Revelation Disc 2 -- not bad!

[Rip Rokken]

Just popped in the re-records disc for the first full listen, and it sounds much better in my home stereo than in my car. I think they did the best they could, and I'm actually enjoying it. The little differences here and there, such as the solo on "Who's Crying Now", make for nice variations, but there are also several songs like "Only The Young" that if I wasn't really paying attention, I might not know I wasn't listening to the original. Just a little hint now and again...

I think overall the only redo I don't care for is actually "Faith In The Hearland" on Disc 1. Slightly slower pace, and loses that "urgency" someone mentioned in another thread. Overall, it's still pretty listenable until the musical breakdown after the last chorus, which sounds like a jumbled sonic mess to me, and loses every special aspect the original had. I hate it...

[Red13JoePa]

AWYWI is unBELIEVABLE on D2. Lights is great too.

[ProgRocker53]

Thanks for the reminder guys, haven't spun Disc 2 yet. That shall be accomplished soon.

[Barb]

I agree. I originally called disc 2 "Revelation Re-Recorded Classics" on my iPod so I wouldn't have to hear them when I listened to Revelation. I listened to them, and like you, wasn't paying attention and forgot it was Arnel singing a few times. I have since renamed them Revelation so that they all play together with the new songs.

[YoungJRNY]

The Redo's are better than advertised. LIGHTS is the distinct Arnel version of Steve Perry. The first time I listened to it, I literally thought it was a fuck-up and the band was mistaken with the two versions and put the original on there. What a voice Arnel is.

[Rip Rokken]

Here's the way I look at it, and if people set their feelings aside, I think it's pretty accurate -- the band wanted/needed more control over these songs, so re-recording them was a smart business decision. The did so with as much respect for the original material as possible, making it sound as good and close to the originals as possible instead of attempting the impossible task of one-upping it or improving on it in any way, but they also threw in a few twists and surprises to add a touch of distinctness and freshness and make them worth listening to. And for me, they accomplished that -- I'm really enjoying it as another way to listen to the G.H. The only, and I mean only, thing I don't like so far is Arnel's rising note at the end of "Separate Ways"... would have best been left as-is. And though technically it doesn't count, there are a few ill-timed notes on "F.I.T.H." as well -- I think one is at exactly 4:09, and it just bugs me...

You know, if someone wants to be hardcore and throw a bunch of emotion into the equation, I'm sure the disc still seems like blasphemy, but I'm a Journey fan first and foremost, support the current lineup, am glad I still have the privilege of hearing new Journey material, and also enjoy hearing Arnel pay homage to the original classics.

I'm no audio expert at all, so I don't know what's wrong with my car stereo -- most discs sound killer in it, but the production on a very few comes off as muddy. This is one of those discs that doesn't sound as hot in my car, but it sounds GREAT in the stereo in my gym.

Speaking of car stereos, the CD-player in my wife's vehicle has skipped horribly since the first day we bought it back in '04, I think. The car had 22,000 miles on it at the time, but I believe the warranty didn't cover the player. I had bought her her own copy of Revelation and was so irritated by the skipping that I looked on eBay and found a great deal on an identical factory CD player and bought it for her. Just installed it for her last night, and the problem is resolved! Enjoyed riding around listening to Revelation to test it out, and I can't believe I didn't think of doing this before now.

[Memorex]

Here's the way I look at it, and if people set their feelings aside, I think it's pretty accurate -- the band wanted/needed more control over these songs, so re-recording them was a smart business decision. The did so with as much respect for the original material as possible, making it sound as good and close to the originals as possible instead of attempting the impossible task of one-upping it or improving on it in any way, but they also threw in a few twists and surprises to add a touch of distinctness and freshness and make them worth listening to. And for me, they accomplished that -- I'm really enjoying it as another way to listen to the G.H. The only, and I mean only, thing I don't like so far is Arnel's rising note at the end of "Separate Ways"... would have best been left as-is. And though technically it doesn't count, there are a few ill-timed notes on "F.I.T.H." as well -- I think one is at exactly 4:09, and it just bugs me...

