let me say hey all! ….

new MExico??!!! i see you every day.. in the form of DIRT.... ugh....

what else you got?? hot dirt. ugh..

You forgot wind...lots of freakin' wind! New Mexico is a temporary/short term stop for me.

Lucky you, I have been stuck in the "Land of Entrapment" for 41 of my 43 years.

[edcha]

I like Never Walk Away. Even if it sounds like Be Good To Yourself. I was humming it after I'd played the CD for the first time. So I like the catchiness of that tune.
The rest of the album is just 'okay' to me.
I think Turn Down The World Tonight should have been given to Meatloaf to do. It's theatrical. And it reminds me of something else, but I can't quite place it.

And is it just my ears or is the whole production of the album a bit 'muddy?'

Arnel's voice sounds fine to me. He has a good look and a good sound. I have no problem with him.
The Journey [Revelation] sounds like the tape they play in my local Indian Restaurant. It makes me hungry for a plate of Lamb Rogan Josh and rice.
And the guitar just before the drums come in reminds me of what Brian May used to play while Freddie was off getting changed into his next stage costume.

So, to sum up, I'm not blown away by any of it, but I don't think it's bad.

I have not played the re-recorded classics. Nor will I.
I wanted new stuff from them and I have it on Disc 1.
I am more than happy with my Perry classics and the Augeri Faith In The Heartland, so I have no requirement for a new version of them.

I like the new one better. Shhhhhh. Don't tell anyone.

Rick, are you serious? being sarcastic? or simply starting a mild fight with the die-hards? (just a naive question from a curious newbie).

[Rick]

I like Never Walk Away. Even if it sounds like Be Good To Yourself. I was humming it after I'd played the CD for the first time. So I like the catchiness of that tune.
The rest of the album is just 'okay' to me.
I think Turn Down The World Tonight should have been given to Meatloaf to do. It's theatrical. And it reminds me of something else, but I can't quite place it.

And is it just my ears or is the whole production of the album a bit 'muddy?'

Arnel's voice sounds fine to me. He has a good look and a good sound. I have no problem with him.
The Journey [Revelation] sounds like the tape they play in my local Indian Restaurant. It makes me hungry for a plate of Lamb Rogan Josh and rice.
And the guitar just before the drums come in reminds me of what Brian May used to play while Freddie was off getting changed into his next stage costume.

So, to sum up, I'm not blown away by any of it, but I don't think it's bad.

I have not played the re-recorded classics. Nor will I.
I wanted new stuff from them and I have it on Disc 1.
I am more than happy with my Perry classics and the Augeri Faith In The Heartland, so I have no requirement for a new version of them.

I like the new one better. Shhhhhh. Don't tell anyone.

Rick, are you serious? being sarcastic? or simply starting a mild fight with the die-hards? (just a naive question from a curious newbie).

I'm serious. The thing is, I've never been an Arrival, Red 13 or Generations listener, so I was never attached to the version on Generations. I've heard it, and think it's a great song, but I think Arnel puts a better voice to it.

[edcha]

I like Never Walk Away. Even if it sounds like Be Good To Yourself. I was humming it after I'd played the CD for the first time. So I like the catchiness of that tune.
The rest of the album is just 'okay' to me.
I think Turn Down The World Tonight should have been given to Meatloaf to do. It's theatrical. And it reminds me of something else, but I can't quite place it.

And is it just my ears or is the whole production of the album a bit 'muddy?'

Arnel's voice sounds fine to me. He has a good look and a good sound. I have no problem with him.
The Journey [Revelation] sounds like the tape they play in my local Indian Restaurant. It makes me hungry for a plate of Lamb Rogan Josh and rice.
And the guitar just before the drums come in reminds me of what Brian May used to play while Freddie was off getting changed into his next stage costume.

So, to sum up, I'm not blown away by any of it, but I don't think it's bad.

