More Samples

[Don]

You may be exactly right Don. It won't appeal to every fan of the band. Indeed after nearly 30 years of following Journey i am even contemplating not even buying the thing. I am one of the fans that WANT the legacy sound. I don't want the heavier direction. They experimented a little with Red13 and Generations and fell flat on their asses, and i can see it happening again. Not impressed with the samples, and the 2 singles are not at all good. A disillusioned fan

I guess I don't understand how it doesn't sound like Journey? City of Hope, Someone, Anything is Possible couldn't be anything but Journey - for example. Ditto Walking Away from the Edge, I Can Breathe, Place in Your Heart, Knowing that you love me, Faith in the Heartland, Beyond the Clouds, Never too Late. Conversely - on Revelation- Wildest Dream, What it takes to win, Revelation and What I needed aren't immediately sounding Journey tunes.

Based on the clips, the album overall sounds more like Journey than ROR and TBF did AND STILL don't. ROR went way poppy and machiney and stands the test of time worse than any Journey album since Next. TBF has like 6 too many moody overly dramatic nap snoozers that sound like a new age album more than Journey. I still like these albums and think they are better than average relative to other artists, but just pointing out the stark differences on them.

Finally, Infinity sounded nothing like their first 3 albums, Escape sounded nothing like their first 7 albums...and Frontiers 2nd side was even more experimental than Red13 and Eclipse combined.

I don't mean to be nasty - honest - just I fear some people may be talking themselves out of liking it based on reviews saying its so different. Journey is about being different but still sounding like Journey. I think the legacy sound means a Perry-esque voice. They think got away from that with Augeri at the end and JSS (even though I love JSS with Journey) so thats why in 2007 they found Arnel and made the legacy statement. I don't think Eclipse gets away from it.

We aren't talking about us here, who are only a small group but the casual fan, who knows DSB, Faithfully and Anyway You Want It. Songs that are simple and easy to get into. None of the samples released so far give a quick payoff like those. Look how City Of Hope is just totally floundering in the UK despite being out over a month. These are the same people who staked DSB to the top of the UK charts for the last two years. Something's not clicking with them obviously when it comes to COH. Neal in a round about way said he thought the the album might appeal more with the European fans so if they aren't jumping on board that quickly, is it any wonder people here in the states might not be so quick to embrace this new album either?

[kgdjpubs]

You may be exactly right Don. It won't appeal to every fan of the band. Indeed after nearly 30 years of following Journey i am even contemplating not even buying the thing. I am one of the fans that WANT the legacy sound. I don't want the heavier direction. They experimented a little with Red13 and Generations and fell flat on their asses, and i can see it happening again. Not impressed with the samples, and the 2 singles are not at all good. A disillusioned fan

I guess I don't understand how it doesn't sound like Journey? City of Hope, Someone, Anything is Possible couldn't be anything but Journey - for example. Ditto Walking Away from the Edge, I Can Breathe, Place in Your Heart, Knowing that you love me, Faith in the Heartland, Beyond the Clouds, Never too Late. Conversely - on Revelation- Wildest Dream, What it takes to win, Revelation and What I needed aren't immediately sounding Journey tunes.

Based on the clips, the album overall sounds more like Journey than ROR and TBF did AND STILL don't. ROR went way poppy and machiney and stands the test of time worse than any Journey album since Next. TBF has like 6 too many moody overly dramatic nap snoozers that sound like a new age album more than Journey. I still like these albums and think they are better than average relative to other artists, but just pointing out the stark differences on them.

Finally, Infinity sounded nothing like their first 3 albums, Escape sounded nothing like their first 7 albums...and Frontiers 2nd side was even more experimental than Red13 and Eclipse combined.

I don't mean to be nasty - honest - just I fear some people may be talking themselves out of liking it based on reviews saying its so different. Journey is about being different but still sounding like Journey. I think the legacy sound means a Perry-esque voice. They think got away from that with Augeri at the end and JSS (even though I love JSS with Journey) so thats why in 2007 they found Arnel and made the legacy statement. I don't think Eclipse gets away from it.

We aren't talking about us here, who are only a small group but the casual fan, who knows DSB, Faithfully and Anyway You Want It. Songs that are simple and easy to get into. None of the samples released so far give a quick payoff like those. Look how City Of Hope is just totally floundering in the UK despite being out over a month. These are the same people who staked DSB to the top of the UK charts for the last two years. Something's not clicking with them obviously when it comes to COH. Neal in a round about way said he thought the the album might appeal more with the European fans so if they aren't jumping on board that quickly, is it any wonder people here in the states might not be so quick to embrace this new album either?

yes, but did City of Hope ever have a chance to begin with? Based on samples, Anything Is Possible and Someone would have much better chances.

