journey writing a new album what are the chances of a hit?

[Big J]

If Styx couldn't get a hit with Cyclorama, then there's no place for 'classic rock' artists on today's charts unless they do some kind of genre switch ala Bon Jovi jumping to country.

Precisely. Ditto Def Leppard with X.

[ttango1]

K-Tel proudly presents SOUTHERN FRIED ROCK.

Then you'd see the endless parade of songs that fit that genre where the guy the says...

Hear songs from such Artist like Kansas(hear Dust In The Wind for a few secs) , Lynyrd Skynyrd(hear Sweet Home Alabama), and Outlaws sing the classic (There Goes Another Love Song) and many more...YOU WILL NOT FIND THIS IN ANY STORE and for the unbelievable price of $19.99 you get a choice of Tape or LP. BUY IT NOW.


Going country? Maybe some people are going back to their roots? Hey does New Jersey have lots of farmland?

[Red13JoePa]

Deano said this perfectly in a past post. For them to manufacture some success out of this, they need to push forward Arnel, make a *big* deal out of him, and promote the living shit out of the band AND their new singer. It doesn't fit in with their efforts to fool people into thinking Arnel is really Perry.

EXACTLY. They won't do it.

That's up to management/labels.
Grassroots self-promotion won't work (not that Journey would try to do that anyway).

[mistiejourney]

Looking this up on Wikipedia -

McCartney moved about 160,000 units of "Memory Almost Full" in it's first days at Starbucks and now has sold over one million units worldwide.

That's not too shabby!

When REO distributed through WalMart, they actually played gigs at WalMarts. That threw me a little bit.

If I were Journey, I'd go through Starbucks. They play the music overhead, they show pics of the bands on flat screen TVs and you can download it right on site or buy the CD when you get your latte.

I live at Starbucks so I may be partial!

[STORY_TELLER]

Where's that interview? I haven't seen this yet.

Originally posted by "PerryFaithful" in another thread:
http://forums.melodicrock.com/phpBB/vie ... hp?t=31373

Re: Bon Jovi/Aerosmith continued success today

Don't forget, guys. Those are bands that 1) Never went away. 2) Have their original band members in place (with the exception of Jovi's bass player).

With the exception of VH, it's rare for a band with a lead singer change to continue to have success. The masses simply don't support them. They have a better shot when they change the name of the band (ie. Creed/Alter Bridge).

[Enigma869]

Just don't see it, no matter how good/great the songs may be. But do they care, as long as they sell albums, and much more importantly, sell more tickets? I don't know if the Eagles had a hit come out of their latest CD, but they sure sold a lot of CDs.

A couple of points. First and foremost, Journey won't sell many cd's when they release their newest cd. Other than people who visit boards like this, nobody is lining up to purchase Journey's latest release. As for The Eagles comparison...it's not a great comparison. Remember, The Eagles still have their signature vocalist (s), a MUCH larger following, and have remained much more musically relevant, since reuniting. The Eagles also know how to promote themselves and their music, much more than Journey ever has! I honestly believe that Journey doesn't even want to draw that much attention to themselves. I believe that Schon and Cain truly believe that the fewer people who know that Perry is no longer in the band, the better! They want nothing more than to make people think the voice of Journey is the same as its always been!


John from Boston

[Tomulator]

"...They want nothing more than to make people think the voice of Journey is the same as its always been!"


John from Boston

The best way for Perry to put a stop to that concept is for him to put out a new album. It would undoubtedly "outsell" Journey's latest and would alert the public to the fact that SP is no longer with the band!

[The Sushi Hunter]

You know that old saying: "you can make some of the people happy some of the time but you can't make everyone happy all of the time." Same goes with music. Journey will put out this cd with Arnel and some of the fans who grew up on Journey will be happy but then there will be some that won't be. There will also be people who are too young to have grown up on Journey and will be happy and then there will be some that will not be happy. But the numbers that will matter to the money making end of the music industry is the greater numbers who will purchase the CD. And the greater numbers will be from the younger generation who like the new sound of Journey. That's the marketing end of this deal.