I have not played the re-recorded classics. Nor will I.
I wanted new stuff from them and I have it on Disc 1.
I am more than happy with my Perry classics and the Augeri Faith In The Heartland, so I have no requirement for a new version of them.

I like the new one better. Shhhhhh. Don't tell anyone.

Rick, are you serious? being sarcastic? or simply starting a mild fight with the die-hards? (just a naive question from a curious newbie).

I'm serious. The thing is, I've never been an Arrival, Red 13 or Generations listener, so I was never attached to the version on Generations. I've heard it, and think it's a great song, but I think Arnel puts a better voice to it.

OK. Thx for the clarification. A lot of the new fans will most likely have the same outlook...which could upset the long-time fan base (whether they admit it or not).

[Rick]

I like Never Walk Away. Even if it sounds like Be Good To Yourself. I was humming it after I'd played the CD for the first time. So I like the catchiness of that tune.
The rest of the album is just 'okay' to me.
I think Turn Down The World Tonight should have been given to Meatloaf to do. It's theatrical. And it reminds me of something else, but I can't quite place it.

And is it just my ears or is the whole production of the album a bit 'muddy?'

Arnel's voice sounds fine to me. He has a good look and a good sound. I have no problem with him.
The Journey [Revelation] sounds like the tape they play in my local Indian Restaurant. It makes me hungry for a plate of Lamb Rogan Josh and rice.
And the guitar just before the drums come in reminds me of what Brian May used to play while Freddie was off getting changed into his next stage costume.

So, to sum up, I'm not blown away by any of it, but I don't think it's bad.

I have not played the re-recorded classics. Nor will I.
I wanted new stuff from them and I have it on Disc 1.
I am more than happy with my Perry classics and the Augeri Faith In The Heartland, so I have no requirement for a new version of them.

I like the new one better. Shhhhhh. Don't tell anyone.

Rick, are you serious? being sarcastic? or simply starting a mild fight with the die-hards? (just a naive question from a curious newbie).

I'm serious. The thing is, I've never been an Arrival, Red 13 or Generations listener, so I was never attached to the version on Generations. I've heard it, and think it's a great song, but I think Arnel puts a better voice to it.

OK. Thx for the clarification. A lot of the new fans will most likely have the same outlook...which could upset the long-time fan base (whether they admit it or not).

Well I was a fan back in the early '80's and saw a couple of shows with Perry, which were the greatest, especially the Escape tour show. I got out of the concert going craze and started a family and didn't really listen to Journey that much after that. In '06 someone played the 2001 Vegas show, and I was hooked all over again. I went to see them and Augeri had already taken leave. So I never really got to connect with him as the singer.

[tammy]

:) I am a new Journey follower. I used to be a mellow-music-kind-of-man but I'm beginning to get used to Journey music.
Initially, the only reason I got interested to check Journey out was because I have read a lot of fuss about the change in the band's lead singer, Arnel Pineda---i.e., the way he was discovered by Neal Schon in You Tube, his humble background, his hard life, his persistence and hard work, his great vocals, his love of family, and his humility.

Plus I got hooked with the comments both from "old" (translated, original) and new Journey fans---some good, some bad--about the change or choice of lead vocalist. Then my interest got deeper--I downloaded both SP's and AP's you tube clips. Having no long-term emotional attachment to both of them (& journey), I can honestly say that both of them are very good. Both are not perfect, too (no human is). Vocally, both have strenghts; and both have weaknesses--depending on who's listening, and depending on the preference and whims and caprices of the listener. On June 3rd, I bought the new Journey album (Revelation)--and so far, my wife & I are enjoying it.

Then for some big stroke of luck (which I did not expect), I was able to watch Journey concert (for free!)on June 4th at the University of Arkansas Bud Walton Arena (the fifth largest on-campus arena in the U.S., with a capacity of 19,200). It was sponsored by Wal-Mart as part of the company's one-week long annual Stockholders' meeting. This was my first time to attend a "rock" concert! There were two other bands that performed for 15-20 minutes each---the Banana Republic and the All-American Rejects (sort of hard rock for me!). They're good. Journey performed last--for about one hour & 15 minutes. Most of the people in the audience were standing most of the time during the concert. And the applause was really amazing. And the performance was awesome! and unbelievable! The vocals, instruments,aand sounds were super! I became a fan right there and then!

