Eclipse review - classic metal

[The_Noble_Cause]

Man some people just don't get tantra. Skip the first thirty seconds if you must.

I think you're making the reviewers point. There are far too many disjoints. There aren't just a dozen or so songs on this album. There are a number of different pieces. You shouldn't have to skip any of them, however, and other threads agree, the listener has to edit the songs themselves to find what they like.

If anything this album should be called 'Buffet' - you can go grab the different portions of songs that you like, and make your own album.


later~

Personally, it's the first Journey album since Escape where I don't have to hit "skip" at all. The tracklisting of "Revelation" was tight too. Very few clunkers.

[Deb]

http://pitriff.com/news/classic-metal/itemlist/tag/journey
For ECLIPSE, Journey has all but done away with their ability to write short, memorable songs with big, memorable hooks. Instead, ECLIPSE is a mish mosh of somewhat pompous songs that simply don't accentuate the sound that people have grown to love and expect from Journey.

That's another whole issue of this release. It's darker than you would expect, or want from a band like Journey who's job is to create feel-good anthems. Songs like "Resonate" just seem to have a dark, desperate feel to them (this one seems to have a positive message, but the tone and the vocal delivery are just empty of positive energy).

[/i]

This is someone who just doesn't get the band. How is it anything on the second half of Frontiers is a "feel-good anthem"?

Edge of the Blade
Troubled Child
Back Talk
Frontiers
Rubicon

To me, Journey is about the deep cuts, not the 2-3 radio-friendly songs each release. Not that I don't love the sing-alongy tunes. Give me some Just the Same Way, Stone in Love, Faithfully anytime (pun). But to lambast the band for delivering music that's really not that big of a departure from their collective body of work shows that he's never really scratched below the surface of this band's catalog.

Interesting point. I think you nailed it. If you are a fan of the second side of Frontiers, you'll like Eclipse. If you think they f*cked up by replacing Ask The Lonely and Only The Young with Troubled Child and Back Talk, you probably aren't in the ECLIPSE camp. Definitely a seperation of the Journey fan base - either you like the 2nd side of Frontiers, Red 13, Generations, Eclipse Journey or you like Frontiers side 1 Journey. And there will be some that like jazzy Raised On Radio Journey. To each their own. But no doubt that Eclipse is definitely in the same vein of the less popular/less mainstream Journey releases.

That would be me. I find adding those two songs on the new Frontiers CD made a ton of difference. Especially Only The Young, how that wasn't on the original Frontiers simply amazes me.

[Michigan Girl]

Am I the one going nuts? People act as though Journey put out an album that has nothing but unflattering guitars and whaling drums associated with heavy metal and those grunt frontman that seem to never make sense. I hear Journey ALL OVER THE PLACE in Eclipse, just a darker-mood with rockier guitars. The vocals are still there, Cain is still present and Deen is a monster. Still sounds like Journey to me I respect everyone's opinion on the matter. Taste is something for everything. For me, I love how this album gives the listener multiple times to listen to the album straight through to get some stuff and the kind of direction the band wanted to articulate. Do I enjoy other albums and efforts more-so than this? Of course, but I also enjoy the efforts on this album more-so than others as well.

Youre listening to Eclipse with biased ears. and since you're enjoying so much , more power to you. But why would it even matter to you how much others {don't} enjoy it. :)

True dat! We all have different preferences, glad you enjoy the hell out of it Travis. Who cares if somebody else doesn't love it too. Heck, when it comes to Mr. Big.........Talk to the hand. Any questions? Consult the middle finger.

+1 ...problem is most of these people, read 'em, do care!!
Quick to bash music they do not like and quick to trash folks who bash music they do like.
ROR ...love it!!

[Greg]

Why do people still hold up Raised on Radio to be this awesome masterpiece? Aside from 1 or 2 songs, I think it sucks. It's nothing but cheesy soft rock crap.

I don't know if there are very many Journey fans that hold ROR as a masterpiece, but it's definitely a much better album than what you're giving credit for. While I don't care for "Eyes" or "Happy To Give", that album had a lot of nicely done AOR songs that were radio releases: Girl Can't Help It, Suzanne, I'll Be Alright Without You, Be Good To Yourself, Why Can't This Night Go On Forever....... nothing about this album "sucks" to me. Is it as "good" as Frontiers or Escape? In my opinion, no, but it was still commercially good. Doesn't sound like classic Journey, but just like fans of Eclipse will say, Journey had to take risks and expand musically.

[Greg]

http://pitriff.com/news/classic-metal/itemlist/tag/journey
For ECLIPSE, Journey has all but done away with their ability to write short, memorable songs with big, memorable hooks. Instead, ECLIPSE is a mish mosh of somewhat pompous songs that simply don't accentuate the sound that people have grown to love and expect from Journey.

That's another whole issue of this release. It's darker than you would expect, or want from a band like Journey who's job is to create feel-good anthems. Songs like "Resonate" just seem to have a dark, desperate feel to them (this one seems to have a positive message, but the tone and the vocal delivery are just empty of positive energy).

