Augeri Acoustic Set

[The_Noble_Cause]

After SP, the call should have went, "Kevin, Perry bailed, please understand it was about the money and come sing for us!" or something like this, Kevin was the best choice back in 98. They don't make good decisions with singers.

Herbie picked Perry and then picked Kevin to replace Perry. Good enough for me. Arnel has alot of range and a strong voice. Still not sure if he's the guy tho. JSS would've at least mixed things up songwriting-wise.

[slucero]

ya it seems that Arnel has had the kibosh put on his songwriting for the band..

[Navarro]

Jeremy was/is the man for the job, but they screwed that up too. I don't dislike Arnel, but someone like JSS or Jeremy brings great songwriting too.

[Abitaman]

Jeremy was/is the man for the job, but they screwed that up too. I don't dislike Arnel, but someone like JSS or Jeremy brings great songwriting too.

I have to agree with that....

I am not Arnel fan, he sounds good, but writing wise missing something big time, he still has dictation issues.

I thought Jeremy would have done good, he wasn't my first pick, didn't know how he would have fit in on the writing, vocally he would nail it.. Now after listening to his debut CD, I was wrong on that. Not only would he have nailed it vocally, but would have been a big asset in the writing department.

Chalfant, was always my first pick, the first time Perry left, the second time and when Augeri left. The man can sing, and like Jeremy is not a "clone of Perry" He has the Perry feel to his voice, but can put a song into his own style and it still sound like Journey. Chalfant is also a know writer, and would have been a good fit for the band.

JSS was not excited about this at first, but after seeing in concert changed my mind. The possiblities....One have loved at least one CD from this line up. I was a big fan of Soul Sirkus, but with Cain in the works the little gripes I had about the SS CD could have been fixed. Could have took Journey down a new path and still payed homage to the past. I guess the thought of a new path was too much for the band.

So we ended with Arnel, a "clone", a newbie with no pull. The band would not have a new writer who could have "forced" their opinion on the music, but also could have written some "classic" new tunes. Arnel is a yes man for the band. A great talent yes, but not a force for the band.

[The_Noble_Cause]

If not someone similar to Perry, like Chalfant, than Bolton was the way to go. It would've been like the Sammy-era of VH. A distinct voice that stands on its own. It would've allowed the band to move on. Check out his earlier AOR work, or The Hunger (produced by Jon and Neal). Jeremey is a talented dude, but I feel that would've been Augeri part 2. A good tenor run ragged by the catalogue. Perry was just a freak.

[Jeremey]

If not someone similar to Perry, like Chalfant, than Bolton was the way to go. It would've been like the Sammy-era of VH. A distinct voice that stands on its own. It would've allowed the band to move on. Check out his earlier AOR work, or The Hunger (produced by Jon and Neal). Jeremey is a talented dude, but I feel that would've been Augeri part 2. A good tenor run ragged by the catalogue. Perry was just a freak.

While I understand your thoughts given my current situation, I have to disagree on being Augeri Pt 2. Me having these current issues and using that logic to say I couldn't have hung with Journey is like me getting into a car wreck tomorrow and then saying "good thing he didn't get into Journey, cause he ended up having a car wreck." Completely unrelated - My schedule and in particular the circumstances of a very specific injury are a totally different world and set of circumstances than the situation I would have been in with Journey. It's all conjecture at this point, but I at least hope people don't compare the life of singing on the road with Frontiers to the life of being on the road with Journey.

[The_Noble_Cause]

While I understand your thoughts given my current situation, I have to disagree on being Augeri Pt 2. Me having these current issues and using that logic to say I couldn't have hung with Journey is like me getting into a car wreck tomorrow and then saying "good thing he didn't get into Journey, cause he ended up having a car wreck." Completely unrelated - My schedule and in particular the circumstances of a very specific injury are a totally different world and set of circumstances than the situation I would have been in with Journey. It's all conjecture at this point, but I at least hope people don't compare the life of singing on the road with Frontiers to the life of being on the road with Journey.

You know your voice the best, J. My comment wasn't meant to be a knock on you or your talent. I just don't think any mere mortal can sing this songbook and last the distance.

[Jeremey]

No worries man and I didn't take it like that. I just wanted to throw my thoughts on the subject out there as its been suggested by more than one person that my recent voice injury is evidence I couldnt have handled the Journey gig. It's just a totally inaccurate leap to make.

