New single - June 24th

[Monker]

Funny you mention Open Arms. I was just listening to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySGhiIz ... l=ElizeRyd

And, I wonder why Journey doesn't write songs like that any longer...simple song, generic lyrics...but with a fantastic voice in front and center of basic acoustic guitar (or piano), slow and melodic guitar solos without distortion or 3 guitars playing at once, a song that pushes emotion with lyrics, vocals, and the intruments all working together in a very simplistic way.

The truth is, there is only ONE "Open Arms". They have not done it since. Must be too Mary Poppins of a concept for the band to handle, especially now.

Starting around the Manilla concert, Neal added additional guitar in Open Arms. You may not like it. I think it makes the song even better. See here at the 3 minute mark, for example.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LoNXnTrLY0

And I am 99% sure Neal with add extended guitar solo to The Way It Used To Be in concert. He will have fun with it with the crowd there.

Almost every song Journey performs in concert has been changed at some point to add more Neal to it...so what? This was the first single Journey has had in 10yrs, and what did you get? A mediocre, mid-tempo, song with generic lyrics, hidden keyboards in the background, a non-inspirational guitar by Neal, and good vocals by Arnel but are not much in the foreground and muddled into everything else, and a weird mix with the background vocals.

It is a very mediocre effort. Acceptable for most fans who are dying to hear the band, but over-all, it is not that much of a first single...and they should release something else soon and move on from this. It's not getting on the radio.

[Moonglow]

I’m wondering how many musicians were playing together in the same room when this song was recorded? Or, asking the inverse of this question, how many of them recorded their parts separately/remotely and then they were all mixed together? If the latter approach was utilized, perhaps this could have contributed to what some have described as the song being somewhat flat and just sort of lying there? There’s something to be said for the dynamics associated with a band physically jamming together, feeding off each other’s energy, etc., which would not be as robust if things were done separately.

For the record, I have exactly zero gold or platinum records hanging on my wall, but at least one of my musician friends agreed that this tune could have perhaps benefited from a "bridge" section to breath some musical ebb and flow into the musical structure of the song and launch it into a final soaring chorus.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_(music)

[The_Noble_Cause]

I’m wondering how many musicians were playing together in the same room when this song was recorded? Or, asking the inverse of this question, how many of them recorded their parts separately/remotely and then they were all mixed together? If the latter approach was utilized, perhaps this could have contributed to what some have described as the song being somewhat flat and just sort of lying there? There’s something to be said for the dynamics associated with a band physically jamming together, feeding off each other’s energy, etc., which would not be as robust if things were done separately.

For the record, I have exactly zero gold or platinum records hanging on my wall, but at least one of my musician friends agreed that this tune could have perhaps benefited from a "bridge" section to breath some musical ebb and flow into the musical structure of the song and launch it into a final soaring chorus.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_(music)

I'm curious what Herbie thinks. He once criticized Trial By Fire for being flat, monotone, and having no lift-off. I like TWWUTB, but I will def. admit it doesn't soar.

[RumTumJM]

Do I hear autotune on Arnel's voice, or am I over thinking/analyzing it?

[The_Noble_Cause]

Do I hear autotune on Arnel's voice, or am I over thinking/analyzing it?

I don't hear it. If it's there it's very minor.

[Monker]

Do I hear autotune on Arnel's voice, or am I over thinking/analyzing it?

I think Autotune is used in concert. On recordings, there are programs that allow someone to manually go in and tune the vocals...slightly different. This is also mistaken for various vocal affects that seem to dominate pop music nowadays.

[JourneyHard]

It is a very mediocre effort. Acceptable for most fans who are dying to hear the band, but over-all, it is not that much of a first single...and they should release something else soon and move on from this. It's not getting on the radio.

