The "Sound" Of "Journey"

[texafana]

When I first heard the music of Journey, the "sound" is what captivated me. I could care less if it was 5 black guys, 5 asian guys or 5 american guys, actually at first I thought it might have been 4 guys and 1 gal, but that was a long time ago. I never really did get into knowing about their personal lives, etc. The live (audio) performances really solidified my interest in the band long term.

As as musician, I totally accept the fact that personnel changes for whatever reason are sometimes inevitable in a band, (Except in one of my fav bands, Rush. woo hoo!), so when the "sound" changes it becomes a greater concern to me compared to who left the band, etc. JSS to me changed the sound consideribly, even though on a few tunes I thought he did a GREAT job keeping the classic sound alive. (Disclaimer; JSS rocks. Keep going solo!)

"keeping the classic sound alive", I like that phrase and I have high hopes that Journey's new lead singer will indeed keep the classic sound going because when you close your eyes and "listen to the music" the only thing that matters initially is what your ears are sending to your brain. Journey has a trademark "sound", if they want to change that sound they should change the name, but if a band performs as the name Journey, I think they should make every effort to "sound" like Journey.

I'm sure some of you will blatantly disagree, but I just don't know these guys enough personally to really be upset who's in/out of the band. Sure if they came over for beers, dinner, I'd have a stronger personal attatchment, but at the end of the day, music is an audio stimulant first and foremost, so at least in the intial impression phase, your mind doesn't really care if it's SteveP, SteveA, JSS or AP, singing, all that matters is you either like what you hear or don't.

So, while some of you want change, want the band to be creative, move off to different musical ideas, directions, etc. I've always liked Journey best when they sound like "Journey", clear flowing vocals, lush 4 part harmony chorus sections, soaring guitars, steady pulsating drums, full piano/string keys, song structure that's both musically challenging and yet provides a "hook" that catches you. (Those last 2 points are very rare in today's music.)

So, yah I'm a sucker for the "sound" of "Journey". When I see them live in 2008 I want them to sound like Journey. If they record some new material I would love for them to re-capture that classic sound. Do I stand alone in my view?

[Rip Rokken]

I'm sure some of you will blatantly disagree, but I just don't know these guys enough personally to really be upset who's in/out of the band. Sure if they came over for beers, dinner, I'd have a stronger personal attatchment, but at the end of the day, music is an audio stimulant first and foremost, so at least in the intial impression phase, your mind doesn't really care if it's SteveP, SteveA, JSS or AP, singing, all that matters is you either like what you hear or don't.

You actually stated something that I've resisted saying myself for fear of getting creamed for it... haha! But now that it's said... I totally agree, for me anyway. I don't let myself become emotionally attached to a band or band members -- just the music. Of course I care who and who is not in a band, and don't always like to see people go. Of course I do... but I'm not so emotionally invested in it that it rocks my world one way or the other. I'm the same way with sports (much to the chagrin of sports fans all around me).

My personal philosophy is that I have enough stress-inducing things in my life which are somewhat beyond my ability to control (things like work situations) without having to add more. I can make a choice on other things that might cause stress... and do. I want to live a good long life without having a heart attack, ya know!

Let me qualify this by saying I'm not down on anyone who gets so worked up over the band. It's sort of like a sports team, and people really enjoy sports and rock n' roll. Rock on if that's your thing!

[texafana]

Always enjoy your points of view RipRokken, regardless which side of the fence you're on.

[Rip Rokken]

Always enjoy your points of view RipRokken, regardless which side of the fence you're on.

Yours too, bro. I usually speak my mind without trying to be polarizing, and then hope I don't end up on the side of the fence with the angry Pit Bull...

[STORY_TELLER]

I hear what you're saying, Tex. However, there's a flip side to that coin. For me, Journey hasn't sounded like Journey since Trial by Fire. They sound like Bad English (on original music).

The drumming, song writing, melodies and vocals haven't been up to Journey standards on originals. Sure, Dean does a good job touring the GH's, aping Steve Smith's riffs. But when it comes to the originals, he's a one trick pony. He's just not the artist Smith is. On vocals? Well, I've always been on record that the Journey catalogue was too big for Augeri's vocals. Nice guy, hard worker, someone to admire in fact the way he took the brunt of having to fill Perry's shoes all those years. Still wasn't the right choice anymore than Larry Londin or worse, Michael Baird was a proper replacement for Steve Smith.

Without Perry's involvement in the artistic development of original songs, this band sounds like Bad English. Is that a bad thing? Not really. Just not as good as the Journey I continue to listen to on a daily basis.

[StoneCold]

I hear what you're saying, Tex. However, there's a flip side to that coin. For me, Journey hasn't sounded like Journey since Trial by Fire. They sound like Bad English (on original music).

