Generations CD reviewes on Amazon - biased?

[Vladan]

By The Point ***** 5 stars

Newly Confident, Energetic, and Solid

Journey finds its footing again and shows signs of its newly-found confidence by taking some chances throughout "Generations." The album is a quantum leap forward from "Arrival" and certainly miles ahead of the uninspired "Raised on Radio" and "Trial By Fire." After twenty years, this album shows Journey returning to the energetic form of "Frontiers" and "Escape." And while not matching the fresh brilliance of "Escape" or "Evolution," on the whole this album is qualitatively the equal of "Frontiers."

What keeps the album from breaking through to brilliant is that perhaps the boldness was tempered TOO MUCH. Taking a few more chances songwriting-wise and incorporating a few more interesting production techniques could really have a huge difference at the top end. If Amazon had decimals, this album would get a 4.3.

The current Journey lineup, which remains a highly successful touring act, is now in its seventh year and the Steve Perry-esque Steve Augeri remains at the mic, supported by the entire band on this release: for the first time in Journey's thirty-year history, every band member gets a turn to sing lead on a song.

Although Augeri develops his own vocal style toward a harder rocking Robert Plant-like edge on this release ("Believe"), Augeri's delivery can nevertheless steer eerily close to Perry's ("The Place in Your Heart").

"The Place in Your Heart" could be "Separate Ways, Part II," and, in fact, seems to be a reflection on the theme of separation, but this time from the perspective of the process of reconciliation.

"Butterfly" is a beautiful power ballad, solo-penned by Augeri, which is straight out of the Journey-swoon playbook and shows that Augeri has absorbed the "Journey-system" of songwriting very well.

Augeri also wrote "Believe," an energetic Zeppelin-esque rocker that shows off his harder-edge to maximum advantage and incorporates a more interesting structure and set of time signatures than most traditional Journey rockers. Kudos for this.

One of the best tracks on the album is "Out of Harms Way," a searing rocker that could be taught in classes on how to write good lyrics. Thematically it addresses military service and the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder, yet without casting a cloying political gloss to the song that is so common among so-called political rock. In any case, it's a performance tour-de-force by both Augeri and Schon.

Augeri's best vocal performance on this album is arguably the gorgeous "Knowing That You Love Me," a soul and gospel-infused ballad that shows Augeri's independent vocal identity from that of Perry's imprint.

Drummer Deen Castronovo, who sings lead on two tracks, is even closer to many traditionalist fans' breathy Steve Perry vocal ideal that they will swoon ("A Better Life," and "Never Too Late"). "A Better Life" is too close to the mid-80s (Raised On Radio ear) production and vocal gloss, that even with the fabulous vocals, it simply lacks the passion and warmth of Castronovo's other track, the fiery "Never Too Late," which is easily one of the top three tracks on the album.

Jonathan Cain's vocals on "Every Generation" are perfectly adequate and reminiscent of Gregg Rolie's vocal tracks during his Santana and Journey days in the 1970s. The track itself is a strong bluesy jaunt with beautifully sleazy guitar work by Neal Schon that recalls Keith Richards and Joe Walsh. Lyrically, Cain infuses the song with self-referencing humor and a tribute to rock traditions prized by boomer rockers. Despite Cain's middling vocal delivery, its other merits make it one of the strongest tracks on the album.

Undervalued for his vocals, bassist Ross Valory lends a gritty lead vocal to a ZZ-Top-evoking dirt-rubbed shuffle ("Gone Crazy") that is also a fabulous showcase of Schon's guitar technical prowess and breadth of musical inspiration. At times Schon manages to sound like both Billy Gibbons AND Zakk Wylde on this track. For Perry fans, Valory's vocals may be a step too far, but there is no questioning the song's energy and awe-inspiring guitar work on this track.

The two weakest tracks on the album precede this song. "In Self Defense," revived from the 1983 Frontiers sessions and tracked on a release by Schon and Mahavishnu Orchestra alumnus Jan Hammer, is a blistering guitar track but isn't sufficiently interesting beyond hearing Neal Schon take lead vocal duties and hearing him shred. "Better Together" is a funk-rock track too close to "Arrival"'s "Nothin' Comes Close" and "To Be Alive Again" to merit a reprise of the same theme on this album.

The songwriting on this album, with a couple of exceptions, is superb and occasionally topical (another new wrinkle to the band). Avoiding the clumsiness and heavy-handedness of other artists' efforts, Journey manages to deliver a hopeful and positive message for those emerging from tragedy through "Beyond the Clouds," a song written about 9/11, specific reference of which only becomes obvious through the figurative subtext of the song. The musical structure of the song breaks no new ground for the band, but is nevertheless a classier tribute to 9/11 than that of other pop artists.

Finally, and not to be overlooked, is the lead track "Faith in the Heartland," which pays tribute to British hard rock by musically (and not lyrically) invoking The Who's "Pinball Wizard," "Won't Get Fooled Again," and "Baba O'Riley" (later generations may also find shades of U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name" here). It is a fabulously energetic track and a good introduction to the "New Journey" that a listener is about to hear.

