June 28, 2005: Generations -- First Impressions

As I had attended the first show of the 30th Anniversary/Generations Tour, I was one of the first Journey fans to have a complete copy of the new Generations CD that was given out to fans attending shows that summer (Frontiers Records which was releasing the album had made samples available online prior to release.) Since the opening show was in Southern California and I live in Northern California, I had ample opportunity to listen to the new CD and thus report back to my fellow fans what I thought of it. Here's what I wrote.

 

Well, after about a dozen spins between the end of the show Sunday and arriving home after 8 hours in the car I've formed a few thoughts on the new CD.

First -- this is not your mother's Journey! This album rocks and rocks and rocks some more -- it's a much harder sound than we've been used to. The trademarks are still there, but if you're expecting something similar to Arrival or Escape, look somewhere else. The closest I can think of on this is Frontiers and only because of the departure that album was from Escape, and then only half!

Of the 12 tracks, there are 3 true ballads, but even they are unlike any others. I've always hated the term "power ballad", but the best way I can describe these songs is that there is more power too them -- stronger guitars and drums.

Right now, my favorite tracks are "The Place in Your Heart" and "A Better Life" -- both are just sticking in my head like nobody's business. Deen has the lead on "A Better Life", but it took me a minute to figure that out the first time I heard it -- I knew it wasn't Steve, but it didn't sound like Deen sounding like Perry. Actually, NO ONE sounds like Perry on this and with that constraint removed, this sounds like a new band.

A quick track by track run through:

"Faith in the Heartland" (Schon/Cain/Augeri) -- has about a 30 second instrumental intro before kicking in. The sample provided through Frontiers is the opening of the song and is a good representation of the song. At nearly 7 minutes though, this isn't a radio-friendly tune -- the end would have to be edited out, which would be a shame as there's a nice solo by Neal and some very cool drums going on.

"The Place in Your Heart" (Schon/Cain) -- This is a more radio-friendly tune in my opinion and a more Journey-esque song than some of the other tracks. Again, the sample from Frontiers is a good representation. The chorus is catchy and is totally stuck in my head. Has that great synthesis of Neal's blazing guitar and Jon's cool piano that I've always been impressed by.

"A Better Life" (Schon/Cain) -- A mid-tempo semi-ballad with Deen providing some fantastic vocals. A song about a couple struggling to get by, but in that "we can do anything if we're together" mode. Right now, it's making me think a lot about my parents who were "high school sweethearts" who've had a few bumps along the way, but will be celebrating their 40th anniversary this summer and are enjoying retirement and "a better life" now.

"Every Generation" (Cain/Schon) -- Jon takes lead on this one. I can't help but wonder if the "Na na na na na/Na na na na na/Na na na na na na" bit at the end was deliberate because it's cracking me up. Don't worry folks, it's not another "na-na wave" slow bit, but much more rapid fire. Sounds very much like something off of one of Jon's solo recordings (the vocal ones.)

"Butterfly [She Flies Alone]" (Augeri) -- A ballad that has a Tall Stories feel to it. A very strong showing from Steve. I just wish I could remember which Tall Stories song it reminds me of...

"Believe" (Augeri/DeRossi) -- With the "I Believe in you/Believe in me" chorus I would have sworn this was straight out of the standard book of Journey themes Neal and Jon must have at home, so I was surprised to see it's Steve's! Seven years in Journey, it must rub off!

"Knowing That You Love Me" (Cain) -- Without even looking at the credits I knew this was one of Jon's. Another ballad that is lyrically very much along the same lines as the ballads from Arrival, though with a definite emphasis on the "power" part of "power ballad." Bigger drums, bigger guitars, bigger backing vocals (with some amazing harmonies.) There is one image I find a little odd, but I let you all find that for yourselves.

"Out of Harms Way" (Schon/Cain) -- Wow... this one I wasn't so sure about from the clip on Melodicrock.com, but live it was amazing. Upon closer examination, I was surprised by the contemporary issues in this song. Journey's never been one to make much in the way of specific issues in their songs, but this tale of a soldier sent overseas to fight hit a bit close to home. With a cousin who was in Iraq for 6 months and my sister in law's brother dealing with PTSD from spending a year over there, this one hits me on a bunch of different levels.

"In Self-Defense" (Schon/Cain) -- Yes, I have the title correct -- right off the CD. This re-make of "Self Defense" from Schon and Hammer may as well be a new song to me. It's familiar sounding, but it's been so long since I listened to the original I really can't remember it. Neal's vocals on this are crisper than live, but that is often the case with recording.

