Journey - Revelation

\r\nI couldn’t be luckier! My first review for Metalzone.gr was the new Journey album! I think there is no reason for me to speak of the legendary Neal Schon (all guitars, backing vocals) and Jonathan Cain (keyboards, backing vocals) – who also handled the songwriting in all of the 11 tracks – and of course the phillipenean newcomer Arnel Pineda in the leading vocals. At this point I’d like to mention how the band found it’s new lead singer. As the great Schon has said, «I was frustrated with the fact that the band was left with no lead singer, so I sat in front of the computer watching videos on youtube for a few days, until I bumped on The Zoo. I watched a few of their videos and thought to myself that this is toο good to be true! » And at this point I’d have to agree with Mr Schon. The new singer matches completely the sound and the feeling of the band, and in spite of the fact that half the songs where written in the first half of 2007 (and Pineda was not yet a member of the band), he treats them as if they were his own, putting in the soul and passion they need.
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\r\nThe new release consists of a CD with 11 new tracks (and a 12th bonus track for Europe), a CD with 11 re-recorded classic tracks (like the widely known Separate Ways and also Don’t Stop Believin’) and a DVD from the Las Vegas concert marking the first U.S. public appearance of Journey’s current line-up. The new tracks are as good as we all thought they would be, with a few good ballads (like After All These Years) and some up-tempo songs (like Where Did I Lose Your Love). Personally, I really enjoyed the album and I strongly recommend that you listen to it.
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\r\nAt the moment, Journey are somewhere in America on their US tour and I really hope they come by Greece.
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\r\nIro Kapeloni\r\n

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\r\nReview on affiliate website MetalPerspective.com and Stefanos Lountzis\r\n

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\r\nJourney indisputably deserve the foremost place in\r\nAOR House of Fame, as well as in the hearts of every true AORster.\r\nHaving released gems like "Infinity", "Escape", "Frontiers" and "Raised\r\nOn Radio", having sold over 65 million copies worldwide, and having\r\naboard (until 1996 of course) one of the most sensational singers such\r\nas Steve Perry is, Journey are now set to reveal a new chapter in their\r\nhighly regarded career. "Revelation" came at a time that almost\r\neverybody had lose faith in the band’s ability to find their way back\r\nto the vivid and glorious past. Steve Augeri lasted as a lead singer\r\nfor 2 of the blandest albums ("Arrival" was a pretty good one) the band\r\nhad ever made, and for the last 4 years Journey had been looking for a\r\nsinger that could actually fit in Perry’s shoes and finally lead them\r\nto the land of milk and honey. And the winner is…Arnel Pineda!\r\n

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\r\nFor\r\na diehard such as I am, it’s too tough to settle for anything less than\r\nSteve Perry’s second comeback (the separation of 1987 was followed by\r\nhis 1996 return). Nevertheless Pineda, who by the way was discovered at\r\nyoutube, has the lungs for the job. He may not be the new sensation but\r\nhe delivers with ease songs that have been written in the "traditional"\r\nJourney way. Without being unduly optimistic, I might say that they’ve\r\nfound the singer they have been waiting for ages. Schon & Cain can\r\nnow compose the way they used to, knowing that there’s a vocalist who\r\ncan sing relatively close to what his matchless predecessor did back in\r\nthe days.\r\n

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\r\nSo,\r\nwhat’s the result of that partial change of guard? Does "Revelation"\r\nreally come up to our expectations? To begin with, all the guys are in\r\nform and this is shown in their performances. Pineda sings his guts\r\nout, Schon shines with his full-fledged solos, Cain’s keys are either\r\ndiscreet or in-your-face, while Valory and Castronovo are doing a fine\r\njob with the rhythm section. Especially Castronovo’s drumming is by far\r\nhis rockiest with the band. Apparently they had a good time at the\r\nstudio and this album is the logical outcome of it. There are some\r\namazing tunes in here like the you-asked-for-the-best "Never Walk\r\nAway", the fabulous pomp of "Where Did I Lose Your Love?" plus the\r\nsweaty rockers of "Wildest Dreams" and "Change For The Better". Even\r\n"Faith in the Heartland" (a track included in 2005 "Generations") is\r\nreborn thanks to Augeri’s absence…\r\n

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\r\nOn the other hand, "Like\r\na Sunshower" copies "Lights" in\r\nevery possible way and following\r\nclose behind comes "After All\r\nThese Years" a ballad so criminally\r\nsimilar to "Faithfully" that\r\ncould mislead you into thinking that\r\nsomething is wrong with your calendar.\r\nBoth great songs, agreed, but what\r\nwas the need of playing it safe in\r\nthe superlative degree? Never mind!\r\nThe point is that regardless of its\r\nfaults, there’s no denying\r\nthat one of my most precious bands\r\nfinally found the way to break loose\r\nfrom that vicious cycle they were\r\ntrapped in. While "Revelation" doesn’t\r\nreach the heights of their classics\r\nand despite my conviction that Journey\r\nwith Steve Perry is as natural as\r\nbreathing, it is most certainly the\r\nalbum that puts Journey back to the\r\ntrack and hopefully they stay there.\r\nPracticing what you preach will pay\r\noff eventually, won’t it?\r\n

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\r\n"Don’t\r\nstop believing, hold on to the feeling" as\r\nthe motto says and frankly I never\r\nexpected them to still be holding\r\non.\r\n

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