Where Should The Band Go From Here? (the next album)

[VirgilTheart]

While it will almost definitely be another two years or more before we get another album of new material from Journey, I was curious to see what everyone here thinks should happen with the next album, in sense of musical direction.

I for one would love to see the band continue in the direction that Eclipse has established: a more mature Journey with more progressive music. However, I'd also love to see the band combine that musical direction with an orchestra accompanying the music, a la Dream After Dream. Plus, I'd like to see Arnel team up with Neal and Jonathan to co-write more songs than on Eclipse, and wouldn't mind seeing Jack Blades aid them in writing new material too.

What other ideas does this lovely forum have to offer?

[Gideon]

Arnel co-wrote two Eclipse songs: SAM was pretty good, but not especially sophisticated (though references to Shangri-La and a Mona Lisa smile added some elements of maturity as opposed to typical Journey euphemisms like "lovin'" and "caress" or whatever) and TWIMC was fairly strong. I'd like to see more of what he could bring to the table, and Jack Blades would be able to preserve any hooks.

I'd like the band to continue with something in the vein of Eclipse, Red 13, and Trial By Fire. They definitely need to keep the edge and toss in a couple of duets with Deen.

[steveo777]

I'd like to see a live album from one of their better, most recent concerts. (pick one)
A live DVD
Some new music in the vein of Eclipse and ???

[Archetype]

The 2013 CD should be a mix of Eclipse and Trial By Fire

[Argus]

Singles downloads in digital format at i-Tunes and Amazon and perhaps the website store. Social Media the heck out of them, take them viral and get feedback. Actually the fans could help in the creative process by offering input which would then result in re-works/re-mixes of the tunes on the fly. Just thinking outside of the old box set here

[Saint John]

Be the first band ever (that I know of) to allow the fans to watch the writing and recording process streaming live. This would be its own free advertising. And then do the things Argus mentioned and use the ever living fuck out of youtube, Facebook and Twitter. And then have a huge iTunes and Amazon co-launch.

[Red13JoePa]

I would love to see songs being recorded Saint John.

Also I'd just as soon keep things in the Eclipse vein for at least a good part of that next album.

[Frontiers65]

A live album.

[Don]

Be the first band ever (that I know of) to allow the fans to watch the writing and recording process streaming live. This would be its own free advertising. And then do the things Argus mentioned and use the ever living fuck out of youtube, Facebook and Twitter. And then have a huge iTunes and Amazon co-launch.

Do you mean there won't be any more "Get owl new album at Wah-Maht!" after they play Edge OF The Moment?

[VirgilTheart]

Singles downloads in digital format at i-Tunes and Amazon and perhaps the website store. Social Media the heck out of them, take them viral and get feedback. Actually the fans could help in the creative process by offering input which would then result in re-works/re-mixes of the tunes on the fly. Just thinking outside of the old box set here

Be the first band ever (that I know of) to allow the fans to watch the writing and recording process streaming live. This would be its own free advertising. And then do the things Argus mentioned and use the ever living fuck out of youtube, Facebook and Twitter. And then have a huge iTunes and Amazon co-launch.

Seriously, both of you have fantastic ideas here. Not exactly the suggestions I had in mind (I'm aiming more for musical direction ), but seriously both of you made GREAT ideas here.

On that sort of note, I'd wish they'd get rid of their current manager and get Herbie back. I imagine that would help.

[Don]

On that sort of note, I'd wish they'd get rid of their current manager and get Herbie back. I imagine that would help.

Live Nation owns the majority, if not all of the venues that Journey plays in. The band doesn't want to be on Azoff's bad side.

[Saint John]

On that sort of note, I'd wish they'd get rid of their current manager and get Herbie back. I imagine that would help.

Live Nation owns the majority, if not all of the venues that Journey plays in. The band doesn't want to be on Azoff's bad side.

There's actually a solution to that. John Baruck is Journey's manager, just under Azoff's umbrella. If Azoff would hire Herbie, Herbie could then be Journey's manager and Azoff would still get the band in his sheds. They just need someone that cares about promotion, advertising, the fans and the fan experience. Herbie (Lora and Cyndy, too) did.

[VirgilTheart]

On that sort of note, I'd wish they'd get rid of their current manager and get Herbie back. I imagine that would help.

Live Nation owns the majority, if not all of the venues that Journey plays in. The band doesn't want to be on Azoff's bad side.

Ouch. Quite a nasty insurance policy Azoff's got there.

[Argus]

On that sort of note, I'd wish they'd get rid of their current manager and get Herbie back. I imagine that would help.

