Here we go with the latest by Journey. Journey has been my favorite band since i remember so is sad for me to say that this is a fantastic album for any band in the world but not for Journey. Compositionally this album has lost the magic, hollow songs, well executed but without Journey's vibe. No doubt this is a rock record but this is not in opposition to one of Journey's signs, power ballads... no ballad in this album. "City Of Hope" the first single is a good rock track with Neal Schon at his best and Arnel Pineda's voice shining more than in any other cut of the album but i fear this track won't hit the charts. "Tantra" or "Venus" has a progressive touch that reminds the early Journey back in 70's and early 80's. "Human Feel" is another highlight with a fantastic drum work in the hardest vein of Journey and with Neal Schon, once more, showing he is one the references of guitar world. "Chains Of Love" is not a bad song but the only thing that reminds of Journey are Jonathan Cain's keys. "Anything Is Possible" is the only mid-tempo in the album but not a catchy song and "She's A Mistery" is a soft half-acoustic cut. "Ritual" is a cut that reminds of "Be Good To Yourself" with special attention to Cain's keys.
The rest of the album are rock songs, as i told before, extremely well executed but without Journey's trademark.
In summary, an album that could be signed as a good album by any band but is weak for Journey. Part of the problem, probably, is the low weight of Jonathan Cain's keys and Ross Valory's bass in the album because all the music is focused on guitars losing that way part of the melody inherent to Journey.
More info:
Journey
Soundbytes:
Journey - Eclipse (Frontiers Records, 2011)
Best Tracks (in order of preference):
"Human Feel"
"City Of Hope"
"Chains Of Love"
"Ritual"
"Anything Is Possible"
Charts:
USA # 13
UK # 33
This album is worth of
3 out of
5 ROCKS!!!
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