Neal talks new album (courtesy of the main page)

[The_Noble_Cause]

From the homepage (does this album sound phenomenal or what)?

"Kevin Elson and Mike Frasier – we did it right and went into the record plant – went into the Metallica room and Mike has to be the best damn engineer ever! And Elson had great producing…ideas….he had a lot of ideas; I think he really came to the party and he really went at it. I think it totally stomps on Arrival....I can honesty say that - I think that it's a much stronger record. The rock and roll is much stronger. Much more 'in time' with what's going on, still sounding like us, but with a few curves. You know, the ballads aren't Kleenex syrupy ballads, they're more soulful and power ballads and there's not a lot of them - there's only two."
So it's a rock and roll record Neal? "Yeah it is. What I love about it is there is very little guitar overdubs on it. Something I didn't care for on Arrival were all the guitar overdubs they had me do on it. I think that when you play a solid track, that's it. There's a few tracks actually – were I played live on it and when I go to the solo, the rhythm drops out and I didn't go back and add that rhythm.
Then there are some that are more produced because the song called for it. But sparingly and not overdone…"
I'm curious about statements made surrounding who's singing on it. Neal continues: "Everyone is singing on it. I have a blazing track on it…Deen is most likely going to end up on at least one or two tracks. Ross is singing - he actually sounds cool on this song I wrote, a shuffle boogie that sounds a little bit like ZZ Top and Van Halen. Jon is singing a lot on this record…some duets and also one by himself.
Deen plays amazing on this record – the drums and bass sound astounding on this record!"
And one last question for Neal. The track Self Defense? That sounds familiar! "I re-worked that from the Schon & Hammer record – it was supposed to be on the Frontiers record and never made it on there, so I re-worked it – sped it up a bit, a little more punked out, a little more energetic and up to date and I think it sounds great and I'm signing it…"

[NealIsGod]

VERY COOL!!!!! I love the song Self Defense. Also cool that Deen will sing at least one song! This will be the CD that finally puts the new Journey on the map! Can't wait to get the CD and see the concert.

Neal kind of trashes Arrival, doesn't he? Seems like Neal is calling a lot of the shots on this record. Only two ballads is definitely a Neal-influenced decision!

[Hippie]

Seems like Neal is calling a lot of the shots on this record. Only two ballads is definitely a Neal-influenced decision!

Amen ta that! Enough of the number crunchers deciding what we wanna hear! Rock on Neal!!!

[The_Noble_Cause]

Neal kind of trashes Arrival, doesn't he?

Trashes? No I wouldn't say that. However, Neal has always been very outspoken about his displeasure of making Arrival because it (along with TBF) was a Journey album were the guys' hands were tied creatively speaking. Normally, they'd go in the studio, make art, and hand it over to the execs. But on Arrival it was Sony dictated as to what songs go on and whic go off and how the band should sound.
They were creatively pigeon holed to a degree.
Neal has always conceded that Arrival was not a GREAT JRNY record. A good one, yes, but not a great one. However, there is no doubt in my mind that this new album will be great. I love that we are getting duets again. Much like Rolie and Chalfant, or Rolie and Perry, Cain and Augeri's voices should compliment one another quite nicely.
I have a strong feeling that this will be the best album since Frontiers.

[NealIsGod]

I have a strong feeling that this will be the best album since Frontiers.

We have been waiting 22 years for a Journey record to be as good as Frontiers. Let's keep our fingers crossed...

[jrnyjetster]

I am positively stoked about this new Journey CD, can't wait!

Hope it's ready for JULY....

[jrnyman28]

This is HUGE!! I love this update.
And to hear about Self Defense, I always wondered how Perry was involved on a "side-project" since that was the ONLY one he ever did. Now I get it. Done FOR Journey, Jan was added for the Schon-Hammer release.


Maybe they should name the CD "No Kleenex", it seems to be Neal's favorite way to describe the music.

[heardonthestreet]

It sounds like the album will be like their first three but without the Rolie sound. It will be strange and different to hear a Journey album with so many voices.

[perryfaithful]

Interesting that they are doing some spreading around of the vocals

[yak]

This is a tremendous update!

.........So it's a rock and roll record Neal? "Yeah it is."..............

Works for me! Can't wait!

Thanks Andrew!

[Andrew]

Love delivering good news

[RubyTequila]

Love delivering good news

Thanks Andrew!! Im ready to ROCK!