Only the Young & Ask the Lonely (The Frontiers Misfits)

[GollyWally]

I've always wondered how differently Frontiers would have been received and faired (in relation to Escape) had these two tracks
not been yanked at the last hour by CBS/Sony execs, in favor of Back Talk and Troubled Child.

I understand that both tunes saw some success on their respective soundtracks, but boy did that decision ever change the face of the Frontiers allbum. We have to remember this was back in the days of vinyl when song placement on albums was so much more crucial than it is today with CDs.

Nothing against, Back Talk and Troubled Child but they pale in comparison with Only the Young and Ask the Lonely. Had those two incredible songs been on Frontiers it would have been a truly amazing allbum. Plug those in on Side One and move Chain Reaction and Send Her My Love to Side Two and you have a hell of album.

Curious what others think? They both would easily have been Top 40 hits, maybe Top 10 (as OTY was a couple of years later), and could have really increased album sales, possilbiy to rival that of Escape.

Just wonder what others thought?

[Just Sara]

I agree.

I like Troubled Child but I can't listen to Back Talk.

Had those two songs been included on the original album, I have no doubt the sales would've left Escape in the dust.

[GollyWally]

I agree.

I like Troubled Child but I can't listen to Back Talk.

Had those two songs been included on the original album, I have no doubt the sales would've left Escape in the dust.

I agree about Back Talk. I always skip past it when I listen to Frontiers, as I do Can Do on Infinity!!

I remember hearing Perry in an interview when Frontiers came out, talking about how Back Talk was cool because it was recorded completely live in the studio, vocals and instruments with no overdubs, etc. No matter, I can live without it!

[Just Sara]

I agree about Back Talk. I always skip past it when I listen to Frontiers, as I do Can Do on Infinity!!

I remember hearing Perry in an interview when Frontiers came out, talking about how Back Talk was cool because it was recorded completely live in the studio, vocals and instruments with no overdubs, etc. No matter, I can live without it!

I never saw that interview. Is it available online anywhere?
Maybe he's just trying to find something good to say about it. The first time I heard BT, I laughed out loud wondering what the heck they were thinking.

Wasn't When You Love a Woman recorded the same way? All live I mean.

I'm also with you about Can Do. I like it a little more than BT, but I still don't listen to it. Guess every band has to have it's flops.

[Johnny Mohawk]

I like both "Back Talk" and "Troubled Child" and also like the fact that the Frontiers album definitely had a different sound than Escape. It was clear that the band was not merely trying to record an "Escape-2" to cash in on their past success. They went in a different direction on some of the Frontiers tunes (side 2 especially).

Also, remember that Frontiers had several charting singles; "Separate Ways", "After the Fall", "Send Her My Love", "Faithfully" (even "Chain Reaction" got rock radio airplay and tons of video airplay). Chances are, even if "Only the Young" and "Ask the Lonely" were on Frontiers, they may have not been released as singles, or one of the previously mentioned singles wouldn't have been released to radio. There are only so many singles that get released from an album, so I'm not convinced that the sales of Frontiers were drastically affected by not including those tunes. Maybe it would have been a better album in some people's opinion, but it's very doubtful that they would have charted 7 songs from the same record.

Also, having ATL and OTY in the can to include on those various movie soundtracks, kept Journey in the charts and on the radio with new music during the 3 year layoff between Frontiers and Raised on Radio.

Either way, now you have your wish as on the re-mastered Frontiers release, everything is included (even Liberty and Only Solutions).

[RedWingFan]

but it's very doubtful that they would have charted 7 songs from the same record.

Hysteria had 7 singles.

[GollyWally]

I agree about Back Talk. I always skip past it when I listen to Frontiers, as I do Can Do on Infinity!!

I remember hearing Perry in an interview when Frontiers came out, talking about how Back Talk was cool because it was recorded completely live in the studio, vocals and instruments with no overdubs, etc. No matter, I can live without it!

I never saw that interview. Is it available online anywhere?
Maybe he's just trying to find something good to say about it. The first time I heard BT, I laughed out loud wondering what the heck they were thinking.

Wasn't When You Love a Woman recorded the same way? All live I mean.

I'm also with you about Can Do. I like it a little more than BT, but I still don't listen to it. Guess every band has to have it's flops.

It was a promotional interview that was pressed onto vinyl and distributed for radio stations to play. I picked up a copy in a used record store way back in late '83! Many moons ago! It had a red cover and rectangular pics of the band members on the front.

