MR

Many bands create a masterwork at some point or another.
Some here would say Journey's masterwork is 'Infinity', others would argue that it's 'ESC4P3'.
I, on the other hand, would probably argue that they've yet to produce one, but 'Infinity' and 'Frontiers' are probably as close as they're gonne get.
So in your estimation, has Journey produced their masterwork yet?
In metaphorical terms, have they created their "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club", if you will? (even though I think that album is overrated and the Beatles were a pack of bloody wankers).

I have to go with ESC4P3. The greatest album from the perfect lineup. Second place goes to Infinity.

The Great Escape (as Augeri refers to it live).

Incidentally, Classic Rock Magazine in their top 50 records of 2005 Called Generations which paced 16th, the band's "masterwork."

Red13JoePa wrote:Incidentally, Classic Rock Magazine in their top 50 records of 2005 Called Generations which paced 16th, the band's "masterwork."

In a related story, Shut-Ins Monthly voted Perry their Man of the Year!

If not for 'Back Talk' I'd consider Frontiers their best work... but I have to give it to Escape.

Red13JoePa wrote:The Great Escape (as Augeri refers to it live).

Incidentally, Classic Rock Magazine in their top 50 records of 2005 Called Generations which paced 16th, the band's "masterwork."

It was good, but not that good. One reviewer said the album showed that the current band is well on it's way to creating their masterwork. I think I agree with that.
"Generations" for me is kinda like the interum period after "Infinity" and before they finally hit their stride with "ESC4P3", y'know?
As good as those two Rolie-era albums were (Evolution, Departure) "ESC4P3" just took their sound to a whole 'nother level.

The_Noble_Cause wrote:

Red13JoePa wrote:The Great Escape (as Augeri refers to it live).

Incidentally, Classic Rock Magazine in their top 50 records of 2005 Called Generations which paced 16th, the band's "masterwork."

It was good, but not that good. One reviewer said the album showed that the current band is well on it's way to creating their masterwork. I think I agree with that.
"Generations" for me is kinda like the interum period after "Infinity" and before they finally hit their stride with "ESC4P3", y'know?
As good as those two Rolie-era albums were (Evolution, Departure) "ESC4P3" just took their sound to a whole 'nother level.

But didn't you say you think Neal is losing interest in Journey? Hard to create a masterpiece that way...

I personally think that Departure is Journey at their best. But that does not mean there are no problems with the album.

I think Escape probably is the closest Journey has come. If not for the years of hearing certain songs, there was not a bad song on the disc. (See, now I would say that Open Arms, DSB, WCN and maybe one more could easily disappear forever).

History has a way of skewing things. When an album is released, it may garner remarks of perfection, only to fade away with time. Likewise, an album could be dogged for inconsistences because people 'just didn't get it' and years later it is like "WOW, that's amazing!" So I think Departure was Journey firing on all cylinders with Rolie. Escape was a big bang outta the gates with Jon. Generations is definately a prelude...but I am not sure Journey is going to be able to 'keep it together' to make the next step. Maybe if everyone were in perfect health and focussed on making a Journey record right now...........

NealIsGod wrote:

The_Noble_Cause wrote:

Red13JoePa wrote:The Great Escape (as Augeri refers to it live).

Incidentally, Classic Rock Magazine in their top 50 records of 2005 Called Generations which paced 16th, the band's "masterwork."

It was good, but not that good. One reviewer said the album showed that the current band is well on it's way to creating their masterwork. I think I agree with that.
"Generations" for me is kinda like the interum period after "Infinity" and before they finally hit their stride with "ESC4P3", y'know?
As good as those two Rolie-era albums were (Evolution, Departure) "ESC4P3" just took their sound to a whole 'nother level.

But didn't you say you think Neal is losing interest in Journey? Hard to create a masterpiece that way...

I did say that, NIG, and I do believe that.
Do I think the guys have the talent to make something absolutely stellar? - Absolutely?
Do I think they will stick together long enough and collaborate for me to see that happen?
Can't answer that with any comfortable degree of certainty, sadly.

Yes. Escape.

Nice avatar, Greggie.

The_Noble_Cause wrote:

Red13JoePa wrote:The Great Escape (as Augeri refers to it live).

