FireandWater
Family Man
Facts
Release Date: 1978
Run Time: 36:30
Lead Vocals: Steve Perry
Guitars: Neal Schon
Bass: Ross Valory
Drums: Aynsley Dunbar
Keys: Gregg Rolie
Tracks
1. Lights
One of the well known songs from Journey and a popular live song. Steve Perry wrote this song about his city by the bay. Once you first hear his voice you know instantly he is going to do great things in music.
2. Feeling That Way
This is a shared vocal performance by Perry and Rolie. I have to admit that I think Rolie is a great musician but just average on vocals. The combination however is perfect.
3. Anytime
Another duel vocal performance by Perry and Rolie. This song is usually played paired up with "feeling that way" on classic rock radio. Out of the two I like this song better. I think it just has a better flow to it.
4. La Do Da
This song starts out with a heavy guitar riff and drops to a short guitar solo before Perry comes in. Near the end a nice guitar solo brings the song back to life. Very underrated song in my opinion.
5. Patiently
This is a ballad and a taste of what is to be Journey through the 80's. It isn't a bad song because it does pick up quite a bit at about half way.
6. Wheel in the Sky
This is probably the most well known song from the album. The voice is haunting and guitars chug along in a perfect fusion of musical harmony. This is classic rock at it's finest.
7. Somethin' to Hide
Honestly, this is one of my favorite tracks on the whole album. I dare anyone to find a singer to do falsetto as well as Perry does in this song. At the end Perry kind of mimics the guitar solo. It does sound like two guitars overlapping which is mind-blowing.
8. Winds of March
This is my favorite Journey song with Perry. The lyrics are amazing. The guitar solo along with organ parts are perfect. Dunbar lays down some fine underrated drumming. The bass line holds everything together. The song starts out slower but at 2:18 the song picks up with Perry holding a note that seems to go on forever. This is probably the last reminisce of the old Journey that I do love.
9. Can Do
This song has a very catchy/pop feel to it. Not a bad song but one of the weakest on the album.
10. Opened The Door
Another slow, ballad type song. In my honest opinion this is the worse song on the album. If it weren't for the guitar solo at the end this song would just be pathetic.
Final Thoughts
This album has the perfect combo of musicians. Each one of these guitars are at the top when it comes to their respected instruments. Perry comes in and makes them just that much better. However, I wish they would have stuck more to the earlier sound of Journey more. I give this album a 9 out of 10. They lose a point due to the fact of album arrangement. It felt to me as if they were rushing to get it done. The first 5 tracks are decent while 6 through 8 are amazing. The last 2 are the weakest and that is what they leave us with. Seriously? We want more!
