Eclipse - Your Reviews

[Behshad]

I think I figured out what my issue with Tantra is. I'm used to hearing these type of 'inspirational' songs sang by great tenors like Josh Groban (whose also an outstanding baritone) or other classical crossover artists like Sara Brightman, Hayley Westenra or Russel Watson.
It's not something I'm really interested in on a rock album when I can already listen to other singers knock these types of songs out of the park in their respective genre.
I guess what I'm saying is that I'd prefer that Journey leave the semi-operatic efforts to those that already earn a living doing it.

+1
I just dont get this song. It starts off as its going into something but never gets there.

[Behshad]

While not being able to getting a copy of Eclipse from the dh's at walmart, I broke down and listened to a couple of tracks on you tube with my son. We listened to City of Hope and Resonate for a bit. The son's comment was wow, this doesn't sound like Journey, they need to change the band name if it's not Steve Perry singing. I tend agree with him, the guitar riffs were really good, but the vocals just weren't quite there for either of us. Hopefully listening to the whole cd will provide a different feel. We both agree it doesn't sound like Journey but we'll see.

The kid says get Hugo into sing or change the band name. I agree, it's not the same. The kid is a chip off the old block.

It wont. There's something missing and I just cant get past the vocals not fitting the songs.

[Saint John]

I think I figured out what my issue with Tantra is. I'm used to hearing these type of 'inspirational' songs sang by great tenors like Josh Groban (whose also an outstanding baritone) or other classical crossover artists like Sara Brightman, Hayley Westenra or Russel Watson.
It's not something I'm really interested in on a rock album when I can already listen to other singers knock these types of songs out of the park in their respective genre.
I guess what I'm saying is that I'd prefer that Journey leave the semi-operatic efforts to those that already earn a living doing it.

Albums, for me, need depth and variety. Tantra gives the album both. I found myself wishing the song would NEVER end. It's just stunning and grandiose, but also delivers a very signature Journeyesque sound and feel. This song is as good as anything they've ever done. The Mother Father of ballads, minus the histrionic vocals.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Albums, for me, need depth and variety. Tantra gives the album both. I found myself wishing the song would NEVER end. It's just stunning and grandiose, but also delivers a very signature Journeyesque sound and feel. This song is as good as anything they've ever done. The Mother Father of ballads, minus the histrionic vocals.

Great description.

[Majestic]

I think I figured out what my issue with Tantra is. I'm used to hearing these type of 'inspirational' songs sang by great tenors like Josh Groban (whose also an outstanding baritone) or other classical crossover artists like Sara Brightman, Hayley Westenra or Russel Watson.
It's not something I'm really interested in on a rock album when I can already listen to other singers knock these types of songs out of the park in their respective genre.
I guess what I'm saying is that I'd prefer that Journey leave the semi-operatic efforts to those that already earn a living doing it.

Don, are you playing the whole song, or do you hear the sugar sweet start and switch it off? The song has some great energy, emotion, awesome harmonies, and very tasty licks throughout from Neal. Arnel owns this song, and delivers a killer performance too. I know what you mean about the inspirational feel, but I can't hear Josh rocking one this much even though I bet he'd like to.

[Majestic]

That must be an 'Angry Face' orgasm then.

Neal seems like he likes it rough.
But think about it: "Rapture so rare to be true, I keep holding onto the edge of the moment with you" and "let's see how long we can make it last?" "Melt away with me, there's nothing else." "Let's lose track of time" etc. etc. Definitely some sexual undertones here.

Actually, this seems to be referencing the end of the world due to occur later today. "Rapture so rare to be true." The "edge of the moment" is the Rapture due later tonight.

[Majestic]

I think I figured out what my issue with Tantra is. I'm used to hearing these type of 'inspirational' songs sang by great tenors like Josh Groban (whose also an outstanding baritone) or other classical crossover artists like Sara Brightman, Hayley Westenra or Russel Watson.
It's not something I'm really interested in on a rock album when I can already listen to other singers knock these types of songs out of the park in their respective genre.
I guess what I'm saying is that I'd prefer that Journey leave the semi-operatic efforts to those that already earn a living doing it.

Albums, for me, need depth and variety. Tantra gives the album both. I found myself wishing the song would NEVER end. It's just stunning and grandiose, but also delivers a very signature Journeyesque sound and feel. This song is as good as anything they've ever done. The Mother Father of ballads, minus the histrionic vocals.