What control? Anything worthwhile will require the original. No one will want to feature DSB in a commerical or movie if isn't the original version and if they do, it's not going to pay that well, I imagine. I could be wrong, but these songs will likely go nowhere.

I think the music sounds like a cover band, especially Neal's guitar. sounds cheap. Not the playing, but the sound.

[Don]

Here's the way I look at it, and if people set their feelings aside, I think it's pretty accurate -- the band wanted/needed more control over these songs, so re-recording them was a smart business decision. The did so with as much respect for the original material as possible, making it sound as good and close to the originals as possible instead of attempting the impossible task of one-upping it or improving on it in any way, but they also threw in a few twists and surprises to add a touch of distinctness and freshness and make them worth listening to. And for me, they accomplished that -- I'm really enjoying it as another way to listen to the G.H. The only, and I mean only, thing I don't like so far is Arnel's rising note at the end of "Separate Ways"... would have best been left as-is. And though technically it doesn't count, there are a few ill-timed notes on "F.I.T.H." as well -- I think one is at exactly 4:09, and it just bugs me...

What control? Anything worthwhile will require the original. No one will want to feature DSB in a commerical or movie if isn't the original version and if they do, it's not going to pay that well, I imagine. I could be wrong, but these songs will likely go nowhere.

I think the music sounds like a cover band, especially Neal's guitar. sounds cheap. Not the playing, but the sound.

Survivor, ELO and many other have had covers, rerecordings and even instrumental versions of their music played over the years in commercials, especially in Japan and other places overseas. If this keeps the Sony/Perry hammer from landing on them when they want to lease out the music, I say more power to them.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Arnel's accent (not prominent at all really on Disc 1) really ruins the effort for me.
Shirley should've seen Disc 2 all the way thru.

[WalrusOct9]

Agreed. I feel like he's just singing the syllables he's learned, rather than feeling and emoting the meaning of the words. Not his fault, but it comes off as very mechanical to me, regardless of his vocal skill.

[Allied Forces]

First off, I hope Triumph records something new. You all are lucky that Journey recorded something new. I picked it up. You can't beat the price! I give the first disc a 7 out of 10. Pretty good, although I'm not a fan of ballads. The second one I don't care for. From what you are all posting it was made to have more control over the licensing. I get that. And it is nice of them to add a 3rd disc and all, but this is something I wouldn't play again. The re-recordings sound forced, and while decent, pale to the originals. These are interesting curiousities to hear once.

I will watch the DVD tomorrow. Again, this is a nice package for the price. The only reason I would have known about it is because of all of you.

[frfksakes]

cubic zirconia

[Saint John]

I like Wheel In The Sky better than Perry's studio version. Perry sounded like a 7th grade girl getting finger fucked for the first time. Faithfully was amazing as well. Not as good as the original, but great nonetheless. Open Arms was better than the original as well. Perry rules on the rest.

[Rip Rokken]

I like Wheel In The Sky better than Perry's studio version. Perry sounded like a 7th grade girl getting finger fucked for the first time. Faithfully was amazing as well. Not as good as the original, but great nonetheless. Open Arms was better than the original as well. Perry rules on the rest.

Haha... I think you've just guaranteed this thread will carry "on a little longaaaaaaa..."

[JrnyScarab]

Agreed. I feel like he's just singing the syllables he's learned, rather than feeling and emoting the meaning of the words. Not his fault, but it comes off as very mechanical to me, regardless of his vocal skill.

This is EXACTLY what I thought. It seems by trying to match the originals as close as possible, a lot of the spontaneity of just going for it and singing it from the heart is lost. I think that's what makes it sound so mechanical. Just listen to the DVD and how Arnel just goes for it and doesn't have to try to match every little nuance to make it just like Perry. Big difference.

That said, I think the re-makes are pretty damn good. Open Arms just kills.

[Matthew]

The did so with as much respect for the original material as possible,

But with the least imagination possible...

[Matthew]

If this keeps the Sony/Perry hammer from landing on them when they want to lease out the music, I say more power to them.

Yes..God forbid that the guy who co-wrote all the songs has any say in which crappy advert the band decide to lease the music to...

[Rick]

If this keeps the Sony/Perry hammer from landing on them when they want to lease out the music, I say more power to them.

