Rockin' enough?

[Majestic]

So, those of you who have been listening to the Revelation samples, do you think it rocks enough? Even though I am one of the fans who always hopes Journey will pull off some heavier tracks like Escape, Edge of the Blade, etc., I'm prettty happy with the tempo of Revelation even without the harder tracks I was hoping for. I think the quality of the songs is great, and it definitely sounds more like Journey than they have in awhile!

I guess at the end of the day having quality songs with quality production is more important to me than anything else, because I'd much rather have this album as it is, than having a more rockin' Revelation that doesn't have songs of such good quality. Revelation also seems to have that magic ingredient that Generations and even Arrival (which was a great album) lacked. Is it just the songs? Arnel? The production quality? All of the above? Either way, I'm pretty sure this is going to be a great one for Journey fans, whether it sells or gets air play or not.

[Rick]

I'm pleasantly surprised. I had no idea what to expect, and from what I've heard so far, this could possibly be the best Journey record since 1983.

[Saint John]

I'm on the fence. Personally, I haven't heard a real rocker like Separate Ways from the clips. I'm hoping WDILYL or WITTW is that sort of song tempo wise.

[MarcelJordan]

To me Arnel has an advantage over Augeri with his vocals powerwise. This makes Revelation a better prospect. Every time I hear any of the tunes, be it re-records or the new ones, I wish it was longer. Just when Im getting into it, 30 secs are over in a flash.

I probably get bashed for this, but I think the re-recorded Anyway you want it, is equal if not slightly better than the original. Runs off....

[Andrew]

With the Euro bonus track even more so.

Otherwise one less ballad would have been better.

But regardless, short answer - YES.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Granted, we're only going by samples here, but the most flint-edged rocker seems to be "Wildest Dream."
Other tracks may sport some teeth, but like NWA, alot of it sounds like AC pop.

Which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

[MarcelJordan]

Granted, we're only going by samples here, but the most flint-edged rocker seems to be "Wildest Dream."
Other tracks may sport some teeth, but like NWA, alot of it sounds like AC pop.

Which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Wildest Dream is a rocker that's for sure. I think "Change for the better" is next closest rocker. Hope atleast there's a scorching solo in CFTB to prove that point.

[Majestic]

Granted, we're only going by samples here, but the most flint-edged rocker seems to be "Wildest Dream."
Other tracks may sport some teeth, but like NWA, alot of it sounds like AC pop.

Which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

I agree, its not a bad thing at all, really. If this is the mood Neal and John were in, so be it, because the songs are good. If they can't get into the mood to write some heavier songs which are also good, then I'll settle for these. I like what I hear a lot so far. Its got a lot of mid tempo tunes, but overall, I think the pace of the album is fine. Could have a couple heavy songs, but I don't think its too slow, and it doesn't drag or feel boring to me either-then again, how can a 30 second clip drag on?

[MarcelJordan]

Granted, we're only going by samples here, but the most flint-edged rocker seems to be "Wildest Dream."
Other tracks may sport some teeth, but like NWA, alot of it sounds like AC pop.

Which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

I agree, its not a bad thing at all, really. If this is the mood Neal and John were in, so be it, because the songs are good. If they can't get into the mood to write some heavier songs which are also good, then I'll settle for these. I like what I hear a lot so far. Its got a lot of mid tempo tunes, but overall, I think the pace of the album is fine. Could have a couple heavy songs, but I don't think its too slow, and it doesn't drag or feel boring to me either-then again, how can a 30 second clip drag on?

I think, sometimes a 30 second clip shows a song going nowhere. While Revelation's short clips are nothing short of "interesting" as tunes go. The full versions however, might bring a different feel and perhaps some of those might be not as good as it seemed. However, Arnel's vocals are pretty credible and we'll all like the tunes even more so. Well atleast those who like them with the short clips.

Since Herbie felt good about them, it might be because THEY ARE!

[The_Noble_Cause]

Since Herbie felt good about them, it might be because THEY ARE!

He also carried water for the Augeri-era all the while secretly thinking, as we now know, that they had chosen the wrong guy.
I can't see Herbie throwing Neal's latest touring incarnation under the bus no matter who's singing.
He simply wouldn't do that to Neal.

Herbie wanted Kevin Chalfant back in the 80's, and probably still does now.
It is to the band's and the fans' continued musical disadvantage that Neal won't listen.

Kevin and Neal will both be at Herbie's birthday bash - if they do a mini-Journey set, maybe he will see the error of his ways.

[MarcelJordan]

Since Herbie felt good about them, it might be because THEY ARE!

He also carried water for the Augeri-era all the while secretly thinking, as we now know, that they had chosen the wrong guy.
I can't see Herbie throwing Neal's latest touring incarnation under the bus no matter who's singing.
He simply wouldn't do that to Neal.

Herbie wanted Kevin Chalfant back in the 80's, and probably still does now.
It is to the band's and the fans' continued musical disadvantage that Neal won't listen.

Kevin and Neal will both be at Herbie's birthday bash - if they do a mini-Journey set, maybe he will see the error of his ways.

Personally speaking, I think Augeri didn't really have the power pipes. Arnel is without a doubt the closest you can get. From youtube and elsewhere, the general consensus is a thumbs up.