I just came across your site only recently, and I just registered yesterday. I appreciate your comments--which I believe are generally objective--minus the emotional outbursts of some--which I can understand. Hopefully, I will enjoy knowing Journey more--it's past, present and future--and it's loyal fans.

Welcome, E. Glad you got to see that 'secret' concert.

[stevew2]

I like Never Walk Away. Even if it sounds like Be Good To Yourself. I was humming it after I'd played the CD for the first time. So I like the catchiness of that tune.
The rest of the album is just 'okay' to me.
I think Turn Down The World Tonight should have been given to Meatloaf to do. It's theatrical. And it reminds me of something else, but I can't quite place it.

And is it just my ears or is the whole production of the album a bit 'muddy?'

Arnel's voice sounds fine to me. He has a good look and a good sound. I have no problem with him.
The Journey [Revelation] sounds like the tape they play in my local Indian Restaurant. It makes me hungry for a plate of Lamb Rogan Josh and rice.
And the guitar just before the drums come in reminds me of what Brian May used to play while Freddie was off getting changed into his next stage costume.

So, to sum up, I'm not blown away by any of it, but I don't think it's bad.

I have not played the re-recorded classics. Nor will I.
I wanted new stuff from them and I have it on Disc 1.
I am more than happy with my Perry classics and the Augeri Faith In The Heartland, so I have no requirement for a new version of them.

I like the new one better. Shhhhhh. Don't tell anyone.

Rick, are you serious? being sarcastic? or simply starting a mild fight with the die-hards? (just a naive question from a curious newbie).

I'm serious. The thing is, I've never been an Arrival, Red 13 or Generations listener, so I was never attached to the version on Generations. I've heard it, and think it's a great song, but I think Arnel puts a better voice to it.

OK. Thx for the clarification. A lot of the new fans will most likely have the same outlook...which could upset the long-time fan base (whether they admit it or not).

Well I was a fan back in the early '80's and saw a couple of shows with Perry, which were the greatest, especially the Escape tour show. I got out of the concert going craze and started a family and didn't really listen to Journey that much after that. In '06 someone played the 2001 Vegas show, and I was hooked all over again. I went to see them and Augeri had already taken leave. So I never really got to connect with him as the singer.

Sorry you missed out Rick, it was really good for awile, I checked out my first Journey concert in 2002, since 1986, I was hooked right away. I was listening to country before I saw the 2001 DVD. Augeri was a cool guy to meet .

[Voyager]

Home run for Journey!

Best I've heard since Perry left. I can't help but wonder if the "Never Walk Away" track is a message for Perry... he should have never walked away. Now his shoes have been filled by someone who sounds almost exactly like him... and has plenty of energy and charisma too.

I was blown away by the DVD. My wife and I watched it twice. Separate Ways was insane... and the originals sound like classic Journey (unlike Arrival). Neal is at his best ever. Be Good To Yourself kicked ass!

I cannot imagine these guys doing anything else than what they are doing. Journey is the only day job that really worked for any of them, so they have nothing else to fall back on. It would be like Jagger leaving the Stones... WTF would Keith Richards and Charlie Watts do after that? You cannot blame the guys in Journey for finding a Perry clone and continuing to do what they love to do. It suits them very well.

If I had any doubts, they are all gone. I still am not sure if I like the idea of re-recording the classics, but at this point I don't care anymore. Perry is doing what he wants to do, and Journey is doing what they do best. I didn't think I would ever admit it... but Journey is still Journey without Perry. Revelation proves it. Hats off to Neal Schon for making it happen.

