This album is shockingly good. Fresh and rockin' with elements from their entire discography.

This might be Journey's best album ever. When a new song starts, I say, "Oh! This is a good one, too." It feels like listening to a Greatest Hits album.

@AT-bt2co

Жыл бұрын

Exactly my thoughts. I couldn’t pick a favorite. Filled with great tracks!

I'm a life-long Journey fan. 1975-present. This is a good album. I feel it could have been a more cohesive "album". Had they trimmed back a couple of tunes. Aka No filler. It would have been lifted. Note: Arnel Pineda is a top tier vocalist. He is an excellent vocalist and an amazing performer. I love all 3 Arnel era Journey albums.

Journey is progressing quite well ! The Album is great 👍 Being a Musician a band has to progress and grow. All the Perry fanatics have to realize that at his age he can’t hit notes anymore ! Great Album !

I would like to hear these songs live. I think the songs are great but like a lot of people I think the production isn't great. It sounds muffled to me. Sometimes the guitars are buried in the mix and sometimes the vocals are buried in the mix. I think hearing these songs live if I could hear everything clearly would definitely make these songs more enjoyable to listen to.

@donbrown9215

2 жыл бұрын

Going to see them Friday with an orchestra

@heut4384

23 күн бұрын

After ton Lives through 70s, 80s, 90, and 2000s, you won't know until Journey's Live? Were have you been? You're kidding me, right? Journey sounds exactly like the album. On your comment, I can tell you're young or not having enough experience to see Live bands. "...muffled and buried in the mix." Lol. 🤣

Freedom is worth the listen, especially for Let it Rain and After Glow 😍 sooo good!

Great review, I agree with the rating. Eclipse is their best album since Frontiers., and after listening to their last album, Eclipse remains their best album with Arnel.

Love love love the new released album ... Journey is awesome! Having Arnel as the lead vocal. 😍😍😍

Tremendous/ full in depth review. Thx again PETE 👍💯

Thanks for your positive review on their new album . Like this new freedom album. Arnel Pineda has really a gifted amazing voice.and it’s great to hear that Dean Castronovo just back to the group,he’s also an amazing drummer w/ good voice as well. The tour concert Freedom was amazing too. This group was best together w/ the new member like Todd & John. This group was best ,energetic and everyone can sing w/ Arnel.

I just wish that someday Greg Rolie would join Journey for an album or so. The guy can sing!

Good overview Pete. Will probably give this new Journey album a try.

Everyone is a recording engineer …these comments are really funny…great review and video…thanks for posting 💥 I subscribed ✔️

Pete you are the best. Thank you man.

Been listening to Live to Love again, so beautiful!!!!!

Great review. Will definitely pick this album up. I do wish that everyone would stop ignoring the band without Steve Perry. He left in 1996 and isn’t interested in returning. Get over it!! Every album with Arnel and Steve Augeri have been great.

I’m really loving the Freedom album. I’ve been listening to it frequently and it gets better each time. Every song is top notch.

Neal has a chance to really shine - there are parts of Bad English and Hardline in his playing. And Randy Jackson is so groovy on bass. But MAN does this sound like, and it was, recorded remotely and stitched together. The production is a mess. Bob Clearmountain mixes it as best he can. Walden is a beast on drums. I bet the tracks live will slay. I like it, I dont love it..its just too underproduced and really does now feel like "Neal & Friends" is Journey after the further band fallouts a few years back.

@RichardW001

2 жыл бұрын

I agree. Whatever the merits of the music, the production is not good at all.

@michaelsmyth3935

2 жыл бұрын

Journey has been the Schon and Cain show for years.

@DavysFlicks

2 жыл бұрын

@@michaelsmyth3935 Absolutely but when more bricks crumble..its a different wall when you rebuild it.

@JIF882

2 жыл бұрын

It was recorded remotely

@MarcOlivermusic

2 жыл бұрын

To much delay, reverbs, over compressed drums...overdubs all over. No, its not under produced, its overproduced. It lacks clarity in many parts due to this. As a mixer you would reduce the amount of effects an get a good rawer sound like their first albums. Thats really a shame and shouldnt happen after decades of knowledge about a good production.

Thanks for this review. I just keep reading negative comments from fans, mostly about the production, so nice to hear your opinion as I was feeling so bummed, having loved the Eclipse album so much. I will definitely be buying it now, despite the sound issues. Hopefully the sound issues on a couple of tracks won't be too much of an issue.