[Abitaman]

No worries man and I didn't take it like that. I just wanted to throw my thoughts on the subject out there as its been suggested by more than one person that my recent voice injury is evidence I couldnt have handled the Journey gig. It's just a totally inaccurate leap to make.

How is the voice doing?

[Jeremey]

No worries man and I didn't take it like that. I just wanted to throw my thoughts on the subject out there as its been suggested by more than one person that my recent voice injury is evidence I couldnt have handled the Journey gig. It's just a totally inaccurate leap to make.

How is the voice doing?

Hey man, still at it, LOL...Here's an update.

www.journeytributeband.com

[AR]

My burning question is why did they hire Augeri in the first place? I like the tall stories cd, but there were better options available for Journey.

He had a better look than Chalfant and was very capable with no attitude. That's my best guess.

Steve certainly made them a lot of money on tour. In retrospect, if they didn't need to be on tour so much to pay for Neal's divorces they could have had Steve in the band for quite awhile without having to resort to what they did.

However, since they needed to keep touring so much then a change should have been made before they did what they did.

[steveo777]

My burning question is why did they hire Augeri in the first place? I like the tall stories cd, but there were better options available for Journey.

He had a better look than Chalfant and was very capable with no attitude. That's my best guess.

Steve certainly made them a lot of money on tour. In retrospect, if they didn't need to be on tour so much to pay for Neal's divorces they could have had Steve in the band for quite awhile without having to resort to what they did.

However, since they needed to keep touring so much then a change should have been made before they did what they did.

I think they learned this a little too late. Maybe that's why they play 3 band bills now and tune down a 1/2 step. Less wear and tear on the singer. No matter what people think of Arnel....if they burn him, there will be no more Journey. It's taken too long for Journey to regain any credibility after SA and the end fiasco. A replacement singer, at this point, would end this band's career. And, as for you, Jeremey, as much as I love you and your sound, you too are only human and there is nobody out there, including you, who would not pay a toll over time, singing this catalog. That is not meant to be a negative, just a realistic view.

[AR]

My burning question is why did they hire Augeri in the first place? I like the tall stories cd, but there were better options available for Journey.

He had a better look than Chalfant and was very capable with no attitude. That's my best guess.

Steve certainly made them a lot of money on tour. In retrospect, if they didn't need to be on tour so much to pay for Neal's divorces they could have had Steve in the band for quite awhile without having to resort to what they did.

However, since they needed to keep touring so much then a change should have been made before they did what they did.

I think they learned this a little too late. Maybe that's why they play 3 band bills now and tune down a 1/2 step. Less wear and tear on the singer. No matter what people think of Arnel....if they burn him, there will be no more Journey. It's taken too long for Journey to regain any credibility after SA and the end fiasco. A replacement singer, at this point, would end this band's career. And, as for you, Jeremey, as much as I love you and your sound, you too are only human and there is nobody out there, including you, who would not pay a toll over time, singing this catalog. That is not meant to be a negative, just a realistic view.

The one thing with Jeremey's sets over the last few years is that they were longer and much more difficult and varied than Journey's.

[Jeremey]

The distinction I want to make between what I do versus fronting Journey actually has little to do with the songs themselves or the length of the shows. Certainly when I found myself having to perform 18 shows in 25 days last year, that was a real bitch, LOL. But I think what most people don't factor in is this: Fronting Journey, your job is to stand onstage for 90 minutes and sing. For the remaining 22.5 hours a day, you are sleeping, riding in a bus, eating food, getting massages, having private warm up rooms, having a gofer run out on stage and hand you a microphone, asking someone to adjust your monitor for you, hearing yourself perform through a million dollars worth of professional equipment, etc etc....I could go on, but I hope people get the point. There is a BIG difference between what I do/did with Frontiers versus the job with Journey, and while it IS a moot point as to if someone's voice gets injured or they get sick or whatever - All things being equal, I believe I COULD handle the Journey gig versus the Frontiers gig. Not forever of course, maybe not as long as Perry did, but again, all things being equal I had just as much capability as Arnel, who DID institute a number of accommodations over his predecessors (wisely I might add) in order to preserve his voice.

[YoungJRNY]

Remember now, in the midst of all of this debating on whomever can handle the Journey catalog, these songs were created decades ago with a very, very fresh and young Steve Perry at the helm before hitting superstardom.

