By Michael A.C.
Journey releases their first album in 11 years, Freedom, and play it safe – for better or worse – recycling the 1980s arena rock sound they pioneered.
Most classic rock groups never make it to their 40-year anniversary. One band that did not seem likely to make it to 20 years was Journey. Perpetually stuck in the 1980s, the pioneers of arena rock have survived 1970s disco, 1990s alternative rock, 2000s nu metal and pop punk, American Idol, and continue to pack arenas worldwide. Freedom, the 15th studio album from Journey, is released ahead of the band’s impending 50th anniversary.
With every passing decade, no matter what musical trend comes and goes, Journey never strays too far from their formula – for better or worse. Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain are perhaps too cognizant of the formula. You can sense the frustration with the elephant in the room: Steve Perry. Freedom was an attempt to declare their legacy beyond Perry and anyone that is no longer in the group. Some tracks pulsate with lyrics that acknowledge their devoted fanbase, and at times tries to reward them for still “believin’”. The sentiment is nice, but it is debatable whether Freedom is truly free, or if they play it so safe that it makes them prisoners to their own frustrations. After all, Freedom was the intended original title of their 1986 album, which was renamed Raised On Radio when Steve Perry assumed control of the sessions.
The ever-changing lineup of Journey is a drama that has become punchlines more notorious than KISS. Most recently, the mighty rhythm section of bassist Ross Valory and drummer Steve Smith were expelled amidst lawsuits over brand ownership. But that was only after founder Neal Schon had a fallout with keyboardist Jonathan Cain over numerous issues, most notably his political views. At the end of the day, the money-making machine that is Journey perseveres when its members find a way to get on the same page.
Meanwhile the drama extends into the fanbase, whom still debate over who is the rightful singer of Journey. Any fan clamoring for the return of Steve Perry obviously didn’t listen to his 2018 album, Traces. At 73-years-old Perry can still sing – but he can’t sing Journey. Arnel Pineda, by timeline alone, has been in Journey longer than Perry’s entire tenure. Even after endorsement from Steve Perry, himself, there are still people who refuse to accept Pineda.
Perhaps the most noticeable difference since Perry’s departure in 1998 was the songwriting. Perry’s sense of melody could not be replaced by just anyone. Pineda has had minimal input in the band’s songwriting – it’s been Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain writing the music, for better or worse.
Pineda, who is 20 years younger than Perry, can carry a Journey song to pitch perfection – as well as move across the stage with the intensity of a 21-year-old. His vocals on Freedom are as impressive as ever. One may love or hate Freedom, but there is no debate to the vocal abilities of Arnel Pineda. He was born to sing for Journey. On songs where the writing isn’t as strong, it is Arnel that makes it all listenable. There are moments where autotune is used, but it is done as an effect rather than enhancement. If you are in a band, Arnel Pineda is the best representative you can possibly have on lead vocals.
Freedom features performances from bassist Randy Jackson (of American Idol fame and was a previous Journey member in 1986) and producer/drummer Narada Michael Walden. The album also introduces second keyboard player, Jason Derlatka. Derlatka is virtually invisible on the album. However, the addition of Narada and Jackson were an effective strategy to retain the R&B groove that Smith and Valory handled with mastery.
Narada Michael Walden contributed not only drums and production input – he was the third songwriter in Journey’s creative machine. Narada is a veteran producer that worked with a lot of Perry’s influences. Journey’s fusion of hard rock and R&B was always their trademark, and with Narada they returned to the balance that had been absent since 1996’s Trial By Fire. Rather than create another “Open Arms”, the ballads like “Still Believe In Love” have a groove that bring out the R&B element convincingly.
What makes Journey’s new album, Freedom, an instant fascination is how guitarist and bandleader Neal Schon still plays at 68-years-old. “Come Away With Me” and “Let it Rain” are moments where Schon lets loose. Schon always resented criticism that Journey are a wimpy pop group. Journey released Eclipse in 2011, which was a risky project from the start, with Schon determined to make it the heaviest Journey album ever. What was missing from Eclipse were what made Journey a chart-topping act – pop hooks. Evidently, Schon took those lessons to heart on Freedom, rocking has much as he can without alienating the devoted fanbase. Though he has never achieved the adulation of his influences – Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and one time bandmate Carlos Santana – Schon’s lead guitar has a bombast that defies his age, as if his dexterity has surpassed his own influences.
The rock tracks of Freedom are where the album excels. Tracks like “You’ve Got The Best of Me”, “The Way We Used To Be”, and “Don’t Go” – the latter which Arnel Pineda contributed songwriting – are album highlights. Perhaps Schon and keyboard player Jonathan Cain realize that they need to preserve the longevity of their singer. The melodies are not as memorable as the heyday material with Perry, but they are certainly more inviting to a fanbase that loves to sing along.
Journey’s agenda has always been singular: To create rock & roll with the finest craftmanship, while making it accessible and palatable to pop audiences. Whether you are Matchbox 20, Train, Maroon 5, or OneRepublic, your goal is to achieve the height of pop success (whether they want to admit it or not.) Those groups had singles that charted higher than Journey in the 21st century. However, none of them will ever outperform the musical prowess of Journey. Each member of the band – past, present, and future – are some of the finest musicians in the industry. Will Freedom be Journey’s ticket to relevance in a 2020s pop audience? Frankly, the odds are against them – and we are talking a million to one.
Journey has a sound you immediately love or hate. Freedom may not be enough to change the minds of the naysayers, whom at best will settle for the Greatest Hits collections. (And frankly, they have every right to do so.) But the fanbase still packs arenas for a reason – they still believe Journey are a band worth their fandom. The band clearly loves their jobs and are not ready to retire. After you hear Freedom, there is one thing you will understand: Even close to 50 years later, Journey won’t “stop believin’” in Journey, either.
