More Crap is Next
Overall Album Score: 6.6 out of 10 First, there was prog-rock Journey Then, there was retro-rock Look Into the Future Next, there was PROG-ROCK Journey again! And more boring prog-rock at that! This is the third of Journey's justly forgotten, pre-Steve Perry past sees a rather dull and uninspired return to progressive rock. There's not really much to say here about the melodies other than that Elton John knockoff, "Spaceman." This album is full of prog-rock instrumental interludes and none of them are anymore exciting than listening to the dryer run ... Well, that is an exaggeration. This album is about as exciting as listening to the dryer run and listening to some guy fiddle around on his electric guitar. Usually, what he plays is pretty exciting, and so therefore, listening to that dryer is more entertaining. But ... come on! You've got to come up with better melodies! They make the electric guitar solos more entertaining, even. Pleaseeeeeee!!! This album is fairly mediocre from its first track, "Spaceman" until the album's title track. The final two songs are horrendously dull! Boo!!!! This album is progressive rock poop. Don't get Journey's previous two albums, and certainly don't get this. Overall Album Score: 6.6 out of 10 (The band's got skill, but the band's don't got melody. Their return to prog-rock churned out an even less inspired album than their debut.) Average Song Score: 6.9 (The only thing most of these songs have going for them is the electric guitar solos. And, if you're looking for good electric guitar solos, Journey probably isn't you're wisest course of action.) Album Tilt: 6.5 (Journey's return to prog-rock has produced a lesser-than-desired product. Nevertheless, there's consistency-of-mediocrity up until the final two tracks, which are total crap.) Artist Rating: 6.5 (Mediocrity! And there's not an original idea in sight.) Track Reviews Spaceman 8.5/10 Does this sound like a rip-off of Elton John's "Rocket Man" to anyone else? Not only does the title ring of similarity to that Elton John classic, but so do the lyrics! And the melody, even! ... Granted that this is much more of a ROCKER than John's song (...because of all that 'lectric guitar soloing and stuff...), but the melody hardly equals "Rocket Man." Nevertheless, when you imitate such a great song, chances are that if the band has at least some talent, then their song will be good, too. And it works for Journey. They are a very talented band, and their Elton John photocopy was a good one. People 7.5/10 The people LOVE electric guitar soloing! And if you're a people who loves the show-offey electric guitar soloing (and noodling, too), then you're gonna love "People" by Journey. Unfortunately, you type of people is insane, and the people like me wish for a little something called "melody." (Although, I do like all those noises in here ... fun, cool noises.) I Would Find You 7/10 Here, we really find Journey going back to their old prog-rock roots. Unless you're a big fan of this fine guitar noodling, then you'll probably be utterly bored with this terribly toneless melody. But again, the guitar brings it to life! LONG LIVE THE GUITAR! LONG LIVE THE GUTAR! HUHAHHHA! Here We Are 8/10 A better melody this time ... but the song is still kinda boring! Again, some of the guitar really saves this one ... but ... uhhhhhh ... I still don't like this a whole heck of a lot! The ending is a pretty good prog-rock jam thing, I guess. This is entertaining, but it's not very inspired. Hustler 7/10 Great magazine! ... not that I read it ......... hmmmmmmmmm................. Here, Journey tries to be all hard rocking, and they succeed! Unfortunately, this song comes off as verrry sloppy. You'll have to enjoy all the electric guitaring (which is probably more impressive here than on any other place on the album) to really appreciate this one. And speaking of myself, I dooooo appreciate the electric guitaring!!! It's just not enough to totally save the song. Next 7.5/10 This isn't a HORRIBLE prog rock song. It's just mediocre. And who wants mediocre prog-rock??? Well, I enjoy listening to it all the time, but not from a band that would later write "Strangers! Waiting! Up and down the bouulllllllevaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaard". Stupid prog-rock people. I want stupid arena rock. ... Nevertheless, this is skillful prog-rock; it's just mediocre. Nickel and Dime 6/10 I wish I had a nickel and a dime for all the prog-rock instrumental tracks I've heard with not one idea in them worth a penny. This is a highly uninspired instrumental that, if it wasn't for the generally good electric guitar noodling, would be detrimental to the ears. Karma 4/10 HOLY CRAP!!!!! ... This song sucks. It sucks from those scratches on the electric guitar from its completely toneless (and Kiss-like) middle until the pointless jam at the end. Stupid stupid stupid stupid. The electric guitar isn't even enjoyable this time. I think now's a good time to bring in Steve Perry. Journey fans! Stop doing drugs and send me your druggy comments about how stupid I am for not liking this album here. |
All reviews are copyrighted by the author, Michael Lawrence. I don't wantcho innuendo.