[/i]

This is someone who just doesn't get the band. How is it anything on the second half of Frontiers is a "feel-good anthem"?

Edge of the Blade
Troubled Child
Back Talk
Frontiers
Rubicon

To me, Journey is about the deep cuts, not the 2-3 radio-friendly songs each release. Not that I don't love the sing-alongy tunes. Give me some Just the Same Way, Stone in Love, Faithfully anytime (pun). But to lambast the band for delivering music that's really not that big of a departure from their collective body of work shows that he's never really scratched below the surface of this band's catalog.

Interesting point. I think you nailed it. If you are a fan of the second side of Frontiers, you'll like Eclipse. If you think they f*cked up by replacing Ask The Lonely and Only The Young with Troubled Child and Back Talk, you probably aren't in the ECLIPSE camp. Definitely a seperation of the Journey fan base - either you like the 2nd side of Frontiers, Red 13, Generations, Eclipse Journey or you like Frontiers side 1 Journey. And there will be some that like jazzy Raised On Radio Journey. To each their own. But no doubt that Eclipse is definitely in the same vein of the less popular/less mainstream Journey releases.

I absolutely LOVE Troubled Child, Edge of the Blade, and New Frontiers. I'm not too big on Back Talk. Only The Young could have easily taken its place.

[Deb]

This dude seemed to have more of an agenda to knock, and differ with MR.com than actually critique the music.

I don't know about that, he was pretty close to Andrew's review of MB's What If.... Pitriff.com rating = 91/100, MR.com rating = 100/100 They just differ on their opinions of Eclipse.

http://pitriff.com/cd-reviews/classic-metal?start=10

[Don]

I think Raised On Radio is one of those albums that is split right down the middle based on your gender.
Using clothing as an analogy, I would admit to ROR being a pretty dress but as a guy, I'm obviously not gonna be caught dead wearing it.

[conversationpc]

I think Raised On Radio is one of those albums that is split right down the middle based on your gender.
Using clothing as an analogy, I would admit to ROR being a pretty dress but as a guy, I'm obviously not gonna be caught dead wearing it.

[Greg]

I think Raised On Radio is one of those albums that is split right down the middle based on your gender.
Using clothing as an analogy, I would admit to ROR being a pretty dress but as a guy, I'm obviously not gonna be caught dead wearing it.

I can't say I'd be willing to wear any dresses, pretty or ugly...lol!

[Red13JoePa]

I think Raised On Radio is one of those albums that is split right down the middle based on your gender.
Using clothing as an analogy, I would admit to ROR being a pretty dress but as a guy, I'm obviously not gonna be caught dead wearing it.

*whistling*

[scarab]

good review, i give Eclipse more like 85-90% mainly for thr 4-5 good to great songs. the rest is just very uneven. so much like the instrumental, trying to be soulful and shredding at the same time.

[conversationpc]

I think Raised On Radio is one of those albums that is split right down the middle based on your gender.
Using clothing as an analogy, I would admit to ROR being a pretty dress but as a guy, I'm obviously not gonna be caught dead wearing it.

*whistling*

[The_Noble_Cause]

good review, i give Eclipse more like 85-90% mainly for thr 4-5 good to great songs. the rest is just very uneven. so much like the instrumental, trying to be soulful and shredding at the same time.

I'm all for bringing back the instrumental tracks from the early days, but Venus is unfocused and just lousy. "The Revelation" on last disc was much better.

[Tito]

I think Raised On Radio is one of those albums that is split right down the middle based on your gender.
Using clothing as an analogy, I would admit to ROR being a pretty dress but as a guy, I'm obviously not gonna be caught dead wearing it.

*whistling*

Cross dresser.

[Red13JoePa]

I think Raised On Radio is one of those albums that is split right down the middle based on your gender.
Using clothing as an analogy, I would admit to ROR being a pretty dress but as a guy, I'm obviously not gonna be caught dead wearing it.

*whistling*

The dude I was talking about on FB with the neckfat is a guy who works at my building Dave.

[hoagiepete]

Why do people still hold up Raised on Radio to be this awesome masterpiece? Aside from 1 or 2 songs, I think it sucks. It's nothing but cheesy soft rock crap.

I don't know if there are very many Journey fans that hold ROR as a masterpiece, but it's definitely a much better album than what you're giving credit for. While I don't care for "Eyes" or "Happy To Give", that album had a lot of nicely done AOR songs that were radio releases: Girl Can't Help It, Suzanne, I'll Be Alright Without You, Be Good To Yourself, Why Can't This Night Go On Forever....... nothing about this album "sucks" to me. Is it as "good" as Frontiers or Escape? In my opinion, no, but it was still commercially good. Doesn't sound like classic Journey, but just like fans of Eclipse will say, Journey had to take risks and expand musically.

