You Better Wait

[Onestepper]

Holy tacos that song is breathy. He worked how many years on that song/album? Breath in. Breath out.

Is that what we have to look forward to? Pass.

[ChildInTime]

Holy tacos... I'm gonna use that one, now.

And yeah, FTLOSM was a breathy record. But that stuff can be erased in the studio quite easily, so I guess Steev-O kept it in there on purpose for whatever weird artsy-fartsy reason he had. I didn't really mind it, though. But everyone's different, so... *shrug*

[madsplash]

Holy tacos that song is breathy. He worked how many years on that song/album? Breath in. Breath out.

Is that what we have to look forward to? Pass.

It's called tone, character and nuance, along with perfect phrasing, damn near perfect pitch and more control than any other singer, ever. Either you get that or you don't. You go ahead and pass, it'll be your loss, dude.

[Michigan Girl]

Breathy is good for this song, very sexy...I love it!!!
I can see why men might not care for it...

[hoagiepete]

I quit listening to the album because it made me keep gasping for breath. It irritated the hell out of me. Too bad too as there were some good songs ruined by it.

[Onestepper]

Holy tacos that song is breathy. He worked how many years on that song/album? Breath in. Breath out.

Is that what we have to look forward to? Pass.

It's called tone, character and nuance, along with perfect phrasing, damn near perfect pitch and more control than any other singer, ever. Either you get that or you don't. You go ahead and pass, it'll be your loss, dude.

You don't need to stick a microphone down your throat to have tone and nuance Einstein. He has multiple other records that have that same 'perfect phrasing' that don't sound like he's blowing into a breathalyser at 2 in the morning. Thanks for trying to educate my opinion. I'll take it into consideration, while I get over the fact that I've somehow lost out on not enjoying the FTLOSM album. I really don't know how I'll survive.

How's that 'end of the year' source working for you now Nostradamus?

We'll see.

[madsplash]

Holy tacos that song is breathy. He worked how many years on that song/album? Breath in. Breath out.

Is that what we have to look forward to? Pass.

It's called tone, character and nuance, along with perfect phrasing, damn near perfect pitch and more control than any other singer, ever. Either you get that or you don't. You go ahead and pass, it'll be your loss, dude.

You don't need to stick a microphone down your throat to have tone and nuance Einstein. He has multiple other records that have that same 'perfect phrasing' that don't sound like he's blowing into a breathalyser at 2 in the morning. Thanks for trying to educate my opinion. I'll take it into consideration, while I get over the fact that I've somehow lost out on not enjoying the FTLOSM album. I really don't know how I'll survive.

How's that 'end of the year' source working for you now Nostradamus?

We'll see.

I'd forgotten what a joy it was to converse with you. Now I remember. Don't know why I bothered.

That won't happen again, don't worry.

[Since 78]

Holy tacos that song is breathy. He worked how many years on that song/album? Breath in. Breath out.

Is that what we have to look forward to? Pass.

It's called tone, character and nuance, along with perfect phrasing, damn near perfect pitch and more control than any other singer, ever. Either you get that or you don't. You go ahead and pass, it'll be your loss, dude.

You don't need to stick a microphone down your throat to have tone and nuance Einstein. He has multiple other records that have that same 'perfect phrasing' that don't sound like he's blowing into a breathalyser at 2 in the morning. Thanks for trying to educate my opinion. I'll take it into consideration, while I get over the fact that I've somehow lost out on not enjoying the FTLOSM album. I really don't know how I'll survive.

How's that 'end of the year' source working for you now Nostradamus?

We'll see.

I'd forgotten what a joy it was to converse with you. Now I remember. Don't know why I bothered.

That won't happen again, don't worry.

You ever think maybe its the . Just saying.... carry on.

[Jubilee]

Holy tacos that song is breathy. He worked how many years on that song/album? Breath in. Breath out.

Is that what we have to look forward to? Pass.

It's called tone, character and nuance, along with perfect phrasing, damn near perfect pitch and more control than any other singer, ever. Either you get that or you don't. You go ahead and pass, it'll be your loss, dude.

I don't think anyone is questioning Perry's phrasing or pitch. Objectively speaking, one has to admit the tone of Perry's voice on this album is thinner and quite a bit raspier than previous efforts. When you couple that with the breathiness, it can be a bit off-puting - even for a loon. A little breathiness, just for effect, on one or two songs is one thing, but an entire album where he sounds like he has a piece of a peanut caught in his throat? He has better breath control than that.

Having said that, when the time comes and "IT" happens, I'll be right there...waiting...

[ChildInTime]

It was quite an odd decision to leave all that breathy stuff on there. But Matt Bellamy from Muse does the same exact thing for whatever weird reason, and Muse is pretty damn popular, so I guess it's a sort of.... style? I dunno. They obviously know what they're doing, even if we don't. (And the funny thing is Matt's breathy-ness annoys the living daylights out of me, whereas Steve's doesn't bug me at all. Hm. Go figure.)

