Eclipse - Your Reviews

[steveo777]

For the record, the digital tracks are of the highest quality so the experience will not be diminished sonically. The only thing your missing is that cheap cardboard sleeve they decided to use this time.

International release is jewel case.

And I'll be buying that...just so it fits with the rest of my Journey CDs

No it won't. GH is in the cardboard thing too!

[JRNYFan]

I may be the only one, but I have to say To Whom It May Concern is my favorite. The lyrical content and message is simple but beautiful. Neal's guitar really soars on this one. They should have scrapped the instrumental and put this song as the closer.

[Glenn]

For the record, the digital tracks are of the highest quality so the experience will not be diminished sonically. The only thing your missing is that cheap cardboard sleeve they decided to use this time.

International release is jewel case.

And I'll be buying that...just so it fits with the rest of my Journey CDs

No it won't. GH is in the cardboard thing too!

I have GH in the jewel case

[G.I.Jim]

I may be the only one, but I have to say To Whom It May Concern is my favorite. The lyrical content and message is simple but beautiful. Neal's guitar really soars on this one. They should have scrapped the instrumental and put this song as the closer.

I absolutely LOVE that song, and I agree about the last song. Don't care for the instrumental at all. It would have sounded better ending off with something else, or just dropping it off altogether. Oh well, still a freaking amazing album!

[Saint John]

I may be the only one, but I have to say To Whom It May Concern is my favorite. The lyrical content and message is simple but beautiful. Neal's guitar really soars on this one. They should have scrapped the instrumental and put this song as the closer.

I absolutely LOVE that song, and I agree about the last song. Don't care for the instrumental at all. It would have sounded better ending off with something else, or just dropping it off altogether. Oh well, still a freaking amazing album!

I've never understood why bands don't end with killer songs. You remember what you heard last, more so than what you heard first. Bookend it with great music and you can't lose. Instrumentals are, for the most part, let's be frank, pretty fucking gay! Unless your handle is G.I. Slim Jim.

[Rip Rokken]

I really like everything about She's a Mystery. I love the acoustic -ike nature of the first part of the song and the great backing vocals is so reminiscent of Infinity era Journey and then love where the songs goes to, such a surprise. Probably my favorite playing by Neal so far.

My girlfriend really likes it. Her music taste tends to side with the more eclectic/heavier bands, but I've pretty much forced Journey down her throat and forced her to swallow.
"Resonate" is our mutual favorite, though.

I've always said from the time of the concert clips I loved Resonate. It is my favorite, too. I agree with your top three songs in that order, but they're almost interchangeable for me as I love all three, Resonate, Chain of Love, and Edge of the Moment.

We totally agree, and Resonate is my ultimate top pick. The guitar intros, the heavier rhythm during the 2nd verse, and all the layered harmonics and whammy bar divebombs after the verses -- on top of Deen's churning beats... I can't wear this song out.

[steveo777]

I love the last third of Anything Is Possible. Man it is just crisp and tight.

Who said the drums sound like cardboard?

[Majestic]

100%??? Absolutely ludicrous. This is an ok release at best. A 100 rating would mean that EVERY SINGLE SONG is an absolute classic.

Yep...you got it!

So you're saying 25 years from now Eclipse is going to hold up as well as Hysteria?

If you were to review Escape now would that also get 100?

I'll let you know in 25 years.

Escape would sure get 100....absolutey.

Hysteria? What's that?

[Majestic]

For the record, the digital tracks are of the highest quality so the experience will not be diminished sonically.

At all?

If you've got the hearing of an Owl, then they're might be some concern but the way it appears this album was produced/mixed, I don't think there are too many crystal shattering moments and maybe that's intentional as not to sound too light or poppish. The production, while really outstanding doesnt quite succceed in taking the crown away from that Holy Grail of Journey engineering TBF, which has a lot of little subtle sounds scattered through out the recording that encourages you to listen with source material of the highest fidelity.