Yes..God forbid that the guy who co-wrote all the songs has any say in which crappy advert the band decide to lease the music to...

Shut up, I know you've got your tickets.

[ProgRocker53]

The did so with as much respect for the original material as possible,

But with the least imagination possible...

So, so true.

[Barb]

If this keeps the Sony/Perry hammer from landing on them when they want to lease out the music, I say more power to them.

Yes..God forbid that the guy who co-wrote all the songs has any say in which crappy advert the band decide to lease the music to...

Yes, 1/3 song writer has had ALL the say for the last 2.5 decades. It's the other 2/3's turn now.

[Rick]

I think it's good, not great. The songs sound very unpolished, as if they rushed them, which they did. I think they are damn good, but I wish they had more time to make them as good as they could have been.

[Matthew]

If this keeps the Sony/Perry hammer from landing on them when they want to lease out the music, I say more power to them.

Yes..God forbid that the guy who co-wrote all the songs has any say in which crappy advert the band decide to lease the music to...

Shut up, I know you've got your tickets.

I know...I know...I'm full of shit...

[Matthew]

Yes, 1/3 song writer has had ALL the say for the last 2.5 decades. It's the other 2/3's turn now.

Er...haven't the other 2/3s been milking those songs to death in concert for over a decade and disgracing the band's reputation in the process? It's not like they've been forced to making a living off their very own songs or any other such hardships...

[Don]

If this keeps the Sony/Perry hammer from landing on them when they want to lease out the music, I say more power to them.

Yes..God forbid that the guy who co-wrote all the songs has any say in which crappy advert the band decide to lease the music to...

Perry is always keen to mention that he is no longer part of Journey and hasn't been since 1998, but it didn't stop him from using DSB for his foray into music soundtracks with "Monster". He can't just have it his way, the songs belong to the group, not just him.

[Matthew]

If this keeps the Sony/Perry hammer from landing on them when they want to lease out the music, I say more power to them.

Yes..God forbid that the guy who co-wrote all the songs has any say in which crappy advert the band decide to lease the music to...

Perry is always keen to mention that he is no longer part of Journey and hasn't been since 1998, but it didn't stop him from using DSB for his foray into music soundtracks with "Monster". He can't just have it his way, the songs belong to the group, not just him.

Actually Charlize Theron had the idea to use DSB in Monster and she wrote to Steve Perry for permission to use it because he's the only member of Journey anyone has heard of....

[Barb]

Yes, 1/3 song writer has had ALL the say for the last 2.5 decades. It's the other 2/3's turn now.

Er...haven't the other 2/3s been milking those songs to death in concert for over a decade and disgracing the band's reputation in the process? It's not like they've been forced to making a living off their very own songs or any other such hardships...

You seem to think Perry's 1/3 ownership of this music carries more weight for some reason. By the way, if Steve Perry wanted to go out and sing these same songs, no one is stopping him. Neal & Jon should have MORE say over the music than Perry, but he put LEGAL barriers in place from preventing them to do so until now. I think the end to his reign of power is LONG OVERDUE.

[Matthew]

You seem to think Perry's 1/3 ownership of this music carries more weight for some reason.

The "some reason" is that his voice is the primary reason the music was successful in the first place....

And what exactly did Perry deprive them of? The bands music was used in high quality shows and movies when Perry had a say. Now it'll be used in low rent adverts for sofas or fried chicken....

[annie89509]

I missed the song listing. Is L-T-S on there? That is a Perry solely penned song.

[Since 78]

I missed the song listing. Is L-T-S on there? That is a Perry solely penned song.

Yep.

[donnaplease]

If this keeps the Sony/Perry hammer from landing on them when they want to lease out the music, I say more power to them.

Yes..God forbid that the guy who co-wrote all the songs has any say in which crappy advert the band decide to lease the music to...

I wonder if anyone will really want them for their ads. I mean, other than those of us here that know it's Arnel, I wonder if JohnDoeConsumer will recognize it as 'the new Journey' and not just some generic dude doing a cover of the tune. It does take away from the draw of the song if it's not the original singing it, IMO.