Journey Generations - Well...

[jrnyman28]

Generations is not one of Journey's best efforts in my opinion. Although good, it isn't great. I was hoping for great.

Welcome Adikeo!
Care to share some of your reasons behind your statement? I am interested to hear where you are coming from. If you look at the "New Ranking" thread you will see where I placed "Generations" among Journey's CDs.
What is "Generations" lacking to keep it from being great?

[The_Noble_Cause]

Although good, it isn't great. I was hoping for great.

I'll sorta, kinda, almost concede to that.
However, even at only just "good" its still better than their 3 past releases, ROR, Arrival and TBF, and that accomplishment alone is def. something to celebrate (not to mention an encouraging step back in the right in the direction).

[heardonthestreet]

Do you mean, in your opinion, NC? I thought so!

[The_Noble_Cause]

Do you mean, in your opinion, NC? I thought so!

Good God. Do I really need to preface everything I write here with a "IMO".

Let me break it down for you.....

This is a message board - fans come here to express varying individual thoughts and ideas. Most people presume this already before coming here. I'm sorry that u need to be reminded each time that my individual thoughts and feelings are not facts. However, for most posters that's already a given and coping with ur "special needs" and giving u "special attention" is not my responsibility.

[Adikeo]

Thanks for the welcome.

Essentially, I think Generations lacks continuity. Each of the songs are good (some being really good) individually. But they don't seem to fit on a cd together. There is no smooth transition from track to track in my opinion. I think each member is talented but each member is not a singer.
Don't get me wrong, Journey is a very successful band and I like their music but like I said, this cd does not achieve greatness but it is good. I was just disappointed in it.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Essentially, I think Generations lacks continuity. Each of the songs are good (some being really good) individually. But they don't seem to fit on a cd together.

I think the first 4 flow great together and then the injurious banality of Augeri's two "meh" solo offerings halts the album dead in its tracks. It resumes traction with Knowing that You Love Me, followed by Out of Harm's Way, Self Defense and Better Together, however, it needed at least ONE more Blades melodic rocker interspersed somewhere in there with all the more harder-edged rock. Gone Crazy followed by Beyond the Clouds works fine. Gone Crazy could've gone last, doesn't much matter.

Overall though, I am content with the flow of the album, minus the two Augeri efforts-which to be honest, probably would have stagnated the album no matter where they were placed

[perryfaithful]

Generations is not one of Journey's best efforts in my opinion. Although good, it isn't great. I was hoping for great.

Hi Adikeo! which Journey show did you get your Generations CD at?

[Adikeo]

Got my copy of Generations in Chicago.

[NoMoreTails]

What's so important about flow? Ross's tune and sometimes even Jon's
seem to be misplaced to me but I think Neal's fits where it is well, one of the few who like that tune I guess. Also one of the few who really dig Steve's two songs in the middle of the album, some great jamming by Neal and Jon on Believe. As far as the flow, not a big deal to me, its not a concept album. I like the diversity, which has always been something Journey had over most other bands.

[NealIsGod]

What's so important about flow? Ross's tune and sometimes even Jon's
seem to be misplaced to me but I think Neal's fits where it is well, one of the few who like that tune I guess. Also one of the few who really dig Steve's two songs in the middle of the album, some great jamming by Neal and Jon on Believe. As far as the flow, not a big deal to me, its not a concept album. I like the diversity, which has always been something Journey had over most other bands.

I agree. Some people like to sound like professional critics. If a CD is good, it's good. Simple as that.

In Self Defense is great. I place it right after the big 4 on this CD (FITH, TPIYH, OOHW, ABL).

[Red13JoePa]

I been hapring on how much I dig ISD since I got the cd.
The attitude of that track's just great. Retaliation being the order of the day is the band's theme on that one. It's like the antithesis of Knowing That You Love Me and a great juxtaposition.

[Eric]

I'll tell you this.....

This isn't a CD that you "Know" after listening to clips of some of the songs. The songs all have way more to them then a clip can capture...although I would agree there is a lack of flow.

[Rockindeano]

What's so important about flow? Ross's tune and sometimes even Jon's
seem to be misplaced to me but I think Neal's fits where it is well, one of the few who like that tune I guess. Also one of the few who really dig Steve's two songs in the middle of the album, some great jamming by Neal and Jon on Believe. As far as the flow, not a big deal to me, its not a concept album. I like the diversity, which has always been something Journey had over most other bands.

I don't "get" the flow shit either...I can care less what order it goes..Ask Dad or 28..they seem the most perturbed by it than anyone. Dad also hates having an having an album too long..I never did get that either, but I am sure dad will IM me and let me know..right TNC

You could put any song on any album and I could care less..

If Journey is guilty of anything, it's that they are too conservative...Just thinking about that word makes me hate Backtalk... That place is a republican prayer forum delight..if you are into that shit.

[jrnyman28]

Flow is not an issue to me most of the times. I get used to the track order and it is cool. In fact, I like listening to entire cds straight through, instead of on random. I LIKE knowing what song is next. The only time I have a problem with the flow of a CD is if it truly is a problem. If the CD seems to come to grinding halt then there is a problem. And if there are too many ballads on a CD, then there are bound to be too many ballads in a row: TBF and Arrival anyone? And THAT is when it becomes clear that a CD is too long. If the CD can hold my attention through and through, then no problem. But if there seem to be too many ballads (or too many of anything actually) in a row and the CD is 14-15 songs long, then I know it would sound better and flow better with fewer tracks on the CD.

