New Samples - City Of Hope (last part) & Human Feel

[Glenn]

Checking out the samples - they don't sound much like Journey anymore. Closer to Soul Sirkus but with Arnel singing (although these songs sound weaker than the strong material on SS). I don't hear much soul or emotion here, which used to be JRNY's trademark. I neither hear it in the songs, nor the playing (Schon can play like this in his sleep). Where are the melodies that went straight for your heart, the singing that oozed emotion?

A name change would probably be the fair thing to do right now.

Thanks for the awesome afternoon laugh!

Could be the dumbest opinion I've read since....well, I last caught up with STM's posts and rants....But you get the idea.

[Glenn]

I call BS in a way. Everyone says this is Neal's band, and always has been. While he is a founding member, it is hardly his band. It was always Herbie's band until he got shitcanned. Neal 'gave up' control when the addition of Perry got them hits, and $$$$. Something that jam/fusion outfit wasn't going to do. And Neal wasn't complaining when the ducats were rolling in. As far as this being his record? He's had 5 other chances since '86 to record his record. So this vindication that's swarming around this release is grossly misplaced.

Dude....seriously....stay off the Journey form until May 24 please.

Now WTF was wrong with what I said? There was nothing derogatory in that post.

This is the kinda shit that I'm taking about....

You have dug such a hole for yourself that if you started a thread telling everyone to have a good day, you'd get the same "stay away" response.

[S2M]

Checking out the samples - they don't sound much like Journey anymore. Closer to Soul Sirkus but with Arnel singing (although these songs sound weaker than the strong material on SS). I don't hear much soul or emotion here, which used to be JRNY's trademark. I neither hear it in the songs, nor the playing (Schon can play like this in his sleep). Where are the melodies that went straight for your heart, the singing that oozed emotion?

A name change would probably be the fair thing to do right now.

Thanks for the awesome afternoon laugh!

Could be the dumbest opinion I've read since....well, I last caught up with STM's posts and rants....But you get the idea.

Well, when you actually pop your cherry - and add something worthwhile to the discussions here...maybe we'll change our minds and take your takes seriously....until then...........STFU.

[Glenn]

Checking out the samples - they don't sound much like Journey anymore. Closer to Soul Sirkus but with Arnel singing (although these songs sound weaker than the strong material on SS). I don't hear much soul or emotion here, which used to be JRNY's trademark. I neither hear it in the songs, nor the playing (Schon can play like this in his sleep). Where are the melodies that went straight for your heart, the singing that oozed emotion?

A name change would probably be the fair thing to do right now.

Thanks for the awesome afternoon laugh!

Could be the dumbest opinion I've read since....well, I last caught up with STM's posts and rants....But you get the idea.

Well, when you actually pop your cherry - and add something worthwhile to the discussions here...maybe we'll change our minds and take your takes seriously....until then...........STFU.

Explain how I'm to pop my cherry so to speak?

and who the "we'll" section you speak of?

[steveo777]

Checking out the samples - they don't sound much like Journey anymore. Closer to Soul Sirkus but with Arnel singing (although these songs sound weaker than the strong material on SS). I don't hear much soul or emotion here, which used to be JRNY's trademark. I neither hear it in the songs, nor the playing (Schon can play like this in his sleep). Where are the melodies that went straight for your heart, the singing that oozed emotion?

A name change would probably be the fair thing to do right now.

Thanks for the awesome afternoon laugh!

Could be the dumbest opinion I've read since....well, I last caught up with STM's posts and rants....But you get the idea.

Well, when you actually pop your cherry - and add something worthwhile to the discussions here...maybe we'll change our minds and take your takes seriously....until then...........STFU.

Explain how I'm to pop my cherry so to speak?

and who the "we'll" section you speak of?

Deano, but he's not here.

[Pstburp]

I like both, especially City of Hope, a very good guitar solo and now Arnel does not sound like Perry, The sound of his voice is very well

[steveo777]

I like both, especially City of Hope, a very good guitar solo and now Arnel does not sound like Perry, The sound of his voice is very well

Arnel needs to sound like himself on the new material, but morph into legacy Journey for the classics. He does a great job of both.

[Glenn]

Checking out the samples - they don't sound much like Journey anymore. Closer to Soul Sirkus but with Arnel singing (although these songs sound weaker than the strong material on SS). I don't hear much soul or emotion here, which used to be JRNY's trademark. I neither hear it in the songs, nor the playing (Schon can play like this in his sleep). Where are the melodies that went straight for your heart, the singing that oozed emotion?

A name change would probably be the fair thing to do right now.

Thanks for the awesome afternoon laugh!

Could be the dumbest opinion I've read since....well, I last caught up with STM's posts and rants....But you get the idea.

Well, when you actually pop your cherry - and add something worthwhile to the discussions here...maybe we'll change our minds and take your takes seriously....until then...........STFU.

