Fans' Suggestions to the Band on New Journey Album

[JRNYFan]

I'd like to see them re-collaborate with Jack Blades.
For my money, tracks like "Remember Me" and "Never Too Late" come closest to rivaling the Perry years in terms of quality.
In the case of "Higher Place", I'd argue it even exceeds them.
Blades provides the necessary missing X-factor to the songwriting mix.

Could not agree more. Bring back Blades.

I was thinking the same thing as well.

[The Sushi Hunter]

My only suggestion, put only new AP fronted tracks on the new album. I know I know it won't happen because of this, that, and whatnot, but that's what I would like to see happen on a new Journey album.

[Lerxst101]

I'd like to see them re-collaborate with Jack Blades.
For my money, tracks like "Remember Me" and "Never Too Late" come closest to rivaling the Perry years in terms of quality.
In the case of "Higher Place", I'd argue it even exceeds them.
Blades provides the necessary missing X-factor to the songwriting mix.

Could not agree more. Bring back Blades.

I was thinking the same thing as well.

Though I prefer bands writing their own songs, I can't agree more. Something's missing when it's just Schon/Cain. Blades or Glen Burtnik (co-wrote "No More Lies" with Neal and Hammer), I believe, might fill the void left behind by Perry (pipe dream -- at least collaborate with him on a song or two...).

[Ehwmatt]

I'd like to see them re-collaborate with Jack Blades.
For my money, tracks like "Remember Me" and "Never Too Late" come closest to rivaling the Perry years in terms of quality.
In the case of "Higher Place", I'd argue it even exceeds them.
Blades provides the necessary missing X-factor to the songwriting mix.
As Monker has pointed, the Schon/Cain stuff is good, but sounds a little like Bad English at times.

I'm also up for Arnel contributing, just as long as he's got the goods.
I'm a huge fan of Augeri's non-Journey work, but his solo contributions to "Generations" ("Butterfly", "Believe") were negligible.

TNC, this is so spot-on from start to finish it's scary. Higher Place is a top 5 Journey track for me... Remember and Never Too Late are awesome as well. I would love to see Never Too Late re-mastered (NOT re-recorded)... I don't listen to it as much as I should because of that shitty mastering job on Generations

[Jana]

I'd like to see them re-collaborate with Jack Blades.
For my money, tracks like "Remember Me" and "Never Too Late" come closest to rivaling the Perry years in terms of quality.
In the case of "Higher Place", I'd argue it even exceeds them.
Blades provides the necessary missing X-factor to the songwriting mix.

Could not agree more. Bring back Blades.

I was thinking the same thing as well.

Great post. I agree about Blades writing with them. I loved the rock element but sophistication of many of the songs and the beautiful melodies on Arrival. It was more of a mature rock album but definitely was not 80s sound, great extension of Journey sound but updated; whereas, TBF bordered on a rock band gone to ballads and pop completely, except a few songs.

[steveo777]

As suggested on a thread a while back by someone, I would like them to add two bonus live tracks from the Manila concert to the new album. I would choose What I Needed. I haven't decided about the second one until I watch both DVDs.

Which ones, Jana? Open Arms or WYLAW?

[Jana]

As suggested on a thread a while back by someone, I would like them to add two bonus live tracks from the Manila concert to the new album. I would choose What I Needed. I haven't decided about the second one until I watch both DVDs.

Which ones, Jana? Open Arms or WYLAW?

How about WYLAW.

[steveo777]

As suggested on a thread a while back by someone, I would like them to add two bonus live tracks from the Manila concert to the new album. I would choose What I Needed. I haven't decided about the second one until I watch both DVDs.

Which ones, Jana? Open Arms or WYLAW?

How about WYLAW.

Cool...I feel another Grammy Nom coming!

[portland]

As suggested on a thread a while back by someone, I would like them to add two bonus live tracks from the Manila concert to the new album. I would choose What I Needed. I haven't decided about the second one until I watch both DVDs.

Which ones, Jana? Open Arms or WYLAW?

How about WYLAW.

Cool...I feel another Grammy Nom coming!

FOR WHAT?????

[Escape81]

11-15 track album, a couple of duets for Deen & two rockers for every ballad.

[JasonD]

I wouldn't mind seeing a Christmas album but only if it was done in the traditional Christmas sense....... none of this cool-Santa-wearing-shades-rocking-around-the-Christmas-tree crapola. I don't wanna hear no wicked guitar riffs on Silent Night.