[strangegrey]

You know that old saying: "you can make some of the people happy some of the time but you can't make everyone happy all of the time." Same goes with music. Journey will put out this cd with Arnel and some of the fans who grew up on Journey will be happy but then there will be some that won't be. There will also be people who are too young to have grown up on Journey and will be happy and then there will be some that will not be happy. But the numbers that will matter to the money making end of the music industry is the greater numbers who will purchase the CD. And the greater numbers will be from the younger generation who like the new sound of Journey. That's the marketing end of this deal.

Huh?!?!?

WTF was that sentence? What were you trying to say? This just doesn't make any sense...

were you trying to say that the cd sales is the only thing that matters and that young people will be the ones buying the CD? I hate to break it to you, but that's complete hogwash. The only people buying this CD are the over 35 crowd. That's a fact. To even think out loud that there's going to be some 'young' revival of this band is reaching...and I really mean reaching hard!

I'm not so sure this new CD (especially if it's just a cd of redo's) will even come close to the sales figures of Generations. This is not a band that can move units like they were able to even 7 years ago.

[ProgRocker53]

You know that old saying: "you can make some of the people happy some of the time but you can't make everyone happy all of the time." Same goes with music. Journey will put out this cd with Arnel and some of the fans who grew up on Journey will be happy but then there will be some that won't be. There will also be people who are too young to have grown up on Journey and will be happy and then there will be some that will not be happy. But the numbers that will matter to the money making end of the music industry is the greater numbers who will purchase the CD. And the greater numbers will be from the younger generation who like the new sound of Journey. That's the marketing end of this deal.

Huh?!?!?

WTF was that sentence? What were you trying to say? This just doesn't make any sense...

were you trying to say that the cd sales is the only thing that matters and that young people will be the ones buying the CD? I hate to break it to you, but that's complete hogwash. The only people buying this CD are the over 35 crowd. That's a fact. To even think out loud that there's going to be some 'young' revival of this band is reaching...and I really mean reaching hard!

I'm not so sure this new CD (especially if it's just a cd of redo's) will even come close to the sales figures of Generations. This is not a band that can move units like they were able to even 7 years ago.

I'm 19 and I'll buy the CD. I've gotten at least 10 U21 friends into Journey in the past year (admittedly, most were because of JSS), some of which may buy the CD. There's a lot of other people I know that like Journey, although they may not be as big as a fan as I am.

There really is a young Journey market out there, but of course, the band dropped the ball and failed to market to them properly again.

[jrnyman28]

Sure there is a young market out there, but the fact is that MOST of that young market won't be buying CDs...ANY CDs.

[ProgRocker53]

Sure there is a young market out there, but the fact is that MOST of that young market won't be buying CDs...ANY CDs.

Out of my ten closest friends, eight of them regularly buy CDs and attend concerts.

Also, two are Journey fans, three like Journey, the other three are indifferent.

[The Sushi Hunter]

Granted that I was in a real hurry to write that post. What I'm saying is, don't be dissappointed if the album cover, design, looks, sound of the music, etc. seem a bit like what the younger generation is interested in. I doubt this album is going to be produced for the 80's Journey fan, though 80's Journey fans may like it. It's going to perhaps be geared towards the newer generation because there are far more of them that will buy the CD then there are of the 80's generation left to purchase it.

I work with tons of 20 some odd year olds. A lot of them get into GnR's believe it or not. They like the new stuff by the older bands. Bon Jovi is also one of these such bands that the younger generation prefers to listen to the new stuff and not the old.

[fightingilliniJRNY]

What I'm saying is, don't be dissappointed if the album cover, design, looks, sound of the music, etc. seem a bit like what the younger generation is interested in.

Disagree.

Why would they go so far as to hire someone with the "legacy sound" if they are going to change up everything that makes Journey recognizable?

[STORY_TELLER]

Granted that I was in a real hurry to write that post. What I'm saying is, don't be dissappointed if the album cover, design, looks, sound of the music, etc. seem a bit like what the younger generation is interested in. I doubt this album is going to be produced for the 80's Journey fan, though 80's Journey fans may like it. It's going to perhaps be geared towards the newer generation because there are far more of them that will buy the CD then there are of the 80's generation left to purchase it.