[Andrew]

Review due anytime now

Showcase - have asked yet again for a date to run.

[steveo777]

Review due anytime now

Showcase - have asked yet again for a date to run.

Were getting too many "hack' samples out there. I'd really like to just get a minute of each song from the beginning.

I gotta tell ya, some of these songs do play in my head. Revelation never did that for me. The more I hear, the more this
happens. That's a good sign. I gave revelation plenty of spins, but there really was no "grower" in that album. Eclipse seems
to be a grower, as well as a few of the songs hooked me right away. Sonically, I can already tell it's a winner, way above
Revelation...clouds above. Lotsa head room in this album.

[VirgilTheart]

yes, but did City of Hope ever have a chance to begin with? Based on samples, Anything Is Possible and Someone would have much better chances.

This really. And even then, both of those songs probably would've been about as big of a hit as Never Walk Away or After All These Years. They'd fair much better than City of Hope, but nothing like the Perry classics.

Either way, the financial success of this album doesn't mean to much to me; I'm infinitely more concerned about the quality of the album than numbers (which I was never -too- good at anyways ) And from what I can tell so far of this album, this album's a winner in those regards.

[jrny10]

Admitted, these clips give me a bit more faith in the album. But do the drums really sound that wimpy on the album proper? Let's hope not, as the cardboard sound just kills any rock vibe. Anyone that has heard the finished album who can confirm the drums sound powerful and not like on Revelation?

I'm concerned the production will be plastic sounding. Is it?

[Don]

Admitted, these clips gives me a bit more faith in the album. But do the drums really sound that wimpy on the album proper? Let's hope not, as the cardboard sound just kills any rock vibe. Anyone that has heard the finished album who can confirm the drums sound powerful and not like on Revelation? Please...

The drums don't dominate on this album if that's what you are asking. Even on Human Feel, where they are an essential part, they don't exactly explode out at you. A bit surprising because of the great drum presence you find on the Iron Maiden albums Shirley has worked on. Maybe listening to the retail CD will be a different experience than the promo releases.

[jrny10]

But it was the same on Revelation and it just kills any rock vibe which they would have benefitted from so much.

That, and the old Perry way of producing vocals... that made them sound huge (layer upon layer). The new stuff sounds like a rush job in that regard, and it's a shame they haven't worked harder on this.

[fightingilliniJRNY]

That, and the old Perry way of producing vocals... that made them sound huge (layer upon layer). The new stuff sounds like a rush job in that regard, and it's a shame they haven't worked harder on this.

You sure about that?

[Don]

I need to listen to the retail CD a few times before I say anything more.

[NoMoreTails]

I will be surprised and disappointed if the drum sound isn't great on this thing as that is something Neal had mentioned being disappointed with in regards to Shirley's production previously, though they had sounded great in the room during recording. I thought that would receive a lot of post production attention with Shirley removed from the process.

[Kingfish]

That, and the old Perry way of producing vocals... that made them sound huge (layer upon layer). The new stuff sounds like a rush job in that regard, and it's a shame they haven't worked harder on this.

You sure about that?

There are spots on this record, where there are Many classic layers of FX on the vocal, Delay Tails drawn in on the end of every held note, Real room chambers, EMT Plates, The bands personal effects / outboard units were brought in, The vocals were cut, and produced over 20 days, there was actually nothing remotely rushed in any of this process, in fact the attention to detail was pretty over the top on this record.

Check out the beginning of Chain of love... there are 17 different elements of Production Layers around the Vocal on the intro.

Kevin and the band did beautiful big Stacks / Layered journey style BG Vocals, that are huge, and lush all over this record. Elaborate Harmonies, soundscape vocals / Arrangements on most of the tunes - This record was not just "Spit out", all the guys labored intensely over all of the elements and took the time that was required to do everything right, as the priority. not "Just get it done"

[Kingfish]

Do you see this as a record that will be hard to capture live, unlike Revelation where the live versions came off better than the recorded ones? That's the vibe I'm getting from what I remember of the high quality youtubes fabbs shot at the Vegas show and what I've heard recently from the record. Like TBF, I feel this album gives you such a great sonic experience which is going to be so diificult to replicate live.

