MR ECLIPSE SHOWCASE

[Jana]

Yep, as I suspected, "Edge of the Moment" is something that I'll have blasting with the windows going down the highway at unsafe speeds...goddamn I love this song

I do, too.

[steveo777]

Seems like there is lots of division over this album. I still suspect we haven't heard enough of it to be fully on or off board yet.

I'm really digging:

Edge of the Moment
Tantra
Resonate
She's a Mystery
Someone

It blows Revelation away.

[Majestic]

They definitely dared to be different for Journey. There are some songs that I could easily imagine in different bands. For example, Ritual has a Cheap Trick vibe to it, and Tantra, feels like a Queen ballad. I don't know the names of all the songs yet, but there is another where the guitar bit feels like a Tesla tune. I don't think they have any song on here that is going to be a favorite. There is no Do Not Stop Believing, or any monster hit that will endure. At the same time, this album is going to endure, and be a favorite. I think I get the concept behind the album now: Make a record with a lot of good songs like what we want to play, and sell it to the fans. What a concept!

[Greg]

Do Not Stop Believing?

[The_Noble_Cause]

I liked Journey the way they were with big hooks, powerful harmonies and huge choruses and these 3 major factors that made Journey as great as they were seem to be sadly lacking here.

Aside from the Greatest Hits album, the Journey you're speaking of never existed. Where are the non-stop arena anthems to be found on Departure or Infinity? Only Escape and Frontiers featured back-to-back classics. Most J albums have a handful of fist-pumpers and then some lesser material. As it is, I hear plenty of HUGE classic choruses and big hooks on Eclipse. "Anything is Possible", "Someone", "Ritual" - none of these strike you as Journey? If that's the case, it's your loss. Sounds like 100% Journey to me.

[Greg]

I liked Journey the way they were with big hooks, powerful harmonies and huge choruses and these 3 major factors that made Journey as great as they were seem to be sadly lacking here.

Aside from the Greatest Hits album, the Journey you're speaking of never existed. Where are the non-stop arena anthems to be found on Departure or Infinity? Only Escape and Frontiers featured back-to-back classics. Most J albums have a handful of fist-pumpers and then some lesser material. As it is, I hear plenty of HUGE classic choruses and big hooks on Eclipse. "Anything is Possible", "Someone", "Ritual" - none of these strike you as Journey? If that's the case, it's your loss. Sounds like 100% Journey to me.

Anyway You Want It screams arena anthem to me. So does Wheel In The Sky. Both songs from Departure and Infinity.

[The_Noble_Cause]

I liked Journey the way they were with big hooks, powerful harmonies and huge choruses and these 3 major factors that made Journey as great as they were seem to be sadly lacking here.

Aside from the Greatest Hits album, the Journey you're speaking of never existed. Where are the non-stop arena anthems to be found on Departure or Infinity? Only Escape and Frontiers featured back-to-back classics. Most J albums have a handful of fist-pumpers and then some lesser material. As it is, I hear plenty of HUGE classic choruses and big hooks on Eclipse. "Anything is Possible", "Someone", "Ritual" - none of these strike you as Journey? If that's the case, it's your loss. Sounds like 100% Journey to me.

Anyway You Want It screams arena anthem to me. So does Wheel In The Sky. Both songs from Departure and Infinity.

Thanks for proving my exact point. That's ONE arena rocker per album. So as I said, the expectation that Eclipse should be chockful of absolutely nothing but big, huge "hooks and choruses" is just dumb. Like previous albums, it's got some of that. Anyone bitching about this new album is a tasteless troll. This, to me, sounds like the best Journey album since Frontiers.

[livin2do]

At first listen, I hear two or three songs that might earn repeat listens from me. Not good. Yes, the overall vibe rocks, which is great, but without hooks the songs really don't take flight. I found value in the songs on Red 13 and Generations, but this, to me, only exceeds those releases in production value.

[steveo777]

I don't get how people are not hearing hooks.
I don't understand how this doesn't sound like Journey.
A couple of these songs sound like classic Journey.

[The_Noble_Cause]

I found value in the songs on Red 13 and Generations, but this, to me, only exceeds those releases in production value.

