Steve Perry: BAM Magazine June 20 1986

Raised On Radio
Columbia

Few will dispute the fact that Neal Schon is an excellent guitarist, or that Steve Perry has a powerful set of pipes, or that Jonathan Cain knows his way around a keyboard. But together in Journey, these guys have never gotten much critical respect, despite selling millions of albums and routinely selling out coliseums.
In view of this fact, it's not surprising that on their new album, Journey aim right at the heart of their loyal followers - AOR radio listeners. Most of the tracks are tuneful FM fare, cleanly executed.
There are shimmering pop rockers ("Be Good To Yourself" and "Girl Can't Help It"), emotional ballads ("The Eyes Of A Woman" and "Happy To Give"), R&B flavored movers ("Positive Touch" and "I'll Be All Right Without You"), plus some crunch (notably the title track, which features Perry wailing some classic song titles like "Be-Bop-A-Lula," "Jambalaya" and "Love Me Tender" against fiery Schon guitar riffs.)

The '86 version of Journey is being presented as a triumvirate of Perry, Schon and Cain. Longtime bassist Ross Vallory has departed to devote more time to his family and drummer Steve Smith (who plays on three tracks of this LP) has returned to his first love - jazz. Their absence is not noticeable. Session players such as bassist Randy Jackson and drummer Larrie Londin create the necessary rumble and crash.
What is most telling about Raised On Radio is Perry's voice. Maybe because the lead singer produced this record, he was able to bring out more subtleties. Whatever the cause, no longer does he merely scream and cry. Perry, particularly on a soul rocker like "I'll Be All Right Without You," now caresses words and seems in complete command. He showed flashes of this ability on his 1984 solo LP, Street Talk, and has further matured this time out.
Raised On Radio, in essence, is a polished, honest effort from a group of players who know their strengths and how to please their fans.

- Dave Zimmer