Steve Perry Fans - Street Talk Review

Journey's Steve Perry - is he simply mediocre or merely marvelous? The rockin' Rocky Mountain News put the question to two of our hard-hitting reviewers and, when the dust cleared, the results weren't pretty, but read on...if you dare.

"Street Talk"
Steve Perry
Columbia

I've looked into the face of mediocrity and it reflects the rodent-like visage of Steve Perry. I've heard wretched, untalented babble passed off as music, and it's called "Street Talk."
So if I am ever unfortunate enough to meet Steve Perry, the first thing I would say to him is "Steve, give me back the 40 minutes of my life I wasted listening to your record."

    I ask the citizens, of Colorado and the nation at large: What is the allure of this blob of questionable talent? Maybe that question is better addressed to the "Dear Teen" column, but I get my kicks from reviewing music, so here goes.
    Steve Perry is the front clown for the group Journey. If you like Journey, then run right out and buy this piece of dreck because it's right up their (blind) alley.
    The first monstrous hit from this collection is, "Oh Sherrie." The only likeable element of this song is the choking noise Stevie makes at the start of the tune. The rest is a rehashed whine Perry thinks is soul, while a band of super-duper session hacks drone on and on.
    "Oh, Sherrie" and other tunes on "Street Talk" could be viewed as a greatest-hits collection, since a number of these carbon-copy, toe tapping, strangely forgettable tunes will probably infest the airwaves for the next year or so.
    If I were a betting person, I would pick "Strung Out" and "Foolish Heart" as the next pieces of product off the Perry singles assembly line simply for their blandness and ability to annoy people who like melody and rhythm.
    If I were a mathematician, the equation for the success of Journey and the inevitable success of "Street Talk" would look like this: Bland music and presentation, plus masses of uneducated radio listeners, equals one untalented rich man and a great number of suckers.

I would love to say that Perry is taking some brave step away from the Journey formula, but I just can't. Judging by the quality of product Perry puts out, "Street Talk" proves he has no self-respect. However, you as a record buyer do, so respect yourself by ignoring this "Street Talk"

- BOB AUTOBEE

Dear Teen Responds:
    The first solo effort by Steve Perry is very good. "Oh, Sherrie" is by far the best song. The romantic ballad is about a relationship with a girl named Sherrie.
    This is the first album that Perry has produced. He got his start as the lead singer for the group Alien Project. After the death of the group's bass player, the band split up. Shortly after, Perry joined the group Journey. The rest is history.
    On his solo album Perry has a special meaning in each song. "Running Alone" has a great beat that is not too hard or too soft.
    Perry's description of "Strung Out": "When a guy falls in love with a woman who belongs to someone else, the agony he goes through leaves him completely strung out!"
    All of the songs are excellent on the album, which makes Perry a great soloist away from the band Journey. Although the vocalist is presently starting work on a new Journey album, maybe he'll keep on making great solo albums like "Street Talk."

- LISA KIPPUR