"Better Together" (Schon/Cain/Augeri) -- Not sure how to describe this rocker. It reminds me of something, but I'm not just sure what. Perhaps a little Bad English and a little Tall Stories?

"Gone Crazy" (N. Schon/A. Schon/Cain/Tribble) -- The most non-Journey like song on the disk. Ross has the lead on this boogie-bluesy rocker. It's really hard to describe! I like it, I'm just not sure what it is. Appropriately, there is a sense of humor about it. Again Ross's vocals sound different recorded than live. I think the strangeness of having such a low vocal on a Journey song is part of the puzzlement.

"Beyond the Clouds" (Schon/Augeri) -- A prototypical Journey ballad, but with more oomph to it. Neal's solo is one of the most melodic things I've heard and is just a signature sound -- no one but Neal could play that. You get the sense of soaring when you hear it and you are beyond the clouds....

Now, off to figure out the lyrics to all these new tunes!

June 26, 2005: A New Generation!

Irvine, CA
Verizon Wireless Amphitheater

Well where do I begin? There was so much going on that I am completely overwhelmed. Let's just start with the fact that for the first time I can recall I was at a show that required a lot of attention to the set list. Die hards -- this was YOUR show!

My day started out at 6 a.m. -- a time I don't even get up for work! Hit the road by 7:15 and cruised down I-5 with the first three Journey albums playing in rotation to at least stir my memory to recognize the oldest songs in the set. Good thing I did, or I would have been seriously doomed tonight!

I arrived in So Cal about 2:00 and rested up before the pre-show tailgate party of 60 or so Back Talkers! While we were eating, we could hear the tail end of sound check -- the cheer that went up as we recognized "Patiently" was heard through out the parking lot.

I headed in about 7 and checked out Journeyville -- some one described it as "Disneyland for Journey fans!" The main feature of this was the custom motorcycle designed by Arlen Ness. Wow. Pictures do not do it justice! There was also a video in a loop -- featuring footage of the band from different eras. Gotta say it was really weird seeing Steve Perry on that screen! Personal highlight was the Hollywood footage with the "JPP" text on the bottom right. Woo hoo! Yay Team! Ross was seen wandering by the All Access area and there were several Jeff Scott Soto sightings. Also seen, sitting behind me, was our infamous "Blind Date" chick -- scarier than ever!!! YIKES!

The show kicked off right on time at 8 -- with the guys taking the stage and doing the intro to "People and Places!" Alas, much to my disappointment, they did not do the whole song, but rather, launched into "Kohoutek." Surprise one of the night -- Steve played guitar! The whole first half of the show was filled with songs not played, in Neal's words, "since 1978!" I laughed and thought -- I was 10, no way I would have ever seen that!

Steve did not sing at all for about the first hour of the show. The set was filled with pre-Perry era songs and Jon and Deen took the lead. After being challenged to remember the song titles (I only missed one!) We got to some familiar territory when Deen took lead on "Daydream" -- WOAAH! He continued on lead with other long-buried tracks "Something to Hide," "Patiently," and a personal favorite "Where Were You" (wow wow wow!) About 9:00, we finally got to hear Steve when they launched into "Feeling That Way/Anytime." Intermission hit and we got a 15 minute break before the second set.

When the second set began, I was grateful for the Frontiers downloads as they opened with "Faith in the Heartland." I got a few strange looks as I was singing along with the chorus! Hey, YOU may have just got the CD tonight, but I got a sneak preview! The second set was filled with new tracks -- 8 in all (of 12 on the CD!) We did get to hear "the dirty dozen" as Neal commented -- or at least most of them. But don't go thinking this is your typical "Greatest Hits" show. It sure wasn't!

So, how were the new tunes?? Rockin' Rockin' Rockin'. Of the eight I think only one was a ballad -- "Butterfly." Somewhere during the set, Steve strapped on a guitar again and he commented how ludicrous it was for him to try to play guitar with Neal! All the guys got at least one turn on lead during the second set. "Out of Harms Way" was dedicated to the troops over seas and, I gotta say, Deen kicked some serious ASS on those drums! Ross's lead came on "Gone Crazy" -- a VERY different sounding tune. I'll need a few more listens to really reach a decision on it (as with several of the others.) I did have to laugh at the "Na Nas" at the end of "Every Generation" which Jon took the lead.