Well said. I had the exact same feeling, so I looped it like 9 times. Absolutely stellar song, on a killer album.

[Gideon]

This is the second night that I've been blasting 'Resonate' until 2 or 3 in the morning. That song refuses to let me sleep.
I really have nothing bad to say about it at all; no criticisms or room for improvement, it's one of the very few songs that Journey just nailed perfectly. I remember when I first heard Revelation, I felt like the rockers on the album were somewhat neutered in the mix. ('Change For the Better' and 'Wildest Dream' rank among my favorite Journey songs, but the live versions trample the studio ones.) The boys just couldn't have done 'Resonate' any better.

Lyrically, the album might tackle the same subject matter that's rampant on most Journey songs, but the delivery is much different. This isn't a sappy song, but explores a deeper, angsty on long-distance love. It's like the rock answer to 'Faithfully'. The guitars are powerful, heavy, and add atmosphere. The chorus is flawless.

The best part of the song is Neal's riff at the 4:14 minute mark after the line "it's all our love can be."
Hands down, the strongest song on the album.

Score: 10/10

[jestor92]

I just picked the cd up at Wal Mart today and I've only been able to listen to City of Hope. One thing I've noticed about the jam toward the end of the song is that it sounds like Schon recycled the riff from the Soul SirkUS song "Praise" around the 4:30 mark in the song.

I don't like the packaging.

[Jana]

This is the second night that I've been blasting 'Resonate' until 2 or 3 in the morning. That song refuses to let me sleep.
I really have nothing bad to say about it at all; no criticisms or room for improvement, it's one of the very few songs that Journey just nailed perfectly. I remember when I first heard Revelation, I felt like the rockers on the album were somewhat neutered in the mix. ('Change For the Better' and 'Wildest Dream' rank among my favorite Journey songs, but the live versions trample the studio ones.) The boys just couldn't have done 'Resonate' any better.

Lyrically, the album might tackle the same subject matter that's rampant on most Journey songs, but the delivery is much different. This isn't a sappy song, but explores a deeper, angsty on long-distance love. It's like the rock answer to 'Faithfully'. The guitars are powerful, heavy, and add atmosphere. The chorus is flawless.

The best part of the song is Neal's riff at the 4:14 minute mark after the line "it's all our love can be."
Hands down, the strongest song on the album.

Score: 10/10

This song is amazing. Love the intro, the vocals, melody, lyrics, guitar, drums, keys. Stellar song. It should have been their single. I had misplaced my best earphones, and when I listened to it with those, it blew me away even more.

[Gideon]

This song is amazing. Love the vocals, melody, lyrics, guitar, drums, keys. Stellar song. It should have been their single. I had misplaced my best earphones, and when I listened to it with those, it blew me away even more.

^^ Agreed. I think it would... um... resonate more with contemporary popular music than 'City of Hope'.

[slucero]

My review... after a few listens...


City of Hope - The riff at the end is the best part of this song... hell that riff should have been a song by itself... monster riff...

Edge of The Moment - Journey meets Queensryche... bearing in mind one has to like this style of music.. I can see how this is a "departure" for Journey style-wise... not hearing anything memorable melody-wise... this largely sounds "generic"...

Chain of Love - Dark, plodding... ugh

Tantra - The intro to this song is nice... but I can't stop focusing on Arnel's constant vibrato in parts where it's not needed...some of the words he's singing get mangled to the point of unintelligibility. He really needs to learn when NOT to use his very strong vibrato... Perry was a master of this.. and Arnel's instrument (his voice) would be well served to add this skill to his repertoire.

I like Arnel's vocals on this, it sounds like he really likes this song... I can hear it in his tone and delivery.


Anything Is Possible - Love this intro... classic Neal. Classic Journey bridge... uplifting, setting up the feel-good chorus.. I swear the 2nd verse is a message to Perry...

take it brick by brick
roll away the stone
take a chance on something
build a castle you don't own
live for the moment
you can't put into words
don't keep a song inside
let your voice be heard...


I actually really like this song.. Neals solo's actually are tastefull done... he holds back the shredding until the end... its the old Neal... and I'm loving it... well fucking done..


Resonate - Another Queensryche-style tune... plodding.... This is a filler song (at least for me). Pass.