The drumming, song writing, melodies and vocals haven't been up to Journey standards on originals. Sure, Dean does a good job touring the GH's, aping Steve Smith's riffs. But when it comes to the originals, he's a one trick pony. He's just not the artist Smith is. On vocals? Well, I've always been on record that the Journey catalogue was too big for Augeri's vocals. Nice guy, hard worker, someone to admire in fact the way he took the brunt of having to fill Perry's shoes all those years. Still wasn't the right choice anymore than Larry Londin or worse, Michael Baird was a proper replacement for Steve Smith.

Without Perry's involvement in the artistic development of original songs, this band sounds like Bad English. Is that a bad thing? Not really. Just not as good as the Journey I continue to listen to on a daily basis.

Comparing Generations with Bad English (either cd), I say Bad English was better. They still cared when they cut those tracks. Generations was phoned in or "computered in".

[Rick]

I hear what you're saying, Tex. However, there's a flip side to that coin. For me, Journey hasn't sounded like Journey since Trial by Fire. They sound like Bad English (on original music).

The drumming, song writing, melodies and vocals haven't been up to Journey standards on originals. Sure, Dean does a good job touring the GH's, aping Steve Smith's riffs. But when it comes to the originals, he's a one trick pony. He's just not the artist Smith is. On vocals? Well, I've always been on record that the Journey catalogue was too big for Augeri's vocals. Nice guy, hard worker, someone to admire in fact the way he took the brunt of having to fill Perry's shoes all those years. Still wasn't the right choice anymore than Larry Londin or worse, Michael Baird was a proper replacement for Steve Smith.

Without Perry's involvement in the artistic development of original songs, this band sounds like Bad English. Is that a bad thing? Not really. Just not as good as the Journey I continue to listen to on a daily basis.

Comparing Generations with Bad English (either cd), I say Bad English was better. They still cared when they cut those tracks. Generations was phoned in or "computered in".

Hadn't heard it said like that.

[STORY_TELLER]

Comparing Generations with Bad English (either cd), I say Bad English was better. They still cared when they cut those tracks. Generations was phoned in or "computered in".

I was referring to Arrival. Generations was all over the place.

[journeyrock]

I hear what you're saying, Tex. However, there's a flip side to that coin. For me, Journey hasn't sounded like Journey since Trial by Fire. They sound like Bad English (on original music).

The drumming, song writing, melodies and vocals haven't been up to Journey standards on originals. Sure, Dean does a good job touring the GH's, aping Steve Smith's riffs. But when it comes to the originals, he's a one trick pony. He's just not the artist Smith is. On vocals? Well, I've always been on record that the Journey catalogue was too big for Augeri's vocals. Nice guy, hard worker, someone to admire in fact the way he took the brunt of having to fill Perry's shoes all those years. Still wasn't the right choice anymore than Larry Londin or worse, Michael Baird was a proper replacement for Steve Smith.

Without Perry's involvement in the artistic development of original songs, this band sounds like Bad English. Is that a bad thing? Not really. Just not as good as the Journey I continue to listen to on a daily basis.

BINGO! Without Steve Perry's involvement and vocals, it ISN'T Journey because it doesn't have the "Journey Sound". So, as I've said all along, they should change the name and go forward.

[conversationpc]

You actually stated something that I've resisted saying myself for fear of getting creamed for it... haha!

Don't worry. Once you've been here long enough, you won't care if you get "creamed" or not. You just say it and that's it. That's the way to go.

[conversationpc]

Comparing Generations with Bad English (either cd), I say Bad English was better. They still cared when they cut those tracks. Generations was phoned in or "computered in".

I don't like ANY of the songs on "Backlash". It sucks. That said, "Generations" isn't up to the Journey standards but it's much better than "Backlash" anyway regardless of how it was recorded.

[StoneCold]

Comparing Generations with Bad English (either cd), I say Bad English was better. They still cared when they cut those tracks. Generations was phoned in or "computered in".

I don't like ANY of the songs on "Backlash". It sucks. That said, "Generations" isn't up to the Journey standards but it's much better than "Backlash" anyway regardless of how it was recorded.

Even this one? I like it better than anything on the first record.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1O4xZKgFDY

[texafana]

I have to admit, I'm starting to get very curious how Arnel will sound in a full out production with proper mixing, mastering, etc, in a studio environment. Same with his performance with Journey. Very curious...

[Rick]

Comparing Generations with Bad English (either cd), I say Bad English was better. They still cared when they cut those tracks. Generations was phoned in or "computered in".

I don't like ANY of the songs on "Backlash". It sucks. That said, "Generations" isn't up to the Journey standards but it's much better than "Backlash" anyway regardless of how it was recorded.

Even this one? I like it better than anything on the first record.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1O4xZKgFDY

I gotta say, even though Deen isn't technically the best drummer in the biz, I love his hard hitting style. The dude rocks.

[ArnelRox]

I have to admit, I'm starting to get very curious how Arnel will sound in a full out production with proper mixing, mastering, etc, in a studio environment. Same with his performance with Journey. Very curious...

My guess: AWESOME