An Idiot

[*Laura]

His name is Sean.
I am tempted to believe that this guy is the same who won the Simpleton Award for that article entitled "Is There a Ring of Debris Around Uranus?"



THE OBSERVER ON-LINE

Don't start believin' in reissued Journey album

Sean Sweany


"Some bands are one hit wonders. Others, especially many from the 1970s and '80s, can be termed "several hit wonders." Journey is a band that falls into this category.
While well-known and loved for such hits as "Don't Stop Believin'," "Any Way You Want It" and "Wheel in the Sky," ask most people to name several other Journey songs and they will be at a loss.

Most of the songs on Journey's 1983 album "Frontiers" are the obscure, unknown type that can cause fans to wonder just how Journey had any hits at all.
"Frontiers" was Journey's eighth album release, no doubt intended to capitalize on the success of the "Escape" album, which debuted "Don't Stop Believin'."

Much of this success was due to lead singer Steve Perry, famous for his wildly long black hair and the outrageous costumes he wore on stage.
Perry's talent goes without question, as he is able to consistently hit impossibly high notes with an ease that defies most.
The other musicians in the band at this time were also talented in their roles, as their previous albums had demonstrated.

Unfortunately, this album does not capture that same success but rather portrays Journey as a trippy 1980s band that uses too many synthesizers.
The album begins on a good pace with "Separate Ways (Open Arms)," a second tier Journey song that is still likable and catchy. After this, however, the album falls into an abyss from which it can hardly recover.

Songs titles such as "Chain Reaction" and "Edge of the Blade" should give some indication as to the quality of the music in the middle of the disc.
Journey will always be known as a band that liked to use synthesizers, but they are overused here. Other futuristic-sounding instruments make many of the songs seem more fitting as background music for a bad sci-fi theme park than as songs on an album of a hit band.

The lyrics for these songs, which are at times few and far between, are unimaginative and dull, which does not help the excessive use of instruments.
The title song, "Frontiers," is one of the worst on the CD. Perry's vocals often get overlaid on top of each other and several sound effects help make this a truly awful song.

In spite of all this, there are several songs listed as "Bonus Tracks" at the end that are not as bad as the rest. "Only the Young" and "Ask the Lonely" are two songs that sound more like the Journey that gives us hits like "Wheel in the Sky."
The only problem is that these songs are so far towards the end of the CD that many listeners might switch it off before even getting this far.

While the music is terrible, the album cover and insert can make for an interesting way to pass the time of the CD.
From trippy artwork to photos of Journey on tour, one can tell that the band members they clearly enjoyed themselves while on tour for "Frontiers."
One photo even shows the band freefall skydiving, perhaps symbolizing their careers.

When Journey reaches the end of "Frontiers," many listeners will wish they could have back the 45 or so minutes spent trying to appreciate Journey.
The album is slightly entertaining as it hearkens back to the wild years of the late 1970s and early 1980s, but aside from "Separate Ways," better Journey can be found to suit this same purpose."


http://www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2006/10/25/Scene/Dont-Start.Believin.In.Reissued.Journey.Album-2399411.shtml?norewrite200611211653&sourcedomain=www.ndsmcobserver.com&200611192135&sourcedo%253cbr%253emain=www.ndsmcobserver.com

[maverick218]

Total idiot.
Since when did SP wear "outrageous costumes" on stage? I didn't realize that wearing tuxedo tails with a t-shirt and blue jeans was outrageous.
And since when has Journey's sound been mostly synthesizers as this guy claims? I think Neal would beg to differ with that statement.
How do we contact this guy to set him straight?

[lights1961]

His name is Sean.
I am tempted to believe that this guy is the same who won the Simpleton Award for that article entitled "Is There a Ring of Debris Around Uranus?"



THE OBSERVER ON-LINE

Don't start believin' in reissued Journey album

Sean Sweany


"Some bands are one hit wonders. Others, especially many from the 1970s and '80s, can be termed "several hit wonders." Journey is a band that falls into this category.
While well-known and loved for such hits as "Don't Stop Believin'," "Any Way You Want It" and "Wheel in the Sky," ask most people to name several other Journey songs and they will be at a loss.