[SusieP]

I like Never Walk Away. Even if it sounds like Be Good To Yourself. I was humming it after I'd played the CD for the first time. So I like the catchiness of that tune.
The rest of the album is just 'okay' to me.
I think Turn Down The World Tonight should have been given to Meatloaf to do. It's theatrical. And it reminds me of something else, but I can't quite place it.

And is it just my ears or is the whole production of the album a bit 'muddy?'

Arnel's voice sounds fine to me. He has a good look and a good sound. I have no problem with him.
The Journey [Revelation] sounds like the tape they play in my local Indian Restaurant. It makes me hungry for a plate of Lamb Rogan Josh and rice.
And the guitar just before the drums come in reminds me of what Brian May used to play while Freddie was off getting changed into his next stage costume.

So, to sum up, I'm not blown away by any of it, but I don't think it's bad.

I have not played the re-recorded classics. Nor will I.
I wanted new stuff from them and I have it on Disc 1.
I am more than happy with my Perry classics and the Augeri Faith In The Heartland, so I have no requirement for a new version of them.

I like the new one better. Shhhhhh. Don't tell anyone.

My favourite Augeri tracks are FITH and Higher Place, so I guess you are always loyal to your first version? Maybe not. And don't forget, we UK fans didn't see Journey for 16 years and Augeri was the singer when they finally came to visit us. And I think all of us enjoyed his performance. I don't really want to talk about the lipping controversy here, but it cannot be ignored, and, of course, it did taint the shows somewhat. But I liked the guy. I feel bad when a singer has vocal problems, and I feel loyalty to them and I kind of want to give them a hug. So that's why I have a soft spot for the Augeri FITH. Does that make sense, Rick?

I think Arnel has a fine voice, and Wildest Dream & Change For The Better are really growing on me.
I don't want to hear him 'copying' the singers who have gone before, I want to hear new stuff that he can make his own.
And the more I play the album, the more some tracks are growing on me.

So I'm quite happy.

[Rick]

I like Never Walk Away. Even if it sounds like Be Good To Yourself. I was humming it after I'd played the CD for the first time. So I like the catchiness of that tune.
The rest of the album is just 'okay' to me.
I think Turn Down The World Tonight should have been given to Meatloaf to do. It's theatrical. And it reminds me of something else, but I can't quite place it.

And is it just my ears or is the whole production of the album a bit 'muddy?'

Arnel's voice sounds fine to me. He has a good look and a good sound. I have no problem with him.
The Journey [Revelation] sounds like the tape they play in my local Indian Restaurant. It makes me hungry for a plate of Lamb Rogan Josh and rice.
And the guitar just before the drums come in reminds me of what Brian May used to play while Freddie was off getting changed into his next stage costume.

So, to sum up, I'm not blown away by any of it, but I don't think it's bad.

I have not played the re-recorded classics. Nor will I.
I wanted new stuff from them and I have it on Disc 1.
I am more than happy with my Perry classics and the Augeri Faith In The Heartland, so I have no requirement for a new version of them.

I like the new one better. Shhhhhh. Don't tell anyone.

My favourite Augeri tracks are FITH and Higher Place, so I guess you are always loyal to your first version? Maybe not. And don't forget, we UK fans didn't see Journey for 16 years and Augeri was the singer when they finally came to visit us. And I think all of us enjoyed his performance. I don't really want to talk about the lipping controversy here, but it cannot be ignored, and, of course, it did taint the shows somewhat. But I liked the guy. I feel bad when a singer has vocal problems, and I feel loyalty to them and I kind of want to give them a hug. So that's why I have a soft spot for the Augeri FITH. Does that make sense, Rick?

I think Arnel has a fine voice, and Wildest Dream & Change For The Better are really growing on me.
I don't want to hear him 'copying' the singers who have gone before, I want to hear new stuff that he can make his own.
And the more I play the album, the more some tracks are growing on me.

So I'm quite happy.

