Gunbot wrote:Cain can write rock, but it is usually in the realm of soft rock. The guy plays a piano so it's natural that all the stuff that he is the PRIMARY contributor on leans to an adult contempemporary style.
Journey's stuff since he came on board is pretty sanitized. Rock has always had gritty lyrics but you won't find much of that post Captured. Where's the songs about having a beer and being with your girlfriend in the backseat? I think this a big reason Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi are in the songwriters hall of fame, while Cain/Perry/Schon are not. Journey uses a lot of abstract terminology in their songs that tries to placate everyone but comes across as an afterschool special musically. They write the stuff that can be easily transfered to the Disney channel and covered by 12 year olds. I'm not letting Perry off the hook on this either but his solo stuff is more adult sounding, even if it does come across as depressing emo-pop, sometimes.
You know what though? Generations, for all thats wrong with it (plenty), had some GREAT lyrical moments. These guys are capable of good lyrics when they want to. I think Signs of Life is an excellent lyrical song too... the "I'm not a dead man walkin without you" line is great.
I think they do get that rocking feel to their lyrics with songs like Do You Recall, When You're In Love It Ain't Easy, and Party's Over, and there are some other good ones in the catalog, such Ask The Lonely (When you're feeling love's unfair, you just ask the lonely - great stuff I think), Trial by Fire (the song), Mother Father, and Who's Cryin Now.
Now, they aren't singing songs laced with metaphor or rife with historical significance, and some of their lyrics leave a lot to be desired, but they aren't too bad across the board imo and there are some gems in there. I think when they set out to tell a story, ala Better Life, FITH, Mother Father, even maybe Turn Down The World Tonight (I can picture the couple in that song), or I'll Be Alright Without You, they have done a great job. I'm no lyrical analyst or specialist, especially with this kind of music, because there's so much to focus on above the lyrics: The big harmonies, soaring vocals, melodic guitar, keys, great drumming etc.