Explain how I'm to pop my cherry so to speak?

and who the "we'll" section you speak of?

Deano, but he's not here.

So I need to pop my cherry for STM and Deano to take me seriously?

Well now I know what my future goals are.

But Deano, I've met him and spoken privately with him in the past. Never a problem on that front.

[Intell]

Thank you Andrew.

[Escape Artist]

Still not all that impressed with either song. I would prefer Chain Of Love, Resonate or Edge Of The Moment to these 2 songs. They seem to be FAR better, in terms of hooks, melody and structure. Human Feel and City Of Hope need ... choruses!

Human Feel has a chorus:
This is the world we live in,
These are the hands we're given,
Use them and let's start human feel

-Bill

He said chorus, not Bore Us....

Speaking of boring...broken fucking record.

Can't escape being a prick, huh? It's all tongue-in-cheek buddy....I'm on record as liking Chain of Love, and City of Hope. I don't care for Human Feel....

Most people here know my brand of humor....if you, a few others, and the big enchilada can't look past the humor - well IDK what to tell you....

Dude... if you want to come onto every positive Journey thread and post something negative than you're going to get shit from some people around here... And by your own standards it's just as valid for me to give you grief than for you to pipe in and hijack every F'n thread isn't it?? Stop whinning about it already. It's a stupid game and you know it. Humor...right.

[Don]

Human Feel has a few Perryisms thrown in vocally but then again, this is Journey after all. Definitely louder than Revelation but it's still pop/rock, just at a higher volume. I wasn't looking for a new Soul Sirkus album so this isn't a problem, at least for me personally.

I need to come right out and say this. City Of Hope is just a bit too hokey for me. Not Christian rock but it sure ain't Dio either.

Human Feel is fine, though I do like two of the other songs we have heard a little more.

[S2M]

How is it negative to offer that I like Chain of Love, I like City of Hope, but Human Feel bores me? As well as getting that point across while being witty at the same time....lighten up. Jeesh!

[Don]

How is it negative to offer that I like Chain of Love, I like City of Hope, but Human Feel bores me? As well as getting that point across while being witty at the same time....lighten up. Jeesh!

Chain Of Love is great but I'm sure the band's mangement doesn't want to totally alienate the numerous casual fans out there so the safe choices will be the first releases.

[koberry]

I'm happy about the direction of this new album but really, the only one responsible for this not happening ten years earlier is Journey's leader and founder. We've been told over and over again that money/ financial security isn't an issue with these guys so no need for anyone to try to pass the blame to outside agents when the only place fingers should be pointed at is inside the band itself.

Kudos Neal for finally getting the guts to really take your band back.

I really liked the US version of Arrival, it remains a favorite. So I really don't have a problem about what could have happened 10 years earlier as 2001 was a pretty good year. Generations was a big step backwards, tho.

[S2M]

How is it negative to offer that I like Chain of Love, I like City of Hope, but Human Feel bores me? As well as getting that point across while being witty at the same time....lighten up. Jeesh!

Chain Of Love is great but I'm sure the band's mangement doesn't want to totally alienate the numerous casual fans out there so the safe choices will be the first releases.

My comment was meant for Escape Artist, Don....

[Michigan Girl]

Still not all that impressed with either song. I would prefer Chain Of Love, Resonate or Edge Of The Moment to these 2 songs. They seem to be FAR better, in terms of hooks, melody and structure. Human Feel and City Of Hope need ... choruses!

Human Feel has a chorus:
This is the world we live in,
These are the hands we're given,
Use them and let's start human feel

-Bill

He said chorus, not Bore Us....

Hey fuck nutz, didn't the 'bat say he was gonna kick your ass?

Are you the new watch dog around here?!/!

[fredinator]

My opinion:

To me, Journey without Perry wasn't going to be legitimate until they stopped trying to be what they were with him, and become their own band. Van Halen did this right off the bat with Hagar, and that's why it worked. I'm liking what I hear in the studio clips. This has been a long time coming (for me). It's sure to divide the hard core fan base, but (so far) I'm in the acceptance camp.

Neal's giving us Eclipse and two solo projects, one of which has Smitty on drums. This is looking to be a great fucking year for Rock n' Roll people. Enjoy the ride. I know I will.

Thank you, Neal, you're my hero!

ST

Their first album after Perry was fantastic, Arrival. It had an updated sound to me and a great moody vibe. Augeri's voice is different from Perry's, more understated, not as vibrant, and his soulful delivery on the songs really worked. And I love Jon and Neal on the album. Neal's tone on guitar was beautiful. And the melancholy piano melodies on the songs I loved. Deen was great, too. I guess many could say they did too many ballads to make certain fans happy, but I loved all the ballads. So I was fine.

I liked the feel of Revelation. There was an Infinity feel to a lot of Neal's playing on there. And some really great songs. But an uneven album.