I don't understand all the love for TBF's production. First, the repetitive uninspired guitar wankery in Castles Burning when the unintelligible and boring narration is going on, is inexcuseable because it makes an otherwise great rocker into unlistenable garbage. I put responsibility for that square into Shirley's lap. Ruining a rocker on a ballad heavy album that needed a good rocker or two to save it is unforgiveable. Other than that, the playing on TBF is pretty good, even if the album is way out of balance due to the pace of songs. Perhaps the worst part about TBF is Perry himself. I actually love the smokey gritty sound of Perry's voice on the album, but there are quite a few places where he gets pitchy, and a few places where he is over miked and causes distortion. I blame both of these on Shirley too because the pitchiness could have been fixed by him if he took the time, and the distortion shouldn't be happening period, if Shirley did his job.

No way is TBF the production success I keep hearing about, and no way is it a better production than Eclipse is, not by a mile. There are some songs and performances on TBF that blow away some of what's on Eclipse, but the production quality of Eclipse kicks the teeth out of TBF.

Kevin Shirley is way overrated in my book, and I hope Journey moves on without him. Don't even get me started on the abismal Greatest Hits Live he and Perry unleashed to make Journey sound bad, or letting Augeri who, was already basically washed up, record an album when his voice was fried from singing into a mic with the volume too low as Augeri and Shirley admitted. Why not record the album after the singer has his voice back? It's kind of important to have the SINGER sound good on an album, no? Shirley is a horrible producer.

[VirgilTheart]

I don't understand all the love for TBF's production. First, the repetitive uninspired guitar wankery in Castles Burning when the unintelligible and boring narration is going on, is unexcuseable because it makes an otherwise great rocker into unlistenable garbage. I put responsibility for that square into Shirley's lap. Ruining a rocker on a ballad heavy album that needed a good rocker or two to save it is unforgiveable. Other than that, the playing on TBF is pretty good, even if the album is way out of balance due to the pace of songs. Perhaps the worst part about TBF is Perry himself. I actually love the smokey gritty sound of Perry's voice on the album, but there are quite a few places where he gets pitchy, and a few places where he is over miked and causes distortion. I blame both of these on Shirley too because the pitchiness could have been fixed by him if he took the time, and the distortion should be happening period, if Shirley did his job.

No way is TBF the production success I keep hearing about, and no way is it a better production than Eclipse is, not by a mile. There are some songs and performances on TBF that blow away some of what's on Eclipse, but the production quality of Eclipse kicks the teeth out of TBF.

Kevin Shirley is way overrated in my book, and I hope Journey moves on without him. Don't even get me started on the abismal Greatest Hits Live he and Perry unleashed to make Journey sound band, or letting Augeri who was already basically washed up, record an album when his voice was fried after singing into a mic with the volume too low as Augeri and Shirley admitted. Why not record the album after the singer has his voice back, kind of important to have the SINGER sound good on an album that stay what it is forever, no? Shirley is a horrible producer.

Amen. The production on Eclipse is pretty good for a change, but damnit Shirley needs to stop being lazy with his work. For any of the bands he produces. I give him credit that his laziness actually paid off for Iron Maiden's A Matter of Life & Death album, the raw live sound really worked for that music, but honestly part of why I hardly ever listen to The Final Frontier is the mediocre production. Love the music, but it really should be remixed by someone new. And do I even have to get started on Black Country Communion's first album? The new album sounds better this time around, but God the first album had horrid production.

Seriously Journey, look up the guy that's been producing for Rush. I hear good things about him.

[Majestic]

I don't understand all the love for TBF's production. First, the repetitive uninspired guitar wankery in Castles Burning when the unintelligible and boring narration is going on, is unexcuseable because it makes an otherwise great rocker into unlistenable garbage. I put responsibility for that square into Shirley's lap. Ruining a rocker on a ballad heavy album that needed a good rocker or two to save it is unforgiveable. Other than that, the playing on TBF is pretty good, even if the album is way out of balance due to the pace of songs. Perhaps the worst part about TBF is Perry himself. I actually love the smokey gritty sound of Perry's voice on the album, but there are quite a few places where he gets pitchy, and a few places where he is over miked and causes distortion. I blame both of these on Shirley too because the pitchiness could have been fixed by him if he took the time, and the distortion should be happening period, if Shirley did his job.

No way is TBF the production success I keep hearing about, and no way is it a better production than Eclipse is, not by a mile. There are some songs and performances on TBF that blow away some of what's on Eclipse, but the production quality of Eclipse kicks the teeth out of TBF.