This is a solidly strong album, even if not ground-breaking. Hopefully this band will be able to harness its newfound energy and confidence to blaze even bolder trails on a subsequent release.



By Dave Hilton (Columbia, SC) ***** 5 stars

The best album since Frontiers...no doubt about it!

This release from Journey had me completely surprised and caught off guard. I knew the band was releasing a new album this October, but I hadn't been to a concert since 2001, and I was a little disappointed with their Red 13 EP in 2002. I had fairly high expectations for Generations, but I was afraid that their songwriting would be similar to Red 13: hurried, lacking creativity, and amateur production (don't get me wrong, I still liked Red 13 for its energy and hard-edge sound). Then, I listened to a 30-second blurb of "The Place In Your Heart" on the band's website, and it brought tears to my eyes, it was so good! Last night, I finally bought this album and all I have to say is...

WOW!!!!!! HOLY S*#T!!!!

Are you kidding me?! This Journey album is by far one of the best albums Journey has ever made, and yes, I realize what that statement is truly saying. I firmly believe this is one of the best albums since Frontiers. It severly beats any of the albums made since then, from Raised on Radio to Arrival, their first album under the band's current line-up. The reason(s)? Neal Schon's sheer virtuosity in his solos and playing, Steve Augeri's incredible performances, Deen's blistering drummer skills (and sensational singing!), Jonathan Cain's songwriting, and Ross Valory's solid bass work.

The album first starts with an amazing song called "Faith in the Heartland" where it begins slowly with synthesizers from Jon, then it explodes with a rocking beat. Throughout the song, Neal makes his guitar sing with gracefulness in his solos, then switches to playing a fist-pumping rhythm riff. Next is "The Place In Your Heart", which is a true classic. I have to disagree with another person's review saying the song was weak; this rock song has an edge to it but contains smooth tones that usually accompany a melodic rock anthem. The drummer Dean sings the next song "A Better Life" along with the last track on this version of the album "Never Too Late". The former song is a mellow rocker with a great message, and the latter is a fast-paced rocker with superb guitar work from Neal. Deen truly shows his versatility with great drumwork, and he has a fabulous voice with stark similarities to Steve Perry.

Every song on this album literally demands your attention from each beginning. Steve Augeri has blossomed as Journey's frontman with his contributions in "Butterfly", an excellent ballad, and "Believe", a mid-tempo rocker, in addition to other songs he co-wrote with Jon and Neal. This guy is phenomenal in another ballad "Knowing That You Love Me"...he hits high notes that Perry would now shy away from in the song. I was literally amazed! Other great rockers are songs like "Every Generation", sung by Cain and "In Self-Defense", sung by Schon. Even bassist Valory gets in on the action for lead vocals with a hard blues-rocker "Gone Crazy". "Out of Harms' Way", a surprising political song from this band, thankfully avoids any agendas about the War on Terror, and is another hard rocker along with "Better Together".

In Generations, the band got very creative and bold with the distribution of lead vocalist responsibilities to its other members, but it greatly shows how diverse the members in this band are. The album has been fused with the energy of Red 13, yet it contains far more creativity, and the production quality is far superior. If you are a Journey fan, you NEED to get this album! If you are a classic rock fan, you SHOULD get this album. Generations is one of the best offerings of rock 'n roll by Journey since the mid-80s. Hopefully, it will become an essential classic for any rock listener.

[mikemarrs]

those reviewers were under the influence of some very heavy narcotics,good ones at that....

[Red13JoePa]

Both were right.

[Saint John]

Generations is quite possibly the worst recorded music in history. Only 2 tracks are tolerable. The rest is complete shit.

[Andrew]

Most Amazon reviews for all artists are inclinded to be favorable to that artist. Not too many negative ones on there.

[Gin and Tonic Sky]

First three songs on Generations fit in with the best of Journey's music

The rest of the CD is fit only for background music to be played on a rat infested evening dinner cruise on a New Jersey garbage barge.

[caboshooter]

Generations is quite possibly the worst recorded music in history. Only 2 tracks are tolerable. The rest is complete shit.

Ditto......it f**king blew. Thank God it was free. I have a few extra copies if anyone is interested

[Saint John]

I have a few extra copies if anyone is interested

Give them to people you hate.

[conversationpc]

"Generations" is an OK album. Anyone who says otherwise is talking out of their ass.

[caboshooter]

"Generations" is an OK album. Anyone who says otherwise is talking out of their ass.

Your opinion - mine isn't the same. I think it sucks, and have since the day I first got it. Where your opinion is more "right" than mine is a mystery to me...but maybe that's your ass speaking.

[NealIsGod]

"Generations" is an OK album. Anyone who says otherwise is talking out of their ass.

Your opinion - mine isn't the same. I think it sucks, and have since the day I first got it. Where your opinion is more "right" than mine is a mystery to me...but maybe that's your ass speaking.

[conversationpc]

"Generations" is an OK album. Anyone who says otherwise is talking out of their ass.

Your opinion - mine isn't the same. I think it sucks, and have since the day I first got it. Where your opinion is more "right" than mine is a mystery to me...but maybe that's your ass speaking.