Incidentally, Classic Rock Magazine in their top 50 records of 2005 Called Generations which paced 16th, the band's "masterwork."

It was good, but not that good. One reviewer said the album showed that the current band is well on it's way to creating their masterwork. I think I agree with that.

The combining of 2/3 of Gens w/ Red13 and better production would have been the masterpiece.
Hoping the next one will be it, hoping there will be a next one.

NoMoreTails wrote:

The_Noble_Cause wrote:

Red13JoePa wrote:The Great Escape (as Augeri refers to it live).

Incidentally, Classic Rock Magazine in their top 50 records of 2005 Called Generations which paced 16th, the band's "masterwork."

It was good, but not that good. One reviewer said the album showed that the current band is well on it's way to creating their masterwork. I think I agree with that.

The combining of 2/3 of Gens w/ Red13 and better production would have been the masterpiece.
Hoping the next one will be it, hoping there will be a next one.

I have a feeling Red will agree with you on that one.

NoMoreTails wrote:The combining of 2/3 of Gens w/ Red13 and better production would have been the masterpiece.
Hoping the next one will be it, hoping there will be a next one.

I absolutely agree!!

NealIsGod wrote:

NoMoreTails wrote:

The_Noble_Cause wrote:

Red13JoePa wrote:The Great Escape (as Augeri refers to it live).

Incidentally, Classic Rock Magazine in their top 50 records of 2005 Called Generations which paced 16th, the band's "masterwork."

It was good, but not that good. One reviewer said the album showed that the current band is well on it's way to creating their masterwork. I think I agree with that.

The combining of 2/3 of Gens w/ Red13 and better production would have been the masterpiece.
Hoping the next one will be it, hoping there will be a next one.

I have a feeling Red will agree with you on that one.

Nope, like leaving both the records the way they are. Agree in the sense that this lineup is capable of, in fact in Gens very nearly DID, put together another ESC4P3 quality record. Maybe agree in the sense of adding 3 Red13 songs (lopping WAFTE) to Generations creating an unstoppable juggernaut fully 16-17 songs long depending if Pride Of The Family's included. I just far prefer KTYLM to WAFTE.

I finally got Pride of the Family. Nice tune.

Red13JoePa wrote:I just far prefer KTYLM to WAFTE.

WOW! I am one of those that really likes KTYLM...but better than WAFTE???? No way!!

This one's easy...Captured....they never sounded better live.

Personally I think they have 2.

Escape is flawless, but not even as good as Infinity. Infinity is PERFECT!! Those are two of the finest albums EVER in rock& roll!!!!

NealIsGod wrote:

Red13JoePa wrote:Incidentally, Classic Rock Magazine in their top 50 records of 2005 Called Generations which paced 16th, the band's "masterwork."

In a related story, Shut-Ins Monthly voted Perry their Man of the Year!

Escape is their best, foloowed very closely by Generations-ERIC

Gimme anything other than Can Do, and actually write a chorus to La Do Da (which would then get a new title) and then Infinity is perfect.

[quote="jrnyman28"]I personally think that Departure is Journey at their best.

[quote]

I have to agree with 28 on this one, I think with 'Departure', Journey was at their pinnacle, Escape may have been, commercially, their best album. But just on pure magic and unbelievable talent, this album showed the world everything that Journey was.

cubby69 wrote:

jrnyman28 wrote:I personally think that Departure is Journey at their best.

I have to agree with 28 on this one, I think with 'Departure', Journey was at their pinnacle, Escape may have been, commercially, their best album. But just on pure magic and unbelievable talent, this album showed the world everything that Journey was.

Where as I think, that Depature was one of the worst (if you can say that about Journey) cds. Still a good cd, but....weak, one of the weker cds. But to each is own -ERIC

Captured

Escape.

Infinity,Departure,Captured,Frontiers

jrnyman28 wrote:

Red13JoePa wrote:I just far prefer KTYLM to WAFTE.

WOW! I am one of those that really likes KTYLM...but better than WAFTE???? No way!!

You are obviously not alone. It's the Kiss Me Softly of Red13 where tons of fans LOVE IT RAVE ABOUT IT (not saying you do this over either tune) it and a few others (like me) are like What the hell's all the fuss about?