The show ended about 11:20 -- so a good 3 hours+ of Journey tunes from ALL eras. Very very cool....

And now, the set list.

People and Places intro
Kohoutek
--Ross welcomes everyone
Of a Lifetime -- Jon vox
I'm Gonna Leave You -- Jon vox
Nickel and Dime
Mystery Mountain -- Jon vox
Hustler -- Jon vox
Daydream -- Deen vox
Something to Hide -- Deen vox
Patiently -- Deen vox
Where Were You -- Deen vox
--Jon explains Journeyville
Feeling That Way -- Jon and Steve vox
Anytime -- Jon and Steve vox
Any Way You Want It

-- Intermission --

Intro/Faith in the Heartland
-- Steve welcomes audience
Place in Your Heart
Be Good to Yourself
Only the Young
-- Neal solo -- Star Spangled Banner
Stone in Love
Out of Harms Way
-- Neal intro to
Self Defense -- Neal vox
Butterfly
Lights
-- Jon solo --
Open Arms
Gone Crazy -- Ross vox
Every Generation -- Jon vox
Wheel in the Sky
Believe
Faithfully
Escape
Don't Stop Believin'
Separate Ways

Encore:
Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'

June 2005: The Unfinished Frontiers Review

August 1, 2014: As a contributing author to the JourneyDigest.com website, I was asked to write a couple of album reviews. In digging through my archives, I found this article which seems to have been the start of a review of "Frontiers." I don't know why it wasn't finished (or even if it was finished and lost), but I thought I'd include this with the other items I've uncovered for this archive.

 

Ba-da ba-da ba-da-da-da, Ba-da ba-da ba-da-da-da…

Instantly recognizable, the opening notes to “Separate Ways” ushers in Journey’s memorable follow up to the multi-platinum selling album Escape. Frontiers came out hot on the heels of the band’s biggest selling album, and with that kind of success it had to come out of the box on fire, lest all the momentum that had finally built into the peak of success come crashing to a halt. Journey’s ace in the hole was “Separate Ways” – a song they had debuted during the Escape tour. It was the first single off the album, and reached number eight on the charts seven weeks later.

I don’t remember where or when I bought Frontiers – I do know I got it as soon as I could find the ten bucks and a ride to the mall, not always an easy combination when you’re a freshman in high school. I don’t really remember the first time I put it on the turntable, plugged in the headphones, and sat down on the couch to listen to it. I do remember being amazed by how furious Neal’s guitar playing was, and not entirely sure I liked the album after that first spin. I was definitely more in the ballad/mid-tempo category at that point in time. Of course, the album also contained “Faithfully” – at 14 that was reason enough for me to call it a winner. It was the perfect daydreaming song.

Perhaps what was so difficult after that first listen was just how different side two was from side one. With continuous playing on CDs, we’ve lost one of the best features found on LPs – the ability to have two entirely different sounds on the same album. Side one of Frontiers is more pop-oriented and contains all the singles, side two the more challenging complex sounds that wouldn’t have succeeded on Top 40 radio. These are songs with an edge. Listening to this album on CD, the gear strip your brain goes through when “Faithfully” ends side one and side two begins with “Edge of the Blade” is completely jarring. On LP this transition was smoother since you would have to get up and turn the album over, and those few seconds made a big difference in how the album sounded.

So, how best to look at this album in 2005? It certainly holds up and doesn’t sound too dated, due mostly to Neal’s furious guitar work. I was surprised when I looked over the credits that Neal did not have a single songwriting credit on the four singles that were released (“Separate Ways”, “Faithfully”, “After the Fall”, and “Send Her My Love.”)

“Back Talk.” This was probably the song that most made me want to skip side two back in 1983. I absolutely could not stand it, yet there it was, smack dab in the middle of side two – impossible to skip over without an effort. I did not want to hear my favorite band singing lyrics that sounded like a pissed off parent. Heck, it was bad enough dealing with my own parents! It took me 14 years and a really, really, really bad day at work to fully appreciate it. Of course, the ultimate irony is that this is the song Journey chose to name their fan forums on their official website.

*As I edit this post for publication, the title track popped up on iTunes. A good sign I should include this old lost article. I do think now, in 2014, side two of "Frontiers" is my favorite. Though, to be fair, I haven't listened to the whole album in awhile. Probably should do something about that!