Live Nation owns the majority, if not all of the venues that Journey plays in. The band doesn't want to be on Azoff's bad side.

There's actually a solution to that. John Baruck is Journey's manager, just under Azoff's umbrella. If Azoff would hire Herbie, Herbie could then be Journey's manager and Azoff would still get the band in his sheds. They just need someone that cares about promotion, advertising, the fans and the fan experience. Herbie (Lora and Cyndy, too) did.

Herbie will never step out of retirement to manage a band again. let alone work *for* Azoff

[Red13JoePa]

...Virgil's pic of that dude spaz clapping with that face is classic


Anyway, these next legs of promo for Eclipse has got to get the record in the 6-figure range if plans for the sequel to the album are to become viable from a good label standpoint.


I will wait, but am heartened that they are planning more song releases and stuff like that to try and pick up the ball where the initial push/lack thereof dropped it.

[Gideon]

:lol: ...Virgil's pic of that dude spaz clapping with that face is classic .

You've never watched Dr. Strangelove?

[Red13JoePa]

:lol: ...Virgil's pic of that dude spaz clapping with that face is classic .

You've never watched Dr. Strangelove?

Nup. I have EXREMELY limited pop culture taste.

I associate Dr Strangelove with a Kubrick (who I love) movie that I have no desire to see. But that pic, juxtaposed against SJ and the other guy's ideas had me rolling.

[Argus]

:lol: ...Virgil's pic of that dude spaz clapping with that face is classic .

You've never watched Dr. Strangelove?

Nup. I have EXREMELY limited pop culture taste.

I associate Dr Strangelove with a Kubrick (who I love) movie that I have no desire to see. But that pic, juxtaposed against SJ and the other guy's ideas had me rolling.

/me nudges Joe and says.. ---> Argus is female [formerly known as cj]

[FamilyMan]

Be the first band ever (that I know of) to allow the fans to watch the writing and recording process streaming live. This would be its own free advertising. And then do the things Argus mentioned and use the ever living fuck out of youtube, Facebook and Twitter. And then have a huge iTunes and Amazon co-launch.

Watching songs get written and recorded is worse than watching paint dry. It's almost as boring as watching an unedited TV interview.
The only time it was remotely interesting watching a band record was Beatles' Let it Be -- and that was because we were watching them implode.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Bring back Jack Blades.

[S2M]

Sunny Acres Retirement Home...complete with rocking chairs and Belltones (so they can actually hear for themselves the shit they've been releasing).

Either open the vaults, or call it a day....

[jestor92]

I'd like to see them take a few years off.

I'd like to see the next album be a live album.

I'd like to see Schon form a super group with Blades, Shaw, Deen, and Maybe Nugent.

I'd like to see Arnel learn how to not over sing and write some decent songs.

I'd like to see Cain figure out how to write some good lyrics again in the down time.

I'd like to see Ross continue to do nothing, but bring in a pay check.

[The_Noble_Cause]

I'd like to see Arnel learn how to not over sing and write some decent songs.

Arnel's contributions are both very strong.

[belar]

There shouldn't be another studio album.

[Gideon]

There shouldn't be another studio album.

Strongly disagree here. I see no reason why there shouldn't be.

[Idiosyncrasy]

I'd like to see them move deeper into the Eclipse sound, but also bring to it the broader palette of influences and maturity of Trial By Fire. That's what I loved about Trial By Fire - okay, it may have been ballad heavy and have a couple of not so great tracks, but there was a real sense of class, depth, and complexity to it. Plus a deeply spiritual feel in places. I find Trial By Fire to be a much more emotionally rich listening experience than most of their other output. Arrival was nice, but it felt lighter, more commercial, a little more pop than TBF (and less fulfilling for me personally). Say what you like about Perry's voice, but there was real sincerity on TBF. I can still lose myself completely in tracks like Still She Cries and Colours of the Spirit.

And yeah, it would be great to see them try something even more progressive, possibly with some orchestral touches.

[yulog]

I'd like to see Arnel learn how to not over sing and write some decent songs.

Arnel's contributions are both very strong.

She's a mystery is a b type version of Patiently, It would be embarrasing to think this to be a very strong contribution.

[steveo777]

I'd like to see Arnel learn how to not over sing and write some decent songs.

Arnel's contributions are both very strong.

She's a mystery is a b type version of Patiently, It would be embarrasing to think this to be a very strong contribution.

Oh, but it is, for many of us. Not embarrassed at all. I love the song!

[WykkedSensation]

There shouldn't be another studio album.

+1

[steveo777]

There shouldn't be another studio album, unless it's good, like Eclipse.

+1

Fixed & screw the casual fan!