MR

Posted: **Thu Nov 19, 2015 6:15 am**

20 Terrible Debut Albums by Great Artists

Journey, 'Journey' (1975)

David Bowie, Billy Joel and 18 more iconic artists who made a bad first impression

Richard Bienstock

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists ... 5-20151116

Headed by two Santana alumni – guitarist Neal Schon and singer/keyboardist Gregg Rolie – Journey's 1975 self-titled debut trekked down a similarly jammy, fusion-y path, while also making half-hearted efforts at succinct, hooky pop-rock. The result is an album that hangs out somewhere in the middle, without committing to either style. The prog tunes and noodle-y instrumentals drag on for far too long (though "Kohoutek" features some tremendous playing from former Zappa and Bowie drummer Aynsley Dunbar), while "In My Lonely Feeling/Conversations" wallows in plodding blues. The one genuine bright spot is closer "Mystery Mountain," a soaring rocker with explosive soloing from Schon that still shows up in occasional set lists. But overall, Journey in 1975 still had a long way to travel – specifically, to singer Steve Perry and 1978's Infinity.

- read full article
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists ... 8-20151116

Posted: **Thu Nov 19, 2015 1:58 pm**

Journey's debut album kicked ass!!!

Posted: **Fri Nov 20, 2015 2:37 am**

RollingStone would say their later albums are "terrible" too. Who cares what they think?

Posted: **Tue Nov 24, 2015 4:01 am**

I think the pre-Perry albums are interesting from a musicianship standpoint, and I'm a prog-rock fan. But I don't think this assessment is wrong...there's a few gems, but most of the material on those 3 LP's was fairly unremarkable, even if the playing is top-notch.