Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Over the last seven years, fans of Neal Schon’s electrifying guitar solos have had to contend themselves to an odd guest appearance with the legends Paul Rogers and Sammy Hagar and the resurgent power of his band, the American superheroes of Rock, Journey, if they have wanted to hear one of the greats in action. Now after a seven year absence, Neal Schon proves once again his standing in the pantheon of guitar heroes as he releases The Calling.
Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. June 2008.
Despite so much band history and fan expectation to live up to, Journey’s new vocalist Arnel Pineda blew away the cobwebs of 70’s and 80’s rock with a performance that belied his youth and lack of serious stage time.
After opening the set with Never Walk Away, from the new album, Revelation and old favourite Separate Ways, the band seemed to grow in confidence as each song was played to a packed audience.
Originally published by L.S. Media. May 31st 2011.
Journey are, and always will be associated with the idea of stadium rock. They are heavy, musically talented and highly enjoyable to listen to and thanks (or not, depending on your own point of view) to the television programme Glee are easily recognisable to a newer, younger audience.
In 2007, the band saw the arrival of Arnel Pineda with his boyish good looks and a voice to match, fans that were still debating Steve Perry’s absence from the band were soon arguing on whether Arnel was in fact just as good as the main man that gave the world the voice behind such hits as Don’t Stop Believing, Anyway You Want It and Open Arms. The debate wasn’t helped by Journey re-recording some of these classic tracks for the Revelation album in 2008.
Originally published by L.S. Media. June 7th 2011.
One of the problems with bringing out a new album at the start of a tour is that no matter how good it might be regarded in years to come, the first chance that audience members get to hear it, is when’s raw and unfiltered. The live bugs have not been eased out of the set and the band can seem cold, aloof and uncaring about the years of support they have received from their fans and although that is most certainly not the case with Journey, in some eyes it can be damaging.