Mostly forgettable new stuff but covers better than originals - The 2 CD set is divided into Disc 1 of new stuff and Disc 2 of covers. For every 10x I played the cover, I played the new stuff maybe 1x. Except for some neat extended guitar work near the end of Disc 1, the new tunes pale in comparison to the covers. I find the covers great for 3 reasons:1. New singer brings a freshness to the songs (even though he sounds just like Perry!) and it s arguable he s actually better,2. The songs are well selected with the well known hits (Wheel in the Sky, Faithfully, Lights, Anyway You Want It, etc) and also lesser knowns that now rightfully get the attention they missed 1st time (Only the Young, Stone in Love, Be Good to Yourself,)3. Neal Schon s playing is better than ever, adding just the right touches of flash to the original guitarwork, and also due to the substantial sound quality upgrade of Marshal amplication versus Peavey (thankfully the band appears to have ended its Peavey endorsement contract.)For me the test of a successful cover is whether given a choice one would select to hear the original or the cover, and Disc 2 certainly passes that test as I ve opted for the cover every time since purchasing the CD a month ago.
Journey - I had the pleasure of seeing Journey in Chicago at Comiskey Park in 1979 (as I remember),. Eddie Money opened followed by Thin Lizzy, then Santanna and then Journey head lining on there Lights tour.I have to say listening to this new guy... I can close my eyes and feel I am listening to Steve Perry for certain.This band has always been incredible in every aspect but Steve s voice became there definition. he new guy truly matches that feel! Thank you for reviving the best times of my life!!!
journey revelation - Great album, great new singer. Amazing physical resemblance to the old Steve Perry and almost the same voice pitch!!!!. The video is great. For all the journey fans it s a must.
Good Album / Solid Package - THE BAND: Neal Schon (guitars), Ross Vallory (bass), Jonathan Cain (keyboards), Arnel Pineda (vocals), Deen Castronova (drums & percussion).THE DISC(S): (2008) 3 discs (2 music discs, 1 DVD)... The music - Disc 1: 11 (new) tracks clocking in at approximately 56 minutes. Disc - 2: 11 (remake) tracks at approximately 49 minutes. The DVD - filmed in March 2008 at the Theatre for Performing Arts at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, NV - covers 14 songs and runs about 63 minutes including the credits. The packaging is a 4-page heavy cardboard fold out. Included with the discs is a 10-page booklet containing song titles, song lyrics, one band photo, song writing credits and thank you s. This release contains the band s 13th studio album. There is a European and Japanese version as well - each with a unique bonus track. As of 2008/09, sold exclusively at Wal-Mart. Label - Nomota LLC.COMMENTS: Most Journey fans should agree, there s some pretty good music here. Close your eyes... once... and now twice you re listening to a long haired Steve Perry impersonator. Pineda (from Manila, Philippines) is a dead-ringer for Perry... same passion, same pitch and delivery (check out his humble beginnings via internet - one parent dying young, the other not being able to handle the single-parent family life and thus leaving, young Pineda living on the streets, his local band doing Journey cover tunes on YouTube - catching the eye of Journey management, and ultimately a personal invite to audition from Schon himself). The new songs are fully entrenched in the world of adult contemporary rock music. In my opinion, the band sounds tight and professional... like they ve been playing these new songs for years. Some heavy new tunes here, though nothing ever hits the hard rock classification. The fast-paced hit Never Walk Away, might be the best of the bunch, though Change For The Better and perhaps the crunchiest tune Wildest Dreams sure get the blood pumping. And, of course, what s a Journey album without a rock ballad, or two, or three. The mushiest is After All These Years (the 2nd hit released), with What I Need and Turn Down The World Tonight following closely behind... all good songs, but I prefer the up tempo tracks where Schon is given the chance to truly shred. Whether with Santana, Sammy Hagar (HSAS), Bad English, Hardline or Journey - Schon s guitar is the one continually bright shining star. Simply put, he s a legendary guitarist. As good a drummer was ex-Journeyman Steve Smith, recent man behind the kit Deen Castronova is a more than adequate replacement (a consummate pro on recent Journey albums with Steve Augeri, as well as appearing on solo Ozzy, Steve Vai, Social Distortion, Hardline and Bad English albums during the 1980 s and 90 s). The remakes of older classic Journey tunes are very good. Sure, I prefer the songs better with Perry at the helm... but these new takes on old classics have a modern and rekindled feel to them. From the opener Only The Young, I really had to listen closely to the vocals. Was this Perry (unbelievably 59 years old in 2008) trying to sound young again... reaching for that 80 s gusto and flare... or was this the new kid on the block? As it turns out, Perry is still a distant memory and Pineda sings on all songs on all 3 discs. For me, Pineda excels on the remakes of Only The Young, Anyway You Want It, Who s Crying Now, Separate Ways (despite Cain s weaker keyboards) and Be Good To Yourself. As for the feel of the album, I believe Revelation is a step up from either of the full length Steve Augeri releases... polished sound and more upbeat song structure, reminiscent of the 80 s feel. As for the DVD, 3 songs are from Revelation, and the rest are old classics. The DVD looks good, but I think it would have benefited from a Hi-Def Surround Sound recording. Also, as great as Pineda may sound in the studio, he sounds `good on the DVD... and sadly, he simply lacks the stage presence of either of his predecessors. Overall - a nice package from a once again new and improved Journey. I think you get a lot for the price... some great music on two discs, cool album artwork (though it s no Stanley Mouse), and a concert DVD (4 stars).
A true revelation. - I have followed this band since the late 70 s. I agree in part that the true Journey sound (to some) must include the sublime Steve Perry, but the mainstay behind this group has always been Mr Schon, guitar legend, and one of the hardest workers in the industry. I was shattered when Perry left, but was elated when Arrival was released featuring the amazing Steve Augeri. Another period of develoment ensued, with the band giving their all for their millions of fans around the globe. Whatever the reason behind Augeri s leaving, nothing could prepare me for gorgeous album that is Revelation. New vocalist Pineda is, quite frankly, a miracle find (YouTube, thank you). I was almost going to pass on this album, but thank the stars I didn t. Easily Journey s most polished album since Escape, and not a sign of bland modern-pop. Just glorious, melodic rock, with all the hallmarks of a true AOR classic (hard to do outside of the 80 s!). After some dissapointing recent efforts by other stalwarts (Boston s last, Survivor s Reach to name but two), I feel like a kid again, air guitar and all. Wonderful, wonderful stuff.