[slucero]

I actually love it that way..... reminds me of the old school singers...

Modern studio mixdown techniques usually result in all the inhalation and exhalation being removed from the vocal track... we've been condition to not hear this anymore because it's cut out.

I think Perry feels that leaving it in makes it sound more realistic.. which is true, since breathing is kind of a necessary part of singing...

[WIX]

Holy tacos that song is breathy. He worked how many years on that song/album? Breath in. Breath out.

Is that what we have to look forward to? Pass.

That man(edit) is the best singer ever, can't take that away! signed #1 Fan!

[Babyblue]

Holy tacos that song is breathy. He worked how many years on that song/album? Breath in. Breath out.

Is that what we have to look forward to? Pass.

That man(edit) is the best singer ever, can't take that away! signed #1 Fan!

Agree with that one.Love it

[cheekymonkey]

Holy tacos that song is breathy. He worked how many years on that song/album? Breath in. Breath out.

Is that what we have to look forward to? Pass.

It's called tone, character and nuance, along with perfect phrasing, damn near perfect pitch and more control than any other singer, ever. Either you get that or you don't. You go ahead and pass, it'll be your loss, dude.

Hey there, good to see you Mad. I totally agree with you, I loved the sound of this album and what he left on. I love this album.

[Lora]

I actually love it that way..... reminds me of the old school singers...

Modern studio mixdown techniques usually result in all the inhalation and exhalation being removed from the vocal track... we've been condition to not hear this anymore because it's cut out.

I think Perry feels that leaving it in makes it sound more realistic.. which is true, since breathing is kind of a necessary part of singing...

I totally agree. People are used to listening to compressed crap on their ipods now. I love hearing the natural breathing. It adds to the intimacy of that CD.

[Saint John]

I actually love it that way..... reminds me of the old school singers...

Modern studio mixdown techniques usually result in all the inhalation and exhalation being removed from the vocal track... we've been condition to not hear this anymore because it's cut out.

I think Perry feels that leaving it in makes it sound more realistic.. which is true, since breathing is kind of a necessary part of singing...

Kevin Shirley (and perhaps Nostrildamus) did an awesome job of making TBF rich and full of life, and KS totally bombed on Revelation in that same department. However, I think most of FTLOSM was completely overboard in that department (much like Revelation was "underboard") and if Perry was so worried about "making it sound more realistic" he'd simply sing it live.

[journey361]

Saint John good post but i have to disagree with you on his breathing. I believe that was not his decision alone but rather he had opinions and one or two of them convinced him to go that way. I can't believe that other studio personal would just not mention that or frankly let it slide and go to print.
Someone who he trusts convinced Perry to leave it in. The CD is Steve Perry, sure it's blues or however you want to classify it but the bottom line is it's Perry and he has pipes to kill for. Oh shit, i'm so sorry, i was told by millions that even as studio-tech goes he had lost his voice by then. Could you imagine Steve Perry at 26 or 27 years old on American Idol with his voice. LOL. Simon say's somewhere's there's hope.

[Playitloudforme]

Ain't got no problems with the song, the breathing, any of it. Damn sexy, period.

[sp old ldy]

I actually love it that way..... reminds me of the old school singers...

Modern studio mixdown techniques usually result in all the inhalation and exhalation being removed from the vocal track... we've been condition to not hear this anymore because it's cut out.

I think Perry feels that leaving it in makes it sound more realistic.. which is true, since breathing is kind of a necessary part of singing...

I totally agree. People are used to listening to compressed crap on their ipods now. I love hearing the natural breathing. It adds to the intimacy of that CD.

I totally agree with you LORA!!!! The first time I heard that breathing OMG, it sounded like he was standing right here in front of me
singing his heart out. I LOVE IT!!!!!!!

[swataz]

I have no issues with the breathiness. I just notice it is all. It's especially prevalent on songs like "Young Hearts Forever".

To me, as a singer, it is nuance and some others who mention the production tricks make a good point. We are very much trained to hear 'perfection' in recordings, and while leaving the breathiness in was intentional, it is a departure for most ears.

Love the album anyway, it reminds me of a simpler time in my life when I was in my mid 20's and riding high!

[MrsPerry]

I love to hear the breathyness (is that even a word) and fingers on guitar strings. really makes the song for me.

[annie89509]

Ain't got no problems with the song, the breathing, any of it. Damn sexy, period.

yeah, very true.

[CatEyes]

[...]
People are used to listening to compressed crap on their ipods now.[...]