Yes, everything you said makes sense, and I agree to everything except that I don't mind Arnels Perry covers as much as others. I think he pays a lot of respect to Perry, and has said he is a huge fan.

Thanks for the nice reply Susie.

[SusieP]

I like Never Walk Away. Even if it sounds like Be Good To Yourself. I was humming it after I'd played the CD for the first time. So I like the catchiness of that tune.
The rest of the album is just 'okay' to me.
I think Turn Down The World Tonight should have been given to Meatloaf to do. It's theatrical. And it reminds me of something else, but I can't quite place it.

And is it just my ears or is the whole production of the album a bit 'muddy?'

Arnel's voice sounds fine to me. He has a good look and a good sound. I have no problem with him.
The Journey [Revelation] sounds like the tape they play in my local Indian Restaurant. It makes me hungry for a plate of Lamb Rogan Josh and rice.
And the guitar just before the drums come in reminds me of what Brian May used to play while Freddie was off getting changed into his next stage costume.

So, to sum up, I'm not blown away by any of it, but I don't think it's bad.

I have not played the re-recorded classics. Nor will I.
I wanted new stuff from them and I have it on Disc 1.
I am more than happy with my Perry classics and the Augeri Faith In The Heartland, so I have no requirement for a new version of them.

I like the new one better. Shhhhhh. Don't tell anyone.

My favourite Augeri tracks are FITH and Higher Place, so I guess you are always loyal to your first version? Maybe not. And don't forget, we UK fans didn't see Journey for 16 years and Augeri was the singer when they finally came to visit us. And I think all of us enjoyed his performance. I don't really want to talk about the lipping controversy here, but it cannot be ignored, and, of course, it did taint the shows somewhat. But I liked the guy. I feel bad when a singer has vocal problems, and I feel loyalty to them and I kind of want to give them a hug. So that's why I have a soft spot for the Augeri FITH. Does that make sense, Rick?

I think Arnel has a fine voice, and Wildest Dream & Change For The Better are really growing on me.
I don't want to hear him 'copying' the singers who have gone before, I want to hear new stuff that he can make his own.
And the more I play the album, the more some tracks are growing on me.

So I'm quite happy.

Yes, everything you said makes sense, and I agree to everything except that I don't mind Arnels Perry covers as much as others. I think he pays a lot of respect to Perry, and has said he is a huge fan.

Thanks for the nice reply Susie.

xxx


I would rather have had the Vegas DVD in the UK package than the re-records.
Does that make me contrary because I don't mind the band performing the Perry era classics live with Arnel but I do mind them re-recording them?

OK so I'm contrary, but that's what I think.

xxx

[edcha]

:) I am a new Journey follower. I used to be a mellow-music-kind-of-man but I'm beginning to get used to Journey music.
Initially, the only reason I got interested to check Journey out was because I have read a lot of fuss about the change in the band's lead singer, Arnel Pineda---i.e., the way he was discovered by Neal Schon in You Tube, his humble background, his hard life, his persistence and hard work, his great vocals, his love of family, and his humility.

Plus I got hooked with the comments both from "old" (translated, original) and new Journey fans---some good, some bad--about the change or choice of lead vocalist. Then my interest got deeper--I downloaded both SP's and AP's you tube clips. Having no long-term emotional attachment to both of them (& journey), I can honestly say that both of them are very good. Both are not perfect, too (no human is). Vocally, both have strenghts; and both have weaknesses--depending on who's listening, and depending on the preference and whims and caprices of the listener. On June 3rd, I bought the new Journey album (Revelation)--and so far, my wife & I are enjoying it.