[Escape81]

I think Neal mentioned something about a conceptual album in a recent interview..... perhaps he could bring Gregg Rolie back as a 2nd keyboardist? I love Jon, but Gregg does prog better... and interaction between the two would be great!

[wednesday's child]

I think Neal mentioned something about a conceptual album in a recent interview..... perhaps he could bring Gregg Rolie back as a 2nd keyboardist? I love Jon, but Gregg does prog better... and interaction between the two would be great!

"Gregg Rolie's been doing Prog?"
"Agghhhhh... Proggyy, no!!! You're still a young mannn!!!!"


-=-=-=-=-=-
Seriously though, Journey should stop writing to win a CMA.
Let Arnel write, otherwise the unfair "karaoke" stigma will linger.
If they can get Rolie, great. Why not Augeri too?

[The Sushi Hunter]

I wouldn't mind seeing a Christmas album but only if it was done in the traditional Christmas sense....... none of this cool-Santa-wearing-shades-rocking-around-the-Christmas-tree crapola. I don't wanna hear no wicked guitar riffs on Silent Night.

You and my mom would get along really well.

[parfait]

The most important thing is to be critical about the songs, and cut out the "OK" ones, so at the end the album doesn't have more than 10 GOOD tracks instead of 16 OK tracks. Find some new song writers other than Cain and Neal, make the drums stand out more in the mix, more rockers/mid rockers and don't let Cain sprinkle his magic cliché powder on every freaking song.

[Escape81]

I think Neal mentioned something about a conceptual album in a recent interview..... perhaps he could bring Gregg Rolie back as a 2nd keyboardist? I love Jon, but Gregg does prog better... and interaction between the two would be great!

"Gregg Rolie's been doing Prog?"
"Agghhhhh... Proggyy, no!!! You're still a young mannn!!!!"


-=-=-=-=-=-
Seriously though, Journey should stop writing to win a CMA.
Let Arnel write, otherwise the unfair "karaoke" stigma will linger.
If they can get Rolie, great. Why not Augeri too?

I don't understand the quoted statements....if they're a joke, it went over my head. Arnel should write if he can bring the goods. (Can he?) But why would they bring back Steve A.?

[Michigan Girl]

I think Neal mentioned something about a conceptual album in a recent interview..... perhaps he could bring Gregg Rolie back as a 2nd keyboardist? I love Jon, but Gregg does prog better... and interaction between the two would be great!

"Gregg Rolie's been doing Prog?"
"Agghhhhh... Proggyy, no!!! You're still a young mannn!!!!"


-=-=-=-=-=-
Seriously though, Journey should stop writing to win a CMA.
Let Arnel write, otherwise the unfair "karaoke" stigma will linger.
If they can get Rolie, great. Why not Augeri too?

I don't understand the quoted statements....if they're a joke, it went over my head. Arnel should write if he can bring the goods. (Can he?) But why would they bring back Steve A.?

It is a joke, Proggy~Pooh is a member here and a fine young man.
Wech, on the other hand, is a nut, but a fine young man!!!

[Cris]

No more ballads, please.

[brywool]

My only suggestion, put only new AP fronted tracks on the new album. I know I know it won't happen because of this, that, and whatnot, but that's what I would like to see happen on a new Journey album.

I totally agree. Don't go into the past. Don't have the other members sing. Make sure peeps KNOW that Arnel's THE voice of Journey now and drill it home.

Keep the album rocking with maybe 2 ballads. Anymore than that is NOT a good thing.

[MrsPerry]

Neal has a good set of pipes (Insert all sorts of jokes here) .....and i would like to hear him sing a song himself.

[Escape81]

Ehhh.... I personally believe that Generations was enough when I think of listening to the other members of the band..... if there are other singers on the album, it needs to be in a duet IMO. No solo tunes.

[Jana]

P.S. Rock it out, but don't forget a couple ballads and plenty of mid-tempo rock songs also, b/c they are the staple for many Journey fans. And don't forget to use the clear soaring part of Arnel's vocals. I heard a recent clip of him doing an impromptu Bono song here in the States, and he has such an amazing voice, so use that crystal clear tenor vocal sound to your advantage in the album.

[Sarah]

I demand that they give Deen lead on a song, but don't let anyone else take lead or duet, haha.