@jkbaca41

2 жыл бұрын

It hasn't bothered me at all. I have it in the car now for a closer listen... So far. So good!

I think it would have sounded much better if they had recorded it all in the same studio at the same time. There are too many songs and quite a few that aren't that strong. Taking out 4-6 songs would have made for a stronger album. I've only listened through a couple times, but so far I like Eclipse a lot better.

This Freedom album is great

Yes. Back loaded. I agree. I do love the opening sequence, but the back half sizzles.

Good review Pete. I'm enjoying it. I've played it about 7 or 8 times. It's a solid album. However, I still prefer Eclipse 👍

Nice to see Todd Jensen being brought in for the tour.

Let it Rain is a great throwback track. More like this is needed.

Yea I gave it listens and feel it has plenty of great tracks for Journey. Pete you raised the same issues I was thinking of when I was listening to it. So no need to repeat them. Good job. Listen and watch this review it's good. I am sort of neutral on the Deen Castonovo vocal on Afterglow. Otherwise it's ok. Overall give the album a 3.75-4. Take care.

John M Bristol Connecticut I heard it on KZread It's great 😃 It's too bad all the radio plays is Wheels in the sky Lights Loving Touching Squeezing Anyway you want it Don't stop believing Open Arms Faithfully Separate ways alot of their new music 🎵 is great 😃 top bad 😔 the radio doesn't play it love your show Pete wish you the best

Re: Cain's keys - Walden played some keys and Neal also contributed some key loops - so it's hard to know which is Cain and which is Neal/ NMW.

I really enjoyed the album.

This album rocks 🤟😎

totally agree with your review. I am not the biggest Journey fan but its a solid release. People complain of older bands not releasing new material. Well here it is . I enjoyed it.

Steve Perry, Neil Schon, Greg Rollie, Ross Valory, Steve Smith...the Classic Journey lineup)) Infinity, Evolution, Departure 💢💫

@luvmuppets

2 жыл бұрын

I don’t mean to be a Journey elitist, but Steve Smith did not play on Infinity.

@kevinmuzerMetalMind64

2 жыл бұрын

@@luvmuppets Ansley Dunbar did.

Disappointed after the excellent Revelation CD. Sounds like the whole disc is under water, no punch. The bg vocals seem to exclude Arnel and is just deep voices harmonizing ala Asia, instead of what Journey is famous for. The album should be remixed.

@mccartney2

2 жыл бұрын

yeah.... too loud BV s and sounding like Gregorian monks singing in a cathedral.... with members of Clannad!!!! ..absolutely revolting

@flavellinator

2 жыл бұрын

I'm was a big Revelation fan

Big Journey fan. Exactly what you would expect from them. 👍👍👍

@wolf1977

2 жыл бұрын

I'm a Journey fan but I didn't expect this...

interesting that there’s no Randy Jackson pic

I just watched your ranking of Journey's studio discography. I'm curious where this record will land on that list. For me, this is the best album of the Arnel era.

@seaoftranquilityprog

2 жыл бұрын

I like Eclipse a little better, but am enjoying this one.

@chaddunn9621

2 жыл бұрын

@@seaoftranquilityprog I play Eclipse right after I listen to Freedom cd. I enjoy Eclipse too its a great album but Freedom is growing on me lol.

@davewebbtheauthor

2 жыл бұрын

@@seaoftranquilityprog Nice, thorough review of Freedom. I rank it a bit higher than you do and play it in its entirety regularly. IMHO Eclipse is by far the worst and most uninspired offering in the Journey canon, though, and it was a flop for that reason. I guess if you like a harder edge you might like it, but the only song for me worth listening to again is Anything is Possible. Tossed that CD in a box after one listen 11 years ago and haven't seen it since.

I've loved every incarnation of the band right from the start.

Another awesome album from Journey and I love your review of the new Journey album Pete.

I favor the pre-Steve Perry Journey with Greg Rollie. First 3 albums are interesting. Really have struggled to like Journey over the years. Definitely a few very catchy tunes but in general, not a big fan at all. Nothing wrong with them, just not my thing. I'll give this album a listen though.