Most of the songs on Journey's 1983 album "Frontiers" are the obscure, unknown type that can cause fans to wonder just how Journey had any hits at all.
"Frontiers" was Journey's eighth album release, no doubt intended to capitalize on the success of the "Escape" album, which debuted "Don't Stop Believin'."

Much of this success was due to lead singer Steve Perry, famous for his wildly long black hair and the outrageous costumes he wore on stage.
Perry's talent goes without question, as he is able to consistently hit impossibly high notes with an ease that defies most.
The other musicians in the band at this time were also talented in their roles, as their previous albums had demonstrated.

Unfortunately, this album does not capture that same success but rather portrays Journey as a trippy 1980s band that uses too many synthesizers.
The album begins on a good pace with "Separate Ways (Open Arms)," a second tier Journey song that is still likable and catchy. After this, however, the album falls into an abyss from which it can hardly recover.

Songs titles such as "Chain Reaction" and "Edge of the Blade" should give some indication as to the quality of the music in the middle of the disc.
Journey will always be known as a band that liked to use synthesizers, but they are overused here. Other futuristic-sounding instruments make many of the songs seem more fitting as background music for a bad sci-fi theme park than as songs on an album of a hit band.

The lyrics for these songs, which are at times few and far between, are unimaginative and dull, which does not help the excessive use of instruments.
The title song, "Frontiers," is one of the worst on the CD. Perry's vocals often get overlaid on top of each other and several sound effects help make this a truly awful song.

In spite of all this, there are several songs listed as "Bonus Tracks" at the end that are not as bad as the rest. "Only the Young" and "Ask the Lonely" are two songs that sound more like the Journey that gives us hits like "Wheel in the Sky."
The only problem is that these songs are so far towards the end of the CD that many listeners might switch it off before even getting this far.

While the music is terrible, the album cover and insert can make for an interesting way to pass the time of the CD.
From trippy artwork to photos of Journey on tour, one can tell that the band members they clearly enjoyed themselves while on tour for "Frontiers."
One photo even shows the band freefall skydiving, perhaps symbolizing their careers.

When Journey reaches the end of "Frontiers," many listeners will wish they could have back the 45 or so minutes spent trying to appreciate Journey.
The album is slightly entertaining as it hearkens back to the wild years of the late 1970s and early 1980s, but aside from "Separate Ways," better Journey can be found to suit this same purpose."


http://www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2006/10/25/Scene/Dont-Start.Believin.In.Reissued.Journey.Album-2399411.shtml?norewrite200611211653&sourcedomain=www.ndsmcobserver.com&200611192135&sourcedo%253cbr%253emain=www.ndsmcobserver.com

what the heck is Seperate Ways (Open Arms) right off the bat he has no CLUE!! And why actually do a review of a CD that was released 23 years ago----talk about a waste of space...

Rick

[Jeremey fan forever]

Total idiot.
Since when did SP wear "outrageous costumes" on stage? I didn't realize that wearing tuxedo tails with a t-shirt and blue jeans was outrageous.
And since when has Journey's sound been mostly synthesizers as this guy claims? I think Neal would beg to differ with that statement.
How do we contact this guy to set him straight?

Well, it is true that we dug his long black hair!

[*Laura]

How do we contact this guy to set him straight?

ssweany@nd.edu

[ohsherrie]

This is clearly a reviewer who knows nothing of what he speaks. Forget him.

[journeywoman]

Sounds to me that he lives in the far reaches of the ...pygmie people.WAY DOWN.....

[Clasicrockldy]

Hmmmmmmmm .edu at the end of that link........... I wonder if this person is a journalism major or something. Most, if not all, schools links end in .edu............... Shit ! It is Notre Dame school paper ! Give that dude an "F" in journalism !

[tammy]

I know...what outrageous costumes? Sounds like a student who didn't do his assignment & making it up as he goes along.

well, I must be in a snippy mood 'cuz I told the critic he better learn to get his facts straight (along with all the other so-called reviewers) 'cuz no one's gonna "believe" his review.