This new single is perfect. It is NOT getting on the radio because Steve Perry isn't the lead singer. The last Journey song to be on the radio without Perry was All the Way off of Arrival which was a minor hit. Also, Journey will release another single before the album comes out. The question is whether it will be a rocker or a ballad. If they have a ballad that is dynamite, release that. Otherwise, release a rocker.

[The_Noble_Cause]

It is a very mediocre effort. Acceptable for most fans who are dying to hear the band, but over-all, it is not that much of a first single...and they should release something else soon and move on from this. It's not getting on the radio.

This new single is perfect. It is NOT getting on the radio because Steve Perry isn't the lead singer. The last Journey song to be on the radio without Perry was All the Way off of Arrival which was a minor hit. Also, Journey will release another single before the album comes out. The question is whether it will be a rocker or a ballad. If they have a ballad that is dynamite, release that. Otherwise, release a rocker.

I heard "After All These Years" on the radio. Never heard anything from Augeri get played anywhere.

As for the new single being perfect........ not really. Like Monker said, it's perfectly acceptable and fine. It's just, with Journey, we expect so much more.

[Onestepper]

It is a very mediocre effort. Acceptable for most fans who are dying to hear the band, but over-all, it is not that much of a first single...and they should release something else soon and move on from this. It's not getting on the radio.

This new single is perfect. It is NOT getting on the radio because Steve Perry isn't the lead singer. The last Journey song to be on the radio without Perry was All the Way off of Arrival which was a minor hit. Also, Journey will release another single before the album comes out. The question is whether it will be a rocker or a ballad. If they have a ballad that is dynamite, release that. Otherwise, release a rocker.

I heard "After All These Years" on the radio. Never heard anything from Augeri get played anywhere.

As for the new single being perfect........ not really. Like Monker said, it's perfectly acceptable and fine. It's just, with Journey, we expect so much more.

I think I heard Remember Me on the radio a few times. But that may have been due to it being on the Armageddon soundtrack. And yes I remember hearing AATY as well.

SiriusXM classic rock channel talked up the new single last week or so. Obviously didn’t play it, just talked about the upcoming album.

[TageRyche]

The song is adequate at most. It isn't terrible but it doesn't come close to being a GOOD song much less a great one. And the less said about that shitty video the better.

[JourneyHard]

This song is exactly what they needed right now. They can play this song in concert and it won't bog things down because the song doesn't overstay its welcome. Plus, it is very catchy. People might start singing along even though it is the first time they are hearing it because they kept the lyrics simple. Just like Steve Perry said at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, "Neal's guitar soars above them all." (paraphrasing)

[The_Noble_Cause]

This song is exactly what they needed right now. They can play this song in concert and it won't bog things down because the song doesn't overstay its welcome. Plus, it is very catchy. People might start singing along even though it is the first time they are hearing it because they kept the lyrics simple. Just like Steve Perry said at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, "Neal's guitar soars above them all." (paraphrasing)

I think the chorus is very slight - def. not an instant earbug like DSB or Higher Place. Again, I like the song. Happy to hear the synth so prominent as Frontiers is prolly my fav. album. But I'm not creaming my jeans just yet.

[Monker]

This song is exactly what they needed right now. They can play this song in concert and it won't bog things down because the song doesn't overstay its welcome. Plus, it is very catchy. People might start singing along even though it is the first time they are hearing it because they kept the lyrics simple. Just like Steve Perry said at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, "Neal's guitar soars above them all." (paraphrasing)

I just so disagree with this...

How could they need a song that sounds good on tour when they are not on tour yet?

They needed a song that people could pull up on Youtube and be wowed by and create a buzz for a new album and tour. That simply did not happen. I think most people were "meh" and moved on. They also timed this very odd...it should have been closer to the release of the album and/or tour. They need AT LEAST one more single and it should have already been released.

[jrnyman28]

I just so disagree with this...

Surprise, surprise.

How could they need a song that sounds good on tour when they are not on tour yet?

Wow. They're not releasing new music....oh, the music sucks..... They're not touring (yet),....