@JIF882

2 жыл бұрын

This has shades of pre-Perry Journey. Listen to Let It Rain

@yokerecords803

2 жыл бұрын

@@JIF882 I'll definitely check it out!

Escape lineup with Johnathan Cain was Cool.as well)

Neal really plays amazing on this album and the more I listen to it, the more I love it! It really has some outstanding songs on it. So happy Deen is back, he was awesome when I saw them in Feb. Come Away With Me is the greatest.

I agree with all your comments. There are tracks where Arnel doesn't sound at all like a Steve Perry enthusiast and keyboards are weird and production is thin and strange. Seems too ballady and agree it's back loaded. Was surprised to see 5 singles have been released from it, although wouldn't expect them to go any where in this day 'n age. I prefer Eclipse and Revelations to this one.

@wolf1977

2 жыл бұрын

I largely agree, way too many ballads & Eclipse was better. Schon & Walden are capable of SO much more!

@The_Jewish_Cowboy

2 жыл бұрын

Barely any ballads on Freedom.

@The_Jewish_Cowboy

2 жыл бұрын

@@wolf1977 What ballads? Live to love again is really the only traditional ballad on the whole disc.

@wolf1977

2 жыл бұрын

@@The_Jewish_Cowboy Maybe to you...I'll take Escape (also not great but a little better) over this one. I hear at least 7 ballads: "Don't Give Up On Us", "Still Believe In Love", "Live To Love Again", "After Glow", "United We Stand", "Life Rolls On" & "Beautiful As You Are". A couple of other numbers would also qualify except Schon saves them with some heavy licks & they're a bit more uptempo, making them somewhat "standard" Journey-type AOR/stadium rock numbers

@The_Jewish_Cowboy

2 жыл бұрын

@@wolf1977 LOL. I don't think you know what a ballad is dude.

Great review Pete,interestingly you favoured the tracks most reviewers would like taking out to make this a more concise album.It just goes to show how people like different things.After today’s listen I am liking the second half of the album more and more.Just a great album.

Good album👍

I have been a Journey fan for over 40 years and I can honestly say that this is the first time I have felt terribly disappointed by them. Half of this album sounds like filler and the good tracks are ruined because they sound like they are being preformed in a high school gym with bad acoustics. On a few songs it sounds like Arnel is standing in the parking lot outside of the gym singing in a megaphone while the band is doing sound check on a basketball court.

@mccartney2

2 жыл бұрын

absolutely agree..the mix is....vile... Perry would have had an absolute fit with this horrible mix

@MarcOlivermusic

2 жыл бұрын

Yes agreed. Tons of delays, reverbs, compression... mistakes of beginners. I think this is Neil Schons fault, I recognjze this handwriting already from his solo album.

I listened to these tracks ONCE. I liked them lots. Not all of them. I need to re listen to them. I think there is something here. Very cool stuff that Journey is putting out right now

I waited until the vinyl came out to listen to it. I think it passed Def Leppard 'Diamond Star Halos' for my favorite album of 2022 list. It's a double LP so the CD people and the Spotify people will get a different first impression but to me Side B (Live to Love Again, The Way We Used to Be, Come Away with Me and Afterglow) sounds amazing on vinyl and is a perfect album side. Neal rocks on here like he hasn't since Hardline, Randy Jackson really brings a lot to the table on this and has amazing bass grooves. I think this is the first Journey album that sounds like it was written for Arnel's voice instead of a Steve Perry clone. The production sounds inconsistent - but it's a typical "this is the new normal covid album" sone songs sound great, others sound like they were recorded during quarantine with band members emailing tracks to each other and the songs not experimented and finessed live in the studio as a band. I do love both albums... yes, they don't stand up to classics like 'Pyromania' or 'Escape', yes it's disappointing that their drummers aren't playing on them but these are the best albums by either band this century and arguably their best albums of all new material that either band has released since Steve Clark died and the first time Steve Perry left Journey.

Great album. I’m glad Deen is back. He’s the best drummer/singer out there. SOT IS THE BEST CHANNEL ON KZread

@JIF882

2 жыл бұрын

Deen doesn't drum on the album, though. It's Narada

@samvetrano2867

2 жыл бұрын

@@JIF882 yes I know. I was just commenting that he’s my favorite.

@herbtube7824

2 жыл бұрын

Not even the best singing drummer. Glad he is only singing one song.