Then for some big stroke of luck (which I did not expect), I was able to watch Journey concert (for free!)on June 4th at the University of Arkansas Bud Walton Arena (the fifth largest on-campus arena in the U.S., with a capacity of 19,200). It was sponsored by Wal-Mart as part of the company's one-week long annual Stockholders' meeting. This was my first time to attend a "rock" concert! There were two other bands that performed for 15-20 minutes each---the One Republic and the All-American Rejects (sort of hard rock for me!). They're good. Journey performed last--for about one hour & 15 minutes. Most of the people in the audience were standing most of the time during the concert. And the applause was really amazing. And the performance was awesome! and unbelievable! The vocals, instruments,aand sounds were super! I became a fan right there and then!

I just came across your site only recently, and I just registered yesterday. I appreciate your comments--which I believe are generally objective--minus the emotional outbursts of some--which I can understand. Hopefully, I will enjoy knowing Journey more--it's past, present and future--and it's loyal fans.

Welcome, E. Glad you got to see that 'secret' concert.

Thanks, tammy!

[hoagiepete]

And is it just my ears or is the whole production of the album a bit 'muddy?'

Was the "muddy" mix to bring it back to the "classic" sound of Infinity?

Revelation kicks! Without a doubt my favorite since Frontiers. I thought everyone was solid. Neal mixed it up more. I liked it the first time through and like it even more after several listens.

[Rip Rokken]

WELCOME, EDCHA and glad you are enjoying!!!!
This must be the concert RIP missed!!!

Thanks, Michigan Girl. I appreciate it. The concert was not advertised because it is supposed to be for Wal-Mart employees and stockholders. It was good that Wal-Mart allowed the public. Of course the employees and stockholders got the best seats. Some of my friends who came a little late were not allowed to get in because the arena was full-packed already.

Yes, and let me tell ya, had I known, I would have weasled into this one just like I did the RE/MAX gig for RE/MAX employees in Vegas... Arnels's very first U.S. performance, and I was just a few feet from him! In some ways, that even beat the Planet Hollywood show in the "special" department.

[Uno_up]

So, I've listened to this CD for two weeks on waking end without listening to much of anything else (still haven't played the reworks CD yet).
"Where Did I Lose Your Love" is the track that stands out to me as the big hit if this was 1984 again. Is it just me, or can anyone else visualize Grace Slick and Mickey Thomas singing this one? Seriously.
Love this CD...Best Journey since Escape.

[RPM]

" Now his shoes have been filled by someone who sounds almost exactly like him"
your not the only one to have said this, Jeremey said he heard alot of perry there too, but i dont here it at all.
a couple mannerisms yes, but I dont hear perry at all, I hear Arnel, and sometimes i think i hear Jimi Jamison.
strange how different people percieve sound......


Ray

[ProgRocker53]

I hear Meat Loaf.

[RPM]

maybe your just hungry dude ...

Ray

[Duncan]

I hear Fergie Fredriksen in the verse of Change for the Better and Steve Walsh in After all These Years

[ParkRNDL]

First time poster... I've been reading on and off for a couple months since I first found out Journey had found Arnel and was releasing a new album. (Which I only discovered because I was cruising Walmart.com's MP3 downloads for an old Chicago album, but that's another story...) Quick intro for me: I was a HUGE fan in the 80s with Escape and Frontiers and, to a lesser degree, ROR. Used to cruise around in my old Nova with the rear end jacked up and the loud exhaust, cranking Journey tapes through my old JVC deck and Jensen 6x9s. Still remember blasting Only the Young down Northern State Parkway at 70 mph on my way out to move into the dorms the first day of college. Then they kinda dropped out of sight and in the meantime I got married and left NY and bought a house and had kids... I remember hearing that they had Augeri, but the snippet I heard at the time didn't send me rushing out to buy any albums. So except for my old CDs, I had kinda forgotten about them, and I had never heard of Castronovo or JSS. Fast forward to Revelations, which I bought the day it came out: WOW. That old Nova is long gone, but now I have a classic Impala. It had the stock AM radio until I heard about this album. I had been meaning to put a better stereo in it for a while, but the previews on Walmart.com were what actually motivated me to go out and do it. I went out and bought a stereo and speakers for it, and now I take it for a spin with Revelations playing and it's like 1985 again. (Jeez, I sound like a Bowling for Soup song. So much for a quick intro.)

