Freedom out now - thoughts

[JourneyHard]

Here is something about Freedom:

https://www.facebook.com/journey/posts/ ... &ref=notif


According to this, Freedom did NOT bomb. Freedom is awesome! People need to try Freedom! They will like it!

[Journey/Survivor]

Here is something about Freedom:

https://www.facebook.com/journey/posts/ ... &ref=notif


According to this, Freedom did NOT bomb. Freedom is awesome! People need to try Freedom! They will like it!

I'm unable to read Facebook posts, so I don't know what it says?

But I would agree that by today's standards of sales that I don't think that Freedom has "bombed" in anyway.

On a side note I'm having a difficult moment right now, because Journey are doing a show right now that's only about 30 miles away from me, and I'm not there.

[Archetype]

Here is something about Freedom:

https://www.facebook.com/journey/posts/ ... &ref=notif


According to this, Freedom did NOT bomb. Freedom is awesome! People need to try Freedom! They will like it!

The only metric on that post that really means anything in terms of the success of the album is the Billboard 200, at which Freedom came in at #88. That’s pretty much a flop. Hell I’m pretty sure Styx did significantly better than that with The Mission.

As for the other charts that Freedom debuted at #1 on, those are the same charts that groups like Kamelot, Evergrey, and Sonata Arctica regularly top, so that’s not really saying anything.

[Monker]

Here is something about Freedom:

https://www.facebook.com/journey/posts/ ... &ref=notif


According to this, Freedom did NOT bomb. Freedom is awesome! People need to try Freedom! They will like it!

The only metric on that post that really means anything in terms of the success of the album is the Billboard 200, at which Freedom came in at #88. That’s pretty much a flop. Hell I’m pretty sure Styx did significantly better than that with The Mission.

You're correct...The Mission was at #45. CotC was at 115, but it had legs and reentered the Rock album chart a year later...and IMO is the better album of the three (including Freedom).

People are making excuses for Journey.

[JourneyHard]

I keep loving Freedom more and more every time I listen to it. I don't know what the rest of you are listening to, but what I am hearing is awesome.

[19td73]

I keep loving Freedom more and more every time I listen to it. I don't know what the rest of you are listening to, but what I am hearing is awesome.

Hey to each his own, I gotta agree with you. Going on a month now and I'm still digging this as well. Could care less about chart positions.

[Journey/Survivor]

I was going to say myself that we the fans didn't lose any money by the album supposedly not selling well. It's a great album, that's what's important. The guys in Journey are already multi-millionaires, and I'm sure they're still going to make a profit off of Freedom anyway.

[Monker]

I was going to say myself that we the fans didn't lose any money by the album supposedly not selling well. It's a great album, that's what's important. The guys in Journey are already multi-millionaires, and I'm sure they're still going to make a profit off of Freedom anyway.

Uh, it depends on the contract that "management" (Neal?) agreed to. If management (Neal) signed something that said they had to sell 100,000 copies before the band made anything, then they made NOTHING.

[Gideon]

It’s been a month and Freedom hasn’t held up well for me. Shitty production and too much filler.

I still play You Got the Best of Me, Don’t Go, Life Rolls On, All Day and All Night, and Together We Run.

ECL1P53 was much better and so’s new Generation Radio album.

[Journey/Survivor]

It’s been a month and Freedom hasn’t held up well for me. Shitty production and too much filler.

I still play You Got the Best of Me, Don’t Go, Life Rolls On, All Day and All Night, and Together We Run.

ECL1P53 was much better and so’s new Generation Radio album.

I might tend to agree with you about Eclipse being better than Freedom. But I do love Freedom.

[Journey/Survivor]

I had a friend of mine put in an order for the Japanese Frontiers release of Freedom with the bonus track for me.

My friend received his domestic BMG copy of Freedom on the day that it was released on July 8th.

Since I'm a far bigger Journey fan than him and because he also ordered several other CDs for himself from CD Japan that were delaying my copy of Freedom, he let me borrow his domestic copy of Freedom at the time.

Both my friend and myself know how to properly handle CDs without ever scratching the disc or getting fingerprints or dust or other junk on the disc.

