Journey, Loverboy, Night Ranger aim to cheese

[tater1977]

Journey, Loverboy, Night Ranger aim to cheese


http://www.edmontonsun.com/2012/11/28/j ... -to-cheese


By Mike Ross,Edmonton Sun

For a bunch of bands whose very names together constitute one of the most frightening bills in concert history – Journey, Loverboy, Night Ranger – they sure know how to put on a rock ‘n’ roll show.

It you didn’t know it was supposed to be cheesy, it might’ve been great.

The solid turn-out at Rexall Place Tuesday night is more evidence that this sort of thing is coming back. Call it hair metal, ‘80s cheese, corporate rock, whatever, the entire show was a vivid ''journey” through time to an era that never existed. You know that Star Trek episode when they went to an alternate Earth where the Roman Empire never fell? It’s like that, except with music and the ‘90s and a good chunk of the ‘00s never happened. No Nirvana. No grunge. No cynicism. No irony. Just glorious, long-haired, major-keyed, escapist classic rock goodness from one decade to the next.

Journey played as if they reigned supreme throughout the ages, too, pulling out all the stops for a show rich in those close happy vocal harmonies, manicured guitar riffs and polished power balladry for which they are known, and – in another world – reviled. Here in the safety of the bubble of the hockey arena, of course, there was only joy. The cheers came more for the vivid memories more than their delivery, which was almost flawless, songs like Any Way You Want It or the slow number Faithfully, or Open Arms, preceded by Jonathan Cain’s impressive piano solo, or later, for Don’t Stop Believin’ – no prompting necessary with this crowd, who were by then in full nostalgic regression. There was even a Journey-esque guitar shredding rendition of O Canada. O man.

It was amazing to consider that this once huge, yet once forgotten band drew an impressive 11,000 fans to the big arena despite the fact that Steve Perry has long since been replaced by a Filipino singer named Arnel Pineda (though it appeared a good number of the local Filipino community turned up to see him). With the other band members taking their turns on lead vocals – all of them gifted with that classic hard rock opera singer voice - Pineda nailed just about everything he did - and what he didn’t was just proudly pitchy - while the band plowed through the Journey canon as if the last 20 years never happened.

Earlier, Loverboy sure showed how they have a lot of fans in this town. The crowd stood up for Turn Me Loose, stayed up for Working for the Weekend, and sang along to every “whoa-oh-oh” they could. Singer Mike Reno, a little rough around the edges, a little thicker in the middle, could still hit those super high notes. A more cynical reviewer might say that this entire concert was best experienced with your eyes closed, so just never mind. Being back in an arena again has obviously energized this band. Reno looked like he was about to cry tears of joy at the reception he got. There were a few cheesy moments - or would’ve been had the Roman Empire fell when it was supposed to – but even that didn’t seem to matter. We don’t know for cheese in this universe.

Even more alternate reality was experienced with the opening act Night Ranger. Amazingly, the band played its short set to an arena full of cheering fans, not to empty seats as is usual for a support act that comes on two hours before the headliner. Their first appearance in Edmonton had plenty of Spinal Tappian rock moments, more shredding double lead solos, more dramatic power ballads, and more classic rock clichés, plus a reading of Sister Christian that brought the house down and the singer to his knees. It might’ve been funny were it not delivered with such joy and sincerity. As with Journey and Loverboy, this stuff works because they believe it.

Should’ve seen this coming. Scientific American had an article about how pop music has become more “moody” in the last 50 years, with more hits in minor keys than major ones, but the tide has clearly turned the other way. Everything comes in cycles. And consider Rock of Ages – HUGE hit on Broadway, and recently in Edmonton. And what is the climactic song, the thing that ties it all together? You guessed it, same as it was Tuesday night: Don’t Stop Believin’. Coincidence? I think not!

[The Sushi Hunter]

Steve Perry was not replaced by Arnel.

[brywool]

wow, did a former writer for Rolling Stone pen this? I wish to God grunge never happened and I'm from Seattle.

[The Sushi Hunter]

I could be wrong but I just get the vibes that this article was crafted for readers in or from the Philippines. Key words and ideals is what gives it away.

[steveo777]

I could be wrong but I just get the vibes that this article was crafted for readers in or from the Philippines. Key words and ideals is what gives it away.

Nope, Mike Ross looks like a tired old whitey, old enough to remember Journey in the heyday.