@JIF882

2 жыл бұрын

@@herbtube7824 Very rude comment. Deen has an awesome voice

When you hear this, it really makes you think why didn't Magnum ever crack the States? At least they have balls.

@jimmycampbell78

2 жыл бұрын

Yes 👍🏻

Awseome shirt Pete! Still getting into this one (loved Eclipse)

I was one of those who thought that Journey begins and ends with Steve Perry, but as time passed and my attitude softening, I have once again gone back in time to listen to the Journey albums after Perry and decided to get many of them added to my CD library. However, there NEVER will be another voice like Perry to fill his shoes. That's a fact. But I enjoy Arnell, although he's limited. However, love his energy he brings to the table. Neil just gets better like a fine bottle of wine. He really makes his guitar sing.

@joshcreasey

2 жыл бұрын

Have you heard the 3 pre-Perry albums? They’re different from what they’d be known for, but they’re all excellent!

@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812

2 жыл бұрын

Arnell limited? Did you hear the last couple albums Steve Perry has done?

@wolf1977

2 жыл бұрын

@@joshcreasey Nothing Journey did later can touch the original Journey lineup (to me), but it's also a totally different band playing different music to a different audience, at a different time. They might as well have been some other (great) band not named Journey

With Dean, Neal and Todd all in the band, they should tour with Axel Rudi Pell and this way Johnny can do a Hardline song or two with them.

I'm happy the Target clerk finally sold it to you! 🤣

I wonder if Cain recorded his tracks separately due to the COVID crap and because the band recorded their tracks separately and then, put the tracks together. I wonder if that process diminished Cain's keyboard tracks. Something to explore if you get to interview any of them.

@The_Jewish_Cowboy

2 жыл бұрын

Aside from Neal & Walden, everything was recorded separately.

@mccartney2

2 жыл бұрын

these days.... that should not be a problem...someone messed up big time here

Another solid release from Journey. They give you exactly what you expect from them. Arnel has definitely found his niche within the band.(Anybody that has slipped over the last album, Eclipse, somehow they need to check it out.)

It ain't Journey to me without Ross Valory. His hooky basslines made that band for me. Jackson is very capable, but very much in the "bass player box".

@1970borntorun

2 жыл бұрын

Ross Valory is a decent Bass player, but Randy is a MUCH better and more versatile player. So your "bass plyer box" comment makes zero sense. The biggest problem with Journey is they sound like a cover band with Arnel and they haven't sounded inspired or fresh for MANY years.

@cheaptrickfanatic3496

Жыл бұрын

Ross was a fantastic player. Particularly pre-80's, before the Steinberger tone. That early stuff, he was stellar. Randy? Bleh. Great player, but no character. Canned. Ross had character. The band, just, lost their way, during Trial by Fire. The momentum was gone, and it never returned. IMO, Journey needs to do what Journey always did best; evolve. Post Trial, it all became about holding on the the "Perry days", rather than moving on. It hasnt worked. I'm not sure they'll ever figure that out? Whatever the case, I think Ross was a phenomenal bass player. A bit weird in the 80's, and really lost his character and sense of style by the Trial record. Along with the rest of the band... so many great records and live recordings, pre and post Perry's arrival.

I think the Keys on 'Let it Rain' wasn't a production issue, I think he chose a weird synth organ tone - to me that song sounds like AC/DC with Axl Rose singing doing a cover of Don Henley's 'Dirty Laundry' - so basically a mess

Beginning of Let it Rain, Arnel sounds like Sammy Hagar.

I realy like the album but my vinyl sounded so bad i had to send it back. Gonna buy it on CD instead.

@mccartney2

2 жыл бұрын

dont bother..cd mix is total shite..... muddy...and badly produced

@robertleven4449

2 жыл бұрын

Don't bother, cd sounds awful as well

Album is kinda long for me. Give me a 45-50 minute disc with 10 or 11 strong tracks, instead of filling up the whole disc. Also agree, production isn't quite top-notch. Killer drums and guitars, keys are spotty in a couple of places. I'd probably go 2.5 or 3/5.

@JIF882

2 жыл бұрын

So, you don't like double albums?

@justinhavu

2 жыл бұрын

@@JIF882 On vinyl, I don't mind them, but we're talking about the vinyl era vs. the CD era. I think a lot of single albums in this day and age are too long, with a lot of filler. Although, I'll take a long Dream Theater album over a lot of what's out there any day.