She's A Mystery - A sort of 12 string, Zeppelin-esque intro.. nice... Arnel gets to stretch his voice out a bit. While there is no real melodic "hook" (I keep waiting for it, it never comes)... this is a nice tune... it's good to hear Neal playing acoustic guitar.

Human Feel - Jungle drum intro... guitar.. Hammond B4... has a very organic feel.. cool song... but nothing I'd listen to more than once once or twice...

Ritual - I got to 1:12.... then it became repetitive and uninteresting...

To Whom It May Concern - Intro (Is this Boston?) Has a very cool Neal riffing a la Hendrix. To bad it doesn't happen more in the song... it becomes more Boston-like than Journey... weird...

Someone - This could have been on Arrival... it has that well known (well worn?) classic Journey modulation to the chorus... Perry era fans will like this..

Venus - Neal riffage, shredding, double-bassing... yadda, yadda, yadda.....





Arnel - actually his vocals are stellar... production wise, he sounds great.

Neal - his usual amazing badass self. I little to much shredding.. I prefer the more melodic soling of the earlier days..

Jon - Lyrically he's all over this, his keys also are there.. just more subdued...

Ross - steady as he always has been

Deen - There's no question the man can play the cans.




Overall - Production is stellar... this is a well recorded album... but on some songs the lyrical content is dark and serious.. which traditionally with Journey would not be that big of a deal.. because one could count on them juxtaposing that with musical melody that was uplifting and feel-good..

For those songs like Edge Of the Moment, Resonate, Chain Of Love... that doesn't exist.. and it brings down the album as a whole...

The music is listenable.. however I do not find it memorable... and more importantly for me with Journey music, aside form the production, nothing "stands out"... too much with the dark & brooding...

[Gideon]

That's an interesting take on it. I think it comes down to the fundamental difference between listeners like myself, VirgilTheart, others and earlier generations of Journey fans. I'm glad that the band is spreading its wings and exploring different avenues of music than the same formula over and over and over and over again. While I like Eclipse more than Raised on Radio, I have to give both Schon and Perry credit for having the vision to branch out and take Journey elements to new styles.

[The_Noble_Cause]

My review... after a few listens...

Agree with some of ur thoughts..tho I find Chain of Love to be pretty melodic and catchy, as well as dark and heavy. It's in the vein of "All the Things" from Arrival, just better. Resonate is my least fav, but still a cool track.

[Gideon]

Agree with some of ur thoughts..tho I find Chain of Love to be pretty melodic and catchy, as well as dark and heavy.

+1

It's in the vein of "All the Things" from Arrival, just better.

That's not saying much.

Resonate is my least fav, but still a cool track.

Wow, really?

[Jana]

My review... after a few listens...

Agree with some of ur thoughts..tho I find Chain of Love to be pretty melodic and catchy, as well as dark and heavy. It's in the vein of "All the Things" from Arrival, just better. Resonate is my least fav, but still a cool track.

I think Chain of Love is one of my favorite songs by them in years. It is brilliantly done and unique and definitely catchy with hooks. Of course, I love darker music, but this has an energy to it so not a downer.

[Jana]

This song is amazing. Love the vocals, melody, lyrics, guitar, drums, keys. Stellar song. It should have been their single. I had misplaced my best earphones, and when I listened to it with those, it blew me away even more.

^^ Agreed. I think it would... um... resonate more with contemporary popular music than 'City of Hope'.

I forgot to mention the intro. Love it. I think this song would be amazing on a late night show performance playing it full length, no paring it down like usual for longer songs on those shows.

[slucero]

That's an interesting take on it. I think it comes down to the fundamental difference between listeners like myself, VirgilTheart, others and earlier generations of Journey fans. I'm glad that the band is spreading its wings and exploring different avenues of music than the same formula over and over and over and over again. While I like Eclipse more than Raised on Radio, I have to give both Schon and Perry credit for having the vision to branch out and take Journey elements to new styles.

Thanks for the reply.

Just to clarify... I'm one of the "way"-earlier fans...

I'm 49 and I was born and raised in the the SF Bay Area.... so this is my hometown band... have loved em since I was in my teens...

For me, it's ironic (and funny) that you praise the band for "spreading its wings and exploring different avenues of music than the same formula", but I find these songs (the dark and brooding ones) to be exactly that... formulaic.... especially for Journey... To me they are more one-dimensional than the stuff on their 1st 3 albums... which had musical melodies and riffs galore..