[The Sushi Hunter]

I could be wrong but I just get the vibes that this article was crafted for readers in or from the Philippines. Key words and ideals is what gives it away.

Nope, Mike Ross looks like a tired old whitey, old enough to remember Journey in the heyday.

From reading his background, it sounds like Mike Ross is the last person that should be writing an article about Journey.

[JRNYMAN]

Nope, Mike Ross looks like a tired old whitey, old enough to remember Journey in the heyday.

Hey!!! Wait just a cotton-pickin' minute there pal!!! I am old enough to remember them in their heyday. Does that make me a "tired old whitey?!" {{Glances at reflection in mirror...}} Never mind.....

[Rick]

Nope, Mike Ross looks like a tired old whitey, old enough to remember Journey in the heyday.

Hey!!! Wait just a cotton-pickin' minute there pal!!! I am old enough to remember them in their heyday. Does that make me a "tired old whitey?!" {{Glances at reflection in mirror...}} Never mind.....

My reflection says the same.

[artist4perry]

Nope, Mike Ross looks like a tired old whitey, old enough to remember Journey in the heyday.

Hey!!! Wait just a cotton-pickin' minute there pal!!! I am old enough to remember them in their heyday. Does that make me a "tired old whitey?!" {{Glances at reflection in mirror...}} Never mind.....

My reflection says the same.

But you know when a reporter makes a glib snobby statement like this it tells me they were never the Journey, Night Ranger, Loverboy fan anyway....these are the people who like the type of crap that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominate and make us all roll our eyes in disgust. These are the "purist" who think that everything good in music has to be from the Woodstock protest style, or as mentioned above the grunge era...boy was the grunge era properly named...

I never pay these snobs a bit of attention....most of them are total bores as humans go and so their music follows suit. These elitist snobs seldom have good taste........they probably drive a powder blue Prius, buy art from people who wipe feces on a board and have it framed, and think a colon cleansing is a party.

In my best response to these folks............. Blow it out your ear.

[steveo777]

Nope, Mike Ross looks like a tired old whitey, old enough to remember Journey in the heyday.

Hey!!! Wait just a cotton-pickin' minute there pal!!! I am old enough to remember them in their heyday. Does that make me a "tired old whitey?!" {{Glances at reflection in mirror...}} Never mind.....

My reflection says the same.

But you know when a reporter makes a glib snobby statement like this it tells me they were never the Journey, Night Ranger, Loverboy fan anyway....these are the people who like the type of crap that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominate and make us all roll our eyes in disgust. These are the "purist" who think that everything good in music has to be from the Woodstock protest style, or as mentioned above the grunge era...boy was the grunge era properly named...

I never pay these snobs a bit of attention....most of them are total bores as humans go and so their music follows suit. These elitist snobs seldom have good taste........they probably drive a powder blue Prius, buy art from people who wipe feces on a board and have it framed, and think a colon cleansing is a party.

In my best response to these folks............. Blow it out your ear.

Ginger, this is a very strong post from you, who normally doesn't bother even addressing this kind of crap. You are growing!!!!

[SherriBerry]

What is it with these music journalists who think that putting a band down somehow makes themselves seem cool? It doesn't - it makes them seem like hoity jerks. I have a feeling the writer of that article thinks Gotye is the second coming. I was at the Journey/Loverboy/Night Ranger concert in Kelowna and it was awesome! No "cheese" - just three very talented bands who actually play live and are freaking amazing.

Night Ranger opened, but the concert started ten minutes early, so it wasn't until they had nearly finished their set that the arena mostly filled up. They included a Damn Yankees song in their set and ended with 'Sister Christian' - there was nothing funny about it. The crowd loved it and sang along in a few parts. I was watching them play and thinking what a total travesty it is that kids today don't get to grow up on music like this.

Loverboy was another great surprise, because they still sound damned good! So what if they've aged? So have the rest of us! They had the crowd out of their seats and cheering, singing along, and loving every minute of it ( ). Mike Reno grew up in Penticton, so he's from the Okanagan and it was a great homecoming. I was in the 4th grade when 'Working For the Weekend' hit the charts, so I'm grateful these guys are touring and I got the chance to see them live.

