The wait is over: American Melodic Rock / AOR Gods JOURNEY are back after 11 years with their new studio album “Freedom“. This was the longest gap between two Journey albums to date, but well worth the wait folks.
Yeah, the timeless, feel-good melodic rock is alive and well in the hands of Neal Shon & co, as the band doesn’t disappoints with the new material, catchy, moving, songs that put a big smile on your face of course served with top notch musicianship, and wrapped by slick, razor sharp vital production sound.
There’s something for everyone, from songs recalling the glorious ’80s and powerful emotional ballads to more modern, updated rockers to appeal all rock music generations.
The last couple of years some line-up changes in the group and several lawsuits between current and past members got more attention than the talk of new music. Former members Ross Valory (bass) and Steve Smith (drums) were sacked by band leaders Neal Schon (guitar) and Jonathan Cain (keyboards) leading to court cases and finally an ‘amicable’ settlement between the parties involved.
Valory and Smith were replaced by Randy Jackson (bass, and also in 1986 a band member involved with the ‘Raised On Radio’ album) and Narada Michael Walden (drums).
Jackson as well as Walden have now left the group again but not before they finished their contributions for ‘Freedom’. As you might have heard former drummer Deen Castronovo has made a return but is not playing on ‘Freedom’. He is involved though as lead singer on the track ”After Glow”.
The album start with “Together We Run”, a mid-paced Melodic churner that has all the Journey feels. The keys by Jonathan Cain, the melodious solo by Schon, and Pineda still sound like a more mature version of himself. Pineda’s magical pipes play an intricate role in “Still Believe In Love”, where he shines alongside the trademark Schon guitar licks. A nice jazzy vibe in this one that displays everything Journey is, what it was and still is.
The big ballad comes via “Live To Love Again”, one in which Arnel shines once again. All the hooks are there, the mood, the vibe, the guitars, and the trademark Journey-Esque highs all deliver with delicate intricacy.
Next, we get the midtempo rocker with “The Way We Used To Be”, I like the driving rhythm here, and the drums are nice and tight. Neal delivers some juicy bluesy hooks here and something a little different on a Journey record I think. Diggin it.
The great Deen Castronovo lends his vocals on “Afterglow”, and his amazing pipes just provide a moment of comfort and precision, similar to many of his past vocal contributions in Journey. Deen has always been an underrated vocalist, and what he brought to Journey through the years cannot be understated.
Another highlight comes via the bass thumping of “All Day and All Night”, Randy Jackson just smashes here on the bass, another track that oozes groovy all over the place. The drumming here by Narada Michael Walden is fantastic.
The last epic ballad “Beautiful As You Are” features a nice piano build-up with a steady rhythm and massive volcanic Schon patented high rising solo.
”Freedom” not only is a very good album, it’s a very good ‘feel good’ album. It just feels good to hear Journey that can still deliver excellent songs that give you a warm and comfortable feeling.
While there’s some few cool new elements, Journey are sticking to their brilliant melodic rock and AOR environment and they are true masters of the trade. The time of Steve Perry lays behind us, Journey has gracefully moved on with Pineda and with a second vocal wonder in the person of Castronovo back in the group, things can only improve.
Just don’t keep us waiting for another eleven years, please gentlemen.
Together We Run
Don’t Give Up On Us
Still Believe In Love
You Got The Best Of Me
Live To Love Again
The Way We Used To Be
Come Away With Me
After Glow
Let It Rain
Holdin On
All Day and All Night
Don’t Go
United We Stand
Life Rolls On
Beautiful As You Are
Neal Schon – Guitars, Keyboards & Background Vocals
Jonathan Cain – Keyboards & Background Vocals
Arnel Pineda – Lead Vocals
Deen Castronovo – Lead Vocals on “After Glow”
Randy Jackson – Bass, Background Vocals
Narada Michael Walden – Drums & Background Vocals
Jason Deralta – Background Vocals
Journey – Freedom 2022+FLAC
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