Kevin Shirley is way overrated in my book, and I hope Journey moves on without him. Don't even get me started on the abismal Greatest Hits Live he and Perry unleashed to make Journey sound band, or letting Augeri who was already basically washed up, record an album when his voice was fried after singing into a mic with the volume too low as Augeri and Shirley admitted. Why not record the album after the singer has his voice back, kind of important to have the SINGER sound good on an album that stay what it is forever, no? Shirley is a horrible producer.

Amen. The production on Eclipse is pretty good for a change, but damnit Shirley needs to stop being lazy with his work. For any of the bands he produces. I give him credit that his laziness actually paid off for Iron Maiden's A Matter of Life & Death album, the raw live sound really worked for that music, but honestly part of why I hardly ever listen to The Final Frontier is the mediocre production. Love the music, but it really should be remixed by someone new. And do I even have to get started on Black Country Communion's first album? The new album sounds better this time around, but God the first album had horrid production.

Seriously Journey, look up the guy that's been producing for Rush. I hear good things about him.

They could also stick with the guy who finished the job right with Eclipse, and picked up after Shirley. I keep forgetting his name, but if he keeps up the good work, I'll have to remember it. I do wish the drums were bigger and fatter on Eclipse, and I'm not sure who's to blame for that. I think Deen plays great, but maybe he needs a different kit? Although, come to think of it, live he sounds great, so maybe it's miking. Since Shirley recorded the performances, that's probably why the drums aren't fat and heavy. Thanks, Kev.

[Majestic]

How is Arnel's accent this one? It drove me insane on Revelation, couldn't understand half the lyrics.

If Arnel's accent drove you nuts on Revelation, then you may be listening to the wrong music genre in general. I recommend Julie Andrews, or Helen Reddy. Absolutely perfect diction on every note, you'd dig it.

Not true ...not true at all!! *That eyerolly thing that I hate*

Not true??? I dare you to find a single diction error in any song those ladies sang!

There is a whole slew/variety of RnR and pop which does not contain
asian diction/dialect ...one does
not have to revert to Mary Poppins ... ebake is hoping Eclipse is better

By the way, if Arnel sounded Asian singing Journey tunes, I wouldn't like it either, no matter how good his voice is. The fact is, that he doesn't sound Asian at all, he just looks it because--he is. If he sounds Asian, somebody post a clip and prove it. I hear it alleged all the time, but the recordings don't show it, and neither do any of the youtube clips I've seen barring the TV interviews in Manila. If he wants to sound Asian there, I'm fine with that, so long has he nevers starts singing "Faithfurry,"or something like that at the shows.

By the way, did you ever notice how similar Arnel's and Perry's hair were before Arnel cut it? Perry must have some Asian blood in there somewhere. How cool is that!

[VirgilTheart]

By the way, if Arnel sounded Asian singing Journey tunes, I wouldn't like it either, no matter how good his voice is. The fact is, that he doesn't sound Asian at all, he just looks it because--he is. If he sounds Asian, somebody post a clip and prove it. I hear it alleged all the time, but the recordings don't show it, and neither do any of the youtube clips I've seen barring the TV interviews in Manila. If he wants to sound Asian there, I'm fine with that, so long has he nevers starts singing "Faithfurry,"or something like that at the shows.

By the way, did you ever notice how similar Arnel's and Perry's hair were before Arnel cut it? Perry must have some Asian blood in there somewhere. How cool is that!

Agreed. I never really heard much of a problem on the classics or any of the songs off Revelation. I mean, sure I heard an accent, but considering Perry had his own accent too, I didn't see any problems with Arnel's. I can say though that Arnel's accent seemed to be more controlled on Eclipse, which is perfectly fine with me.

Just hope it shuts up the folks who seem convinced Arnel is constantly singing the Dirty Dozen in a manner like "Faithfurry".

[koberry]

Listening to Eclipse in the background, I've realized that the solo intro to "Anything Is Possible" is really catchy.

... and tasteful. Another opportunity where Neal could have phoned it in with a bit of shreddery, but his melodicism won out.

[Jana]

I am stunned by Chubby's absence on this momentous occasion for her beloved Arnel.

[Andrew]

Listening to Eclipse in the background, I've realized that the solo intro to "Anything Is Possible" is really catchy.