That's insane. You're putting "Butterfly" and "Gone Crazy" in the same league as this new stuff?
Gens was a phoned-in, underproduced piece of crap with Neal hitting the sauce, and his creative attention focused on SoulSirkus.
Eclipse sounds like TBF...superb musicianship and painstakingly-crafted songs.

[Majestic]

Do Not Stop Believing?

Affectianately named such after reading it that way in many translated South American concert reviews.

[Michigan Girl]

Do Not Stop Believing?

Affectianately named such after reading it that way in many translated South American concert reviews.

Sounds like an order/demand ...I like it!!

[Jana]

I liked Journey the way they were with big hooks, powerful harmonies and huge choruses and these 3 major factors that made Journey as great as they were seem to be sadly lacking here.

Aside from the Greatest Hits album, the Journey you're speaking of never existed. Where are the non-stop arena anthems to be found on Departure or Infinity? Only Escape and Frontiers featured back-to-back classics. Most J albums have a handful of fist-pumpers and then some lesser material. As it is, I hear plenty of HUGE classic choruses and big hooks on Eclipse. "Anything is Possible", "Someone", "Ritual" - none of these strike you as Journey? If that's the case, it's your loss. Sounds like 100% Journey to me.

Anyway You Want It screams arena anthem to me. So does Wheel In The Sky. Both songs from Departure and Infinity.

Thanks for proving my exact point. That's ONE arena rocker per album. So as I said, the expectation that Eclipse should be chockful of absolutely nothing but big, huge "hooks and choruses" is just dumb. Like previous albums, it's got some of that. Anyone bitching about this new album is a tasteless troll. This, to me, sounds like the best Journey album since Frontiers.

And Anyway You Want It is an 80s anthem. Nice to hear in concert sometimes (not my favorite by any stretch of the imagination), but not exactly what I want to hear recorded in 2011 by a mature band.

[Majestic]

Do Not Stop Believing?

Affectianately named such after reading it that way in many translated South American concert reviews.

Sounds like an order/demand ...I like it!!

Nah, You will not stop believing is an order. Are we there, yet? I think people will believe in this release only after they own it and give a few spins. I don't know what some people expect! Perry is not in this band, and this is not the 80s with 30 something musicians. Besides, do we really want another Stone in Love or Faithfully? Don't we have them already?

[Greg]

I liked Journey the way they were with big hooks, powerful harmonies and huge choruses and these 3 major factors that made Journey as great as they were seem to be sadly lacking here.

Aside from the Greatest Hits album, the Journey you're speaking of never existed. Where are the non-stop arena anthems to be found on Departure or Infinity? Only Escape and Frontiers featured back-to-back classics. Most J albums have a handful of fist-pumpers and then some lesser material. As it is, I hear plenty of HUGE classic choruses and big hooks on Eclipse. "Anything is Possible", "Someone", "Ritual" - none of these strike you as Journey? If that's the case, it's your loss. Sounds like 100% Journey to me.

Anyway You Want It screams arena anthem to me. So does Wheel In The Sky. Both songs from Departure and Infinity.

Thanks for proving my exact point. That's ONE arena rocker per album. So as I said, the expectation that Eclipse should be chockful of absolutely nothing but big, huge "hooks and choruses" is just dumb. Like previous albums, it's got some of that. Anyone bitching about this new album is a tasteless troll. This, to me, sounds like the best Journey album since Frontiers.

Now that's kind of an ignorant thing to say. Not everybody is going to mindlessly fall in line just because you happen to have a hard-on for this new album. I don't know of anyone who has said, this album must be chalked full of arena anthems. But technically, no, I didn't prove your point. You said there were no arena anthems on those records and that was actually not the case at all. Actually, we could probably even add Anytime, Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin', and even lights to the list from those earlier albums, but I digress.

[Ritchie]

To me Tantra is bound to be an epic song on what I`ve heard on those samples and Resonate and Chain Of Love are just incredible massive sounding rocksongs.

[The_Noble_Cause]

You said there were no arena anthems on those records and that was actually not the case at all.

Not what I said AT ALL...
What I said was (quote): "Where are the non-stop arena anthems to be found on Departure or Infinity? Only Escape and Frontiers featured back-to-back classics."
Meaning that, if you expect every Eclipse track to be the second coming of DSB, you are dellusional, and your fan credentials are suspect. With the exception of Escape, Frontiers, and ROR, most J albums had maybe one or two chart-toppers at most. All I can say is, I'm thankful the internet was still in its infancy during the release of Arrival. As it was, it got ripped to shreds. Nowadays, with every loudmouth a-hole having web access, it's clear that the SA lineup would've been killed before it even got started.

