MR.com Chalfont's Fly 2 Freedom Review: 94 Overall

[Red13JoePa]

Kevin Chalfant has a long history with Journey members, starting with his days with The VU (with Prairie Prince & Ross Valory) through to The Storm, which also featured Valory along with Journey alumni Gregg Rolie and Steve Smith (and managed by Herbie Herbert).
Kevin has crafted a career of well sung, well written AOR with that distinct touch of Journey's classic sound. Naturally that is all helped along by Kevin's naturally Perry-like voice and his ability to nail those high notes.
He's jammed with the Journey guys, been touted as a possible replacement singer and all the while going about his business building a fan base through consistent writing and recording. At what seems a perfectly chosen time, Kevin has decided to directly pay tribute to the songs and music that has influenced him and the many fans that buy his music.
Fly 2 Freedom pays tribute to the music and image of Journey in every way.
The cover art is something a fan would instantly recognize as Journey-esque in nature and the title uses 'Freedom', a word which was at one time touted to be the title of what would become the Raised On Radio record.
At the heart of the record is Kevin's own band, boasting several lead singers within itself.
The one complaint I have had in reviewing Kevin's releases in the past has been production, so it is with enormous pleasure I can report that this album sounds absolutely fantastic.
It is without doubt the best produced record of Kevin's solo/Two Fires career and the best sounding record since the two Storm albums.
His band deliver a great performance, adding their own touches to some classic tunes, but all the while staying true to the songs and in particular, the parts of guitarist Neal Schon and keyboardists Jonathan Cain and before him Gregg Rolie.
An almost impossible task would be narrowing the vast song selection of the Journey catalogue down to the 13 songs chosen for this tribute.
However, Kevin has chosen wisely between the 'must includes' and a few from the fringes.
Don't Stop Believin', Separate Ways, Who's Crying Now, Open Arms and Faithfully could not be left off. I like that a few earlier classics such as Feelin' That Way, Anytime, Where Were You and Just The Same Way have also been included.
Kevin stays very true to the original songs and the way those tracks have been delivered over the years by many before him. But despite that instant familiarity with the songs, it is refreshing to hear Kevin's take.
As a fan of his voice, it is great to hear his subtle nuances and tones on these old favourites. The occasionally rasp mixed with the sweet harmonies required by these tunes is perfect to these ears.
You know the songs – there is little point describing those, but of the album's 13 tracks, what stand out as true highlights?
Separate Ways features an outstanding vocal – a powerful version with all the melodic strength of Kevin's voice in play. The rhythm section has a definite impact too. Who's Crying Now is as smooth as a baby's bum; Faithfully has all the emotion and vulnerability in the vocal that you would hope it would; and Lights is simply stunning.
Lastly - the biggest ballad in rock history Open Arms still manages to send a shiver up my spine thanks to another awesome lead vocal.
I like that Kevin is happy enough to step back a little and allow guitarist Mike Higgins to take lead vocal on a few of the earlier Gregg Rolie sung tracks - Where Were You especially. Kevin shines through with some massive harmonies of course and duel lead vocal lines, but this to me is showing that Kevin and his band are truly paying tribute to the music of Journey rather than this simply being a star vehicle for Kevin.
The Bottom Line
For those that have always wondered what a Kevin Chalfant fronted Journey would sound like – here you go. I said earlier that the formula of these songs is largely adhered to, but that wasn't a slight on this record. There would more likely be a riot if Kevin deviated from the expected. This is a great and fitting tribute to some classic AOR songs and the fact that is sounds so good is an added bonus.

[Socratic Methodist]

Eh....vocals, 94. Production, 100. MUSIC, 0. The music is absolutely horrific. IMHO, of course....

[Matthew]

But doesn't MR.com give every album 94?

[styxman]

But doesn't MR.com give every album 94?

[Socratic Methodist]

But doesn't MR.com give every album 94?

Only if it is Harem Scarem.....

[Saint John]

Production gets an 80, music a 60 and vocals a 75. Overall grade is a C.

[*Laura]

I loved this project since the day I heard the first samples.Kevin did a great job on each song.Separate Ways is indeed one of the best,awesome vocals.
I second Andrew's rating - overall 94 is well deserved.

Also,wholeheartedly agree with what he said:

Fly 2 Freedom pays tribute to the music and image of Journey in every way.

Btw,13,should be Kevin Chalfant in the thread title.

[Andrew]

But doesn't MR.com give every album 94?

What kind of sarcastic dickhead comment is that???