Interestingly, 'Freedom' was supposed to be the original title for the 1986 album 'Raised On Radio', but Steve Perry changed it w/o consulting the rest of the band. One word album titles had been the tradition from 'Next' in '77 to 'Frontiers' in '83.

Sound good after first listen. I heard a guy that really like the music, but hated the production. And he said it was weak like St Anger, I wonder what kind of drugs he was using ? hah

@Feetonthesand

2 жыл бұрын

😆

Very enjoyable album with a mixture of melodic hooky hard rockers and a few ballads and mud tempo tracks. I'm not usually one to complain too much about production and Neal sounds immense on this album, but I do agree that the keyboards do sound very muted on a few tracks. Still overall an enjoyable album, an 8/10 for me.

The songs on Freedom are good, but it would've have been better served to keep the instrumental more clean sounding and not overlayered. Listen to Departure, Escape, or Frontiers to compare... less is more

as a long time journey fan i have to say its to long really,and yeah cant compare to the classic perry years but ,still like a few tracks.

Pretty much agree with everything you said Pete. It is a typical Journey album. Ballads, some hard rockers. The keyboards do get lost on some songs. Arneil doesn't sound quite as Perry like, like other albums. Neil sounds good though it seems the tone is a bit muffled at times. Anyway, it's a solid record. Worth a listen.

Made it through track 4. Wow. Going to finish up Salisbury by Uriah Heep, side 2 Tank cover, and tackle a couple more before work. Bland arena rock so far, not bad at all, just there.....

@JIF882

2 жыл бұрын

Try listening to the whole album. It's very varied

@michaelsmyth3935

2 жыл бұрын

@@JIF882 please read what I typed. Just found out about it today. I will get there. First 3 songs, never want to hear them again.

@JIF882

2 жыл бұрын

@@michaelsmyth3935 I did read what you wrote.

@michaelsmyth3935

2 жыл бұрын

@@JIF882 so, why the crappy comment then?

@JIF882

2 жыл бұрын

@@michaelsmyth3935 Because nowhere in your comment did you say that you would go back to it

Great review! I only heard the album a couple of times and personally, it's just way to long. They could of easily left off about four tracks and it would be awesome.

@davisflyer

2 жыл бұрын

That's exactly what I did. I removed 4 tracks and burned a new copy. Plays much better.

Any chance of you doing an interview with Neal Schon or Jonathon Cain or Dean Castronovo? Glad to hear you bought the album. Got mine today!! really excited to play it.

And we all know what a time Pete had getting that album from Target.

@JohnnyangelNIU

2 жыл бұрын

Ron Jeremy is innocent.✊

2/5, not my thing, like the last couple of albums. Bands like Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams or Journey have all the same problem, they can`t write great or good songs anymore and this for decades now. The 2 Points are Neil Schon`s guitar work, which has a lot of potienial, but the songwriting and the hits are not there.

@wolf1977

2 жыл бұрын

Neal Schon's definitely the star of the show, his guitars drive everything. I think Walden can do much more, we know that because he has. What would've been REALLY cool (and unexpected but requires taking chances) would've been throwing in some prog tracks a la the original Journey or even going fusion (you've got Walden & Schon here who certainly have the chops - too bad Valory's gone). Would their legions of fans want to hear those types of tunes in concert? No, but we know Schon loves playing that type of music, he's done plenty of it on his solo records. So take some chances & play what you wanna play, not always what you think the hardcore fans of the band wanna hear (or pay for)

i like the album but the production is weird---backing vocals are often louder than drums and riffs and overall a bit muddled. united and the opener are really good, and afterglow is their best song since the 1980s.

I agree with your summation of the album. Schon still shreds, production/vocals are off on a few songs. Album could be a bit shorter but overall, a good LP !! Nice to see a band still sound like it did in its heyday!!

In all honesty, I tried to get through the album a few times and I find it's hard to get through just one song. The production sounds flat and the band seems tried. Well, to me, anyway. And maybe I'd like what I heard more if the songwriting could overcome all that. But, for me, it doesn't. But, hey. Don't let my views ruin it for you if YOU like it.

@MarcOlivermusic

2 жыл бұрын

Overproduced. To much effects like delays, reverbs, tons of compression on drums kill the clarity and dynamic. And I agree, there'd be more spirit in a more live like recording situation!

