Journey - Revelation (23 tracks) +Album Reviews

A Fan since 1977

S. Smith | 06/05/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I won't go into the over the top review like some younger fans might do (which is plenty alright with me) but being closer to Neil Schon's age then Chris Daughtry's age it wouldn't come out right :)

I've been waiting for way to long for Journey to come out with an effort worthy of me sitting down and writing this review. Generations was ok, Arrival was nice but Revelation brings me back to when I was 18, in love with my high school sweetheart and attending every when Journey show played in my area. I go way back to pre-Steve Perry days. It has never been cool, maybe until now, to be a Journey fan. Back in my day you had to be a metal fan or you were a loser. The thing that always drew me to Journey was the phenomenal abilities of all of their musicians and the voice. The strong melodies, the rockers and the ballads. Really the whole package. A Journey album to me was always like reading a #1 Best Selling Novel. You just can't put it down or turn it off.

I say the voice because it is as much an instrument as the rest. Journey would not be Journey without a classic tenor at the helm. For me the 'voice' was always Steve Perry, he is simply the best voice I've ever heard in Rock and Roll.

With that being said, Arnel Pineda has taken the stage with the other members of our supergroup and simply amazed me. Neil describes him as a soulful singer. I really think that is the best description of him. Thank you Arnel for bring back 'the voice'!

If you're a Journey fan at all, you know what I mean when I say, you put the CD in the player, sit back and smile. When Journey puts out a new CD all is right in my world. This one is so highly recommended by me that there isnt' a number high enough to give it. Just buy it and you'll see what I mean."

Is it the 80's again?

Dean Giering | Newton, NJ United States | 06/07/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The original Asia returned with Phoenix, Rambo and Indiana Jones returned to the big screen, Judas Priest is releasing another album with Rob Halford and now Journey is back. 2008 is definitely shaping up to be a remember the 80's year and that is fine with me.

Revelation is an excellent CD and super return for one of the greatest bands of all times. Sure the band has changed a lot since their 80's golden era, but they sound like they haven't lost a beat with this new release.

This CD is a perfect follow up to Frontiers (their last true excellent album in my opinion). Journey did show moments of brilliance over the years, but most of their post Frontiers stuff has been inconsistent. Raised on Radio was good, but showed a band unraveling. Trial By Fire had some good songs, but was bloated and boring in many spots. I felt Arrival was the best Journey album since Frontiers until now. Steve Augeri won me over on that album. Red13 was okay and Generations (with a few exceptions) was another bloated release.

I was sorry to see Steve Augeri go, but Arnel Pineda totally rocks. Songs like Never Walk Away, After All These Years and Wildest Dreams rank up there with the best of Journey. The re-recordings are well done and the concert DVD shows the band with renewed confidence and energy.

Thank you for continuing the Journey and here's to many more years.

"

A breath of fresh air!

R. Welling | Farmington, UT | 06/07/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Start to finish this is the best Journey album since Frontiers.

Trial By Fire was more Raised on Radio, i.e. Steve Perry trying to prove he is the only reason Journey still exists. Arrival was way too ballad heavy, Red 13 was...forgettable and Generations was all over the map, nothing cohesive. I have been a 'Jrnyfan' since I was old enough to remember music, I used to listen to Escape with my dad on vacations in our old T'bird. I have been waiting for my favorite band to recapture their magic since the last notes of 'Rubicon' (Frontiers) faded out and this is it!

Arnel Pineda does a Steve Perry impression that is good enough to pacify me on the old songs and absolutely has the pipes to blow my mind on the new stuff! He shows respect for his predecessors and then cranks it up a notch and proudly displays his range and power in the new songs. Deen drives this album along like I have been waiting for him to do since he joined. Neal...Neal is god, that's all you can say. Jonathan sparkles with melodies and rhythms and musical wizardry that is so very rare these days. Then there is Ross..like the rock he is, he is just strummin' away with that big S-eating grin he always has and you can hear that smile all through out...he knows how good this is!

The re-makes of the originals were done, IMO, so they could license their music themselves and not have to have Sony/Steve Perry sign off every single time someone wants to license it. That being said, its still a pleasure to hear them re-done with just a little twist and a delicious twist it is.

Journey always has been and always will be, IMO, the best band in the history of music. They have lost their luster over the past few years and I was weary to hear the same mantra coming from Neal and Jonathan before I had a chance to listen to this album: 'this will blow you away...amazing...best yet.' Well...they did it.

This Album will take its place in AOR history and should be held up by us Journey fans as, like the phoenix reborn, the re-awakening of the greatest rock band ever.

Journey On!"

You Won't Believe It...until You Hear It!