It is all about the end result...

[Red13JoePa]

Here f-ing here. Never bought into the overlong argument either. Especially nowadays with Classic rock bands, the more the better they're recordings are so few and far between. Christ, I'll FIND something to like about the so-called fillers. Just give em up.

[NoMoreTails]

In Self Defense is great. I place it right after the big 4 on this CD (FITH, TPIYH, OOHW, ABL).

I've always liked hearing Neal sing, his voice is unique and cool, I think he's influenced by Hendrix vocal style somewhat. To me Neall sounds like a mixture of Hendrix and Gregg Rolie. While Jonathan does a really good job on Gregg's songs, I'd like to hear Neal on some of them.

[Rockindeano]

In Self Defense is great. I place it right after the big 4 on this CD (FITH, TPIYH, OOHW, ABL).

I've always liked hearing Neal sing, his voice is unique and cool, I think he's influenced by Hendrix vocal style somewhat. To me Neall sounds like a mixture of Hendrix and Gregg Rolie. While Jonathan does a really good job on Gregg's songs, I'd like to hear Neal on some of them.

What's with the "Big Four?" Who decided..lol No More Tails.. I thought Every Generation was one of them? Ok, so maybe there are more than four? I think so.

[NoMoreTails]

If Journey is guilty of anything, it's that they are too conservative....

I agree completely, I'd love to hear Journey get as musically adventurous as possibly, which is what I think they'd like to do. There are steps in that direction on the last two albums and Red13. But they are too concerned in my opinion about what the fans expect them to sound like. Trying to satisfy fans expectations they get criticized anyway, so why worry. I certainly don't mean this as a criticism of Generations which I think in awesome. It could possibly end up being my favorite. But I'd still like to see them push it further in a progressive direction, which can be done while maintaining the Journey sound as they have done on Rubicon, State of Grace, OOHW.
Remember in the 80's, Journey was criticized for being too commercial, pissed me off that the general listening audience didn't realize what a great, hardrocking band they were. And now, you see a lot of criticism of them for what I consider not being "commercial" (in 80's Journey terms) sounding enough.

[jrnyman28]

I think this CD is a very good ompromise between both styles. Journey tried with RED13 and the feedback reigned them back in a little. Now we have a CD that rocks, is an evolution for the band, but still honors their past.

[NoMoreTails]

I think this CD is a very good ompromise between both styles. Journey tried with RED13 and the feedback reigned them back in a little. Now we have a CD that rocks, is an evolution for the band, but still honors their past.

Good post. Its a good mix of all the elements of Journey.

[NealIsGod]

Deano, I don't think anyone in this forum would count Every Generation among the top songs on the CD. I do expect it to sound better live.

[Red13JoePa]

I do.
Not having heard NTL yet (hate downloads, Chaney) or POTF, I rate it at #3 behind TPIYH and FITH and just ahead of Believe. i just love it. Despite Cain's sometime struggles with the higher parts.

Love "Flash back to retro (echo retro retro)"

[jrnyman28]

Love "Flash back to retro (echo retro retro)"

"It's all new again...."

[Red13JoePa]

And......
the awesome chorus where you can hear Augeri just BLAZING on the bg vox: "TURN AROUND AND FACE THE CHANGE"

[The_Noble_Cause]

Deano, I don't think anyone in this forum would count Every Generation among the top songs on the CD.

I dunno, it ranks up there for me.
Prolly falls somewhere in the top 5.

[Rockindeano]

HAHA NIG..Gotcha you little snubnosed cock.

I really wasn't into either til I heard all the good live reviews..then I started listening..now I dig it.

Believe DOES blow IMO. I agree with dad on this.

[Red13JoePa]

"dad."


Disagree with you guys on it, I stinking dig that jam Believe.
Check out the notes Augie smacks right on the button on "Woooo I BELIEVE THE TRUUUUoooo -OOOOOOOOTH WILL SET YOU FREEE -eeeeeee!!"

[jrnyjetster]

Deano, I don't think anyone in this forum would count Every Generation among the top songs on the CD. I do expect it to sound better live.

I do, and it sounds incredible LIVE!

[The_Noble_Cause]

:lol: "dad."


Disagree with you guys on it, I stinking dig that jam Believe.
Check out the notes Augie smacks right on the button on "Woooo I BELIEVE THE TRUUUUoooo -OOOOOOOOTH WILL SET YOU FREEE -eeeeeee!!"

Yes, Augeri delivers a nice vocal on the song.
Lyrically, there is some good stuff going on, too.
The piano bit is catchy, as well.

However, the problem is, the whole song doesn't gel.

It's a song of moments and parts.
It doesn't flow.

The biggest flaw being in it's lack of a proverbial nucleus (a strong chorus) to hold the song all together.

Some people have said "while it's not a great Journey song, it IS a great Augeri song!", that's soo bogus. Listen, I own "Shine" and "Tall Stories" and this song would suck equally as hard if found on either of those two albums.

[NealIsGod]

HAHA NIG..Gotcha you little snubnosed cock.

LOL, where do you come up with that stuff?