Mine was lost when I forgot to back up my albums during my divorce! Que cera, cera!

[Johnny Mohawk]

RaiderFan wrote;

Hysteria had 7 singles

One of my least favorite albums of all time. Hate it!
Didn't like ANYTHING they did after Pyromania.

[GollyWally]

I like both "Back Talk" and "Troubled Child" and also like the fact that the Frontiers album definitely had a different sound than Escape. It was clear that the band was not merely trying to record an "Escape-2" to cash in on their past success. They went in a different direction on some of the Frontiers tunes (side 2 especially).

Also, remember that Frontiers had several charting singles; "Separate Ways", "After the Fall", "Send Her My Love", "Faithfully" (even "Chain Reaction" got rock radio airplay and tons of video airplay). Chances are, even if "Only the Young" and "Ask the Lonely" were on Frontiers, they may have not been released as singles, or one of the previously mentioned singles wouldn't have been released to radio. There are only so many singles that get released from an album, so I'm not convinced that the sales of Frontiers were drastically affected by not including those tunes. Maybe it would have been a better album in some people's opinion, but it's very doubtful that they would have charted 7 songs from the same record.

Also, having ATL and OTY in the can to include on those various movie soundtracks, kept Journey in the charts and on the radio with new music during the 3 year layoff between Frontiers and Raised on Radio.

Either way, now you have your wish as on the re-mastered Frontiers release, everything is included (even Liberty and Only Solutions).

Good point about the soundtracks keeping them on the radio during the Frontiers to ROR hiatus. And I certainly agree that the band didn't want to release and Escape-2, and they didn't. Even with OTY and ATL, it wouldn't have been an Escape-2. They albums have a completly different sound. I think had they include those two songs, they might well have charted 5 singles. Perhaps leavng off After the Fall and releasing these two songs. All conjecture. Just having fun wondering how things might have played out.

[ScarabGator]

Only the young is one of the greatest songs ever. Wow, if Frontiers had that tune alone on it instead of one of the other 2...

[GollyWally]

Only the young is one of the greatest songs ever. Wow, if Frontiers had that tune alone on it instead of one of the other 2...

Yep. Only the Young is in my Top 5 Journey tunes, easily. Of course, it's one of the band's favorites too because of the Make a Wish story that's behind it.

[Johnny Mohawk]

I love "Only the Young" as well, but it's possible that had it been one of the many singles released from Frontiers that it would have been slightly overlooked as Journey was all over the radio at that time. Kinda like After the Fall or even Still they Ride from Escape or Why Can't This Night Go On Forever from ROR. All were singles, but none charted as high as they perhaps would have if there hadn't been so many other tunes already coming out from the same album.

When it was released, a couple years after Frontiers, Only the Young was "the new song from Journey" and received tons of attention (rightly so).

[ScarabGator]

Yeah,OTY came out on the VisionQuest soundtrack. I bought that whole album for that one song. All those tunes you mentioned were very modest hits but I, like you, love the hell out of them and am sitting here humming them right now!!!

[GollyWally]

I love "Only the Young" as well, but it's possible that had it been one of the many singles released from Frontiers that it would have been slightly overlooked as Journey was all over the radio at that time. Kinda like After the Fall or even Still they Ride from Escape or Why Can't This Night Go On Forever from ROR. All were singles, but none charted as high as they perhaps would have if there hadn't been so many other tunes already coming out from the same album.

When it was released, a couple years after Frontiers, Only the Young was "the new song from Journey" and received tons of attention (rightly so).

Yep, OTY charted at Number 9, I believe, on the Billboard Hot 100.

[Uno_up]

RaiderFan wrote;

Hysteria had 7 singles

One of my least favorite albums of all time. Hate it!
Didn't like ANYTHING they did after Pyromania.

Seems like that Nickelback CD has at least seven..that shit is still polluting the airwaves two years after it's release.

[wastingbeerz]

I really hope that's the last time I ever see Nickelback mentioned here in the Journey forum. ::vomits::

They are currently my #1 annoying crap radio band that everybody latches onto because the words are easy to remember, it's non-abrasive (well, to me it is) and it is disgustingly catchy, in a bad way. If I hear "Rock Star" anytime in the near (or ever) future again... I may have to just have my eardrums removed. Nickelback = emo masquerading as a "rock" band.

Anyhow, ATL & OTY or not, Frontiers is still my favorite Journey album. Def Leppard were definitely extraordinarily spotty after Pyromania. BTW anyone here like Stratovarius?