David J. Spuria | Webster, Massachusetts | 06/05/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First, let me state that this return to form will put Journey back on the map in a big way. And I might add, Arnel Pineda will become a superstar. There is already such a buzz about the band from their concerts in Chile and Las Vegas. Both shows illustrated the vocal strength of Pineda and a fired-up Neal Schon who seems to be as important to this resurgance as Pineda. And rather than make an album of warmed over sound-alikes, Revelation is a fresh, yet familar bunch of songs with the musical muscle to work their way onto today's AC playlists and quite possibly into the top 40. Simply put, people have missed this band. The Steve Augeri version of the band soldiered on, but did little to connect with older listeners who missed Steve Perry. Augeri may have sung well, but he just didn't sound like Perry. In reality, drummer Deen Castronovo did a better job emmulating Perry than Augeri. And with Augeri quitting due to health problems, the door opened up, yet again for a new vocalist. Honestly, most bands would have called it a career. Steve Perry remains a recluse, and according to some internet postings from old promoters and producers, a very difficult recluse to deal with. Perry's voice has also lost some of it's range, which in no way is an indictment of Perry, but a fact of nature. However, there are exceptions to that. Steve Walsh of Kansas can still sing Carry On My Wayward Son with all the range he's ever had with added growl. But for the most part, singers of this genre can't do what they once did. Peter Cetera no longer sings in the higher octave of his old songs when in concert. And his replacement, Jason Scheff has already begun to have some difficulty handling the old Chicago catalogue. So Schon's you-tube find is more extraordinary in scope when considering how close Pineda is to Perry. Journey's recent appearance on Ellen had shots of the audience looking on, many with their mouths hung open in stunned disbelief. The more I hear Arnel, the more I appreciate his minimalist Perry imitation and his ability to mimmick different Jouney eras. For instance, Pineda purposely sings in a slightly more immature Perry for Lights and Wheel In The Sky. He then adds some bottom end to Be Good To Yourself and Only The Young. By the way, these hits are available in the Revelation Wal-Mart triple disc package including the new album, the hits, and a concert DVD from their recent Vegas concert.

The new material in this collection will not dissapoint the Journey afficianado or novice looking for some retro cool. Never Walk Away is a distant cousin to Be Good To Yourself with more Neal and less Ross. But it works on every level. Pineda closes the deal on the chorus and instantly takes you somewhere between Frontiers and Raised on Radio. Change For The Better showcases a revitalized Neal Schon with spiritual subject matter that shows a more middle aged approach to songwriting. The change in focus is nice for someone like myself who is tired of the ragged themes that uglify our current crop of so-called pop superstars. Better would work on any rock station willing to chance the old boys. It will be interesting to see if Journey can make in roads where bands of their age have no business being. The Eagles did some chart damage, but were mostly hustled to AC and country. This album has the potential to unite kids with their parents. But my guess is that top 40 programmers will laugh when the promo singles arrive. It's sad, stupid and depressing. But the good news is you can have the whole thing for $11.88 at Wal-Mart. After All These Years is another song that will likely be played at weddings, reunions and the like. The lyrics drip with the syrapy sentimentalism that departed from rock years ago. Like a Sunshower has a Lights-like intro and melody. Fresh and familiar and loaded with great hooks. Wildest Dream is a nod to producer Kevin Shirley who combines the old with the new to make something truly unique. Faith In The Heartland is a re-recorded gem from Journey's last outing Generations. Pineda's vocal gives the song more authenticity and brings home the message of heartland values. Schon's work here bobs and weaves between historical Journey and his solo work. Where Did I Lose Your Love is a semi-ballad with a killer hook that could easily be an outtake from Frontiers with fantastic backing vocals and Pineda's confident lead. Oh, and check out the Neil solo, nice. What I Needed is another power ballad undergirded with a some fantastic moody guitar and keys. Jonathan Cain also seems reinvigorated by Pineda's dead-on delivery and all the players are more comfortable writing things that are harder to play and sing. Schon carves his solo like a surgeon with a new laser beam. Turn Down The World Tonight has Jon Cain tickling the ivorys underneath a warm Pineda delivery that will bring you closer to the Journey heyday than the actual years themselves. Finally, Neil goes solo on Revelation (The Journey) an instrumental containing all of what Mr. Schon is about. Texture, melody, almost an ethereal spirit that flows from Neil's guitar. This is a fitting conclusion to this collection. Journey at full tilt. Each song is potentially a hit. Even amidst the current crop of pop star wannabes this album rocks. This collection could revive interest in older bands and melodic rock. Journey has found new life and new purpose thanks to Arnel Pineda. His addition to the band is more than just a revelation, it's a ressurrection.

"

The Magic Returns

DAVE5150 | AUSTRALIA | 06/05/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Journey 2008, this is what we have been waiting for and im not taking anything away from the steve,s but Arndel has rejuvinated this entire band.

The covers cd is great gives you chills,but the new material is awsome best in years an arndel shows us his own voice this guy is no mimick he is a truely amazing singer with his own style.i dont blame mr schon and company for grabbing this guy.

To me the future of Journey looks the best it has for years,this could be the melodic hard rock album of the years from the masters of that style.

by the way neal,johnathon,ross and dean are playing in top form here,Neal is the most underatted guitar player in the music scene,its time he got the attention he deserves and im sure he will.

bottom line,just buy it and enjoy cause at the end of the day you cant beat top class music,and thats who won here music."

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