But every band each album likes to play where their head is at at the time or experiment. Eclipse is, definitely, that album for Journey. Kind of like U2 when they took a big u-turn on their music to experiment and not repeat. Varied reaction from the fans, but from a creative standpoint, I'm sure they were happy.

I can't wait to hear the Neal solo album, also. A solo album by Neal has been a long time coming.

Thanks, Jana--so well said--spot on... Ditto this too, ST, lol: Thank you, Neal, you're my hero!

[Andrew]

Most people here know my brand of humor...

We sure do! The "not funny" brand

[Andrew]

while being witty at the same time....

I saw some shit, but no actual wit.

[Saint John]

I need to come right out and say this. City Of Hope is just a bit too hokey for me. Not Christian rock but it sure ain't Dio either.

Human Feel is fine, though I do like two of the other songs we have heard a little more.

I'm with you. We were told that this album was heavier, darker and talked about hard hitting stuff, but the first song is about a city of hope, founded on faith? Bad choice.

[The_Noble_Cause]

I'm with you. We were told that this album was heavier, darker and talked about hard hitting stuff, but the first song is about a city of hope, founded on faith? Bad choice.

I dunno. To the casual unwashed, Journey is that band that did "Don't Stop Believin." If not a weepy Cain ballad, the first single has to be some sort of optimistic anthem.

[Saint John]

I'm with you. We were told that this album was heavier, darker and talked about hard hitting stuff, but the first song is about a city of hope, founded on faith? Bad choice.

I dunno. To the casual unwashed, Journey is that band that did "Don't Stop Believin." If not a weepy Cain ballad, the first single has to be some sort of optimistic anthem.

I don't think COH will be tearing up rock station airwaves, but I could see Chain Of Love making some waves. Better intro, vocals and chorus, not to mention moodier.

[Don]

Andrew,
Do any of the songs have attention grabbing intros akin to what we have gotten with DSB, Separate Ways, or even Be Good To Yourself where as soon as the first few notes are struck , we know what's coming?

I could probably include Stone In Love in that group as well.

[Saint John]

Andrew,
Do any of the songs have attention grabbing intros akin to what we have gotten with DSB, Separate Ways, or even Be Good To Yourself where as soon as the first few notes are struck , we know what's coming?

I could probably include Stone In Love in that group as well.

Personally, I love the intro to COL. Not exactly on par with SW, but it' s still cool.

[Don]

Andrew,
Do any of the songs have attention grabbing intros akin to what we have gotten with DSB, Separate Ways, or even Be Good To Yourself where as soon as the first few notes are struck , we know what's coming?

I could probably include Stone In Love in that group as well.

Personally, I love the intro to COL. Not exactly on par with SW, but it' s still cool.

If they edit out the first minute I would agree with you that when Neal kicks it in, you get hooked. All of these songs are so long that COL will probably be hacked anyway if it gets released for radio.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9J69tnGHK-I

The beginning keys and vocals are very reminicent of Dream After Dream. It sort of has that ethereal feel to it.

[Andrew]

Andrew,
Do any of the songs have attention grabbing intros akin to what we have gotten with DSB, Separate Ways, or even Be Good To Yourself where as soon as the first few notes are struck , we know what's coming?

I could probably include Stone In Love in that group as well.

Almost nothing starts off suggesting you know where it's going...I dig that.

But there's a track near the end which could have come from Revelation (a happy uptempo rocker) and the AOR anthem Anything Is Possible is PURE Journey from the first glorious note. Very melodic and fluffy, with a darker soloing conclusions.

[timstar78]

Like the samples -- nice guitar work in "City Of Hope." Thanks for sharing, Andrew.

[Jana]

Andrew,
Do any of the songs have attention grabbing intros akin to what we have gotten with DSB, Separate Ways, or even Be Good To Yourself where as soon as the first few notes are struck , we know what's coming?

I could probably include Stone In Love in that group as well.

Almost nothing starts off suggesting you know where it's going...I dig that.

But there's a track near the end which could have come from Revelation (a happy uptempo rocker) and the AOR anthem Anything Is Possible is PURE Journey from the first glorious note. Very melodic and fluffy, with a darker soloing conclusions.

Sounds intriguing. When do we get the review of all the songs, Andrew? I find City of Hope to really be a headphone type song, from what I've heard of the samples.

[Vladan]

Sounds great, he can sure sing. Arnel still does those Perry-isms, they all do it.

When Arnel sings the part "That's where I'm from... the city of hoooe-ohowhaoo" around the 0:28 seconds mark. That's something you hear Steve Perry do, it's trade mark Steve Perry.

[NoMoreTails]

Sounds great, he can sure sing. Arnel still does those Perry-isms, they all do it.

When Arnel sings the part "That's where I'm from... the city of hoooe-ohowhaoo" around the 0:28 seconds mark. That's something you hear Steve Perry do, it's trade mark Steve Perry.

Oh, you mean the Sam Cooke-isms?