Higher Place & The Top 5 '98-'05

[Michael Leigh]

Higher Place
To Be Alive Again
Signs of Life
Never Too Late
The Place in Your Heart

Higher Place
To Be Alive Again/Kiss Me Softly(tie)
Signs of Life/Loved By You(tie)
Never Too Late/Better Life (tie)
The Place in Your Heart

Sorry folks but there were a couple of ties for me, but I do feel there were more than 5 quality songs during the Augeri era!
IMO, I feel like Augeri made his mark, and delivered some quality vocals with the band on the 98-05 material.

[knox]

Higher Place
We Will Meet Again
To Be Alive Again
Kiss Me Softly
Faith In The Heartland

[Rockindeano]

This shit pains me....Goddammit to all Hell...You know I can't listen to any of these anylonger, unless Soto redoes them.

Faith in the Heartland.
TPIYH
To Be Alive Again
Better Life
The Time

Garbage, and no, it's not being objective, it's speaking the thruth-

Butterfly. My dead hampster can write that pece of shit
Believe- TNC can fill you in on this gem
Kiss Me Softly- overrated crap
Any other Augeri syrup also sucks too.

[larryfromnextdoor]

10k posts?!! Holy smokes. Is that the most on this site i wonder? I bet Andrew is planning on something special for you. A thank you Deano thread or something.

[ohsherrie]

10k posts?!! Holy smokes. Is that the most on this site i wonder? I bet Andrew is planning on something special for you. A thank you Deano thread or something.

Not after you subtract all the closed threads and deleted posts. It's all our Deano though.

[Abitaman]

The Place In Your Heart
Faith In The Heartland
Higher Place
Remember Me
Out of Harms Way

They are all pretty much rockers too. Augeri can get down, and Neal ripped on the axe work. Deen and Ross set a good beat. Jon lays a good "background" sound. Jon seems to be more up front on the slower stuff. And there is some good slower Augeri stuff out there-ERIC

[infinityplusone]

I don't know if I can pick five I really dig. I really just never got into any of the Augeri stuff.

A Better Life
Faith in the Heartland (decent)
Higher Place

Crap, I can't think of any others worth putting in a 'top five.' I will admit to not hating "Believe." But I don't think the original poster's intention was "Top 5 Least Hated"

Okay thats four...

OK, "Every Generation" - kinda fun.

So there's five. Passable fluff in a generic music kinda way.. Only a 'Better Life' really stands out as something of real good songwriting, and uncharecteristically subtle (but still moving & powerful) guiatarwork.

[Red13JoePa]

The beginning with the atmospheric guitars intro, the little helicopter-like buzzing sound followed by Neal bending that one high note up and down on the wah wha bar,

great post red,, however , i think that wah wah sound and the crazy note bend is actually cain on the keys.. in the intro...neal just picks over the chord... GREAT SONG!!

Nope.
All Neal. Don't be misled by Cain phoning it in from the laptop on the live Vegas DVD (watch closely and you'll see it, they clearly had the Neal note programmed in) but that's only b/c live Neal can't be playing the rythym riff at the same time underneath that awesome note like in the studio.

[Red13JoePa]

btw.. where is this higher place?,,, is it for a woman , or was it because the band was alive again...

I think it's just a love song about a guy who's inspired by a girl to be better than he thought he could be.
"I crash and burn inside my mind, it happens time and time again" speaks to his lack of confidence, or being undeserving of this delicious piece of ass.
Least, that's what I think.

[Matthew]

I don't know if I can pick five I really dig. I really just never got into any of the Augeri stuff.

I can't either - but I think I can just about get to four....

1) Better Life
2) Place In Your Heart
3) Signs of Life
4) Remember Me

Oh...and maybe Faith In The Heartland at 5)...despite it sounding like a poor man's version of Pride by U2.

By the way...why is everyone so down on Butterfly? That song sounds no more or less wimpy or ill-conceived or generic than many other Augeri era tracks.

[Moose]

1 - The Place in Your Heart
2 - To Be Alive Again
3 - Remember Me
4 - To Be Alive Again
5 - I Got A Reason

[Matthew]

5 - I Got A Reason

Actually...that song isn't bad...I'll put that one at Number 5 instead.