Just joking around, dude. Get a grip.

[caboshooter]

Nice try to redeem yourself....whatever.
One more time to make yourself look like an ass - I'm not a "dude"

[Deb]

For Perry fans, Valory's vocals may be a step too far,

Definately. Most of it I agree with, but then I liked more songs off of Generations than Arrival. But better than ROR or TBF....um no.

[youkeepmewaiting]

Certainly not the best album since Frontiers, infact i like every album between Frontiers and Arrivals more than Generations. But as ive brought up before, Generations is a good album, almost veru good (if they just took off a few songs)

[conversationpc]

Nice try to redeem yourself....whatever.
One more time to make yourself look like an ass - I'm not a "dude"

You haven't been here long enough to know me. If you don't know sarcasm when you see it, there's nothing I can do for you. This forum is full of it. If I were serious, you would know it. Just ask any of the other old-timers from here.

[caboshooter]

I've been around a very long time, you just don't realize it . Issue dropped as far as I'm concerned.

[ProgRocker53]

Generations is a good album. About half of the songs are amazing, the other half are either bad or iffy.

With a little bit of restructuring, and dumping a couple songs, the album could be alot better.

"Faith in the Heartland" and "Out of Harms Way" are probably the two best non-"Remember Me" tracks since Perry left the group. I'm not much of a ballad guy, but "Beyond the Clouds" is absolutely beautiful! "The Place In Your Heart," "Never Too Late," "Better Together," "Every Generation," and "In Self Defense" are all solid songs, and it actually was interesting to hear someone other than a high tenor singing on a post-Rolie song.

And, yes, I've grown to love "Gone Crazy." This ZZ Halen/Van Top piece was an interesting change of pace and is a hard-rocking little boogie number. Glad to see Journey branch out a little more and experiment with their sound on their record.

[jrnyman28]

I thought the first review was pretty good at tempering criticism with praise. Definately optimistic...good at finding the positives of the CD. May be a little overzealous but I can agree with most of it. I enjoyed Generations for what it was and I did place it higher than ROR and TBF. I do feel that it was too distracting having so many differnt vocalists, but if this had been a few years ago and those tracks were used as B-sides to singles I think they would have been quite cool. More of a novelty and an obvious "one-off" feel would have improved the vibe! But since they were all stacked on the CD it messed with the flow.

I didn't bother to read the 2nd review...

[Rockindeano]

Generations is shit. End of story.

[sadie65]

Some truly revisionist history here. There obviously have been some changes of thought, but honestly, there was a time when several here lauded it as a fantastic cd. Making copies for people. I get that people change opinions, but I think it's fair to say that perhaps some anger is clouding some of these opinions now.

Is it in the calibur of Frontiers or Escape? Probably not. But it isn't the worst thing ever recorded either.

Peace

[Red13JoePa]

Nice try to redeem yourself....whatever.
One more time to make yourself look like an ass - I'm not a "dude"

You haven't been here long enough to know me. If you don't know sarcasm when you see it, there's nothing I can do for you. This forum is full of it. If I were serious, you would know it. Just ask any of the other old-timers from here.

Game, set and match to DaveCT.


Daveo, as you're aware I rank Gens. #1 in the Journey cannon and as such you just said that I was talking out of my ass, too.

And I'm not pissed.
Grow some skin, Cabo.

[STORY_TELLER]

Guys, seriously, you're entertaining a review from a website trying to get you make a purchase? Next you're going to say the presenters on QVC and HSN are fair and impartial.

[Rockindeano]

Daveo, as you're aware I rank Gens. #1 in the Journey cannon and as such you just said that I was talking out of my ass, too.

Ok, so we have, this statement

versus

"I am looking most forward to the new Starship song."

BOTH are duly nominated for most retarded, ridiculous statements of all time.

[caboshooter]

Grow some skin, Cabo.

Grow some skin?? I said exactly what I had to say. Exactly where in that conversation did I cave??

[Red13JoePa]

You've "been around for a very long time" but ConversationTopic "doesn't realize it?"

What's that mean?

You've changed IDs?

[jrnyman28]

Grow some skin, Cabo.

Grow some skin?? I said exactly what I had to say. Exactly where in that conversation did I cave??

To grow some skin would imply that you never would have let it bother you enough to say something in the first place...it has nothing to do with caving in.

[NealIsGod]

Grow some skin, Cabo.

Grow some skin?? I said exactly what I had to say. Exactly where in that conversation did I cave??

I think he means don't be so easily offended.

[Deb]

Grow some skin, Cabo.

Grow some skin?? I said exactly what I had to say. Exactly where in that conversation did I cave??

I think he means don't be so easily offended.

LOL! NIG = JoePa translater

And many a time he needs one.

[STORY_TELLER]

Putting aside what an unfocussed slapped together album Generations is, personally, I think it's silly to compare any Perry era Journey to Augeri era Journey. I mean is there a point comparing a steak house to Mcdonald's?

Not a word from you Red13JoePa! You hear me? Not a word!