[lights1961]

I know...what outrageous costumes? Sounds like a student who didn't do his assignment & making it up as he goes along.

If he is a student... he is 23 years late with the review... The LP was in top five in its time and would have had lots of hits except for one LP--- Thriller...



Rick

[knox]

Actually, with the review of Frontiers, I totally agree with this guy.

I like Separate Ways alright, but the rest of the album is throw away for me.

Of course, now that Only The Young and Ask The Lonely are on it, it is a halfway decent album.

Sorry, but after Escape I think they went downhill. A couple of things off of Trial By Fire were alright - Lion, Rain, Easy, Blue, but otherwise, give me 78 - 81!

And if things go as planned 2007!

[conversationpc]

Actually, with the review of Frontiers, I totally agree with this guy.

I like Separate Ways alright, but the rest of the album is throw away for me.

Of course, now that Only The Young and Ask The Lonely are on it, it is a halfway decent album.

Sorry, but after Escape I think they went downhill. A couple of things off of Trial By Fire were alright - Lion, Rain, Easy, Blue, but otherwise, give me 78 - 81!

And if things go as planned 2007!

He is wrong in his review. "Separate Ways" is a great tune but there are several other greats there: Chain Reaction, Faithfully, Edge of the Blade, Send Her My Love, and Rubicon. It's always been my favorite Journey album.

[tammy]

Definitely A LOT of great songs on the album...one of my faves is "Troubled Child"...and, I think there is a range on it from the intensity of SW to the ballads. I do think the decision to originally drop OTY & ATL was a mistake, but adding them on the reissues was a great idea. I do hate the song "Back Talk" - it bothers me something fierce.

[fred_journeyman]

Actually, with the review of Frontiers, I totally agree with this guy.

Frontiers is definitely not my favorite Journey album/CD and I think he has a few valid points in his review. If he had nothing but glowing things to say, then he would be branded a "genius."

[ForceInfinity]

For myself I tought Frontiers as a whole was a good album, but the reviewer was far too harsh. Many people will associate Separate Ways and Faithfully to frontiers. Other tracks I liked off the album were Send Her My Love, Chain Reaction Edge of the Blade, and Rubicon. I didn't like most of the 2nd half of the album and especially hated the title track. I absolutely cannot stand that track.

If I were to give frontiers a grade, it would've been 7.5 to 8 mostly for the weak 2nd side.

For the record, my real first name is Sean, yes I'm an idiot (sometimes), but not that big of an idiot

[Jeremey]

Sounds like a book report someone was forced to turn in from the 10th grade. It's amazing how dumbed down our young people seem these days. Notre Dame??

[ProgRocker53]

I somewhat agree with some of his points.... "Frontiers" and "Back Talk" are horrible songs. "Send Her My Love" and "Rubicon" are okay, "Chain Reaction" is good, and everything else is flawless in my opinion.

I believe "After the Fall" should've been a much bigger hit. It's far too good not to be included alongside all their other greatest songs.

[Deb]

I believe "After the Fall" should've been a much bigger hit. It's far too good not to be included alongside all their other greatest songs.

Totally agree, one of my favs from Frontiers.

[Chevypv]

I sent him a zinger of an email...this guys gonna get bombarded...

[NealIsGod]

Well, Regis proves that just cuz you went to ND doesn't mean you are a genius.

[ohsherrie]

Well, Regis proves that just cuz you went to ND doesn't mean you are a genius.

You got that right. I like the show but always wondered what good his ND education did him.

[NealIsGod]

Well, Regis proves that just cuz you went to ND doesn't mean you are a genius.

You got that right. I like the show but always wondered what good his ND education did him.

My brother's an ND alum and said Regis is an embarassment to the University.

[ohsherrie]

Well, Regis proves that just cuz you went to ND doesn't mean you are a genius.

You got that right. I like the show but always wondered what good his ND education did him.

My brother's an ND alum and said Regis is an embarassment to the University.

I can understand that. I think Reg is more into the football than the scholastics. I wonder how he graduated? Good on your brother.