[Moose]

5 - I Got A Reason

Actually...that song isn't bad...I'll put that one at Number 5 instead.

I love Schon's riff in that song

[Blueskies]

btw.. where is this higher place?,,, is it for a woman , or was it because the band was alive again...

I think it's just a love song about a guy who's inspired by a girl to be better than he thought he could be.
"I crash and burn inside my mind, it happens time and time again" speaks to his lack of confidence, or being undeserving of this delicious piece of ass.
Least, that's what I think.

A man that actually listens to the lyrics and gets it! Good for you Red!....even though you finished your answer in a guy way and threw in the ass comment.

[larryfromnextdoor]

The beginning with the atmospheric guitars intro, the little helicopter-like buzzing sound followed by Neal bending that one high note up and down on the wah wha bar,

great post red,, however , i think that wah wah sound and the crazy note bend is actually cain on the keys.. in the intro...neal just picks over the chord... GREAT SONG!!

Nope.
All Neal. Don't be misled by Cain phoning it in from the laptop on the live Vegas DVD (watch closely and you'll see it, they clearly had the Neal note programmed in) but that's only b/c live Neal can't be playing the rythym riff at the same time underneath that awesome note like in the studio.

pre-recorded guitars? geesh , i would have never guessed that ,, but you cant have that intro with out it , it just wouldnt have any bang! i would bet that they rehearsed the song with neal playing the lead intro , must not of worked then...

[Red13JoePa]

Well on the studio track that soaring and falling note happens simultaneously (above) with the main riff. Obviously recorded at different times since it's not possible for him to be playing both. So live you program that note, a signature part of the song, into Cain's array and let him que it while Neal plays.

[SF-Dano]

(Disclaimer: I really like both Arrival and Generations. Red 13 was not bad and not great in my opinion)

Top 5 in no particular order:

Higher Place
To Be Alive Again
World Gone Wild
Place In Your Heart
Remember Me

(Honorable mention- FITH,BL,LTD,SD,NTL, ATTILAY)

[belar]

[quote="NCscarab"]
We Will Meet Again...I just like the story within the lyrics and still think this would have been an awesome set closer
quote]

They did close at least one or two sets with it - great song!

[belar]

Faith In The Heartland

I think that I just don't 'get" why FITH is given such high praise. I know it's all subjective, and I think Neal does a great job, but it has always sounded to me like all the vocals, especially the chorus just drags, like Steve was singing too slow, or something. I don't dislike the song, but it would probably only rate somewhere in the middle for me in Augeri-era Journey tunes. I'm not trying to criticize anyone's choices whatsoever, I'm just wondering if anyone else here got the same thing out of the song.

[Red13JoePa]

This is why opinions are great.
The vocal on FITH is one of my favorite Augeri performances. It seemed to go to a level he hadn't attained yet in the studio with Journey.

To me his vocal on this, TPIYH, OOHW and Believe actually stand out and make me say, "Wow." He'd never sounded like that to me before, I think Andrew said it best describing the FITH, TPIYH and OOHW vocals as "menacing" and "aggressive."


Schon's guitars and the changes are far from shabby, too, on FITH.

[Saint John]

This is why opinions are great.
The vocal on FITH is one of my favorite Augeri performances. It seemed to go to a level he hadn't attained yet in the studio with Journey.

To me his vocal on this, TPIYH, OOHW and Believe actually stand out and make me say, "Wow." He'd never sounded like that to me before, I think Andrew said it best describing the FITH, TPIYH and OOHW vocals as "menacing" and "aggressive."


Schon's guitars and the changes are far from shabby, too, on FITH.

How much of that do you attribute to ProTools, though? Not a shot at you or him, just an honest question. I think we know his voice WAS in shambles at or around this time, so to what do you attribute this "level" he reached?

[conversationpc]

How much of that do you attribute to ProTools, though? Not a shot at you or him, just an honest question. I think we know his voice WAS in shambles at or around this time, so to what do you attribute this "level" he reached?

It could also just be multiple takes until the vocal was nailed the way they wanted it.

[Saint John]

How much of that do you attribute to ProTools, though? Not a shot at you or him, just an honest question. I think we know his voice WAS in shambles at or around this time, so to what do you attribute this "level" he reached?