My CD player is about 30 years old. It does not play CDs very well at all that are really long CDs. If it's a CDR that is packed with songs on the entire disc it does not track the songs very well. It will stop playing songs that are on long CDs or sometimes start over at the beginning of the disc when it was half way through a song.

So while I had my friends domestic Copy of Freedom released by BMG, it kept on stopping playing songs and telling me that there was no disc in the player because it couldn't track the songs properly.

There wasn't any scratches, fingerprints or dust anywhere on the disc, but it kept shutting down and telling me that there wasn't a disc in the player when there was.

I finally received my Japanese copy of Freedom tonight that was released by Frontiers.

I really like the bonus track. It's a nice ballad.

The packaging of the Japanese Frontiers Freedom disc is better than the BMG release. It has a better and safer (Less likely to fall out) jewel case, and it has an additional booklet with the lyrics in Japanese as well as the same booklet that comes in the BMG release.

I had not managed to play my friends BMG copy all of the way through even once without it dropping a song right in the middle.
I listened one time through to this Frontiers release of Freedom and it never skipped or shut down at any point.

Also, my Frontiers release of Freedom is 16 tracks instead of 15 tracks. The way that it has always worked with this CD player of mine is that the more songs that are on it the worse that it plays.

It could be my imagination, but I also thought that the overall sound quality was ever so slightly better on the Frontiers release.

[JourneyHard]

I have been listening to Freedom for over a month and I finally noticed something. When the song Beautiful As You Are starts rocking, it sounds like Don't Stop Believin'. How come I didn't notice this sooner? The music part is very similar. Perhaps they should play this in concert, and people who never heard it before might like it without knowing why, but subconsciously it is because it sounds like DSB.

[JohnH]

Just got it and listened to it today . Love it instantly on first try. I didn't listen to a lot of the previews or even entire songs . I prefer to just get it and get into it . Excellent . Look forward to more and more spins in coming weeks. Have some car trips too I will be putting it on.

[Journey/Survivor]

Just got it and listened to it today . Love it instantly on first try. I didn't listen to a lot of the previews or even entire songs . I prefer to just get it and get into it . Excellent . Look forward to more and more spins in coming weeks. Have some car trips too I will be putting it on.

If you didn't buy the Frontiers release of Freedom from Japan, you should also go to YouTube and checkout the bonus track "Hard To Let It Go."

[Archetype]

I’ve yet to listen to Freedom start to finish in one sitting, likely won’t ever. The songs just don’t grab me at all.

[Eric]

I’ve yet to listen to Freedom start to finish in one sitting, likely won’t ever. The songs just don’t grab me at all.

Neither Freedom nor Eclipse are immediately catchy, but after a few listens both albums produce a superior re-listen value for me...

[carleysdad]

Dreadful album.

[jestor92]

I listened to Freedom twice in the past week or so. Here are some of the thoughts I had.

The production/mixing is the worst I’ve heard on an album from a name act since Metallica’s St. Anger. Only the drums seem to be leveled sonically throughout the album. The rest of the album there are songs where the the guitars, keyboards, bass, even Arnel are mixed way to low to the point it’s hard to even hear them.

The album sounds a lot better on headphones/earbuds then they do on the car radio. I’m not sure why.

The songs miss Dean Castronovo’s backing vocals. Journey as a band is known for soaring vocals. Arnel sounds pretty good on the album, but the harmonies on the backing vocals just sound so flat and at times lifeless.

These were the 3rd and 4th times I’ve listened to the album and other than Don’t Give Up On Us there wasn’t anything that really caught my ears and was memorable or hooked me. Dean’s song was moody which was cool on the first listen. There were some other songs that I felt ran to long like Live to Love Again. Felt it would’ve been a solid 4-4:15 minute song.

Overall I have to say for my ears it’s the worst album that the band has released by a large margin. I respect those who love the album and I’m glad you feel that way.

[DK23]

Here’s my review of the album several months late (using the grading style someone else used on here):

Freedom is the title of the album and is long overdue. The album artwork does strike me as modern, fresh, and eye-catching, though not very artistic.

The mix is just not good and has more of a negative impact on some songs than others. Nevertheless, considering how this record was produced during social distancing and organized via webcam, I can look past it. Fortunately, I still could pick out and listen to the individual instruments on every song. New Journey music is monumental and something worth getting excited over, regardless.

