To begin with, good or bad, most of the songs on this album take a few listens to "get". That is good for hardcore fans like myself because that essentially means the song has more to it. But it is bad for their hope that this will SELL, get airplay and that all of the hundreds of thousands of people who received it free will love it and want to hear cuts from it the next time they tour.
As usual with a Journey record, the songs come to life when played LIVE, so the album only is a hint of what Generations is really all about.
Cain (Keys) has said this is his finest lyrical work, getting back to writing about people and their lives. The critics and fans alike have agreed that this might be the best written album in Journey's storied history.
It sounds as if this album just came together....more magically than planned. I think that certainly avoids the contrived sound that Arrival sometimes had, although I can't say there are as many "okay-good" moments as Arrival...but probably as many if not more "good-great" moments. Another way the contrived sound was avoided was to record the album independently on their own label and then let record companies bid on a distribution deal. Sanctuary Records was the winner, over Universal. This way they didn't have someone telling them to do Open Arms V or else.
Little outside writing was used, although Jack Blades (Night Ranger) has made his continuing presence felt as a pseudo band member. I wish he would replace Valory on Bass.
This album was recorded ANALOG in the Metallica room. I think the sound is a little faded, and the vocals not in your face enough, but then again Arrival was overproduced and had a muddy bass sound. The thing is, there seems to be some truth to bands recording songs for the media that it is most likely to get played in. Today, that is IPOD and headphones.....and it does indeed sound better on headphones. Arrival sounded better in a car system. Neither sound better on my expensive home system......Christ!
Song by song breakdown (1-10 rating):
1) Faith in the Heartland (9.5)
When I initially sampled this song's 60 second clip I wasn't real impressed. The reason is because the main part and the chorus don't have an immediate catchy sound. This is definitely a good example of a track that you need to hear a few times in its entirety. It is also an example of a song that is pure magic live. Additionally, the end of the song changes up from the chorus and shows some real soul in my opinion. Augeri seems to dig down deep for "GOT FAITH...GOT DREAMS". Schon's solo is hypnotic and melodic...so hyplodic if you will. This song is most like Only the Young...with a hint of U2 influence. At this stage, I wouldn't want to see a show without this. At over 7 minutes, I don't see how this could be a radio single...even if you edited out a chorus. Only Higher Place do I enjoy more from the current lineup than this gem.
2) Place in your Heart (9)
This will be the first radio single, and it is a good choice. Almost anyone can tell this Journey after a few seconds. It sounds like a cross between: Ask the Lonely/Remember Me/Chain Reaction. Augeri shines on this track, he really sings the song, which isn't always the case. The chorus is pure Journey, and Schon has a blistering solo that elevates the song from pop to rock. The energy level is high. I like the subtle differences from chorus to chorus (ex. Augeri yelling YEAH at the start of the second one). Journey always needs to please old fans, and this classic sounding arena thumper does the job.
3) Better Life (5)
To be honest, I cannot decide if I like this song or not. Drummer Castronovo takes over lead vocal duties, and his voice is what makes me think I do like it. But the song basically goes nowhere, and lacks energy overall. Listening to the lyrics, I can appreciate the meaning of the song. The music itself is more modern sounding (and sound familiar), which may make it a candidate for a single...but it is about the time I start hitting skip on this one.
4) Every Generation (5)
At first I hated this, but after hearing it live a few times I started to like it some. Schon's solo is amazing at the end, but gets lost a little. The harmony is great, but Cain's vocals aren't my favorite - to be nice. I like some of the lyrics a lot "FLASHBACK TO RETRO (RETRO) ITS ALL NEW AGAIN". I wonder how it would sound with Augeri or Castronovo on lead vocals? This was dedicated to Journey's original fan's kid's kids (Ally) and it went over pretty well live. The Piano is the thing to listen for here.
5) Butterfly (6)
I don't know what this is about, and I don't love it, but I do enjoy the moody intensity it creates. Augeri shines on this, and since this is only one of three songs he has ever wrote alone for Journey - that makes sense. This is the song he speaks about it being difficult for him to perform because it is so emotional. There is some underrated geeetar work on this as well. When Augeri sings in this range, you are most impressed with his talent.
6) Believe (5)
This is a fan-hater, but I kinda dig it. But, it is too long for a song without a catchy hook. It mixes things up a little bit. Its cheesey in its lyrics....but not so much in its music. I do like the "Don't give up on your Coulda be's and Shoulda dones". There is actually some semblance of chemistry between Augeri and Schon here, which hasn't been the case much for the last 7 years.