My thoughts on Revelations:

Disc 1
Never Walk Away: Yep, it sounds like Be Good To Yourself. I even sing the chorus from BGTY over it once in a while. Don't care, I love it.

Like a Sunshower: Agreed, sounds like a modern Lights. Again, I'm diggin' it.

Change for the Better and Wildest Dream: I can take or leave these two, sorry. As often as not, I skip them. And yes, whoever said the intro to CFTB sounds like Van Hagar, I totally hear Summer Nights there.

Faith in the Heartland: Maybe because I was never an Augeri fan, I LOVE this one. But so many people here and other places said that they shouldn't have redone it that I actually went and looked up the SA studio version to see what all the controversy was about. I like the new one better. The original sounds more like Rush to me, both the instrumental arrangement and SA--got a total Geddy Lee vibe when I heard it.

After All These Years: I like it a lot. It's not Faithfully, but I like it.

Where Did I Lose Your Love: Can't get this one out of my head, may be my favorite on Disc 1. This one, FITH, and NWA are my three "speeding ticket" songs on this album. I hear Chain Reaction and Edge Of The Blade in there.

What I Needed and What It Takes To Win: Better than CFTB and WD, but not my favorites. I'm not as likely to skip these, but I certainly don't hit Repeat for them either. Whoever made the comment about "there's no I in TEAM"--funny you should say that. My first thought was "That's kinda cheesy." My second was "But I can live with it."

Turn Down the World Tonight: I'd like to get my wife to sit and listen to this with me, it's that kind of song. It's funny that when I listen to stuff like "Open Arms", I always think that the lyrics don't really apply to me anymore like they did when I was 16. It seems that Journey has grown up with their fans, and now they wrote a song that applies to me where I am in my life now. Nice.

The Journey: I always liked slow heavy instrumentals in general, and this one works for me.

Disc 2
These ALL rock. When I put these on while I'm driving, whatever car I'm in totally channels my old Nova. The fact that all the songs are just a little different, well, I'm a little different than I was when I first heard them too... the new versions are like getting a chance to rediscover them. Just a couple little detail disappointments: The synth intro to Separate Ways kinda sounds like one of those cheap Casio keyboards, as do the little rising "flourishes" at the end of verse 1. The piano intro in Open Arms doesn't follow the same rising melody line just before the vocals start--that's a change I wouldn't have made. And whoever didn't like the way Arnel ends Separate Ways with that rising note, I'm with you. But I like all the other little differences and twists, like the extra instrumental fill line thrown into Don't Stop Believin', and the new ending is growing on me. The extra line Arnel does near the end of Faithfully, before the guitar solo, works for me too.

Looking forward to new stuff from them in the future, maybe a couple of re-records of more obscure stuff... and I'd LOVE to catch a concert. Haven't seen a Journey show since 1986...

Man, I need to get some sleep...

--rick

[tammy]

Welcome, Rick and nice to read your review. Ah, those old Chevy days...

[edcha]

.... It's funny that when I listen to stuff like "Open Arms", I always think that the lyrics don't really apply to me anymore like they did when I was 16. It seems that Journey has grown up with their fans, and now they wrote a song that applies to me where I am in my life now. Nice...
Disc 2
...The fact that all the songs are just a little different, well, I'm a little different than I was when I first heard them too... the new versions are like getting a chance to rediscover them...
--rick

Welcome, Rick! I like your new insights; and I believe your comments are generally more objective than most of the ones I have read so far. Good job!

[Rick]

ANOTHER Rick! Welcome brother.

BTW, I am not black. I almost always use Richard Pryor for an avatar, and with that, everyone thinks I'm black.

[conversationpc]

ANOTHER Rick! Welcome brother.

Damn! That's one too many.

[Duncan]

ANOTHER Rick! Welcome brother.