Only had 4 listens so far but I'm digging it. As far as production goes I had same reaction listening to it in the car but on my sound system sounded fine. Although must say omitting "Still Believe in Love" & "After Glow" would have made forastronger album IMO. Listen to it again and skip those and tell me what you think lol

Wonder who wrote all the lyrics? Sounds like Journey, a little too polished though. Not enough of the Journey raunch. But lyrically it doesn't sound like Journey. Vocally sure, lyrically not so much. Musically a little tame.

@wolf1977

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah after 11 years I expected more. Neal's done better solo albums since 2011, like: Vortex, The Calling & Universe

The production and mix on this album is so bad … also way to damn many sloppy ballads. Schon has some tasty moments but over all the drier few tracks I dig esp the second song which sounds like it’s Separate Ways slowed down and chunkier but man not very impressed after all this time to write and record. Pineda sounds good though …

I made to track 5, and I couldn't take it any further, but I will try again.

Fantastic album A+++++++++++++++++++

Listened four times and I think I would rank it as their best since Frontiers. Yes, production is not good, but the songs really stand out.

@LarryFleetwood8675

2 жыл бұрын

Very good songs, yes.

The working title of 'Raised on Radio' was Freedom, but I guess Perry, Cain or Schon didn't like it. Who knows. Eclipse was 67 minutes long so not a vast departure as far as length for this album. This is a great addition to the Journey catalog as was 'Eclipse'. As long as the Perry fans can get past the fact that Perry hasn't been in the band since 1996 Neal Schon and company still deliver. Arnel is now the longest lead vocalist that Jounrey has had. I never understood how fans can just stop listening to the band if a member leaves. If the music is still good, then so what. Bands go on when members leave. If not, we would have missed out on a ton of great music over the years from numerous bands which are too many to mention.

Just finished listening to it all the way through...First impression is it's an okay album. There are a handful of really good tracks and a handful of really bad ones. Other tracks are mediocre to good. Arnel's vocals sound really good throughout and Deen sounds great on "After Glow" as well (though the title should be one word). Neal's playing is as great as ever and the performances by Walden on drums and Jackson on bass are excellent. The production on Cain's keyboards are strange in a few places and a real turn-off on a couple of songs. I'd say this is a little better than "Eclipse" but not nearly as good as "Revelation". I give this one a 3 out of 5.

@wolf1977

2 жыл бұрын

I have a similar take although for me Eclipse slightly beats out this one (not by much), but yeah Revelation beats both

I got the album Friday from Barnes & Noble. Despite the sound issues, I dig it. For the people complaining, try listening through headphones. It has some variety. To me, Beautiful As You Are sounds like an Infinity-era song like Winds Of March or Open The Door

@joshcreasey

2 жыл бұрын

I agree about Beautiful As You Are. It’s like a mini-epic.

I can't speak to the CD, but the mix on the digital version is HORRENDOUS. Sounds tinny and lifeless.

@mccartney2

2 жыл бұрын

cd is crap too...... needs remixing

Wish I could say the same, but for me the horrendous production murdered this entire album for me. All fifteen tracks sounded like poor quality demos (and this is coming from me, a strong defender of Eclipse). The fact Journey would put something out produced like this is very disheartening. Even Frontiers Records projects sound better mixed.

I loved the Production on this. Makes the entire Album (especially the softer songs) very euphoric and ethereal. Arnels voice really works with that kind of Production. Ethereal and Euphoric, or Clear and In-Your-Face fits Arnels Voice in my opinion.

It’s not bad, but I just can’t get into Journey post-Perry. Every time I hear them (including in person), my brain just hears someone trying to do Karaoke Steve Perry. This album is too long and doesn’t have enough energy. This album also lacks the signature Journey keyboard sound. It’s about a 3.0-3.5 out of 5.0 for me. I would’ve expected better after 11 years of nothing from them.

I deleted my last comment because it was slightly disrespectful. But journey is one band I cannot enjoy no matter what! Something about AOR just drives me nuts…it all seems so sterile.

@JIF882

2 жыл бұрын

They do have stuff like Edge Of The Blade.

