SherriBerry wrote:Gideon wrote:I begin to detest Arnel and Perry's respective fan bases with each passing day due to this constant dick fights. "lulz Arnel > Perry" meets with "lawl Arnel isn't fit to carry Perry's mic" is met with "Perry didn't play at the Superbowl!!1!" ad infinitum.
Steve Perry was among the greatest vocalists ever heard and led one of rock's most talented bands on a golden road of success. He tackled an unimaginable tour regimen and displayed a vocal versatility that few can match (listen to Infinity thru Escape, Frontiers thru Trial By Fire); he adapts his vocals to take on different tones and masters them all. It's simply shocking to listen to him shatter glass with the likes of "Lay It Down" and "Somethin' To Hide" and then to sing with raw soul like "Foolish Heart" and "Send Her My Love" and withering depression in Trial By Fire's catalogue. It's unbelievable. Circa '83-94, I firmly believe that he was the best singer this world has ever seen (though perhaps not in technical ability).
Arnel Pineda, in contrast, has not been nearly as time tried nor is he a legendary singer. On the other hand, he is an extremely accomplished singer whose versatility far exceeds Perry's (though not in originality) in his ability to impersonate other great vocalists. While people can bitch "lulz what about his own voice," it takes great skill to be able to impersonate such a great swath of singers with such precision and we've seen demonstrations of his "own voice" throughout Revelation's new songs. While he's not as good as Perry was in his prime, you can bet your ass that he could outsing present-era Perry quite effortlessly. If his efforts on TBF are to be used as evidence of his current level ability, Perry's voice is nowhere near as strong as Arnel's is now; in every technical spects, Arnel outclasses current era Perry.
Seems like neither side really likes to acknowledge the abilities of the other's favorite singer.
Actually that makes him the Rich Little of the music industry and if you think it is such a rare quality do some research. There is a comedian who performed at the Montreal Comedy Fest who impersonated several rock vocalists quite well in one parody. Deano apparently can do a Kevin Cronin impersonation like no other - where is his record deal?
Are you kidding me? Nowhere did I say that it was "rare." I said that it takes great skill. Deano's ability to mimic Kevin Cronin has yet to be substantiated with an actual recording and even if he
can, how does that compare to Arnel's ability to mimic multiple singers on a technical level? Furthermore, what the hell does that have to do with a record deal?
Three fallacies in three sentences. I'm all for discussing this, but I don't appreciate logical missteps or you putting words in my mouth.
No one is saying Arnel is not a good vocalist.
While he's likely not among the greatest ever, and I apologize if I'm playing semantics, he's far more than just a 'good' singer. Another problem on both parties: when they occasionally do recognize the talent in Steve Perry or Arnel Pineda's voices, rarely will they ever emphasize to what extent. Seems like you're wanting everyone to recognize Perry's "lawlzubertalent" while foisting Arnel with the status of "good singer"?
He's not as good as Perry was in his prime, but few are. Arnel's sure as fuck better, even on a purely technical standpoint, than "good."
But the idea that he is already Perry's equal is ridiculous.
He's not as good as Perry was in his prime; Perry was a firm two or three steps ahead of Arnel. That said, Arnel's vocals from Revelation firmly outstrip -- by miles on miles -- Perry's on Trial By Fire. Match him up to current-era Perry (no matter how unfair that may be), and Arnel just obliterates him from a technical perspective (range, strength, control). But even when he was in his prime, Arnel could compete with Perry in most technical aspects. He's just not as good overall or especially in application for it.
He has potential, but he hasn't earned his stripes yet
He's had a long career of singing. He's proven his technical merits by and large and that's something no one can deny. In terms of achieving personal greatness as a truly unique singer? I agree. But in terms of 'potential', he's reached his peak in terms of strength and range. What he needs improvement on is control and phrasing.
Something Steve Perry has on every singer I can think of is control. It's not necessarily that he is the most accomplished and skilled singer (though he was sure as hell up there), but he applied it in ways that boggle the mind, manipulating the notes to sound damn near perfect. "Why Can't This Night Go On Forever" -- the greatest rock vocal ever -- personifies that. Arnel needs to learn control.
Anyways, it's just obnoxious to see obtuse people on both sides of this little war.
'Nothing was bigger for Journey than 1981’s “Escape” album. “I have to attribute that to Jonathan coming in and joining the writing team,” Steve Perry (Feb 2012).'
