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Artist: Journey |
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What more can be said about Journey that hasn't been repeated over and over again? Top dogs of the AOR scene in their early years, losing their talisman vocalist and being unable to find the right replacement to help regain their slight decline in popularity. It's all been written, but maybes now the bands can turn that tide and shove all those negatives back since Arnel Pineda joined their ranks. Admittedly, his debut on 'Revelation' wasn't the one to judge him on really, due to the circumstances on how he was "discovered" and who he so sounded like, it had to be here on the next album 'Eclipse'. Does he pass the test then? With flying colours and more if possible. Arnel has come into his own now, no longer trying his hardest to sound like Steve Perry, the opening track 'City Of Hope' proving so. That shadow is gone now, though Neal Schon's trademark guitar sound hasn't, as his solo's bleed through the song at will, showing that this is still his show! 'Edge of The Moment' is a beefy affair, rockier than you'd expect from the band, with Arnel's vocals, standing out the most as if he seems to be claiming "this is the real me"!!. He all but repeats that on 'Chain Of Love', hitting the high notes easily, though he does have to do some battling to do overcoming Jonathan Cain's celestial keyboards and Schon's heavy riff. Journey are almost as well known for their ballads that the rockier songs, so the two on this album will no doubt keep the lighter-wavers happy! 'Tantra' is as good as it gets, the piano intro accompanying Pineda's gentle voice setting an intimate scene before it bursts into life with a tearing riff. 'To Whom It May Concern' is a bit more lively, though the guitar does overpower the moment at times. Sometimes less is just as effective as more Neal. If there was one song where Schon could have curbed his exuberance, then 'She's A Mystery' had to be it. For the first 4.52 minutes it was the stand out track on the album, its delightful acoustic composition a pleasure to hear, Pineda so at ease with things, then what happens? Could it be a case of "I want my moment now!"? Call me fussy, but was there really any need for the huge overblown riff to spoil the moment? I repeat, "Sometimes less ...". 'Anything Is Possible' is what most fans would say is the definitive sound of Journey, as this song could be put on most of their past albums and fit in. Pick one, it's there! The rather chilling intro to 'Resonate' would make the hair on the back of the neck stand up on the more sensitive souls out there, its monk-style moans often found in horror movies, making the song a sombre affair from start to finish. It seems out of context with the more lively tracks around it, but if the album has a concept of a spiritual them, then you can understand the need for it. What can you say about 'Human Feel' but, "go Deen, go!" Castronovo's powerful drumming is allowed centre stage here and does he enjoy it or what. As the bass from Ross Valery and Deep Purple-styled keyboards by Cain enter the fray, it sways away from what you expect from the band, getting a bit repetitive towards the end, but what the hell, it's good! As soon as 'Someone' beings, Schon's riff, along with Cain's keyboard, gel together to come up with a tempo that just makes you want to jump about, hairbrush in hand as you mime along to the vocals, (if you were a girl, that is .... hmm). It's "full of life" attitude just what the doctor ordered, before the album comes to a close on the instrumental 'Venus', both six-string and drums going head to head for top status. After Schon stated that "this album rocks", there is no doubting what he said, though it may be a grower for some fans, but stick with it, it hits the spot eventually. Let's hope the ego that is Neal Schon now leaves things alone when it comes to the vocalist of his band, Pineda is going to be the best bet now, though he may never be totally satisfied until Mr Perry returns to the fold, and that won't happen. Review by: Bob Baldwin |
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Tracklisting: 1. City Of Hope |
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