Journey started belting out these lavishing and outstanding inhuman vocals & were yet to be recognized. They had nothing to lose and created the classic songs we know today as a way to make a breakthrough in the industry.

IMHO, they went all out and with a young band, they reached for perfection and seemly got it with Perry at that givin' time period. I honestly think that going into this thing with Perry on lead vocals, they didn't think these songs would last the lifetime they initially did, thus, going balls to the walls with soaring vocal capabilities that can't stand the test of time.

By the time Augeri got hired in 1998, it's not like he was prepping for this job. S.A was working at the GAP and was pretty much giving up on music as a lead man. He was sitting forever and getting older. To go from selling shirts to presumably singing Perry era music overnight, day after day for years is a gigantic step up for a singers voice that was cold for years upon years. Mix that in with music not suited for his range and that brings us to the end of the Augeri era with Tapegate.

I believe if preserved and takin' care of, Augeri was MORE THAN GOOD ENOUGH to keep the Journey-engine going and he did for so many years. He simply doesn't get enough credit judging by the way his era ended, which was fucked up by the bands initial decision to tour the man to death. Go ahead, play your instruments, but this catalog, something the originator, Steve Perry couldn't even sing at his age in the present time, is suicide to ANY SINGER.

Arnel is the bands last hope and main attraction. Once again, he's MORE THAN GOOD ENOUGH to give the band a solid decade out of his voice. There will come a time to where he will need his rest. If the band wants to successfully continue, they must protect and take care of Arnel or it'll be the end for good because nobody, including Perry, would be able to do it from that point forward.

[The_Noble_Cause]

...if they burn him, there will be no more Journey. It's taken too long for Journey to regain any credibility after SA and the end fiasco. A replacement singer, at this point, would end this band's career.

I really don't believe this. Arnel has certainly given the band a higher profile, but Journey can tour with anybody and make cash. It's the songs that sell tickets.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Remember now, in the midst of all of this debating on whomever can handle the Journey catalog, these songs were created decades ago with a very, very fresh and young Steve Perry at the helm before hitting superstardom.

Journey started belting out these lavishing and outstanding inhuman vocals & were yet to be recognized. They had nothing to lose and created the classic songs we know today as a way to make a breakthrough in the industry.

IMHO, they went all out and with a young band, they reached for perfection and seemly got it with Perry at that givin' time period. I honestly think that going into this thing with Perry on lead vocals, they didn't think these songs would last the lifetime they initially did, thus, going balls to the walls with soaring vocal capabilities that can't stand the test of time.

By the time Augeri got hired in 1998, it's not like he was prepping for this job. S.A was working at the GAP and was pretty much giving up on music as a lead man. He was sitting forever and getting older. To go from selling shirts to presumably singing Perry era music overnight, day after day for years is a gigantic step up for a singers voice that was cold for years upon years. Mix that in with music not suited for his range and that brings us to the end of the Augeri era with Tapegate.

I believe if preserved and takin' care of, Augeri was MORE THAN GOOD ENOUGH to keep the Journey-engine going and he did for so many years. He simply doesn't get enough credit judging by the way his era ended, which was fucked up by the bands initial decision to tour the man to death. Go ahead, play your instruments, but this catalog, something the originator, Steve Perry couldn't even sing at his age in the present time, is suicide to ANY SINGER.

Arnel is the bands last hope and main attraction. Once again, he's MORE THAN GOOD ENOUGH to give the band a solid decade out of his voice. There will come a time to where he will need his rest. If the band wants to successfully continue, they must protect and take care of Arnel or it'll be the end for good because nobody, including Perry, would be able to do it from that point forward.

SA didn't sell shirts. He was a maintenance manager for GAP stores in NY.

[SF-Dano]

If not someone similar to Perry, like Chalfant, than Bolton was the way to go. It would've been like the Sammy-era of VH. A distinct voice that stands on its own. It would've allowed the band to move on. Check out his earlier AOR work, or The Hunger (produced by Jon and Neal). Jeremey is a talented dude, but I feel that would've been Augeri part 2. A good tenor run ragged by the catalogue. Perry was just a freak.

I always wanted to hear what Geoff Tate sounded like when he auditioned. I know the quote was that it didn't sound like Journey, but as you suggest above with Bolton, that would have been at least a known name. It is hard for me to believe also with Tate's range back then that he would not be able to hit the notes in the catalog. Not the same timbre, but as you say, different but still close enough. Would have been interesting and I think Schon would have had a "heavier/harder" rock ally in the band. But then again, there is that ego thing going on to consider.