Onto the songs:

1. Together We Run – A+
A song that Narada brought to the table thinking it was perfect for Journey. He is right. To me, this is a perfect leadoff track and the one and only thematic successor to Don't Stop Believin' in Journey’s catalog. The vocalizing in the chorus is catchy as heck and might be the catchiest of anything on this album. Big thanks to Narada for bringing this song to Journey. I could practically hear Narada’s coaching and influence on Arnel on this one. What great results. Sets the bar high for the rest of the album.

Standout performance: Arnel, Narada

2. Don’t Give Up On Us – A+
After the first minute of listening to this single when it was first released, I thought to myself that it, unfortunately, had the makings of a typical track from a typical AOR band from Europe these days. But as soon as the chorus kicked in, I was reminded why Journey is Journey. It is one of the best choruses Journey has ever put out and is enhanced by the intensity of the lyrics. I couldn’t stop listening to it. I was downright giddy listening to the final chorus on first listen and I don’t know when’s the last time a song did that to me. It’s better than Never Walk Away (which has a similar-sounding chorus to me), and better than To Be Alive Again.

A lot of people have knocked it due to some apparent similarity to Separate Ways (which is 40 years old). I’m not sure I hear Separate Ways anywhere here besides a brief piano intro and a breakdown mid-song. This is not Message of Love and the comparisons to Separate Ways are unfounded and overlook the greatness of this song. The melody stands on its own.

Up to this point, Turn Down the World Tonight has been my hands-down favorite track post-Perry. This is on its way to surpass it.

Standout performance: Arnel, Jon, Neal

3. Still Believe In Love – A+
I want to replay my reaction, joy, and excitement I experienced the night the album dropped after I heard Together We Run followed by Don’t Give Up On Us and then this song. It has an atmosphere that envelops you and backs it up with effective harmonies. It’s moody and has an inventive sound that I didn’t know Journey still had in them. A lot of credit goes to Neal and Narada for this one for providing such a good guitar and production, respectively. Early in the album, this feels like a band firing on all cylinders.

Standout performance: Arnel, Neal, Randy, Narada

4. You Got The Best Of Me – A
This is as classic a “Journey track” as it gets; however, it is mired by the muddiness of the chorus mix. It has a big, anthemic chorus that Jon Cain deserves credit for somehow producing over and over with ease. Jon’s piano is ever present, Narada’s drums fit right in, and Neal leads us out with some non-repetitive, fun guitar work.

Standout performance: Jon, Neal, Narada

5. Live to Love Again – B+
This is a song for a specific person going through a specific hardship; however, it’s not difficult to sympathize or even empathize with the character in this song. More than a love song, it is a self-love song and Jon Cain again earns kudos for this. Its impact comes across effortlessly. The build-up at the end is the best moment of the song but it does not reach a vocal height ala Steve Perry, which I think is a miss on their part. While Neal is deserving of some of the criticism tossed his way, Neal deserves credit for delivering stellar guitar work here, even though it may be something we’ve heard him play before.

Standout performance: Jon, Neal

The first 5 songs are all classic Journey that I would put up against any of the first 5 songs on any of their albums. The next 11 songs are where they get to experiment and have fun by providing various stripes of fans with what they want or didn’t know that they want.

6. The Way We Used To Be – B+
Our first look into the new Journey, this album shows how effective Jon Cain is with his writing. It’s obviously about the pandemic but is still adaptable when taken out of that context. It’s a solid song that I played the heck out of when it was first released and gives us the first example of the album of that new “strut” Neal told us about. Neal’s best guitar work is on this song. It receives bonus points for having a decent music video (style recommended by Randy) that passes the extremely low bar set by Resonate.

Standout performance: Neal, Randy, Narada

7. Come Away With Me – A-
Journey’s last album, Eclipse, was chock-full of heavy but somewhat mid-tempo rockers. This is a refreshing fast-paced rocker that just takes it to 11 and explores a side to Journey that hasn’t been heard since their underrated Generations album and is a modern version of Dead or Alive. An infectious chorus that you can’t help but bounce your head to.