Oh hell yes **kitty paw high five**

It seems that most people do not realize how much they are missing as a result of the compression.

pls pardon my typing. I am wearing gloves

cold weather sucks!

cat

[slucero]

good example here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gmex_4hreQ

[Saint John]

I'd like to think that the album sales of this particular album reflect how good it was. Very mediocre sales for a very mediocre album. I'm a firm believer that Perry's true genius is when he "wings it and sings it." This album was a calculated project of methodical musical nuances and, in the end, the result was shit.

[annie89509]

I'd like to think that the album sales of this particular album reflect how good it was. Very mediocre sales for a very mediocre album. I'm a firm believer that Perry's true genius is when he "wings it and sings it." This album was a calculated project of methodical musical nuances and, in the end, the result was shit.

YBW is a great song...Missing You and Anyway are mesmerizing...but I'd agree that FTLOSM overall is pretty dull...not as good as Street Talk. I don't know about the calculating part, though. I remember reading old articles where SP used to say about Journey's songs & projects...that they were organic, nothing was calculating. He often referred to the songs as their children. So I tend to believe that goes for his solo projects, as well. He often spoke about writing & singing from his heart and that he would never do anything just because it was "time to." I'm sure anyone who's a SP fan has come across the same stuff I just alluded to.

With FTLOSM, Steve turned producer duties over to Jim Barton of Queensryche(sp?) fame, instead of keeping that title to himself as with ST. I wonder how much of the musical nuances that we hear in the album is JB's doing. Of course, we know it's Steve doing the singing and the control he exerts over everything.

Just thoughts running through my mind

[slucero]

I'd like to think that the album sales of this particular album reflect how good it was. Very mediocre sales for a very mediocre album. I'm a firm believer that Perry's true genius is when he "wings it and sings it." This album was a calculated project of methodical musical nuances and, in the end, the result was shit.

The measurement of an albums quality is based on how well it sells? That sorta remove the whole "different people like different things" subjectivity thing from the equation doesn't it?

IMHO - unit sales aren't a very good indicator of the quality of a given album... musical climate, promotion and touring have a lot to do with whether or not a given album sells... given the musical climate.... 1994 was probably not the best time for Perry to release FTLOSM, and maybe Perry wasn't really expecting Escape level sales.. maybe releasing FTLOSM was simply an ego stroke for him...

[Saint John]

The measurement of an albums quality is based on how well it sells?

That's not what I said, numbnuts. I said that I think it's true for this particular album. The Journey base sorta rejected it. And why shouldn't they? It sucked!

1994 was probably not the best time for Perry to release FTLOSM, and maybe Perry wasn't really expecting Escape level sales..

It was certianly a good time. It was well promoted and he toured in support of it. Yet album sales were relatively dismal. And that's because the album wasn't good.

maybe releasing FTLOSM was simply an ego stroke for him...

You'd need hands the size of The fucking Milky Way to stroke his ego (or pick his nose )!

[ChildInTime]

^
While you make valid points, you also have to keep in mind the musical landscape of the time period. Journey-like music was not popular at all; everyone was all over grunge at that point... Nirvana this, Pearl Jam that... and FTLOSM obviously sounded nothing like Smells like Teen Spirit. Metal music had the same problem back then-- album sales dramatically decreased for metal bands unless they started pandering to the grunge trend or the whole Pantera macho-metal thing. Which goes to show how fickle some music 'fans' can be.

Even putting this into account, album sales still don't say anything for the quality of this album. Metallica's Saint Anger was ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE in both production and musical quality. Yet, I believe it went platinum, just because hey! They were METALLICA! They were COOL! Steve Perry and Journey never really had that draw to them past the '80s, honestly.

[Jana]

^
While you make valid points, you also have to keep in mind the musical landscape of the time period. Journey-like music was not popular at all; everyone was all over grunge at that point... Nirvana this, Pearl Jam that... and FTLOSM obviously sounded nothing like Smells like Teen Spirit. Metal music had the same problem back then-- album sales dramatically decreased for metal bands unless they started pandering to the grunge trend or the whole Pantera macho-metal thing. Which goes to show how fickle some music 'fans' can be.

Even putting this into account, album sales still don't say anything for the quality of this album. Metallica's Saint Anger was ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE in both production and musical quality. Yet, I believe it went platinum, just because hey! They were METALLICA! They were COOL! Steve Perry and Journey never really had that draw to them past the '80s, honestly.

What would grunge have to do with people that still had a soft spot for Journey and Perry? TBF sold a million after ten years away with no touring. Think what it would have been with touring. I have many Perry fanatics from back in the Journey day in my office. I'm shocked how many work there that were loons back in the day, and at an office meeting we were discussing Journey b/c I was going to a Journey concert. Every one of them did not like FTLOSM. They said it was disappointing and they liked him with Journey. And even some of them didn't like TBF all that much. They loved the classic Journey sound. Journey/Perry fans just weren't loving FTLOSM on a grand scale. But it wasn't a failure. It went gold after Perry being eight years away. It think that's nothing to cry about.