[Jeremey]

Remember now, in the midst of all of this debating on whomever can handle the Journey catalog, these songs were created decades ago with a very, very fresh and young Steve Perry at the helm before hitting superstardom.

Journey started belting out these lavishing and outstanding inhuman vocals & were yet to be recognized. They had nothing to lose and created the classic songs we know today as a way to make a breakthrough in the industry.

IMHO, they went all out and with a young band, they reached for perfection and seemly got it with Perry at that givin' time period. I honestly think that going into this thing with Perry on lead vocals, they didn't think these songs would last the lifetime they initially did, thus, going balls to the walls with soaring vocal capabilities that can't stand the test of time.

By the time Augeri got hired in 1998, it's not like he was prepping for this job. S.A was working at the GAP and was pretty much giving up on music as a lead man. He was sitting forever and getting older. To go from selling shirts to presumably singing Perry era music overnight, day after day for years is a gigantic step up for a singers voice that was cold for years upon years. Mix that in with music not suited for his range and that brings us to the end of the Augeri era with Tapegate.

I believe if preserved and takin' care of, Augeri was MORE THAN GOOD ENOUGH to keep the Journey-engine going and he did for so many years. He simply doesn't get enough credit judging by the way his era ended, which was fucked up by the bands initial decision to tour the man to death. Go ahead, play your instruments, but this catalog, something the originator, Steve Perry couldn't even sing at his age in the present time, is suicide to ANY SINGER.

Arnel is the bands last hope and main attraction. Once again, he's MORE THAN GOOD ENOUGH to give the band a solid decade out of his voice. There will come a time to where he will need his rest. If the band wants to successfully continue, they must protect and take care of Arnel or it'll be the end for good because nobody, including Perry, would be able to do it from that point forward.

Well I agree with most of your points but I still think discussing whether or not such and such can survive for x number of years singing these songs is kind of a moot point. Again, survive how? By singing 10 shows a year? By doing sixty concerts a year no more than 70 minutes in length and spaced out over 30 weeks? It's all kind of a silly discussion, but I don't want anyone to misinterpret my intentions here. I was just chiming in my thoughts since I was brought into the conversation, this isn't something I would normally go around discussing for the exact reasons above.

The part I don't agree with is that Arnel is the band's last hope and main attraction. I am all for giving credit where credit is due, which is having a great voice and being a real trooper in the band, but I can think of several other things on the list that would probably be listed as a main attraction, above Arnel Pineda...Firstly, being the songs themselves. Then followed by a couple guys named Schon and Cain.

[The_Noble_Cause]

...but I can think of several other things on the list that would probably be listed as a main attraction, above Arnel Pineda...Firstly, being the songs themselves. Then followed by a couple guys named Schon and Cain.

Agreed.

[YoungJRNY]

The part I don't agree with is that Arnel is the band's last hope and main attraction. I am all for giving credit where credit is due, which is having a great voice and being a real trooper in the band, but I can think of several other things on the list that would probably be listed as a main attraction, above Arnel Pineda...Firstly, being the songs themselves. Then followed by a couple guys named Schon and Cain.

Well, of course. Schon and Cain are the wiring and sparks that hold Journey together within, obviously, nobody is disputing that. That's the way it was and that's the way it'll always be. Even the mighty Steve Perry couldn't get one by these guys. Schon and Cain ARE Journey.

To the diehards, it's Schon and Cain's band and Arnel is simply the next singer in line to carry on the flagship sound. To the casual and overall public anticipation and attraction, it's Arnel, THEE frontman. The attraction would of been you if you took the gig or anybody else for that matter but Pineda's story pretty much DESTROY'S all else its path and the guys knew it. Arnel's own journey from rags to riches took the world by storm when he was hired and that right there ALONE has been the band's re-imagining for forming a different style of popularity.

Augeri was the guy who replaced Steve Perry, whose first name was also Steve and "sounded similar to Perry." Nothing more came about Augeri's story and the band never packed a hefty punch.

Arnel is the homeless Filipino that was discovered on youtube by an 80's mega-rock band with power-vocals through the roof. They even made a documentary for him and is now Journey's identity moving forward from Tapegate.