Standout performance: Neal, Narada

8. After Glow – A+
This song is special. It was the final song recorded after Deen rejoined the fold, and it marries the genius of Jon’s songwriting and Deen’s singing with a burst of euphoric instrumentation from Neal and Narada. The melodic breakdown in the middle of the song pairs perfectly with the story being conveyed by the lyrics. Neal said he was influenced by the gospel feel of Steve Perry’s We’re Still Here and I can hear it. Some moments also remind me of Neal’s Love Finds A Way and Exotica off his So U album, but with better production and buoyed by solid lyrics. As I listen to this song more and more, it has become a top-three song off this album and I get eager to play it more.

As a side note, I’m glad that Deen only took on vocal duties here; Narada throughout this album shows why he has a drumming style better suited for Journey.

Standout performance: Deen, Jon, Neal, Narada

9. Let It Rain – C
This is the first drop in quality the album experiences. It reminds me of Bad English’s Rockin’ Horse but only about a quarter as good (because I really like Rockin’ Horse). To me, though, the band does a good job of creating a specific atmosphere with the music that matches the lyrics well. They created a vibe and stuck with it. It's just the presence of a bland chorus that prevents me from ever really coming back to the song at will. But while I don’t go to this song often, it has at times caught me in the perfect mood and I am able to enjoy it. Arnel does a commendable job in trying to elevate the emotion of this song but it’s not enough to overcome the song’s weak construction.

Standout performance: Arnel

10. Holdin’ On – C+
Randy Jackson came up with the phrase “Holdin’ On” for this track after listening to only the music. Putting aside the odd and curious vocal effect choice, I just don’t get excited to play this one. While admittedly the chorus has grown on me, it is still a basic chorus and the rest of the melodies in the song are nothing to get excited about. Neal’s guitar work here seems like something he could do in his sleep and does not keep the listener’s interest.

Standout performance: Arnel

11. All Day and All Night – A+
The impact of Randy Jackson’s bass playing is on display in this song better than any other. The best description I have heard of the song’s underlying thumping sound is that it is “swampy”. As I was listening to it for the first time, my only hope was that they would not stray away from that swampy sound as the song progressed; fortunately, they did not and the band reverted back to the thump sound throughout the song.

This song is perfectly performed and well-written. Arnel sings his heart out for this song and just kicks it to the next level on the chorus. I got the feeling that Arnel really resonated with this song and had a strong sense of how he should approach his vocals. Neal mentioned that he got the idea for this song after seeing Sting in concert; he said he imagined a voice like Paul Rodgers working on this track but I think Arnel did better than a voice like Paul’s could’ve conveyed. One of my favorite performances of his ever, live or recorded. A well-done song that pushes the boundaries of the Journey catalog while maintaining that special Journey style.

Standout performance: Randy, Arnel

12. Don’t Go – B+
After one listen, the repetition of the two-word chorus “Don’t Go” was already getting old for me. However, this song works despite that repetition. Leave it to Journey to make a two-word chorus simply work. The lyrics overall also do not work for me since it’s representative of a bad partner in a relationship waiting until a second too late to apologize for their behavior. But, undoubtedly, the music and melodies are extremely catchy. This is a classic example of the musical proficiency of the individual members of a band absolutely willing a song to greatness. Great guitar work from Neal as he drives this song and Cain’s catchy synths keep the track upbeat. I’m pleasantly surprised with the staying power this song has had for me. Infectious music that is brought down by Jon Cain going to this same lyrical well one too many times.

Standout performance: Arnel, Jon, Neal

13. United We Stand – B-
I do not think shoehorning a nationalistic phrase is the right choice for describing a couple’s strength in love. Seem tacky like one of those signs from Hobby Lobby. I think Arnel sings his heart out to make this song work; however, I don’t think he is successful as the melodies are just not solid enough. Some folks here have praised the deeper background vocals, but I do not care for them all. Perhaps if the mix was better, I would enjoy those vocals more. Also, speaking of Arnel trying to make this song work, the ending feels like it should have a high note, but it doesn’t and just ends with a whimper. That special something is missing from this song. All-in-all though, I enjoy the mid-tempo pace of this song, and the bridge before the chorus is pleasant.