It could also just be multiple takes until the vocal was nailed the way they wanted it.

Absolutely it could. My question was sincere. I think it was a combination of what you mentioned, ProTools and Augeri's little bit of talent.

[Red13JoePa]

I'd have to check the Generations liner notes, but I don't recall offhand at least any credit for pro tools.


But in the controlled environs of a studio parts can be done piecemeal. I've heard that it took forever to get that vocal for Faith In The Heartland but that would have no bearing on my opinion that Generations was the studio performance of Augeri's career.


I'd just as soon figure he was able to conjure up his best for last rather than figure if he sounds great then it must be pro tools and/or digital post production.

[belar]

This is why opinions are great.
The vocal on FITH is one of my favorite Augeri performances. It seemed to go to a level he hadn't attained yet in the studio with Journey.

To me his vocal on this, TPIYH, OOHW and Believe actually stand out and make me say, "Wow." He'd never sounded like that to me before, I think Andrew said it best describing the FITH, TPIYH and OOHW vocals as "menacing" and "aggressive."


Schon's guitars and the changes are far from shabby, too, on FITH.

Agreed on why opinions are fun. I like all the other tracks that you mention, especially TPIYH, and I would add Better Together. There's just something about FITH...although you're right, Neal is right on, as usual!

[lights1961]

good stuff...

Remember Me,
I got a reason,
livin to do.
State of Grace
Higher Place

[lukather4prez]

Never To late, I've Got A REason, Out Of Harms Way, Walking Away From The Edge, Remember me ( still a Journey all-time classic as all of these songs are for me)


I loved Augeri in the band, wish he was still in there (only if healthy though no milli vanilli) I welcome Jeff but, the road takes its' toll on the voice box. I hope Jeff doens't have a simular problem like Stevie did. and if he does the band doesn't throw him under the bus like Augeri.



Other great Journey songs in the Augeri era.. I will take the 98-2005 live and studio over ROR and Trial anyday of the week. IMO and this is just that stronger songs, performances , vibe and they were rock shows not pop/ballad shows about the singer, which for me is what Journey was after 1983 esp. live til Steve Augeri was in.


c.m.

[lukather4prez]

{But in the controlled environs of a studio parts can be done piecemeal. I've heard that it took forever to get that vocal for Faith In The Heartland but that would have no bearing on my opinion that Generations was the studio performance of Augeri's career.}


I totally agree with that being the best of Augeri. Some puposelly muddy production aside, I really liked his singing, most of the songs and felt that was the real Stevie not him trying to be a Perry sounding singer. Gen. was him sounding like him form what i can tell.


I luved the album


c.m.

[YoungJRNYfan]

btw.. where is this higher place?,,, is it for a woman , or was it because the band was alive again...

I think it's just a love song about a guy who's inspired by a girl to be better than he thought he could be.
"I crash and burn inside my mind, it happens time and time again" speaks to his lack of confidence, or being undeserving of this delicious piece of ass.
Least, that's what I think.

Nice reply Pa. I look at it as if the guy in the relationship never really lived up to his full potential in the relationship and now wants to prove to her more and more that he can live up to her expectations knowing he might have to toss away his pride to do so..

1. Higher Place
2. Signs of Life
3. All the Way
4. To Be Alive Again
5. Faith in the Heartland.

[Red13JoePa]

{But in the controlled environs of a studio parts can be done piecemeal. I've heard that it took forever to get that vocal for Faith In The Heartland but that would have no bearing on my opinion that Generations was the studio performance of Augeri's career.}


I totally agree with that being the best of Augeri. Some puposelly muddy production aside, I really liked his singing, most of the songs and felt that was the real Stevie not him trying to be a Perry sounding singer. Gen. was him sounding like him form what i can tell.


I luved the album


c.m.

Yes Augeri did kick ass and take names on Generations. It was the culmination of the progression he made, seemingly confidence-wise from Arrival to Red13 to Gens where we went from baby steps and "Ooo. He can pull the Perry thing off" to "holy shit, this guy can belt and I can hear the difference now."

And just like that (well, not really if you look behind the scenes) he's gone.