JOURNEY - FRONTIERS

Although frequently and rightly lauded as the greatest AOR band of all time, San Francisco's Journey started out as something far less melodic and easy of the ears: instrumental jazz fusion! The band put together by guitarist Neal Schon who along with Ross Valory [bass] and Gregg Rolie [keys] made up an early incarnation and after releasing 3 albums in the jazz fusion style [and not selling many units] were given an ultimatum by the record company - get a singer or get dropped! In came Robert Fleischman who vocals were similar to Zeppelin's Robert Plant and the bands fortunes started to change as did the bands style, after only 4 months Fleischman was out and in was the man that would seal Journey's success - Steve Perry. Perry made his live debut dressed entirely in white, three months later his Journey debut was released in the guise of 'Infinity'. That album was unlike anything the band had written before and it pointed the way to a multi-platinum radio friendly future. But unlike so many bands who have since employed this 'formula', Journey wrote music in the style quite naturally. All the members of Journey are excellent musicians and in Perry have a quite unique vocalist. In 1981 Jonathon Cain would replace Rolie and ultimately made the band into one of the biggest of the 80's. After Cain's arrival the music became more slick but also more polished and after another classic 'Escape' the band released 'Frontiers'. 'Frontiers' is in my eyes definitive Journey, classic songwriting and superb musicianship is evident throughout and it is rightly hailed as an 80's classic. The band's hard edge is shown in 'Separate Ways' whilst classic ballads come in various guises such as 'Send Her My Love' and 'Faithfully'.

1. SEPARATE WAYS (WORLDS APART) [5.24]
One of the bands biggest hit singles and also a track that is the epitome of the Journey style. Prominent keyboards from Cain mix with Schon's grinding guitar whilst Perry's impassioned vocals add the necessary strong hooks and choruses that make the superb melodies come alive. The production of the album is superb and is perhaps best illustrated here. The chorus screams radio play "Someday love will find you break those chains that bind you. One night will remind you how we touched and went out separate ways..." and when Perry sings you almost feel his pain at the loss of a relationship. Schon's solo is a perfect example of his concise and totally suited studio work [live the man can really play!] with all the melody to keep it radio friendly yet still allowing the odd flash lick to creep in. The track builds like thunder after the solo with pounding drums from Steve Smith before the track heads to the end with a repeat of the chorus and Perry pouring out his soul again with some good adlibbing. The track ends how it started with Cain's majestic keyboard motif - a masterpiece!

2. SEND HER MY LOVE [3.54]
A heartfelt delicate ballad this is the epitome of the Journey ballad. Perry's delicate vocals work superbly over the mellow backing. The track ranks amongst the best ballads of all time and the whole structure is so beautifully perfect that it will blow you away on every listen. Schon's super melodic guitar work make the track complete and its arguably one of the bands best ballad achievements.

3. CHAIN REACTION [4.21]
A melodic yet driving number that has gobs of commercial appeal. The track is pretty 80's sounding with its huge layered chorus but that is all part of its charm. Schon's guitar work is pretty gritty during the verse yet he adds the melodic subtleties required for the chorus. The track has a great instrumental section before a perfectly suited bridge over which Perry vocals have a bit of delay effect added to them all of which help create more drive to the track. Schon gets an extended solo at the end and he makes the most of it with some super tasty licks.

4. AFTER THE FALL [5.00]
A track that Journey could probably write in their sleep. Written by Perry and Cain it shows how well the pair manage to create almost text book radio friendly tunes but with a quality that puts them higher than the rest. The chorus is again very melodic and showcases Perry's superb vocals. Not the best track on offer but impressive enough.

5. FAITHFULLY [4.26]
A track written solely by Jonathan Cain, 'Faithfully' is another Journey classic. The big ballad sound since copied by artists such as Bon Jovi, it shows how a classic AOR ballad should be written and played. Great movement from verses to choruses, Journey somehow manage to make it all sound so natural. Schon adds more perfectly placed silky fretwork whilst the rhythm section of Valory and Smith create a great bed for the rest to create the magic.

6. EDGE OF THE BLADE [4.30]
The band return after the soul of 'Faithfully' with one of their most aggressive numbers. Starting out with a rocking Schon riff the track builds with majestic glory, the drums pound whilst Cain's keyboard washes make the sound huge. Perry's vocals are the icing on the cake and show that he can deliver full out hard rock when he wants to as well as being a master of the ballad. The melodic hard rocking exuberance displayed here vies with 'Separate Ways' for contender as best rocker, 'Separate Ways' to my ears just eclipses it.

7. TROUBLED CHILD [4.29]
A track that tends to get buried by the class on offer around it, but it is another quality track. At the start you can hear the influence the band had on others [Dream Theater for one], the track is pretty dark musically and lyrically - "War with yourself makes you feel better. Caught behind the lines Troubled Child. Faith finds a cure it makes you feel better, you know you can shine Troubled Child". The solo section sees Schon getting more room to breathe and the result is one of the guitar highlights of the album, dark melody lines help add to the overall aura of the track. A gem of a track.

8. BACK TALK [3.16]
A thunderous drum pattern opens this aggressive number, Perry delivers a vocal that almost verges on street rap!! A track that is completely different to anything else on the album and it does sound quite a bit out of place. 'Back Talk' is however the weakest track on offer ands makes you wonder if it was added to fill the album, it does however feature a totally blazing solo from Schon.

9. FRONTIERS [4.09]
Another track that's quite different from the rest of the album. 'Frontiers' shows the bands early roots with a riff that is firmly routed in progressive territories - think Rush / early Genesis. Perry delivers a very original vocal melody that works well over the quirky backing. A track that takes a few listens to get into but it ultimately rewards.

10. RUBICON [4.18]
The album ends with another upbeat number that is in the classic melodic Journey rock mold. The track is as good a place as any to show what a superb range Perry has. The chorus is not as commercial as a lot of the songs but it still screams quality. The lyrics are a bit spaced out - "Make a move across the Rubicon, Futures knocking at your door take your time...". The guitar solo is pretty quirky and a bit Vai esque and showcases more Schon greatness. Overall a great way to end the album.

'Frontiers' is quite possibly the finest achievement in Journey's back catalogue, it may also be a contender for best AOR album of all time! Every track with the exception of 'Back Talk' has quality and melody to take your head off. The album is very 80's but this shows what good music was created in that decade. 'Separate Ways' and 'Edge Of The Blade' look destined to be the ultimate Journey hard rock numbers whilst 'Send Her My Love' and 'Faithfully' battle it out for best ballad. However, all the other numbers should not be dismissed as second rate material against these gems as they are also of a particularly high class. Whether the band can achieve the quality displayed here without Perry remains to be seen. But if they do not then 'Frontiers' will be an inspirational album on every listen.

RATING
9.5

HOT SPOTS: Separate Ways, Send Her My Love, Faithfully, Edge Of The Blade, Troubled Child.

BOTTOM LINE: Possibly the finest AOR release of all time!!

Review by Andy Craven

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