Classic Rock Album of the Day- Journey- Departure- 1980 *** 1/2
This particular album has so much ambivalence for me, and for a couple of reasons... 1979 - 1980 was a massive line of demarcation for Journey. This exct moment in their history sees a significant shift toward pop-rocking, while seeing the artistic control shfiting from Schon/Rollie/et.al towards the charasmtic front man, Steve Perry. But with that shift, this is a really good album that blends those newly found hook tools, and mixed them into the hard rock base for a really good listen. This magic was fleeting, as I explain further.
Journey had been a hard rock/bluez like outfit, and made 3 so-so, but decent LPs 1975-1977. The formula was good, but they were a tad off, trying to get the '70's AOR fans to give them more than a supporting outfit. These guys could seriously jam and there was no doubt that musicanship was not a problem, as there were no weak links in the lineup. But the lack of a attention grabbing front man, and some previous un-even songwriting was penalizing the group of reaching the brass ring.
Enter Steve Perry with that stage presence, unique voice, and some infusion of a more hooked, pop direction. By the time the first 3 had been produced with Perry's songwriting and hit the air waves, Journey had shot up in popularity like a rocket. The 3 LP tandem 0f Infinity, Evolution, and Departure all went Triple Platinum. Not only had Journey become a headliner, they became of Headliner of Headliners. Footing as Top headliner at several arena musical festivals.
But as mentioned earlier, the progression of Journey was a bittersweat trek. With those pop sensibilities and new found fame, it was becoming more evident that Steve Perry had an increasingly added stranglehold on band song content, and style direction. So, for the next few albums, Journey even got more popular, but it was at expense of their loyal fans who enjoyed the traditonal Journey sound. By each additional moment, it was becoming clear that Journey was Perry, and the rest of the band who were great were being pushed farther and farther back into the spotlight. That ended up destroying the group. At least that's my take.
Perry, finally left the band, and since they have become Casino specialist, with an Oriental singer who sounds more like Perry, than Perry himself. The fact their albums were becoming weak by the mid 1980's gives the impression of a ride that the overall legend of Journey is a lot like Styx. Get a primma-donna front man, and let them change your band into a pop band? It is a reciepe for disaster. For all practical purposes, Steve Perry and Dennis DeYoung are depsicable types for destroying two great rock bands that still had a lot of great music in them. But nope, the sell-out enused. Still these 3 albums remain available that almost serve as a swan song for AOR.
Fun Fact: There was a moment in about '70 that Clapton offered Neil Schon a spot in Derek and the Dominos.
Side 1-
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Anyway You Want- Outstanding Clssic Rock song with enough of dose of perfect hook, but some damned fine jamming in the true tradtion of Journey. Can't think or listen to this one without fond memories of the dancing Gopher in Caddy Shack-
1Walks Like a Lady- Smooth jazzy/blues-ish balad that was not only a big hit, but a deserved one- Some of the last unabated blues licks Schon had with Journey during the Perry tenure.
5Someday Soon- Strange style in Journey's terms with odd time signatures, and unusually delievered phrasing. The barrell aura of latter chorus adds to the unique spin on this one.
6People and Places- Spacey/Airy sound that outside some excellent Rolie Keyboard, nothing too great in the big pic though..
7Precious Time- The LP's sleeper. Intro has nice chording, and melodic voicing that slowly grows and growls into one fabulous jam session. Everybody came to play, and it is awesome. Too bad they couldn't had 4 more like this, and deep 'ed Steve Perry's stuff.
2Side 2-
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Where Were You- You'd think that the most standard almost '70's like journey song would be good add to the playlist. It's decent , but does't really hold up well against others-
9I'm Crying- Flat up blues, but a failed attempt to blend into the rest. Sticks out like a sore thumb, and not in good way..
11Line of Fire- Heck Yeah. Hard rocker, but enough well plced hooks that give side 2 its great contributioon. Schon licks are tight, and crisp.
3Deprture- 30 seconds of guitar FX that are pretty pointless. If they blended into a classic tune, it might have given it some redeeming value.
but nope, it eases into the shittiest song on the album.
8Good Morning Girl- This is Perry crooning shit aat its utter worst., This is the crap tht helped destroyed the band.
12Stay Awhile- Another Perry crooner, but much much better and enjoyble. Incredible these two were recorded back to back.
4Homemade Love- Albums closes with a so-so effort. Not as bad as Perry's venture into whimpdom. But not much.
10http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoG9U8n0dWo