But they are rolling out dates.
So, new shows and what is likely the beginning of an extended tour.

They needed a song that people could pull up on Youtube and be wowed by and create a buzz for a new album and tour. That simply did not happen. I think most people were "meh" and moved on.

Maybe. But that is purely subjective and their are plenty of people who do like it. Still, the core audience really isn't the YouTube crowd.

They also timed this very odd...it should have been closer to the release of the album and/or tour. They need AT LEAST one more single and it should have already been released.

I am certain there will be another single, but they likely have to spread them out to "fill" the time before the album release. But you don't want to release too much product before the album essentially shoots g your wad too soon.

[JourneyHard]

How could they need a song that sounds good on tour when they are not on tour yet?

Patience. They will be on tour soon enough and by then this song will be awesome.

[JourneyHard]

This song is exactly what they needed right now. They can play this song in concert and it won't bog things down because the song doesn't overstay its welcome. Plus, it is very catchy. People might start singing along even though it is the first time they are hearing it because they kept the lyrics simple. Just like Steve Perry said at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, "Neal's guitar soars above them all." (paraphrasing)

I think the chorus is very slight - def. not an instant earbug like DSB or Higher Place. Again, I like the song. Happy to hear the synth so prominent as Frontiers is prolly my fav. album. But I'm not creaming my jeans just yet.

Remember that Any Way You Want It has a chorus that is very slight. And that got stuck in people's heads. If Journey plays AWYWI last in concert, I hear everybody around me singing it as we leave the venue. So, I have to stick to my guns. This song has a great chorus because it is very slight!

[Monker]

I just so disagree with this...

Surprise, surprise.

How could they need a song that sounds good on tour when they are not on tour yet?

Wow. They're not releasing new music....oh, the music sucks..... They're not touring (yet),....

But they are rolling out dates.
So, new shows and what is likely the beginning of an extended tour.

I never said the song sucks. I said it is OK. Look around you, hardly anybody is saying this is an awesome song.

I didn't complain that they are not touring. My point is that it doesn't really matter how good this song is live when they are not touring right now. This isn't going to help the tour, and the tour is not going to help this song - because of the odd timing.

What I am saying is they need a new single. Actually, they needed one a couple weeks ago. This song is not doing anything.

They needed a song that people could pull up on Youtube and be wowed by and create a buzz for a new album and tour. That simply did not happen. I think most people were "meh" and moved on.

Maybe. But that is purely subjective and their are plenty of people who do like it. Still, the core audience really isn't the YouTube crowd.

You're just making excuses for a mediocre song that people were, "...well, that's nice." and moved on from.

They also timed this very odd...it should have been closer to the release of the album and/or tour. They need AT LEAST one more single and it should have already been released.

I am certain there will be another single, but they likely have to spread them out to "fill" the time before the album release. But you don't want to release too much product before the album essentially shoots g your wad too soon.

YES YOU DO. You want to release the singles before the full album is out there. The reason is because you do not get a real chance after the album is released because of Spotify, YouTube, and streaming in general. After the album is released, singles are irrelevant....especially for an oldies band like Journey. After the album is released, people can listen to whatever song they want to from the album and they don't even have to buy it to do it. If Journey wants people to buy this album, they had better impress and convince people BEFORE the album is released. Right now, the only people impressed are people like you who would buy it anyway.

[Monker]

How could they need a song that sounds good on tour when they are not on tour yet?

Patience. They will be on tour soon enough and by then this song will be awesome.

WHAT? You are making less and less sense. Why is it going to be awesome when the tour starts? What is going change?

This song was a dud. Get something else out there. What happened to the 20something finished songs? Was that all bullshit, too? There is no excuse for this. It is simply bad marketing.