... and tasteful. Another opportunity where Neal could have phoned it in with a bit of shreddery, but his melodicism won out.

I have it has my iPhone ring tone. Sweeeet....

[Escape Artist]

I'm listening to ECLIPSE now, 2nd spin...Phenomenal! This is a classic, IMHO.

Andrew is right on the money with his review.
There are so many layers and nuances on this CD! Beautiful, I actually had a big dopey smile on my face at several different musical moments while listening to this... can't even remember last time that happened!

AMAZING, I will leave it at that.

p.s - Many, many thanks for the sneak peak, you know who you are...you rock!

[Melissa]

Listened a couple more times and so far the two knocking it out of the ball park to me are She's a Mystery, and Tantra. Tantra just has turns not expected and it's just a great song all around. I think people approaching it with that "oh another ballad" attitude aren't going to get it's magic, especially if they don't listen to the whole song. And then She's a Mystery... best song on the album IMO. Doesn't even sound like Journey, and that's what makes it so great. Stands apart from the rest of the album even. And that corner it turns within those last couple minutes, stinkin' brilliant.

I'm not as into what seems to be the favs over and over here. They're not bad at all, they just don't go off the usual Journey path too far at all to me like the two above do, which makes the two above stand above the rest of the album to me. Great guitar album all around though.

[koberry]

I may be the only one, but I have to say To Whom It May Concern is my favorite. The lyrical content and message is simple but beautiful. Neal's guitar really soars on this one. They should have scrapped the instrumental and put this song as the closer.

I absolutely LOVE that song, and I agree about the last song. Don't care for the instrumental at all. It would have sounded better ending off with something else, or just dropping it off altogether. Oh well, still a freaking amazing album!

I've never understood why bands don't end with killer songs. You remember what you heard last, more so than what you heard first. Bookend it with great music and you can't lose. Instrumentals are, for the most part, let's be frank, pretty fucking gay! Unless your handle is G.I. Slim Jim.

No, no, no... ending with Venus is Awesome (capital A). It's not at all like The Journey off of Revelations where it's an instrumental for the sake of having one and getting to stretch out.

What I love is that it revisits the theme from To Whom it May Concern. It could have been a total shredfest. But, instead, it just builds on the cinematic aspects of the theme and takes it into new directions. To me, it just amplifies what this album is about. Brings the whole 'headphone' album full circle. I also like how they start to fade it out at the end and then bring it back. Reminds me of what they did way back when on It's All Too Much on Look Into the Future.

I agree with the idea of closing with a great song, though. I thought We Will Meet Again was an awesome way to close out Arrival. Great tune, memorable for many reasons and an apropos sentiment after the band's having been gone for so many years. Contrast that with the snoozefest way of closing out Escape with Open Arms, yuck.

[Behshad]

Listening to Eclipse in the background, I've realized that the solo intro to "Anything Is Possible" is really catchy.

... and tasteful. Another opportunity where Neal could have phoned it in with a bit of shreddery, but his melodicism won out.

I have it has my iPhone ring tone. Sweeeet....

Great grammar there captain.

[Don]

I am stunned by Chubby's absence on this momentous occasion for her beloved Arnel.

I'm sure somewhere, we're probably all being cast into the fires of damnation for our audacity to acquire a sneak peek at this new release.

Whatcha gonna do though? No Youtubes, crap samples, regional lockouts.... the dam had to break eventually and of course it had to be here, at MR.

[Saint John]

I am stunned by Chubby's absence on this momentous occasion for her beloved Arnel.

I'm sure somewhere, we're probably all being cast into the fires of damnation for our audacity to acquire a sneak peek at this new release.

Whatcha gonna do though? No Youtubes, crap samples, regional lockouts.... the dam had to break eventually and of course it had to be here, at MR.

The leak on here is a dream come true for Journey. The word of mouth advertising will far outpace the few maggots that will download it without buying an actual copy. And, hey, to those that listened to it for free and gave it a shot that they wouldn't have otherwise, at least they gave it a listen! Maybe a few will buy that otherwise wouldn't have. Journey has a mature audience that will still march into Walmart and buy this CD. And they should, because it's fucking excellent!

[Don]

I am stunned by Chubby's absence on this momentous occasion for her beloved Arnel.