[SF-Dano]

Liking what I am hearing so far. If what I am not hearing yet is alot of NS jamming on his guitar, then that can only make it better. For me anyway.

[Greg]

You said there were no arena anthems on those records and that was actually not the case at all.

Not what I said AT ALL...
What I said was (quote): "Where are the non-stop arena anthems to be found on Departure or Infinity? Only Escape and Frontiers featured back-to-back classics."
Meaning that, if you expect every Eclipse track to be the second coming of DSB, you are dellusional, and your fan credentials are suspect. With the exception of Escape, Frontiers, and ROR, most J albums had maybe one or two chart-toppers at most.

And those delusional fans you speak of actually have been comparing this record to those records. I have read quite a few of that on here. "Song 1" is the new DSB or the new "Separate Ways".

All I can say is, I'm thankful the internet was still in its infancy during the release of Arrival. As it was, it got ripped to shreds. Nowadays, with every loudmouth a-hole having web access, it's clear that the SA lineup would've been killed before it even got started.

Um....the public internet wasn't exactly in its infancy at that point.

[scarab]

most sounds rock, but the lyrics, especially the verses are terrible.

highlights are

anything is possible
resonate
someone
to whom it may concern
Ritual is good, but once again the chorus goes nowhere.
and the instrumental,

the firsit 4 songs should have been instrumentals too.

[steveo777]

most sounds rock, but the lyrics, especially the verses are terrible.

highlights are

anything is possible
resonate
someone
to whom it may concern
Ritual is good, but once again the chorus goes nowhere.
and the instrumental,

the firsit 4 songs should have been instrumentals too.

Generally agree, but Edge of the Moment is a killer song, IMO.

[Red13JoePa]

I liked Journey the way they were with big hooks, powerful harmonies and huge choruses and these 3 major factors that made Journey as great as they were seem to be sadly lacking here.

Aside from the Greatest Hits album, the Journey you're speaking of never existed. Where are the non-stop arena anthems to be found on Departure or Infinity? Only Escape and Frontiers featured back-to-back classics. Most J albums have a handful of fist-pumpers and then some lesser material. As it is, I hear plenty of HUGE classic choruses and big hooks on Eclipse. "Anything is Possible", "Someone", "Ritual" - none of these strike you as Journey? If that's the case, it's your loss. Sounds like 100% Journey to me.

Anyway You Want It screams arena anthem to me. So does Wheel In The Sky. Both songs from Departure and Infinity.

Thanks for proving my exact point. That's ONE arena rocker per album. So as I said, the expectation that Eclipse should be chockful of absolutely nothing but big, huge "hooks and choruses" is just dumb. Like previous albums, it's got some of that. Anyone bitching about this new album is a tasteless troll. This, to me, sounds like the best Journey album since Frontiers.

Now that's kind of an ignorant thing to say. Not everybody is going to mindlessly fall in line just because you happen to have a hard-on for this new album. I don't know of anyone who has said, this album must be chalked full of arena anthems. But technically, no, I didn't prove your point. You said there were no arena anthems on those records and that was actually not the case at all. Actually, we could probably even add Anytime, Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin', and even lights to the list from those earlier albums, but I digress.

You haven't read much of TNC.
He is a lot of things, among which is probably the most critical of the band among the die-hards who post. If he's enthused he says so, if he hates something, we read about it (in spades) but I think he could give 2 shits less about gathering or derailing the bandwagon.

[Majestic]

most sounds rock, but the lyrics, especially the verses are terrible.

highlights are

anything is possible
resonate
someone
to whom it may concern
Ritual is good, but once again the chorus goes nowhere.
and the instrumental,

the firsit 4 songs should have been instrumentals too.

Generally agree, but Edge of the Moment is a killer song, IMO.

I agree! I love the dark undertones of Neal's guitar, and the use of the wah wah pedal which he hasn't used in many years. This song is one I'm anticipating a lot.

[Greg]

most sounds rock, but the lyrics, especially the verses are terrible.

highlights are

anything is possible
resonate
someone
to whom it may concern
Ritual is good, but once again the chorus goes nowhere.
and the instrumental,

the firsit 4 songs should have been instrumentals too.

