JOURNEY - ARRIVAL

1. HIGHER PLACE [5.09]
Beginning with restrained guitar and a pounding bass line the track swiftly kicks into gear. This is one heavy track and is superbly captured by producer Kevin Shirley. Augeri's first vocal performance is Perry-esque yet establishes him as a force in his own right. The track is quite reminiscent of 'Separate Ways' but the chorus is more upbeat and super catchy. There are numerous different parts and all make for exciting listening, especially Schon's solo over the boiling backing! 'Higher Place' is a superb opener.

2. ALL THE WAY [3.35]
A gentle opener of piano and vocal lets you know that this is another track in the classic Journey mold. The track quickly gets to the chorus which is pure 80's rock ballad - in other words super melodic and slick. This would have been a huge hit 15 years or so ago but would also be one today if radio and TV stations weren't so fickle to trends.

3. SIGNS OF LIFE [4.54]
Upon first hearing this track I had to double check that I still had 'Arrival' in the cd player, it sounds so much like 'Don't Stop Believin' its unreal, but also extremely good! The chorus is classic Journey and again another radio friendly sing along melody laden piece that will sit in your head for hours after. Longtime fans will dig this and Augeri again establishes himself as major force. Schon's guitar solo is so perfect you wonder how he manages to pull it off every time. Another highlight.

4. ALL THE THINGS [4.22]
A track that is quite different to anything I have heard before by the band. Mid paced but still pretty heavy it has a great groove to it. Steve Augeri delivers one of his more original vocal on the album, the chorus sounds modern and fresh and quite different to that heard on the album before.

5. LOVED BY YOU [4.02]
Back to ballad land and it a solid effort if a little workmanlike. Keyboardist Jonathan Cain had a major role in this one and his influence is heavily felt in the lush orchestration. Augeri delivers a superb heartfelt performance and the overall result is one of despite being nothing new still manages to impress.

6. LIVIN' TO DO [6.24]
A wonderful blend of moody guitar work, emotive keys and sincere vocals. 'Livin To Do' manages to combine ballad type feel with bluesy guitar work and haunting backing. It is a great example of areas the new line-up could venture into and it also marks another avenue in Journey song style. The chorus is divine and you will be hooked for the entire six minutes running length.

7. WORLD GONE WILD [6.00]
The observant ones amongst you will notice that I listed Dream Theater in the related releases in sound list. 'How does he manage to get from Journey to Dream Theater' you may ask? Well quite simple, if you ever wonder where DT's penchant for melody [especially on the 'Images and Words' and 'Falling Into Infinity' albums] comes from then Journey is the answer. That is not to say that 'World Gone Wild' is as prog filled as DT but it does draw comparisons. Schon's heavy duty riff is one Petrucci would be proud of and then there's Ross Valory's massive bass sound. It is a truly marvelous track that you know the band would never have written had Perry still been on board. Full marks for this one.

8. I GOT A REASON [4.20]
An up tempo radio friendly rocker that draws parallels with some of Bad English's material, mind you with 3 members present in both projects that's no real surprise! 'I Got A Reason' is one of those good time cruising with the top down type tracks and would be ideal for any car journey in California, I can just see the video for this one now...ahh nostalgia eh! 'I Got A Reason' does however have some great little instrumental motifs that draw this above the usual fare of this style.

9. WITH YOUR LOVE [4.25]
Another ballad, sadly this one does not do a lot for me and tends to sound a little too obvious and contrived. That is not to take anything away from the performances on it, only it does not stand out like some of the others on offer.

10. LIFETIME OF DREAM [5.29]
Yes ballad time again! 'Lifetime Of Dream' is a little dream like in truth, although it is redeemed by another great performance from Augeri and Schon lays down the by now expected perfect six string action. Sadly it again lacks that spark that makes it special.

11. LIVE AND BREATHE [5.15]
A track that sounds quite Genesis in nature and Augeri even sounds a little like Phil Collins. Cain lays down some good atmospheric chords over which Vallory tracks a quite prog feeling bass line. The track picks up in heat slightly when Schon enters with a BIG sound and Augeri again adds his magic. The production on this track is superb and really makes the sound come at you from all angles. 'Live And Breathe' is another highlight and is also one of the tracks that demonstrates a potential new sound for the band.

12. NOTHIN' COMES CLOSE [5.41]
Neil Schon's guitar opens this track with a bluesy lick that also manages to contain a little Vai like quirkiness. Augeri delivers a great gutsy vocal performance with an original vocal melody. The pre chorus sees the track head into Mr Big like territory before the chorus hits home with pure pop appeal yet again a little quirkiness. Vallory's grooving bass keeps the track moving nicely and will also get you tapping your foot. A good track that yet again has a bit of a new sound for the band.

13. TO BE ALIVE AGAIN [4.21]
Another monster track that is in the classic up tempo Journey mold. Augeri sounds very Perry like but that adds to the charm of the track 100%. The chorus is not quite as strong as the stunning verse but its a track that shows the band have lost nothing over the years with a perfect mix of Schon's guitar and Cain's rocking piano work. Classic Journey.

14. KISS ME SOFTLY [4.48]
'Kiss Me Softly' sees the band enter the cool melodic areas that previously brought Dream Theater to mind. Augeri sounds nothing like Perry on the verse and its in quite a low register. The chorus is heartfelt and contains a delicate melody. Schon's adds some hazy guitar fills on both acoustic and electric guitar and it adds to the tracks slightly isolated feel. A track that only improves on repeated listens after the attention commanding first play.

15. WE WILL MEET AGAIN [5.05]
I was half expecting the album to finish with another ballad but I was proved wrong. Instead it closes with another mid tempo number that is slightly more eclectic that other tracks and also quite open in feel, due largely to the tribal like drumming courtesy of Deen Castronovo. It is an uplifting track that is full of positive feel and is a nice yet unexpected way to close the album.