Journey was the headliner and worth waiting for! I was too young to see them in the 80s and it was a great experience to get to go to the concert. There seemed to be a bit of distortion with the sound on some of their songs, but Arnel did an excellent job. He struggled a little bit on 'Faithfully', but was perfect on 'Open Arms'. Jon did a beautiful piano solo that led into 'Open Arms' and sang Gregg Rolie's part in a duet with Deen on 'Just the Same Way'. Neal might be extending the guitar solos in some songs a wee bit, but his live playing is flawless and he did an amazing rendition of 'O, Canada'. One of the highlights for me was Deen singing two songs - I would have been extremely disappointed if he hadn't! I'm pretty sure most of the audience were not expecting that and it blew them away - what a talent. Ross doesn't have any solos, but he's quite the character and some of his expressions for the camera went up on the big screen and brought a lot of fun to the show.

The band closed with 'DSB' (of course) and came back for an encore with 'LTS'. Everyone appreciated the encore, but I don't think it's the best song for that. They build up to a certain level on 'DSB' and while no song is going to match that in terms of popularity, 'LTS' is a bit too mellow. I would have preferred to hear 'Higher Place', 'All the Way', or 'Message of Love'! No complaints though - I loved it and the entire concert is going to be a great memory! The tickets were an early Christmas present from my brother who is the best.

[Yoda]

I always feel that some of these music journalists are in big with the mega music record labels and so their main purpose is to divert from the bands who actually still can perform and make most of their music from performance rather than the new music they release.

[jrny84]

This is not a surprise at all. Critics and Journalists have been doing this for years, even despite Journey being a massively successful band back in the late 70s and 80s.

I would challenge those rock critics and journalists to find another rock band that has lost on of the best rock voices on the planet and despite that still continues to sell out arenas and consistently performs to 5,000 to 10,000+ people per night. There is no greater challenge as a band than to lose the voice of the group. To come back to the forefront like Journey has is remarkable. Yes, they did have to start near the bottom in the early 2000s, but they are very popular again. People dont realize that even when Augeri was with the band, they had been consistently in the top 20 most successful concert tours almost every year. The last four years they have been in the top 20 most successful tours every year they have toured.

What other rock band has done this without their most recognizable voice and still is touring successfully today? The only band that comes to mind for me is Van Halen.

[Arkansas]

What is it with these music journalists who think that putting a band down somehow makes themselves seem cool?

It doesn't make them cool, it just gets them web hits. Remember, their business to be read & debated, not necessarily liked.


later~

[DracIsBack]

What is it with these music journalists who think that putting a band down somehow makes themselves seem cool?

That's the music critic way. They like to think their 'opinions' are 'facts'. They believe they are the authority on good taste. And sadly, many 'music critics' don't know the first thing about playing an instrument. You give them a musical band and they trash it. See Journey, Toto, Queen, Chicago and other 'musician bands' and they criticize like no one's business.

.I have a feeling the writer of that article thinks Gotye is the second coming

.

Haha! I actually saw Gotye live a few months back and was quite impressed. Not 'the second coming', but definitely unique and very good live.

Loverboy was another great surprise, because they still sound damned good!

I loved Loverboy when I saw them because they had a pile of fun playing up their 80s image. And even though Mike Reno was old and overweight, he showed he could nail high notes still.

[SherriBerry]

What is it with these music journalists who think that putting a band down somehow makes themselves seem cool?

That's the music critic way. They like to think their 'opinions' are 'facts'. They believe they are the authority on good taste. And sadly, many 'music critics' don't know the first thing about playing an instrument. You give them a musical band and they trash it. See Journey, Toto, Queen, Chicago and other 'musician bands' and they criticize like no one's business.

.I have a feeling the writer of that article thinks Gotye is the second coming

.

Haha! I actually saw Gotye live a few months back and was quite impressed. Not 'the second coming', but definitely unique and very good live.

Loverboy was another great surprise, because they still sound damned good!

I loved Loverboy when I saw them because they had a pile of fun playing up their 80s image. And even though Mike Reno was old and overweight, he showed he could nail high notes still.

I don't mind Gotye, but I liked 'Somebody That I Used to Know' a lot more before I literally heard it everywhere I went! Most recently was in the dentist's chair while he tried to find the sensitive spot on a back tooth (exposed root from braces back in the 80s) that nearly launched me out the chair when the hygienist poked it by accident with a sharp metal instrument - not a great association. I think my eyes were as bugged out as this emoticon's when that happened! Any other songs of his that you recommend?