I don't think so... First... I think the problem with all youtube Videos, IS the sound. You have to get out to a venue, with ears, and feel the Subs, the PA push the music, with the stage sound, with your ears, and your body resonate with the sound (No pun intended) it's never translated well into a tiny little camera microphone.

There's one clip posted somewhere on here, thats actually pretty funny... I think it might actually be Chain of Love, which we were already talking about... the Camera Audio, sounds... well... like Camera Audio, but the girl shooting the clip kept yelling "Holy Shi**, listen to this massive song.... " She kept going on, and on about it, really in essence destroying the clip with her enthusiasm, however, I'm willing to bet that it sounded monstrous in the venue.

They have all these Layers, Effects out on tour with them, in the FOH console, and have hired some of the greatest live mixers on the Planet this year, so I'm gonna say no, I don't think it's gonna be hard to capture live, because the Core band's contributions on this record are what make it so big, and the other elements, they now have with them on the road, all in the console, and have been rehearsing with (And touring South America with)

I've heard alot of it live, and in my personal opinion, they're excited to play this record out, and it sounds like it.


Is it going to be exactly verbatim like the record? - No, it may actually be heaver in Spots, I suspect Neal to take a few cool Liberties live - but Man - Deen, Ross, Jon, And Neal - as a core rock this stuff out pretty hard - the Lady with the Cam Corder tells us so.

I look forward to the Nashville Show this September, it'll be all ironed out, well oiled and rocking, I'm fully expecting everything they play to be great representations of everything from the Dirty Dozen to any New Stuff included

[Don]

I've heard alot of it live, and in my personal opinion, they're excited to play this record out, and it sounds like it.


Is it going to be exactly verbatim like the record? - No, it may actually be heaver in Spots, I suspect Neal to take a few cool Liberties live - but Man - Deen, Ross, Jon, And Neal - as a core rock this stuff out pretty hard - the Lady with the Cam Corder tells us so.

I look forward to the Nashville Show this September, it'll be all ironed out, well oiled and rocking, I'm fully expecting everything they play to fe

I've been telling folks I feel this album is the natural successor to TBF, sort of like a heavier sequel. You've got the reverb stuff, the dark tones in a lot of the songs and of course the steller production. What's your take?

[The_Noble_Cause]

Cool of you to post, Dave, and give us insight into the recording process.

[Majestic]

These new samples are great! After giving them a few listens, I think this album is going to be in a world of its own, not really comparable to anything Journey has done before. I dare say it will become a favorite for many of us hardcore fans. The only song I'm not really digging is Human Feel. Everything else ranges from solid to great, and I think Don says it right about its "non suckiness". This album is gonna be a monster, and I'm definitely excited about getting my hands on this release.

[VirgilTheart]

I've been telling folks I feel this album is the natural successor to TBF, sort of like a heavier sequel. You've got the reverb stuff, the dark tones in a lot of the songs and of course the steller production. What's your take?

From what I've heard so far of the album, I have to concur. If I recall correctly, wasn't it the return of "One More" to the setlist at the end of the 2009 Revelations Tour (and more notably one of the Festivals in Europe) that apparently inspired Neal to -really- make a more rocking album this time around? I remember reading that in an article somewhere, though I'm not sure if it was a statement or speculation.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Ditto Walking Away from the Edge, I Can Breathe, Place in Your Heart, Knowing that you love me, Faith in the Heartland, Beyond the Clouds, Never too Late. Conversely - on Revelation- Wildest Dream, What it takes to win, Revelation and What I needed aren't immediately sounding Journey tunes.

Disagree. Place in Your Heart, Never Too Late, and What I Needed are pure Journey. Wildest Dream and What it Takes to Win are sorta generic 80's tunes.

[Eric]

Ditto Walking Away from the Edge, I Can Breathe, Place in Your Heart, Knowing that you love me, Faith in the Heartland, Beyond the Clouds, Never too Late. Conversely - on Revelation- Wildest Dream, What it takes to win, Revelation and What I needed aren't immediately sounding Journey tunes.

Disagree. Place in Your Heart, Never Too Late, and What I Needed are pure Journey. Wildest Dream and What it Takes to Win are sorta generic 80's tunes.

I said that Place in Your Heart and Never Too Late were classic Journey. I can see your point about What I needed, though. I don't agree that Wildest Dream and What it Takes to win are generic.

[pf1965]

New member here! Greetings to all and cheers!
The Eclipse samples are incredible IMO! I was tiring of the same old re-processed music,although enjoyable still.