[Andrew]

But doesn't MR.com give every album 94?

Only if it is Harem Scarem.....

Not even remotely funny....not when I spend considerable time and effort writing the reviews.

[Socratic Methodist]

But doesn't MR.com give every album 94?

Only if it is Harem Scarem.....

Not even remotely funny....not when I spend considerable time and effort writing the reviews.

Andrew it was meant to be funny. And I appreciate your effort. I've bought TONS of CDs based on your scores. Levity, bro. Levity.

FYI, personally, I have only seen HS get a 100% from you. Maybe there are others, I have no idea.

[Saint John]

But doesn't MR.com give every album 94?

Only if it is Harem Scarem.....

Not even remotely funny....not when I spend considerable time and effort writing the reviews.

Well then you must've been drunk on kangaroo piss when you gave Generations the score you did.

[Andrew]

But doesn't MR.com give every album 94?

Only if it is Harem Scarem.....

Not even remotely funny....not when I spend considerable time and effort writing the reviews.

Andrew it was meant to be funny. And I appreciate your effort. I've bought TONS of CDs based on your scores. Levity, bro. Levity.

FYI, personally, I have only seen HS get a 100% from you. Maybe there are others, I have no idea.

2 x 100s for Harem....and something as low as a 70-odd...they aren't perfect (but are one of the very best and most consistent bands out there). Take a good look around the reviews. In 10 years I have handed out only 6 or so other 100s.

[strangegrey]

I bought a handful of albums as a result of a 95+ review from Andrew...and in every case, they were slammin home run albums on every score.

Hell, DD's Gildersleves album and The second Steelhouse Lane album still to this day, 7 years later...get at least a weekly play!!!

[Socratic Methodist]

I bought a handful of albums as a result of a 95+ review from Andrew...and in every case, they were slammin home run albums on every score.

Hell, DD's Gildersleves album and The second Steelhouse Lane album still to this day, 7 years later...get at least a weekly play!!!

SG, you really like Laine's vocals?

[Red13JoePa]

But doesn't MR.com give every album 94?

Only if it is Harem Scarem.....

Not even remotely funny....not when I spend considerable time and effort writing the reviews.

Well then you must've been drunk on kangaroo piss when you gave Generations the score you did.

91, baby!!! Don't you forget it, either.

Peoples' issues with bandmembers past and present aside, that is one hell of a rock album.

[Andrew]

I bought a handful of albums as a result of a 95+ review from Andrew...and in every case, they were slammin home run albums on every score.

Hell, DD's Gildersleves album and The second Steelhouse Lane album still to this day, 7 years later...get at least a weekly play!!!

SG, you really like Laine's vocals?

Just to jump in here - Laine is one of my favourite vocalists...the guy should be a megastar. Those 2 D2 albums in particular are just stunning.

[Matthew]

But doesn't MR.com give every album 94?

What kind of sarcastic dickhead comment is that???

Sorry for the glib remark, Andrew...

[NealIsGod]

But doesn't MR.com give every album 94?

What kind of sarcastic dickhead comment is that???

Sorry for the glib remark, Andrew...

I think you're grounded, Matt.

Drew's reviews are the best way to discover new music, at least for me. I never would have bought Shy - Sunset & Vine if I hadn't seen his review. It's now one of my favorite albums of all time. I never get tired of it.

[Matthew]

But doesn't MR.com give every album 94?

What kind of sarcastic dickhead comment is that???

Sorry for the glib remark, Andrew...

I think you're grounded, Matt.

Drew's reviews are the best way to discover new music, at least for me. I never would have bought Shy - Sunset & Vine if I hadn't seen his review. It's now one of my favorite albums of all time. I never get tired of it.

I know...I'm definitely in the shit.....

Don't get me wrong NIG - I really like Andrew's reviews too. It's the just scoring system I don't quite get....

[Red13JoePa]

He may grade SOME on the proverbial curve, but the bodies of his reviews and the breakdowns are THE one and only source I trust....Fucking look at the reviews compared to those predictable, popularity and political driven vacuous ones in Rolling Stone....one thinks that unlike MR.com those guys don't LISTEN to the albums 1/2 the time, just look at the artist name. Popular? Rave about it.

[ArnelRox]

MUSIC, 0. The music is absolutely horrific. IMHO, of course....

I agree. I've heard better karaoke tracks. Kevin's voice sounded nice on some of the tracks, but the "Rolie duets" were awful.

[The Fly]

I think it could have been a few pints HIGHER!! But a great review Andrew!! Pretty much RIGHT ON as always.