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!