[fightingilliniJRNY]

I need to stop listening to these clips. I can't get Chain Of Love out of my head. Or Tantra. Or Resonate. Or Ritual. Or To Whom It May Concern.

[Jana]

I need to stop listening to these clips. I can't get Chain Of Love out of my head. Or Tantra. Or Resonate. Or Ritual. Or To Whom It May Concern.

I agree. I don't get it when someone says there's no catchy songs or hooks. I had to stop after the first day, after I listed to the samples like four or five times, because I wanted the songs to be fresh when I hear them.

[Don]

I need to stop listening to these clips. I can't get Chain Of Love out of my head. Or Tantra. Or Resonate. Or Ritual. Or To Whom It May Concern.

I agree. I don't get it when someone says there's no catchy songs or hooks. I stopped after the first day, after I listed to the samples like four or five times, because I wanted the songs to be fresh when I hear them.

There aren't the type of hooks we usually associate with Journey music and the lack of enthusiasm for the first two singles prove that to me. These songs need to be enjoyed unedited and within the context of the entire album. Releasing edited singles just because Journey has always it done it that way doesn't make sense to me. Especially when Wal-Mart doesn't have any album preview clips and the one's on youtube are under threat of being pulled or have been already.

[Centaure]

Who cares if it doesn't sound like Journey...

The question to ask is: is this great music ?

If the answer is yes... then good ! Is it the same band ? Yes! it is still Journey. So Journey is still a great band that still makes great music, whatever it sounds. This is the sound of Journey now.

[steveo777]

[annpea]

After listening to the 12 samples two didn't catch my full attention one being SAM the other COH, but that may change after I buy the album and give it a complete listen.( I still think this album is a winner ) The samples sound like the old Schon,Perry and Cain songwriting combo strikes again but of cause we all know that's not so. all kidding aside congrats to NS,JC,RV,DC and AP may your album do well and your tour even better.

[steveo777]

After listening to the 12 samples two didn't catch my full attention one being SAM the other COH, but that may change after I buy the album and give it a complete listen.( I still think this album is a winner ) The samples sound like the old Schon,Perry and Cain songwriting combo strikes again but of cause we all know that's not so. all kidding aside congrats to NS,JC,RV,DC and AP may your album do well and your tour even better.

You know, and maybe it's just an observation, but people who have normally dismissed this band and any recent works off hand, are not so quick to do so this time around.
It might mean nothing.....and it might mean everything.
I think this album is a winner too and I think even some of the detractors might know when they hear gold.
Very different album from Journey, but who knows where it goes, at this point. Respect seems to be there for this effort, for sure.

[JourneyHard]

I went to Wal-Mart hoping to get lucky, but no sign of Eclipse. But they did have ESCAPE with La Raza Del Sol as a bonus track so I bought it. I already have ESCAPE, but it only cost $5.00 so I had to buy it again to have La Raza Del Sol on the same disc. All these people who bought Don't Stop Believin' online for $1.29 are idiots. (DSB is the number one song of all-time on Internet sales or whatever.) They could have had the whole ESCAPE album for $5.00. I listened to the whole thing in one sitting and it is awesome. I knew it was, but actually listening to it I confirmed it over and over. Every song is awesome. Eclipse is going to have a hard time reaching that level.

[WykkedSensation]

Who cares if it doesn't sound like Journey...

The question to ask is: is this great music ?

If the answer is yes... then good ! Is it the same band ? Yes! it is still Journey. So Journey is still a great band that still makes great music, whatever it sounds. This is the sound of Journey now.

I care for starters. I would also hasten a guess that 1,000s of Journey fans who have grew up listening to Journey music for 30 yrs plus will also care. No need to change the winning formula imo. I still believe Journey have one great album left in them, but personally i do not believe this is it.

[jrny10]

Anyone else feel Arnel's broken English in these samples is distracting? It doesn't exactly give you the feeling that he 'owns' the lyrics so to speak, and it becomes more a case of singing from a teleprompter... Mood killer.

Which is also why One More on the last tour came off painfully lacking. No soul whatsoever. And he has the same delivery in *all* songs pretty much which really becomes a problem in a band like JRNY where feeling was key. Also, his singing is too harsh quite a lot of the time (the standard scream he does - can you try ending at least one song on a different note?), shouting where it should be smooth etc.

One More, Graspop 2009:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0Or25Sulfc

Ouch...