BTW, I am not black. I almost always use Richard Pryor for an avatar, and with that, everyone thinks I'm black.

Yes here is a short video of Rick and also of Rhiannon who also posts regularly

http://youtube.com/watch?v=h0313RwYnAQ&feature=related

[conversationpc]

OK...I had the MP3s of the album well before I had my official copy, so thanks to those who provided them. I got my copy on Father's day. Here are my thoughts...

1 - Never Walk Away...As derivative as it may be, I am loving this tune. It's a good album-opener and I really can't find any fault with it. 5 stars

2 - Like a Sunshower...The title sounds gay but the song itself isn't too bad. It's not one of my favorites on the album but I do like the "Infinity" era vibe that it has. The lyrics at the end are horrible, though. Cain can do better than this. 3 stars

3 - Change for the Better...Tied with WDILYL for the best song on the album. Knowing that it's about Schon's alcohol problem and how he got over it is a good story. Great, uplifting track. 5 stars

4 - Wildest Dream...It's an OK rock track but the chorus kinda ruins it from being a half-decent song. Oh yeah...It's "Dream" singular, not "Dreams" plural. Get it right, people! 2 stars

5 - Faith in the Heartland...I much prefer the original version on "Generations". Arnel sounds okay here but it sounds like he's reading the lyrics off the lyric sheet. No soul at all. I also hate the added tinkling of Cain's piano on the ending section. Terrible. Neal's playing is okay, though, and Deen's drumming isn't bad. 2 stars

6 - After All These Years...This is probably my favorite Journey ballad since WCTNGOF from ROR. Well written tune by Cain and well sung by Arnel. Nothing totally special from Neal in the solo but it works anyway. 4 stars

7 - Where Did I Lose Your Love...Tied with CFTB as the best track here. Arnel sounds most Perry-like on this one, in my opinion and there's actual synth tones instead of just piano. 5 stars

8 - What I Needed...Great tune. I like the dark-sounding music even though the lyrics are really uplifting, if you listen to them. 4 stars

9 - What it Takes to Win...An okay tune. All the lyrics are the same cliches we've all heard over the last 30 years or so. The music is OK, though. 3 stars

10 - Turn Down the World Tonight...I immediately noticed the Meat Loaf-style vocals. Good track but I'm not loving it as much as most others seem to be. 3 stars

11 - The Journey (Revelation)...It's a decent enough instrumental and Neal plays well here, however, it just doesn't seem to fit in with the rest of the album. It would've sounded perfect on TBF sandwiched up against "Colors of the Spirit" (a dreadful tune, BTW). 2 stars

As for the production, while certainly an improvement over the last two studio efforts, it doesn't meet my expectations from what I was hearing about it. Neal's leads are a little muddier than I'd like to hear and Deen's drums could sound a bit more powerful. Overall, it's a stronger record than anything since "Frontiers", in my opinion, and certainly the best vocals on a Journey album since ROR anyway.

[Carlitto H@kk]

10 - Turn Down the World Tonight...I immediately noticed the Meat Loaf-style vocals. Good track but I'm not loving it as much as most others seem to be. 3 stars

Wow! Glad I'm not the only one that hears that.
I can hear The Meat singing those first few lines
in that urgent, almost-whisper of his...

Great song, though.
After a few listens, it went from so-so to
one of my faves on the album.

[larryfromnextdoor]

First time poster

you know what a PRNDL is????

park
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but then .. that aint Not Necessarily the News.. rich hall .. sniglets..

[larryfromnextdoor]

ANOTHER Rick! Welcome brother.

BTW, I am not black.

thats the way i want to introduce you to my friends.. this is rick from dallas.. hes not black..

boy,, if folks just new what a redneck you were.. hahhahahahaha.. black???

[RedWingFan]

First time poster

you know what a PRNDL is????

park
reverse
neutral
drive
low....

Dude seriously, sometimes the way your mind works amazes me!