[wastingbeerz]

And once again looking at the title of this thread, I think it would be awesome if someone came around with a punk tribute to journey band called The Frontiers Misfits. Would be interesting, to say the least.

[stevew2]

Only the young is one of the greatest songs ever. Wow, if Frontiers had that tune alone on it instead of one of the other 2...

[lidobar]

I really hope that's the last time I ever see Nickelback mentioned here in the Journey forum. ::vomits::

They are currently my #1 annoying crap radio band that everybody latches onto because the words are easy to remember, it's non-abrasive (well, to me it is) and it is disgustingly catchy, in a bad way. If I hear "Rock Star" anytime in the near (or ever) future again... I may have to just have my eardrums removed. Nickelback = emo masquerading as a "rock" band.

Anyhow, ATL & OTY or not, Frontiers is still my favorite Journey album. Def Leppard were definitely extraordinarily spotty after Pyromania. BTW anyone here like Stratovarius?

I thought I was the only that hated Nickelback, not because they are successful but because the vocalist sucks majorly. His voice just grates on me.
Yeah, I agree the producers fucked up by replacing Only & Ask, however, I do like Troubled Child and Back Talk has grown on me, but I instantly liked Only & Ask without having to have repeated listenings to warm up to them.

I wish they would release the 1983 Frontiers live concert DVD. That would be awesome to have.

[ProgRocker53]

I actually think "Troubled Child" is one of the best songs on the album.

Maybe drop "Frontiers" and "Back Talk" in favor of the two hits.

Oddly enough, I think I like "Back Talk" more than "Frontiers." Just something about the excellent drumming and weird feel.

[mistiejourney]

I agree.

I like Troubled Child but I can't listen to Back Talk.

Had those two songs been included on the original album, I have no doubt the sales would've left Escape in the dust.

We are all allowed one mistake in life and Perry's was "Back Talk"

[wastingbeerz]

I really hope that's the last time I ever see Nickelback mentioned here in the Journey forum. ::vomits::

They are currently my #1 annoying crap radio band that everybody latches onto because the words are easy to remember, it's non-abrasive (well, to me it is) and it is disgustingly catchy, in a bad way. If I hear "Rock Star" anytime in the near (or ever) future again... I may have to just have my eardrums removed. Nickelback = emo masquerading as a "rock" band.

Anyhow, ATL & OTY or not, Frontiers is still my favorite Journey album. Def Leppard were definitely extraordinarily spotty after Pyromania. BTW anyone here like Stratovarius?

I thought I was the only that hated Nickelback, not because they are successful but because the vocalist sucks majorly. His voice just grates on me.
Yeah, I agree the producers fucked up by replacing Only & Ask, however, I do like Troubled Child and Back Talk has grown on me, but I instantly liked Only & Ask without having to have repeated listenings to warm up to them.

I wish they would release the 1983 Frontiers live concert DVD. That would be awesome to have.

I don't hate Nickelback because they are successful, but I hate the fact that they suck so horribly and are successful and getting rich and famous despite the fact that what they put out is absolute 90's "buzz-ballads" by-the-numbers garbage. The real reason I hate them is, well... THEY JUST PLAIN SUCK. Chad Kroger(spelled correctly?) is most definitely one of the most horrible vocalists I've ever heard, and his delivery and so-called "melody" on every song is just vomit out loud annoying. I thought we were done with this Creed soundalike garbage.

Anyhow, Journey should have written a few more songs and made Frontiers a double album, if you want my honest opinion.

And the 1983 live DVD would be amazing.

[stoliddrummer]

The song Back Talk is just plain shitty. I could have done without that on the album.

[Journey69]

I agree about Back Talk. I always skip past it when I listen to Frontiers, as I do Can Do on Infinity!!

I remember hearing Perry in an interview when Frontiers came out, talking about how Back Talk was cool because it was recorded completely live in the studio, vocals and instruments with no overdubs, etc. No matter, I can live without it!

I never saw that interview. Is it available online anywhere?
Maybe he's just trying to find something good to say about it. The first time I heard BT, I laughed out loud wondering what the heck they were thinking.

Wasn't When You Love a Woman recorded the same way? All live I mean.

I'm also with you about Can Do. I like it a little more than BT, but I still don't listen to it. Guess every band has to have it's flops.

That is so funny..I skip those 2 songs also..

[Johnny Mohawk]

I don't!