I'm sure somewhere, we're probably all being cast into the fires of damnation for our audacity to acquire a sneak peek at this new release.

Whatcha gonna do though? No Youtubes, crap samples, regional lockouts.... the dam had to break eventually and of course it had to be here, at MR.

The leak on here is a dream come true for Journey. The word of mouth advertising will far outpace the few maggots that will download it without buying an actual copy. And, hey, to those that listened to it for free and gave it a shot that they wouldn't have otherwise, at least they gave it a listen! Maybe a few will buy that otherwise wouldn't have. Journey has a mature audience that will still march into Walmart and buy this CD. And they should, because it's fucking excellent!

Didn't Prince give away one of his albums attached to some newspaper or something? That fucker had a 21 night stand at the L.A. forum last month, (that's 350,000 tickets at one venue). Letting his fans have access to tunes for free or for a very small commission didn't hurt him at all, it actually just added to his legend. Creative marketing is needed with this new generation of consumers.

[S2M]

I am stunned by Chubby's absence on this momentous occasion for her beloved Arnel.

I'm sure somewhere, we're probably all being cast into the fires of damnation for our audacity to acquire a sneak peek at this new release.

Whatcha gonna do though? No Youtubes, crap samples, regional lockouts.... the dam had to break eventually and of course it had to be here, at MR.

The leak on here is a dream come true for Journey. The word of mouth advertising will far outpace the few maggots that will download it without buying an actual copy. And, hey, to those that listened to it for free and gave it a shot that they wouldn't have otherwise, at least they gave it a listen! Maybe a few will buy that otherwise wouldn't have. Journey has a manure audience that will still march into Walmart and buy this CD. And they should, because it's fucking excellent!

Fixed it for ya....

[Escape Artist]

I am stunned by Chubby's absence on this momentous occasion for her beloved Arnel.

I'm sure somewhere, we're probably all being cast into the fires of damnation for our audacity to acquire a sneak peek at this new release.

Whatcha gonna do though? No Youtubes, crap samples, regional lockouts.... the dam had to break eventually and of course it had to be here, at MR.

The leak on here is a dream come true for Journey. The word of mouth advertising will far outpace the few maggots that will download it without buying an actual copy. And, hey, to those that listened to it for free and gave it a shot that they wouldn't have otherwise, at least they gave it a listen! Maybe a few will buy that otherwise wouldn't have. Journey has a mature audience that will still march into Walmart and buy this CD. And they should, because it's fucking excellent!

Absolutely, this is a CD worthy of buying. The band should be rewarded by each and everyone of us on here buying the actual disc after our sneak peeks. I know I will, this CD is superb.

[Escape Artist]

I am stunned by Chubby's absence on this momentous occasion for her beloved Arnel.

I'm sure somewhere, we're probably all being cast into the fires of damnation for our audacity to acquire a sneak peek at this new release.

Whatcha gonna do though? No Youtubes, crap samples, regional lockouts.... the dam had to break eventually and of course it had to be here, at MR.

The leak on here is a dream come true for Journey. The word of mouth advertising will far outpace the few maggots that will download it without buying an actual copy. And, hey, to those that listened to it for free and gave it a shot that they wouldn't have otherwise, at least they gave it a listen! Maybe a few will buy that otherwise wouldn't have. Journey has a manure audience that will still march into Walmart and buy this CD. And they should, because it's fucking excellent!

Fixed it for ya....

Did ya get a whiff of yourself there bud?

[steveo777]

I have been listening to this album for a couple days now, but I'm definitely buying it too.
Why would I not want such a great album for my collection?

[Saint John]

I have been listening to this album for a couple days now, but I'm definitely buying it too.
Why would I not want such a great album for my collection?

Buy 2 copies. Keep one, slit your wrists with the other one and Fed Ex it to MG. She'll like that.

[steveo777]

I have been listening to this album for a couple days now, but I'm definitely buying it too.
Why would I not want such a great album for my collection?

Buy 2 copies. Keep one, slit your wrists with the other one and Fed Ex it to MG. She'll like that.

I see I'm not the only ass here.

[Don]

Amazingly, (It seems) everyone has kept their scruples somewhat intact and refrained from putting their previews up on torrent sites, well done.