I work with tons of 20 some odd year olds. A lot of them get into GnR's believe it or not. They like the new stuff by the older bands. Bon Jovi is also one of these such bands that the younger generation prefers to listen to the new stuff and not the old.

The report on Caveman's blog would contradict your assumption. His vague description of their recording sessions say it's like the 80's all over again (in a good way). Like they're getting back to who they were in their heyday. Could just be hype, but it sounds like a clear intentional musical direction to repeat what they created with Perry.

[Ms_M]

To answer the original question - slim and none.

[The Sushi Hunter]

The report on Caveman's blog would contradict your assumption. His vague description of their recording sessions say it's like the 80's all over again (in a good way). Like they're getting back to who they were in their heyday. Could just be hype, but it sounds like a clear intentional musical direction to repeat what they created with Perry.

I hope that's right. I really would like to see them do that. But there is a slight chance that they may want to do things to please the vast majority. Music has changed so drastically over the past twenty years. It's all about bringing in the most sales and not just about doing what they prefer to do.

Bottom line, I rather hear the 80's style rock that I grew up listening to then something new, but I'm part of a dwindling number since my generation is no longer a marketing target in the music world.

[wastingbeerz]

stranger things have happened.melodic rock hasn't totally vanished.there are some bands out there like nickelback,three doors down,etc. that keep that sort of thing from totally going out.it would be interesting indeed to see how the fans of journey would react if they did have their first top ten in 12 years.

EWW. Nickelback & Three Doors Down aren't even in the same universe as "real" melodic rock. These bands are just whiny lame paint-by-numbers pseudo-rock just designed for radio singalong "we-think-everything-we-write-is-so-profound" airplay, masquerading as hard rock bands when nothing can be further from the truth. If i ever hear "rock star" again I'm going to most likely vomit. And by the way, I do think there's still the possibility of new Journey being a hit. Just makes me nauseated when they're mentioned in the same context as Nickelback & 3DD.

[donnaplease]

That is exactly what you said about them writing new music with Arnel (along with everyone else). At best, you'll be 1 for 2 with your predictions.

My understanding is that they didn't write squat with Arnel. Isn't it true that the music was written long before he hopped a plane from the Phillipines? Which, IMO, is the way that it will always be. Very reminiscent of the scene in 'Rockstar' when Chrizzy came back from a vacation with lots of new ideas for songs, to which the guitarist says "I always write the music". Essentially telling him to sing what he's told to sing, and STFU. I'm projecting the same thing here.

Deano said this perfectly in a past post. For them to manufacture some success out of this, they need to push forward Arnel, make a *big* deal out of him, and promote the living shit out of the band AND their new singer. It doesn't fit in with their efforts to fool people into thinking Arnel is really Perry.

As far as pushing Arnel as the new lead singer, I don't believe they will do that...here. But you can bet your ass that once they board a plane for Asia, they'll be parading his puny butt out like he's the next coming of Steve Perry. It makes me sick.

[Saint John]

That is exactly what you said about them writing new music with Arnel (along with everyone else). At best, you'll be 1 for 2 with your predictions.

My understanding is that they didn't write squat with Arnel. Isn't it true that the music was written long before he hopped a plane from the Phillipines? Which, IMO, is the way that it will always be. Very reminiscent of the scene in 'Rockstar' when Chrizzy came back from a vacation with lots of new ideas for songs, to which the guitarist says "I always write the music". Essentially telling him to sing what he's told to sing, and STFU. I'm projecting the same thing here.

Deano said this perfectly in a past post. For them to manufacture some success out of this, they need to push forward Arnel, make a *big* deal out of him, and promote the living shit out of the band AND their new singer. It doesn't fit in with their efforts to fool people into thinking Arnel is really Perry.

As far as pushing Arnel as the new lead singer, I don't believe they will do that...here. But you can bet your ass that once they board a plane for Asia, they'll be parading his puny butt out like he's the next coming of Steve Perry. It makes me sick.

1) Doesn't matter who wrote it...it's new music. Everyone said this wouldn't happen.

2) I hope, but am skeptical, they showcase Arnel and openly tout him as the new lead singer.

