Steve Perry Fans - Kerrang Issue 35

JOURNEY
'Frontiers'
(CBS 25261)
'FRONTIERS' HAS easily been this hacks most eagerly awaited album since the summer of '81 when the lasy journey jewel, 'Escape', hit the streets. That is an indication of the esteem in which I hold this band - as far as I'm concerned they're the best hard rock troupe in the world, which is why mega-thought was put into this particular review.
    Questions buzzed around like over-conscientious worker bees: 'Is 'Frontiers' really that hot? Is this a display of Johnson's tunnel vision in its worst light?' After all, news from the Journey camp hinted at internal dissent. The band had by all accounts turned down the wondrous Neal Schon song 'No More Lies', now on the Schon/Hammer 'Here To Stay' album, and were apparently shooting themselves in the head when they saw the phenomenal airplay that is subsequently picked up. And then there was news of vocalist Steve Perry becoming recluse -like and generally outcast and being forced to alter his vocal style to cut out some of his (for some) too outrageous high pitches. To be frank, it didn't sound as if 'Frontiers' stood much chance of topping the accepted masterpiece 'Escape'. It seemed I would be force to knock the album, much as it would hurt.
    Well bullshit! For there is no question whatsoever that 'Frontiers' is a fine testimony to the strength of hard rock, and that's not just the opinion of longstanding Journey fans judging by the attitude of the notoriously bigoted Kerrang! staff. Men who've vowed never to touch quiche and refuse to be associated with blatant 'wimphem' in any shape or form have now been monitored announcing the utter brilliance of 'Frontiers'. My God! Even Dickson, the glam/punk champion, has been heard to mutter: "full marks lads" and if that mascara'd bozo likes it what chance has anyone to abhor the thing! I know that the pages of Kerrang! have been cluttered with ecstatic proclamations regarding many albums, but such excellent product has been released this year that '83 will hopefully turn into a vintage period for thoughtful/tuneful hard rock.
    'Frontiers' scores its top marks through the coupling of simple yet instantly memorable hooks with the most perfect execution that any band could wish for. How can Steve Perry have the audacity to walk around on this earth with such an immaculate voice, one that can switch from the stomping power of 'Chain Reaction' to the balladic might of 'Send Her My Love'? A huge amount of HM ballads are forced and lacking in true emotion but hell, there were tears in my eyes this time! (pull yourself together man - Ed.) I was moved.
    Not only have Journey captured the world's best vocalist, but they haven't let the world's best guitarist escape them either. Neal Schon's solos throughout not only talk, but run the whole gamut of feelings, expressing them better than mere words can. Some stupendous breaks are released from the Schon armoury with 'Chain Reaction' and 'Edge Of The Blade' containing two blistering leads. 'Jay' Cain, meanwhile, is becoming all the more influential with keyboard lines that breath melody into each song, thereby freeing Schon to rock out, which he does to particularly good effect on the all-time American hard rock anthem 'Separate Ways' (Pete Makowski considers this one to be almost Zeppelinish, incidentally - it's that sort of class/power relationship!).
    It's something of a pity that 'New fFrontiers' speeds past as non-descript and uninspired to mar what is an otherwise faultless album, but nine unbelievably excellent songs is enough for me to set 'Frontiers' up in my top 10 HM albums of all time! How long can Britain continue to ignore a band of such immense stature? I feel it can't go on for much longer because with 'Frontiers' Journey have surely arrived!
    "If it's sharp, if it cuts, enjoy yourself," is Perry's advice and believe me, 'Frontiers' will cut you to the quick! You will enjoy yourself alright!