Neal has HUGE fusion/progressive rock roots.. and I would have expected something more musically interesting, along the lines of Topaz or People, with musical hooks & riffs, that have a distinctly different and yet individually original feel to them.. I don't get that with these songs... There is a cohesion that is absent....

As far as songwriting goes.. IMHO the songs on Arrival were better written than these tunes...

[Don]

This may very well be my favorite Journey album. I don't see how it couldn't be a top three for any fan of JOURNEY.

I'd say the opposite, how could it BE in the Top Three for any fan of JOURNEY?
A lot of people did not like the pop/ Adult contemporary direction that Perry took the band with ROR and I'm sure there will be a segment that doesn't like the absence of the generic power ballads and other things that are missing on this album under Neal's direction.
You can't have it both ways and say one group is more a fan of the band than the other.
I personally would think a true fan would have Escape, Frontiers and Infinity as their top three (Sony obviously thought this too, that's why they offered a single retail package containing all three). There will be others that will say the top three has to include Arrival as that was the band's first big foray into using outside writers and trying to break away from the normal Journey Blueprint.

A Top Three for any catalog is going to be tough. If you are trying to set a criteria for the listening tastes of real Journey fans, you might want to expand the list to a Top Five, if anything.

[Don]

I think I figured out what my issue with Tantra is. I'm used to hearing these type of 'inspirational' songs sang by great tenors like Josh Groban (whose also an outstanding baritone) or other classical crossover artists like Sara Brightman, Hayley Westenra or Russel Watson.
It's not something I'm really interested in on a rock album when I can already listen to other singers knock these types of songs out of the park in their respective genre.
I guess what I'm saying is that I'd prefer that Journey leave the semi-operatic efforts to those that already earn a living doing it.

Albums, for me, need depth and variety. Tantra gives the album both. I found myself wishing the song would NEVER end. It's just stunning and grandiose, but also delivers a very signature Journeyesque sound and feel. This song is as good as anything they've ever done. The Mother Father of ballads, minus the histrionic vocals.

While Mother Father is a great tune, I never saw it as being the pinnacle achievement in muscianship and vocal abilty that others did. A little bit too much drama going on for my tastes, when it came to what I PERSONALLY expected from Journey. I guess Tantra falls under that same generality for me.

I'm not knocking those who like it but it's not for me.

[Saint John]

I think I figured out what my issue with Tantra is. I'm used to hearing these type of 'inspirational' songs sang by great tenors like Josh Groban (whose also an outstanding baritone) or other classical crossover artists like Sara Brightman, Hayley Westenra or Russel Watson.
It's not something I'm really interested in on a rock album when I can already listen to other singers knock these types of songs out of the park in their respective genre.
I guess what I'm saying is that I'd prefer that Journey leave the semi-operatic efforts to those that already earn a living doing it.

Albums, for me, need depth and variety. Tantra gives the album both. I found myself wishing the song would NEVER end. It's just stunning and grandiose, but also delivers a very signature Journeyesque sound and feel. This song is as good as anything they've ever done. The Mother Father of ballads, minus the histrionic vocals.

While Mother Father is a great tune, I never saw it as being the pinnacle achievement in muscianship and vocal abilty that others did. A little bit too much drama going on for my tastes, when it came to what I PERSONALLY expected from Journey. I guess Tantra falls under that same generality for me.

I'm not knocking those who like it but it's not for me.

I completely understand what you're saying and could see how some could find them (MF and Tantra) to be guilty of intentionally trying to make it more grandiose than the meaning of the song(s) call for. Mother Father, for me, had vocals that were a bit too grand for the song. But, man, were they fucking good! I think Tantra had the same grandiose theme, but with much more suited vocals.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Love the outro solo of "Anything is Possible" - on any earlier album this would've been cut short. Like WCN, Neal just plays and plays and brings the song home.

[Jana]

I'm sorry and I know a lot of people will disagree when they hear the complete version but Tantra is just too much Pomp and Circumstance when all I want to do is rock. When the next track starts, it's actually a relief.

I like Tantra, but it requires a certain mood. It seems Disney-esque, or something like that....or meatloafish in places.

It's off the wall brilliant. Some will get it...some won't.

I agree. I get lost in that song, but in a good way. It's Arnel's best vocals.

[VirgilTheart]

Wow. I always liked 'Resonate', but now it's finally clicking with me the right way. Right up there with 'Chain of Love' as my favorite. Not sure which I prefer, to be honest with myself.