I'd rather listen to any song on Eclipse versus having to listen to Suzanne. Hated that song. While Eclipse is not a classic, I don't "dislike" a song on there.

[Don]

I dislike Tantra and TWIMC enough that I would rather they had included one over the top 100% pure ballad on Eclipse (like WYLAW) than those two songs.

[koberry]

I think Raised On Radio is one of those albums that is split right down the middle based on your gender.
Using clothing as an analogy, I would admit to ROR being a pretty dress but as a guy, I'm obviously not gonna be caught dead wearing it.

The ROR dress would definitely be a 'yes' for Anthony Weiner

[Don]

I think Raised On Radio is one of those albums that is split right down the middle based on your gender.
Using clothing as an analogy, I would admit to ROR being a pretty dress but as a guy, I'm obviously not gonna be caught dead wearing it.

The ROR dress would definitely be a 'yes' for Anthony Weiner

Speaking of Weiner, improve your game with this handy sports accessory.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wT6jIGD9eg

[Seven Wishes2]

Dead on review.. EXACTLY how I felt upon listening to Eclipse...

Yep.

A lot of friends - some of them Journey fans, others not - don't get it, either...and a lot of them are fellow (amateur) musicians. In the end, "Chain of Love" will be the only permanent addition to the Journey touring catalogue. No wonder Cain and Schon were going at it for the better part of six months. Sounds like Neal should have acquiesced a little bit. This CD will be riding the pine from now on.

[conversationpc]

A lot of friends - some of them Journey fans, others not - don't get it, either...and a lot of them are fellow (amateur) musicians. In the end, "Chain of Love" will be the only permanent addition to the Journey touring catalogue. No wonder Cain and Schon were going at it for the better part of six months. Sounds like Neal should have acquiesced a little bit. This CD will be riding the pine from now on.

Nothing personal to you necessarily, but I NEVER give this kind of argument any creedence, i.e. the "I have friends who", "I know musicians who", etc., etc.

[Gideon]

Nothing personal to you necessarily, but I NEVER give this kind of argument any creedence, i.e. the "I have friends who", "I know musicians who", etc., etc.

So if I told you that I have friends who say that conversationpc is a total and utter douche, you wouldn't find it credible?

[conversationpc]

Nothing personal to you necessarily, but I NEVER give this kind of argument any creedence, i.e. the "I have friends who", "I know musicians who", etc., etc.

So if I told you that I have friends who say that conversationpc is a total and utter douche, you wouldn't find it credible?

Who are they and where do they live?

[Rick]

Nothing personal to you necessarily, but I NEVER give this kind of argument any creedence, i.e. the "I have friends who", "I know musicians who", etc., etc.

So if I told you that I have friends who say that conversationpc is a total and utter douche, you wouldn't find it credible?

Dave is this site's best poster. Bar none. Case closed.

[conversationpc]

Nothing personal to you necessarily, but I NEVER give this kind of argument any creedence, i.e. the "I have friends who", "I know musicians who", etc., etc.

So if I told you that I have friends who say that conversationpc is a total and utter douche, you wouldn't find it credible?

Dave is this site's best poster. Bar none. Case closed.

Poster or poster CHILD?

[Gideon]

Dave is this site's best poster. Bar none. Case closed.

He is, without question, a great poster and good person. It's why I enjoy busting his balls and directing my cheesy Journey & Soto jokes in his direction.

Who are they and where do they live?

[Rick]

Nothing personal to you necessarily, but I NEVER give this kind of argument any creedence, i.e. the "I have friends who", "I know musicians who", etc., etc.

So if I told you that I have friends who say that conversationpc is a total and utter douche, you wouldn't find it credible?

Dave is this site's best poster. Bar none. Case closed.

Poster or poster CHILD?

While I don't always agree with you politically, you're the voice of fairness here. The best poster this site has. Oh, I should add, "IMHO".

[conversationpc]

He is, without question, a great poster and good person. It's why I enjoy busting his balls and directing my cheesy Journey & Soto jokes in his direction.

Is that why they itched so bad last night in bed?

[Gideon]

Is that why they itched so bad last night in bed?

I didn't realize my jokes were that bad!

[VirgilTheart]

Songs like "Resonate" just seem to have a dark, desperate feel to them (this one seems to have a positive message, but the tone and the vocal delivery are just empty of positive energy).

Yep ...it's what I hear, did not like this song!!

This is a very fair review, good for the people
who love it, and for those of us who like parts of it ...
Certainly noone thought this would be embraced by the
world ...or even all Journey fans?!?!

The review IS fair, and it does make me understand the people with mixed feelings on the album a bit better, but honestly, hating 'Resonate' is just plain lunacy to me. The reviewer didn't really seem to get that song: it does have a more positive message than say 'Chain of Love' for example, but it's a bittersweet song. The dark mood and vocal delivery was spot-on for it IMO.

For the Perryfanatics, here's a mathmatical equation to make it easier
Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) + Faithfully X 1/2(Who's Cryin' Now) = 'Resonate'