I'm going to disagree with you as well. I think Arnel is within a shadow of the doubt, Journey's face on the surface with Schon and Cain pulling the strings to their audience. I truly do believe that when Arnel is done, so is Journey. There is simply nowhere else for the "big boys" to go other than Perry and we all know that 'aint happening in our lifetime.

[AR]

I'm going to disagree with you as well. I think Arnel is within a shadow of the doubt, Journey's face on the surface with Schon and Cain pulling the strings to their audience. I truly do believe that when Arnel is done, so is Journey. There is simply nowhere else for the "big boys" to go other than Perry and we all know that 'aint happening in our lifetime.

They will have another singer if they have to. Do not doubt that for a second. They WON'T if Arnel never loses his voice though.

Do not underestimate what a piece of human debris Neal Midget is.

Next time they need a singer (hopefully never) he will turn it into a reality show.

[YoungJRNY]

I'm going to disagree with you as well. I think Arnel is within a shadow of the doubt, Journey's face on the surface with Schon and Cain pulling the strings to their audience. I truly do believe that when Arnel is done, so is Journey. There is simply nowhere else for the "big boys" to go other than Perry and we all know that 'aint happening in our lifetime.

They will have another singer if they have to. Do not doubt that for a second. They WON'T if Arnel never loses his voice though.

Do not underestimate what a piece of human debris Neal Midget is.

Next time they need a singer (hopefully never) he will turn it into a reality show.

Even if they would, I don't think they'd even last long after Arnel. At the givin' time Augeri took over, most didn't even know Perry left and many thought Augeri was Perry out there. The Augeri-era was really overshadowed by the suicide-touring. The S.A-era never really got the exposure that Arnel has givin' the band. I think because of the exposure of Arnel & his story alone, I don't think Journey can get away with another lead singer next time around. Just my .02 cents.

[Red13JoePa]

They will have another singer if they have to. Do not doubt that for a second. They WON'T if Arnel never loses his voice though.

Agreed. May not be the case if they hadn't wasted a decade in what should've been their peak years waiting on god knows what ( ) but that being what it was the band still has stuff to get out of its system.

[slucero]

With Augi they retained some credibility with the general public, even though that was limited (and helped) because they were largely absent, popularity-wise. With Jeff, his tenure was so short lived, its non-existant to the general public.

Credibility-wise.... the whole SA and JSS tenures (and fiasco endings) are more obvious to us (the diehards)...

Arnel, via his story, has garnered them more credibility with the general public... his story was always the bait, the hook was his voice, ALWAYS followed by the comparison to Perry... anytime the band OR media talks Arnel, its always in comparison to Perry..

IMO - The real challenge for the band is in the songwriting department. The dynamic of NS, JC and SP (as equals) isn't there... and with Arnel it obviously hasn't been either. It's obvious Arnel's songwriting isn't "informed" in the same way Perry's was, influences-wise, so the output is not going to be similar. More importantly it won't "fit" with the existing Journey legacy... The band knows this, and its reflected in post-Perry material.

Arrival, Red13, Generations, Revelation and Eclipse comprise 58 songs:

Yet look at the post-ROR songwriting credits:

JC = 48
NS = 50
Augeri = 14
AP = 2


SA = 2 albums and one EP (33 songs total/14 credits) 42%
AP = 2 albums (25 songs total/2 credits) 8%


Simply based on the songwriting credits... it would appear JC and NS had no intention of trying to add a singer who could write... and its especially obvious with AP. Without that new singer/writer first, and subsequent success, they'd never be able to escape Perry's shadow. Instead they've used the the shadow in their own press, to drum up interest...

Sure they could get a way another singer.. but they'll never get that far away from the comparisons.


They don't want to.

[FamilyMan]

Back in my youth as a stagehand at New Jersey's Meadowlands, Journey came in for the Raised on Radio tour. Minutes before the show, I saw Perry pacing back and forth in the hallway singing scales and warming up his voice. He looked tortured. It prompted me to go up and ask him, "Are you nervous Steve?" He politely said no, and that he had to have his voice in shape for the show. But I'll never forget it. It seemed to be maddening for him. And perhaps he realized his voice was slipping and it was killing him. Or maybe he was always that way. I don't know. But I sensed he was obsessed with sounding good -- and by the way ... he went out and souded GREAT...despite for whatever reason they played that tour at 78 RPMs. No wonder he got off the merry go round.