[Monker]

This song is exactly what they needed right now. They can play this song in concert and it won't bog things down because the song doesn't overstay its welcome. Plus, it is very catchy. People might start singing along even though it is the first time they are hearing it because they kept the lyrics simple. Just like Steve Perry said at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, "Neal's guitar soars above them all." (paraphrasing)

I think the chorus is very slight - def. not an instant earbug like DSB or Higher Place. Again, I like the song. Happy to hear the synth so prominent as Frontiers is prolly my fav. album. But I'm not creaming my jeans just yet.

Remember that Any Way You Want It has a chorus that is very slight. And that got stuck in people's heads.

It was also on Caddyshack...in a great scene with Rodney Dangerfield, in a great movie. It is also a MUCH better song than this.

What we have now is like releasing "After the Fall" as the first single from Frontiers. Everybody KNOWS the reaction is mediocre. But, NOTHING happens for weeks while Journey and the future album are ignored by the general public because there is nothing there to excite them. Oh, "After the Fall" is a good enough song. Good enough to be a single even. But, it's NOT "Separate Ways".

It's like Journey bet the farm on this song being huge just because it's a Journey song about the pandemic. Well, it's not 1983 where so much attention is focused on Journey. It's not like the general public cares so much they take in every move Journey makes and can't ignore them. Right now, they are being ignored and that is not what you want to happen just before an album is being released.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Got a ticket for one of their upcoming shows. Wonder if they will open the show with TWWUTB. I'll be sure to report back.

[jrnyman28]

"After The Fall" is definitely not "Separate Ways" but it was always one of my favorite songs on Frontiers....

[JourneyHard]

I was thinking Journey might want to add To Be Alive Again to their set list. It seems like a perfect song for right now.

[The_Noble_Cause]

I was thinking Journey might want to add To Be Alive Again to their set list. It seems like a perfect song for right now.

New lineup has 9-10 days to learn the set. I don't expect that many surprises - maybe new songs.

[JourneyHard]

How could they need a song that sounds good on tour when they are not on tour yet?

Patience. They will be on tour soon enough and by then this song will be awesome.

WHAT? You are making less and less sense. Why is it going to be awesome when the tour starts? What is going change?

This song was a dud. Get something else out there. What happened to the 20something finished songs? Was that all bullshit, too? There is no excuse for this. It is simply bad marketing.

You said before that you didn't think the song sucks, but now you say it is a dud. I think you need to make up your mind.
And by the way, I heard the new AC/DC single on the radio today. I only listen to the radio to and from work so they might have played The Way We Used To Be. I am NOT listening to radio 24/7.

[JourneyHard]

Local radio station plays new songs from AC/DC and Alice Cooper. Both songs are three minutes long. So, The Way We Used To Be is a good candidate for being played on the radio because it is the proper length.

[Monker]

Local radio station plays new songs from AC/DC and Alice Cooper. Both songs are three minutes long. So, The Way We Used To Be is a good candidate for being played on the radio because it is the proper length.

What I mean by it being a "dud" is that it did not generate any excitement and was virtually ignored. Look at this very forum...nobody is even talking about it now. The release of this song and video did NOTHING. That is not a comment on my opinion of the song, but on how well it was received by people.

I don't know what is happening locally where you are. But, if you start looking at radio charts, Ac/DC's LATEST single (which is NOT "Shot in the Dark") is NOT being played. Neither is Alice Cooper. And, neither is Journey.

How long the song is, how much YOU like the song, and how much YOU want it on the radio does not change the ?ACT that Journey received ZERO buzz from this song. It simply went NOWHERE. If it has not gotten on the radio by now, it won't get on the radio at all.

They need to figure out when the CD is going to be released and time a single a couple weeks prior...a more exciting single then this current one.

[JourneyHard]

I don't know what is happening locally where you are. But, if you start looking at radio charts, Ac/DC's LATEST single (which is NOT "Shot in the Dark") is NOT being played. Neither is Alice Cooper. And, neither is Journey.

Well, locally, the classic rock station is playing a new AC/DC song, and TWO new Alice Cooper songs. Still waiting to see if they play the new Journey single.