Review Journey- Departure (1980) *** 1/2

album review

Catfish

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Classic Rock Album of the Day- Journey- Departure- 1980 *** 1/2

This particular album has so much ambivalence for me, and for a couple of reasons... 1979 - 1980 was a massive line of demarcation for Journey. This exact moment in their history sees a significant shift toward pop-rocking, while seeing the artistic control shifting from Schon/Rollie/et.al towards the charismatic front man, Steve Perry. But with that shift, this is still a really good album that blends those newly found hook tools, and mixed them into the hard rock base for a really good listen. This magic was fleeting, as I explain further.

Journey had been a hard rock/bluez like outfit, and made 3 so-so, but decent LPs 1975-1977. The formula was good, but they were a tad off, trying to get the '70's AOR fans to give them more than a supporting outfit. These guys could seriously jam and there was no doubt that musicianship was not a problem, as there were no weak links in the lineup. But the lack of an attention grabbing front man, and some previous un-even songwriting was penalizing the group of reaching the brass ring.

Enter Steve Perry with that stage presence, unique voice, and some infusion of a more hooked, pop direction. By the time the first 3 had been produced with Perry's songwriting and hit the air waves, Journey had shot up in popularity like a rocket. The 3 LP tandem 0f Infinity, Evolution, and Departure all went Triple Platinum. Not only had Journey become a headliner, they became a Headliner of Headliners. Footing as Top bill at several arena musical festivals during the late 1970's and early 1980's.

But as mentioned earlier, the progression of Journey was a bittersweet trek. With those pop sensibilities and new found fame, it was becoming more evident that Steve Perry had an increasingly added stranglehold on band song content, and style direction. So, for the next few albums, Journey even got more popular, but it was at expense of their loyal fans who enjoyed the traditional Journey sound. By each additional moment, it was becoming clear that Journey was Perry, and the rest of the band who were great were being pushed farther and farther back into the spotlight. That ended up destroying the group. At least that's my take.

Perry, finally left the band, and since they have become Casino specialist, with an Oriental singer who sounds more like Perry, than Perry himself. The fact their albums were becoming weak by the mid 1980's gives the impression of a ride that the overall legend of Journey is a lot like Styx. Get a prima-donna front man, and let them change your band into a pop band? It is a recipe for disaster. For all practical purposes, Steve Perry and Dennis DeYoung are despicable types for destroying two great rock bands that still had a lot of great music in them. But nope, the sell-out ensued. Still these 3 albums remain available that almost serve as a swan song for AOR.

Fun Fact: There was a moment in about 1970 that Clapton offered Neil Schon a spot in Derek and the Dominos.

Side 1-
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Anyway You Want- Outstanding Classic Rock song with enough of dose of perfect hook, but some damned fine jamming in the true tradition of Journey. Can't think or listen to this one without fond memories of the dancing Gopher in Caddy Shack- 1

Walks Like a Lady- Smooth jazzy/blues-ish ballad that was not only a big hit, but a deserved one- Some of the last unabated blues licks Schon had with Journey during the Perry tenure. 5

Someday Soon- Strange style in Journey's terms with odd time signatures, and unusually delivered phrasing. The barrel aura of latter chorus adds to the unique spin on this one. 6

People and Places- Spacey/Airy sound that outside some excellent Rolie Keyboard, nothing too great in the big pic though.. 7

Precious Time- The LP's sleeper. Intro has nice chording, and melodic voicing that slowly grows and growls into one fabulous jam session. Everybody came to play, and it is awesome. Too bad they couldn't had 4 more like this, and deep 6'ed Steve Perry's balladry stuff. 2

Side 2-
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Where Were You- You'd think that the most standard almost '70's like journey song would be good add to the playlist. It's decent , but does't really hold up well against others- 9

I'm Crying- Flat up blues, but a failed attempt to blend into the rest. Sticks out like a thumb, and not in good way.. 11

Line of Fire- Heck Yeah. Hard rocker, but enough well placed hooks that give side 2 its great contribution. Schon licks are tight, and crisp. 3

Departure- 30 seconds of guitar FX that are pretty pointless. If they blended into a classic tune, it might have given it some redeeming value.
But nope, it eases into the shittiest song on the album. 8

Good Morning Girl- This is Perry crooning shit at its utter worst., This is the crap that helped destroyed the band. 12

Stay Awhile- Another Perry crooner, but much much better and enjoyable. Incredible these two were recorded back to back. 4

Homemade Love- Albums closes with a so-so effort. Not as bad as Perry's venture into whimpdom. But not much. 10


 

dr wu

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A band that could have been something in the very early days but turned into AOR/radio fodder imho.
I still have the first which I bought before leaving college in 1975. Schon and Rolie, being from Santana of course, were great and Dunbar completed the atmosphere. Sadly it didn't last with that early lineup for whatever reasons.
 

TACdtf

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For all practical purposes, Steve Perry and Dennis DeYoung are despicable types for destroying two great rock bands that still had a lot of great music in them.

Wow, that's a strong statement. I don't know the inner working of either band, but are not the bands culpable as well? Was it not their deal with the devil?

Why do you say that the despicability lies with Perry and DeYoung, and not Schonn or Shaw/JY?
 

BeatleMatt

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I’m one of those fans created with the release of Infinity and lost interest after Raised On Radio. Your critical depictions of fame and success are accurate of course and justified.
 

Catfish

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Wow, that's a strong statement. I don't know the inner working of either band, but are not the bands culpable as well? Was it not their deal with the devil?

Why do you say that the despicability lies with Perry and DeYoung, and not Schonn or Shaw/JY?
Though the language is strong...DDY and Perry took what I thought were great rock bands and turned them into pop acts. Again, just one reviewer's opinion. I am sure there is a contingent out there who preferred this direction. Me? I think a lot of great music was left on the table by these stylistic differences and disagreements. I resented it. Especially in the case of Styx.
 

TACdtf

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Though the language is strong...DDY and Perry took what I thought were great rock bands and turned them into pop acts. Again, just one reviewer's opinion. I am sure there is a contingent out there who preferred this direction. Me? I think a lot of great music was left on the table by these stylistic differences and disagreements. I resented it. Especially in the case of Styx.
Well, tastes aside, I guess what I was asking was how complicit were the respective bands in this? Neal Schonn and Tommy Shaw are still living and touring off of those years.

I totally understand not agreeing with the change in direction. I also appreciate the strong opinion. There's not really enough of it on this forum, if you ask me.
 

Dude111

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Im not sure why they called it DEPARTURE as the next album is just as good or even better!!
 

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