[Red13JoePa]

If it doesn't cause friction, then I suppose the band/the singer could give a fuck who writes/who writing credits are attributed to. Last 2 times out have garnered a top 5 and two consecutive top 20 bilboard 200 albums plus about 2 million units shifted in addition to a widely sucessful DVD release with the current lineup.
They're as successful now, for whatEVER reason(s), as they have been since arguably '83, with a singer with a sob story and only perry's sidemen writing new material. And they're hanging their heads in shame all the way to the bank as a result.

[jestor92]

This is an opinion, but I don't think anyone goes to a Journey concert to see a formerly homeless Filipino fall off of a stage and try to sound like a legend. The reason people go to see Journey is because of the back catelog. Most fans could care less about Revelation and Eclipse. They want to hear the GH setlists and as long as the person singing sounds like Steve Perry they're going home happy.

What really raised awareness of the Arnel version of Journey isn't his back story it's all of the good press of the song Don' Stop Believin'. When that song started coming out everywhere (Soprano's, Glee, Chicago White Sox World Series, etc.) it gave the band it's huge amount of momentum that really propelled them back into a decent limelight. It wasn't because of Arnel's story. Had Don't Stop Believin' became rediscovered when Augeri or JSS was in the band the same thing would've happend. They've had just about as many documentaries about the song as they have about Arnel's backstory in the past few years. The song has as much or more to do with the rebirth of Journey in recent years as the vocalist's back story. Of course it's basically all gone down the drain with the release of another shitty album and Schon and the D-list celeb.

[slucero]

If it doesn't cause friction, then I suppose the band/the singer could give a fuck who writes/who writing credits are attributed to. Last 2 times out have garnered a top 5 and two consecutive top 20 bilboard 200 albums plus about 2 million units shifted in addition to a widely sucessful DVD release with the current lineup.
They're as successful now, for whatEVER reason(s), as they have been since arguably '83, with a singer with a sob story and only perry's sidemen writing new material. And they're hanging their heads in shame all the way to the bank as a result.

If you're going to compare their success now to '83 (Perry era), and you are using charting and unit sales.. then it's only fair to actually compare the charting and unit sales..


so lets look at the 2 studio albums released around 1983 and compare them to Revelation and Eclipse:

1981 - Escape- 12,400,000 units sold
#1 Pop Album - Billboard
4 Billboard Hot 100 singles - "Don't Stop Believin'" (#9), "Who's Crying Now" (#4), "Still They Ride" (#19) and "Open Arms" (#8 ) - plus rock radio staples like "Stone in Love" and "Mother, Father".

1983 - Frontiers- 8,000,000 units sold
#2 on the Billboard chart, 4 top 40 singles: "After the Fall" (#23), "Send Her My Love" (#23), "Faithfully" (#12), and "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" (#8 ), and a rock radio hit in "Chain Reaction." #6 on the UK Albums Chart in 1983 (highest-charting album in the United Kingdom)

2008 - Revelation - 1,800,000 units sold
No. 1 on Billboard's Independent Album Chart, No. 2 on Billboard rock album charts, and No. 5 on the Billboard 200.
Billboard's Top Adult Contemporary Tracks - "Where Did I Lose Your Love" (#19), "After All These Years" (#9 )

2011 - Eclipse - 100,000 units sold
#13 on Billboard 200.





Escape & Frontiers
20 Million sold
4 Hot 100 singles
4 Top 40 singles
#1 Album

Revelation & Eclipse
2 Million sold
#1 on Billboard's Independent Album Chart
#2 on Billboard rock album chart
#5 on the Billboard 200
#13 on Billboard 200.


From a sales standpoint, there is no comparison.
From a charting standpoint, the IAC, Billboard 200 and Rock album charts are secondary measures when compared to the Hot 100, Top 40 and Pop (album) charts..

While there is no doubt they are having some success... using sales and charting to compare their success clearly shows there is no argument. Their success today pales in comparison to 1983.

[Red13JoePa]

yes there is a comparison if you allow for sane adjustments. Format changes and remasters add to sales of the catalogue and the current lineup's output has yet to be able to take advantage of that aspect.
EG: I've bought no fewer than 3 copies of Escape now, allowing for original release cassette, remaster cassette cassette '96 and remaster cd '06 and I'd venture a guess I'm not alone in that boat.

Additionally I said "arguably since '83," not "they're every bit as successful now as they were in 1983.