7) Knowing that you Love me (6)
This is their attempt to get a hit ballad. I think doing that fails them alone, but the song actually isn't too bad. It is certainly a level above the cheese ballads on Arrival. The vocals are difficult on this track, but Augeri pulls them off. The chorus is familiar and pretty strong. This track being placed here really hurts the pacing of the album though. I mean, this is the 5th consecutive song that I would not place in the "great" category. I have heard that the US retail version will feature an altered track listing - so that could help. Much like track#2, had this been released in the mid 80's it would have been a monster. This is not the mid 80's though. I do give them credit for updating the sound somewhat on this though.
Out of Harms Way (9)
WOW! The current band shows their teeth with this number. It has edge, is intense and sends the right message....support the troops WITHOUT being political. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that they didn't write this to play off current emotion and get a hit..especially considering that this isn't being mentioned as a possible single. Although, this is actually the type of song that could be a playa in today's music. It fits no format for sure. Schon is the leader here clearly, but Augeri shows something towards the end....."Flashbacks spells...and TRAGEDY". He alters his tempo and voice and shows emotion...this is something his predecessor owned. This is the new song that went over the best with the crowd this summer. This is probably the grittiest Journey tune since Troubled Child. This would have fit well in the experimental side B of Frontiers. There is some really neat work from Castronovo....a little more room for the drummer to hammer than your typical Journey song. I would bet this is a song that didn't make Schon's Soul Sirkus' World Play album because it was a little too Journeyesque.
9) In Self Defense (4)
Not real happy with this. This is a retread/self-remake from a Journey song from the early 80's that ended up on a Schon solo album. WHY? They have tons of songs in the can...why re-release this? Schon's vocals are underwhelming. While his geeetar sears, the song ultimately fails. The beginning is "new"...it is taken from a song they only play live called Fillmore Boogie. That beginning does flow very well with the previous track - so that boosts the rating.
10) Better Together (5)
Another song that the fans don't seem to like...but I dig it some though. Again, it manages to sound different BUT still like Journey. I really like the geeetar in it...more prevalent than just a solo. This song kinda sounds like Zeppelin meets Journey. It has that rock-blues feel that many don't seem to appreciate. I like the drums a lot in this one too.
11) Gone Crazy (4)
This has no business being on this album...or any Journey album. I don't think Valory (Bassist) has any business singing with THIS band either. With all that negativity out of the way...this song is Journey meets OLD VH. It sounds a little like Hot for the Teacher. Non-Journey fans may actually enjoy this bluesy number for what it is.
12) Beyond the Clouds (7)
Okay, Okay...I know the funny thing to say is that this is cheesey...but listen to the whole song. Great geeetar work...great vocal and geeetar chemistry. Terrific ending. I really am enjoying this song. It is about 9-11...and that even though things seemed impossible that day, if you can just get beyond the clouds things look brighter.
13) Its Never Too Late (9.5)
This isn't on the freebie version, but as you may or may not know...this song fucking rocks. High upbeat tempo in the vein of "Keep on Runnin" and "Where were you". Castronovo is amazing on lead vocals...raspy and powerful. This song was written for him by Schon and Blades as he was overcoming his drug issues. I love this song, it may become my favorite Journey song...just from hearing a clip. It is another urgent rocker, which is what I want to hear from Journey or any AOR band...I like melodic rock with an edge.
14) Pride of the Family (N/A)
Number one this is only a JAPAN bonus so I may not hear it for awhile and Number two it is acoustic. I hate JAPAN bonus tracks and I hate acoustic tracks...so I don't have a good feeling about this.
Bottom line this was another fine effort by a great band. They continue to make new music that is worthy of the Journey name. It would be cool if it could get a little airplay, but I don't think anyone expects it to do much. It did debut at #7 on the Japan charts, which is pretty good I think. Currently, I rate this album in the middle of the pack of Journey's 14 studio albums....probably 6th or 7th best. I think their main goal is trying to get new music into the hands of concert goers so the next time they come around on tour they can play something other than their Greatest Hits. That is why they gave copies away free this summer. They can't not play their dirty dozen or so, but if they can replace a "Girl Can't Help it" with "Faith in the Heartland" I think they would be happy. I just give bands like Journey, Styx and Def Leppard a lot of credit. They continue to create new music even while being tagged as a nostalgia band. Many people don't give these bands' new music any chance....I call this the Greatest Hits Effect. Everyone has and loves the greatest hits, but they never really owned and listened to all the individual records. If you do listen to them you are shocked that there is a lot of "filler" even on the classic albums. So, essentially the new albums get compared to the Greatest Hits alone...which of course is unfair.
Are you kidding? No way should he be replaced.
Steve's voice sounds great.