[mistiejourney]

That is exactly what you said about them writing new music with Arnel (along with everyone else). At best, you'll be 1 for 2 with your predictions.

My understanding is that they didn't write squat with Arnel. Isn't it true that the music was written long before he hopped a plane from the Phillipines? Which, IMO, is the way that it will always be. Very reminiscent of the scene in 'Rockstar' when Chrizzy came back from a vacation with lots of new ideas for songs, to which the guitarist says "I always write the music". Essentially telling him to sing what he's told to sing, and STFU. I'm projecting the same thing here.

Deano said this perfectly in a past post. For them to manufacture some success out of this, they need to push forward Arnel, make a *big* deal out of him, and promote the living shit out of the band AND their new singer. It doesn't fit in with their efforts to fool people into thinking Arnel is really Perry.

As far as pushing Arnel as the new lead singer, I don't believe they will do that...here. But you can bet your ass that once they board a plane for Asia, they'll be parading his puny butt out like he's the next coming of Steve Perry. It makes me sick.

No way will Arnel be "pushed" in the USA. If he were, we'd be hearing it right and left from every radio station and rock magazine in the country. They have not started building him up yet and concert season will be here before you know it.

I guess they will have to play to the market where ever they are. If there is a music market in the world where short, curly-haired guitarists were all the rage, they'd be pushing Neal like nobody's business.

Doesn't Arnel already have a following in the Asian markets, or was that a long time ago?

As far as the USA, those in the grass seats at the amphetheaters (the casual or Journey-as-part-of-a-festival crowd) could not care less about who is singing. IF I ever attended an Arnel fronted Journey concert, I'm sure I'd hear "Wow, I didn't know Steve Perry was asian!" on the way out of the venue.

[Voyager]

If the new album sells more than 100,000 copies it will be a miracle.

[Rick]

If the new album sells more than 100,000 copies it will be a miracle.

They wont sell any more than Loverboy did with their new album. Loverboy went straight back to the original formula. Kevin Shirley hinted that Journey did that with this new effort. There just doesn't seem to be much of a market for that in the music climate of today.

[strangegrey]

I'm 19 and I'll buy the CD......

A few points there. #1, you're going to want to get that 11.99 back. #2, You're a minority. Just because you will be able to convince a few friends to buy the thing along side you, I will eat the vulva of a 3-day old dead cow if the 15-25 year old crowd even makes up a significant minority of album purchases for this new album.

There really is a young Journey market out there, but of course, the band dropped the ball and failed to market to them properly again.

And they will drop the ball again, and again, and again. I'm sorry to say, this is not their first chance to do the whole 'carpe diem' thing. Listen, I'll be alongside you cheering them on if they can pull it off. But if there is at all a young market, it is a slim, small young market...that is made up of a generation that has an attention span of 12.42 milliseconds. The business machine behind this band is *not* prepared to do what is necessary to keep up with the current crop of popular music. Assoff (and the rest of Journey's management) were never interested in spending any more than the bare minimum to maintain a web presence, their efforts to truly push this band into the public consciousness fail miserably. The only member of the band that ever had marginally successful promotion of the band's music, was Steve Perry (with his remasters, journey in houston dvd, etc)....and by all accounts, he's out of the loop now. I really think this is a case of dressing up yet another pig with a different shade of lipstick. This band doesn't want to engage it's potentially young audience on the medium (the net) that this young audience resides in. Think about it...I can tell you from first-hand, personal experience that if the band could do this without the internet and without going down the necessary road to reach teens....they would do it in a heartbeat. So what they will do is to put up a bare-minimum effort.....just so they can get the record out to enough 35+ people to justify a tour, so they can make a little money selling merch.

The report on Caveman's blog would contradict your assumption. His vague description of their recording sessions say it's like the 80's all over again (in a good way). Like they're getting back to who they were in their heyday. Could just be hype, but it sounds like a clear intentional musical direction to repeat what they created with Perry.

They said the same thing about Generations with Kevin Elson producing. Sorry, to me that just sounds like Hype. Do you expect Kevin Shirley to not want to trump this thing up? If I just produced Journey, I wouldn't come out and go "Damn, it sounds like Nirvana and it's 1993 all over again!"