Standout performance: Arnel

14. Life Rolls On – B
This song is yet another curveball by the band for the fans. The piano in the first minute and a half calls back to Gregg Rolie’s time and the second act feels very modern. It goes to different places and is elevated by Neal’s great guitar work and it definitely captures a euphoric feel. The music gives me some Faith in the Heartland (Revelation version) vibes. The song gets better with more listens.

Standout performance: Jon, Neal, Narada

15. Beautiful As You Are – B
We heard the last couple of minutes before this album was released on Narada’s Facebook page and with it came some high expectations. Sadly, it does not quite deliver. It’s a fine song that does get better with each listen. I appreciate Neal’s change of pace soft intro/outro and it’s good, standard sentimental Jon Cain writing all the way.

This song has a breakdown in the middle or middle-end of it that I am not a fan of, frankly, as it ruins the momentum the song was building. While Neal’s guitar playing is excellent, I did not see the need to have a short jam session at the end no matter how well-played it is. Like Together We Run with Don’t Stop Believin, this is yet another call back to the Escape album track order where they had the soft Open Arms put a bow on the album. Just wish it was a better song.

Standout performance: Neal

16. Hard To Let It Go – B+ (link for those who want to revisit it: https://youtu.be/fiijQ2cY4ec)
The Japan release exclusive is a great composition with a simple but unique chorus. Arnel's vocal performance is excellent; his tone is perfect here. Some points are knocked off here for the surprisingly political “freedoms they try to take away from you” lyric. Beyond that, it’s an easy-going, pleasant listen that delivers a captivating sound.

Standout performance: Arnel, Jon, Narada

Overall album score: A
The production by Narada is top-notch, as always (he produced and played on one of my favorite albums all time, Al Jarreau’s Heaven and Earth). He is who he is because he has a real talent for producing and bringing out the best of vocalists and Arnel is an absolute monster on this album. No, he’s not Perry; but who is? He has his own style and leaves an undeniable mark on the Journey catalog with many of his performances on this album. He deserves more praise for how great a singer he is, especially in the studio.

It's unfortunate that Jonathan Cain has already come out and said that he does not want to make another Journey album unless he is made to. Considering how strong this album is, I hope Neal can twist Jon’s arm enough to create more. I’m excited for another album with Todd and Narada producing and, hopefully, at least splitting drumming duties with Deen.

As for what we have with Freedom, it is a case of the overall being slightly greater than the sum of its parts. A better album than I thought we would have and it’s a joy to listen to. It’s their best album since Perry. Not bad for a covid record.

[Eric]

Thanks for taking the time to write such a great review. I really enjoyed it.

[DK23]

Thanks for taking the time to write such a great review. I really enjoyed it.

Thank you!

[JourneyHard]

Through the years, I have heard people complain Infinity wasn't mixed right. Or Evolution, Departure, Captured and so on and so forth. Now, people say Freedom isn't the best quality. If this is all true, how is anybody a fan of Journey?

I guess when your ear is fine-tuned to a really top of the line sound system, you are blessed, but you are also cursed.

[Eric]

Listening party:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC8M-rqz198

[Aaron]

I played it 1 time completely through and a second time partially. Nothing struck me as outstanding but I need to give it another spin and fair time.

[carleysdad]

Without a doubt, this is the worst album Journey has ever recorded.

[jestor92]

Without a doubt, this is the worst album Journey has ever recorded.

I think there’s a good album in there if they had a better producer and sound engineer. Also think it’s better if Castronovo sang backing vocals on the songs.

My biggest complaints about the album are that some of the songs need parts cut shorter. The album as a whole is all over the place with the levels of the instruments and vocals, and the backing vocals just sound so flat and lifeless. I’ve come to like The Way We Used To Be and Don’t Give Up on Us. I also really like You’ve got best in me. Don’t Go is pretty good, but I’ve heard other bands do that song title much better. Also like After Glow.

Some of the other songs are decent, but I can’t remember their names.

[Mikele]

I still listen to Freedom and enjoying it.
I think it has personality, a live feel (although unexpectedly, given the circumestances of the recording), and a lot to give to the fans. Sound and/or mix still does not bother me at all: to me is just a solid good album different from any other journey's album