At first, I thought it must have been something wrong with my sound system, but that is not the case, On youtube, the new album is basically unlistenable. I would not know what it sounds like on the actual cd, but the songs aren't that good and the production is the worst I've ever heard on a Journey album. As a guy that remembers the production qualities in the eighties, this album sounds like a poorly recorded bootleg, muffled and flat in some places, too loud and distorted in others. Sorry, this is a major problem that is totally unacceptable to me. I won't be purchasing. From trying to listening to this once, I know that I never want to hear it again. I give this pos, zero stars. Awful album. I am definitely very disappointed, and I am a long time, loyal fan of the band.

@bazjed5881

2 жыл бұрын

💯 agree

@Carmine1216

2 жыл бұрын

Ignore the overly compressed KZread files. Go buy the actual CD.

@Jake-pw7rj

2 жыл бұрын

@@Carmine1216 It did cross my mind that maybe the digital transfer was botched to discourage it from being copied from youtube. I am still shocked that Journey would allow the album to be put out this way. It definitely is a strange way to promote the new album, because after hearing it just once, who would want to buy the CD? Anyway, besides the crappy production issues, most of the songs aren't really that memorable. I still enjoy buying all my music on physical formats, but I will only buy recordings that are professionally produced and mixed. I am selective. The days of buying new albums without listening to them first were over decades ago. I do not want to waste money on a dud that I would never want to listen to again. Remember Ozzy's terrible album, "Black Rain?" Out to the trash it went.

@mccartney2

2 жыл бұрын

yeah..its an abominable mix..... ruining some great songs....... production so up and down...who the hell signed this off??? Bob Clearmountain..became Bob Un clear mountain surrounded by fog !! Like you a total fan..... I bought the cd.... in the vain hope it may be better...nope.... and it sounds total shite in my car..... some songs are like your hearing it in a hurricane inside a cathedral.....why arent reviewers like this guy mentioning this???????????? reviewer doesnt hear a problem????? what???? The b v s sound like they are Gregorian monks chanting in above mentioned cathedral.... with digital effects..... this whole album needs a re mix...Arnel is singing great........... I would be VERY annoyed if I was Arnel

@Jake-pw7rj

2 жыл бұрын

@@mccartney2 The reviewer doesn't want to criticize Journey because he has an obvious bias. Arnel singing great was completely wasted. He cannot overcome the poor production values. Apparently, the album took a long time to come out because it was already remixed. You are right on the money with your "hurricane inside a cathedral" comment. The album is an unlistenable mess. I am glad I did not waste my money on buying this useless CD. AP is just a hired hand. It is definitely not his fault the album was released this way.

It's called auto tune. That's what's wrong with Arnel's sound!

@Feetonthesand

2 жыл бұрын

How about you auto-shutup

15 songs at 73 minutes is just too long.

Not a huge fan of the post-3 albums...I bought this, though. Regard the production. I thought something is..weird. A co-worker (non-musician) was listening & he thought the album sounded "echo-y"? Narada is killin'! I agree thaf one tune sounded like "Separate Ways". On a whole, I dug it.

@mccartney2

2 жыл бұрын

someone got too trigger happy with reverb and echo..... album...ruined

You can't take your CDs with you when you die.

Arnel sounds like he’s using audiotone

@JOHNNYSGIRL1960

2 жыл бұрын

Because his real voice is bad. He needs help!

15th album, I believe. A fine effort, not great. I found it to be very enjoyable, better than most but not as good as their peak, but I didn't expect it to be. 3.5/5

I'm still bummed that Steve Smith is out of the band once more. Legal politics and egos strike another band again. It is a shame. Maybe Journey should call it a day, they have done it all.

If there’s no Steve Perry, I’m not interested.

The production is crap on this record and the sound is muddy. Not too many hooks or immediately catchy tracks. I am adding a few to my Journey playlist though. Also there is some surprisingly decent rockers, but the ballads this time are pretty weak I thought. I prefer Eclipse and Revelations for the Arnel era. Also, let Deen Castronovo sing more lead. He has a killer voice and ripping drums (sadly he doesn't drum on this record though). Check him out in Revolution Saints and his new group Generation Radio. 6.9/10

@lh5942

2 жыл бұрын

I listen two tracks of Generation Radio and really liked, excellent production. But in Freedom the production is so weird, a shame.

More soft rock for the soccer moms!

Pineda and Deen who is a bit better IMO do not sound at all like Perry, more like John Waite or Bryan Adams but not on that level