On another note, it seems that for me at least that various songs have to be heard under different circumstances for them to click with me the right way. 'To Whom It May Concern' actually clicked with me when I was half-asleep and having a sore neck, for example. 'Tantra', I need to be calm and wanting to think of things on a grand scale.

And 'She's A Mystery' finally clicked with me when I was in the car and the song played on the big speakers.

[jestor92]

I've finally got a chance to listen to the whole thing and I'd give it a 7.5/10 on first listen. Musically it's a solid album, but nothing really jumps out at me as yeah this is a killer song. I'm not a fan of Arnie's vocal work on the album and I might be in the minority, but when he sings high I have a hard time understanding what the fuck he's saying, Deen's drums IMO are to low in the mix and Arnie's vocals a lil to high. Also City Of Hope sounds to me musically like a mix between U2 and the song Praise from Soul SirkUS

[Don]

8.5 for me.
I've got 7 songs moving on to the big leagues and the rest headed for the bus. I'll break it down later when I can type on something with a real keyboard.

[Behshad]

I've finally got a chance to listen to the whole thing and I'd give it a 7.5/10 on first listen. Musically it's a solid album, but nothing really jumps out at me as yeah this is a killer song. I'm not a fan of Arnie's vocal work on the album and I might be in the minority, but when he sings high I have a hard time understanding what the fuck he's saying, Deen's drums IMO are to low in the mix and Arnie's vocals a lil to high. Also City Of Hope sounds to me musically like a mix between U2 and the song Praise from Soul SirkUS

Spot on review !

[Don]

Okay, a little bit of a review to point out the stuff that helped make this an 8.5.

Anything Is Possible and Someone are both in. Major nostalgia factor here. People asking me at the office if I was listening to Journey, Survivor, Styx(?); those two songs are like ice cream in the summer, very cool.
COL and EOTM. Moody rockers that remind me of DIO for some reason. No dragons but sweeping vocals and killer guitar riffs. This is rock.
Resonate. Walking Away From The Edge 2.0. Very good song that isn't a ballad but is an excellent replacement. Minimum sugar here.
Ritual. This is the friend of a friend that you are cool with so you let him into the party anyway (unless his name is Tito).
Night Ranger with a scarab and luckily, I like Night Ranger.
She's A Mystery. Take a grunge singer, make him spit the marbles out of his mouth and you have this. Blind Melons morphing into Stone Temple Pilots at the end. Journey's own alternative rock classic. I like it.

That's the lineup. I don't need to break down the reason for the other tracks not making the cut. There will be ample opportunities later to do that without tossing them under the bridge on their maiden weekend. Except for Tantra of course.

[Aaron]

You had better check your guitar or keyboard on Arnels range versus the others. And don't forget dude, the first time Journey detuned their songs a half step was for Arnel (which SUCKED by the way). That's not a sign of range brother.

As far as Hugo goes, power or not he can hit the high stuff and sounds great. Once again, opinions are like assholes though.

Opinions are just like assholes, everybody has one. I've seen Hugo live and he has the capability. I think the miss is the vocals on new Journey stuff is not as high as Perry or Augeri era songs. You don't need someone with range if it's not going to be used, ya know.

Arnels vocals are powerful but not nearly as high as what I expected. Someone mentioned it sounded like the songs were written for JSS, I couldn't agree more. The range I've heard is not the "souring tenor" Schon has talked about in interviews.

No idea what you're hearing. Arnel has the highest range of all the Journey vocalists since early-Perry. As for Hugo, he uses airy falsetto and has NO power.

[Aaron]

I hope you're wrong man but I'll give it a fair shake. You could very well be right.

While not being able to getting a copy of Eclipse from the dh's at walmart, I broke down and listened to a couple of tracks on you tube with my son. We listened to City of Hope and Resonate for a bit. The son's comment was wow, this doesn't sound like Journey, they need to change the band name if it's not Steve Perry singing. I tend agree with him, the guitar riffs were really good, but the vocals just weren't quite there for either of us. Hopefully listening to the whole cd will provide a different feel. We both agree it doesn't sound like Journey but we'll see.

The kid says get Hugo into sing or change the band name. I agree, it's not the same. The kid is a chip off the old block.

It wont. There's something missing and I just cant get past the vocals not fitting the songs.