You have just echoed exactly how I feel about it as well.

[fightingilliniJRNY]

most sounds rock, but the lyrics, especially the verses are terrible.

highlights are

anything is possible
resonate
someone
to whom it may concern
Ritual is good, but once again the chorus goes nowhere.
and the instrumental,

the firsit 4 songs should have been instrumentals too.

You have just echoed exactly how I feel about it as well.

To be fair, Journey hasn't exactly been a thinking man's band when it comes to lyrics throughout the years. "Any way you want it, that's the way you need it, any way you want it"? Rhyming "you" with "you" three times in the Separate Ways chorus?

[Don]

most sounds rock, but the lyrics, especially the verses are terrible.

highlights are

anything is possible
resonate
someone
to whom it may concern
Ritual is good, but once again the chorus goes nowhere.
and the instrumental,

the firsit 4 songs should have been instrumentals too.

You have just echoed exactly how I feel about it as well.

To be fair, Journey hasn't exactly been a thinking man's band when it comes to lyrics throughout the years. "Any way you want it, that's the way you need it, any way you want it"? Rhyming "you" with "you" three times in the Separate Ways chorus?

Journey's had their share of nondescript, ambiguous lyrics over the years. I think what is happening here, is they are trying to actually be taken seriously and it just doesn't work for a lot of folks. Journey can't be who they're not, it's too later in the game to change that.
I think this album is a great musical treat for those of us who wanted the band to just put something out that was predominantly rock as compared to being ballad heavy. Overall, they've achieved that, even if other areas of the record have suffered because of it.

[Saint John]

It's also worth mentioning that Don't Stop Believin', Journey's most recognizable song, not to mention one of the most popular songs in the world, doesn't even really have a (refrain) chorus. So while Journey's known for catchy hooks and choruses, their most famous song, one that almost didn't even make it into Escape, deviates from their usual formula. They took a chance on that song ... just like they're doing with Eclipse. I find it remarkable that people are now complaining that they're not following their normal cookie cutter song structure. These are the same people that were complaining that they followed it too closely on Revelation and didn't take any chances.

Personally, I think this album is for all generations of Journey fans. There are some rockers, some progressive tunes for the early fans, some cool new ballads and some familiar hooks and choruses. Seems to me like they went out of their way to take some chances, yet make sure fans also had some comfortable reminders that it's still Journey.

[Don]

It's also worth mentioning that Don't Stop Believin', Journey's most recognizable song, not to mention one of the most popular songs in the world, doesn't even really have a (refrain) chorus. So while Journey's known for catchy hooks and choruses, their most famous song, one that almost didn't even make it into Escape, deviates from their usual formula. They took a chance on that song ... just like they're doing with Eclipse. I find it remarkable that people are now complaining that they're not following their normal cookie cutter song structure. These are the same people that were complaining that they followed it too closely on Revelation and didn't take any chances.

Personally, I think this album is for all generations of Journey fans. There are some rockers, some progressive tunes for the early fans, some cool new ballads and some familiar hooks and choruses. Seems to me like they went out of their way to take some chances, yet make sure fans also had some comfortable reminders that it's still Journey.

DSB is a great example of a song that lives off of its hooks. If you really break down the song, where the fuck does the midnight train eventually end up? No one knows but that's not important, it's basically just filler around great music that gets you rolling along with it. Anyway You Want It is complete garbage, lyric wise but again, once the tune catches you you are hooked. If you look at it, a lot of the music that is popular today is working off the same premise; Lyrics so open and simple, a third grader can recite them and catchy hooks that pay off quickly, not making you wait until the end of the song. The kids hear it one time and BAM!, downloaded straight to the iPod until another new song comes around later in the week.

There is a lot that is Journey on Eclipse but you might have to be patient to discover it. Songs like Tantra and To Whom it May Concern are really a different direction for the band and honestly, I don't care for them. If I want to listen to philosophical meanderings, I'll break out Pink Floyd.
That's not the norm on this album though and once you hear the whole work, you'll realize that underneath that new Earl Scheib paint Job, it's still Journey.

[NoMoreTails]

I think some of the folks here need to stick to Raised On Radio.

[Ritchie]

I think some of the folks here need to stick to Raised On Radio.