[Andrew]

Granted, we're only going by samples here, but the most flint-edged rocker seems to be "Wildest Dream."
Other tracks may sport some teeth, but like NWA, alot of it sounds like AC pop.

Which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Change For The Better and What It Takes To Win soundlike they really have some serious teeth.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Personally speaking, I think Augeri didn't really have the power pipes.

No doubt about it.
And a brief listen to "Tyketto Served Up Live" is all it takes to see that.
I doubt Neal, Jon or Mngt., in their supreme quest to replace a legend, so much as bothered.

And then there was the rumor of Augeri straining a vocal chord after Shirley pushed him too hard during the Arrival sessions.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Change For The Better and What It Takes To Win soundlike they really have some serious teeth.

I am optimistic, but I guess we'll both just have to wait for the album to know for sure.

[bradwjensen]

From the samples that I heard.. (all of them)

The only real good song on the new album will be:
11. "The Journey (Revelation)"

The rest seem too mild / bland / plain.
The tracks don't have the emotion Journey used to put into tracks.

Before, Journey's tracks used to have more ups and downs in each track - these new ones so far seem to be just flat all the way through.
So, I sadly wont be buying it.

[fightingilliniJRNY]

The tracks don't have the emotion Journey used to put into tracks.

Before, Journey's tracks used to have more ups and downs in each track - these new ones so far seem to be just flat all the way through.

Yeah, 30 second samples convey all the emotion and ups and downs that one could possibly want in a song. Seriously, dude.

[Rocker Chic]

So, those of you who have been listening to the Revelation samples, do you think it rocks enough?

Nope, not nearly enough.

Hence, my feelings below...

Debbie

[bradwjensen]

The tracks don't have the emotion Journey used to put into tracks.

Before, Journey's tracks used to have more ups and downs in each track - these new ones so far seem to be just flat all the way through.

Yeah, 30 second samples convey all the emotion and ups and downs that one could possibly want in a song. Seriously, dude.

We'll see.

[RockitRide]

To me Arnel has an advantage over Augeri with his vocals powerwise. This makes Revelation a better prospect. Every time I hear any of the tunes, be it re-records or the new ones, I wish it was longer. Just when Im getting into it, 30 secs are over in a flash.

I probably get bashed for this, but I think the re-recorded Anyway you want it, is equal if not slightly better than the original. Runs off....

Arnel's voice, from what I have heard so far, has more "ring" (one top voice teacher calls this critical quality "ping") than Augeri, Soto and Perry, and therefore I give him an edge in the rockers and power ballads too. The quality of the sound in the latter three changes as they go higher, particularly Perry. (You can get away with that in pop and rock music, as most singers do, but more "serious" singers get the boot if their voice drops out of their mask or shifts to a nasal, head tone, which has always been my knock on Perry) Perry's highest notes often differ widely in sound quality from the rest of his range and Augeri's voice dropped back into his throat when I heard him in concert. No wonder he lost his voice. Soto muscles out some high notes, which is not good because you can start to yell these notes and damage your voice.

From a technical standpoint, Arnel's voice keeps moving forward as he sings higher and you can hear that ringing quality that most pro-singers strive to obtain. If you have ever experienced true ring your voice will seem to sing itself and you feel like you are not doing anything. If you are really good, listeners will often think your voice is emminating from somewhere outside of your body. It's wierd but once you get it, it is the most powerfull experience in music. Arnel on "Faith in the Heartland" is an example of what I am talking about. I guess you would say Arnel is on the other end of the vocal spectrum from Kurt Cobrain whose voice had zero ring, and that's why his voice sucked. Fortunatley for him a good voice is (was) not required to sell records.

[nutz4Neal]

So, those of you who have been listening to the Revelation samples, do you think it rocks enough?

From what I'm hearing on the WalMart clips, I'm SO luvin the rockers!

But the ballads, especially AATY, are cool too...this is classic Journey..can't wait to get my pre-ordered CD!

[BobbyinTN]

I love what I hear so far.

[Red13JoePa]

but like NWA, alot of it sounds like AC pop.

Which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

I like the verse of Walk Away a LOT. Hooky, catchy, musical, Journeyesqe. The chorus has not fully grown on me yet, maybe a lot the AC/poppiness is borne out of the delivery of that chorus. Almost tried too hard for a monster chorus, maybe??? Again the verse is really good, and that's from the shitty radio version.

Still can't wait for What It Takes To Win, sounds like an agressive, darker voc from Pineda and the instrumentation sounds atmospherically menacing.

[The_Noble_Cause]

I like the verse of Walk Away a LOT. Hooky, catchy, musical, Journeyesqe. The chorus has not fully grown on me yet, maybe a lot the AC/poppiness is borne out of the delivery of that chorus. Almost tried too hard for a monster chorus, maybe??? Again the verse is really good, and that's from the shitty radio version.

Still can't wait for What It Takes To Win, sounds like an agressive, darker voc from Pineda and the instrumentation sounds atmospherically menacing.

I know what you mean. And Journey has faced such criticisms before. At the time of Arrival, some claimed Higher Place tried too hard to be the new Separate Ways. However, this is the first time I find myself in agreement with those who say Journey is trying too hard to sound like Journey. I like parts of NWA, but there is something entirely songwriting-by-numbers about it.