The Record Crate

Journey.

All you’re probably thinking about right now is “Don’t Stop Believin’” and cock-rock from the 1980s. I’m here to tell you your thoughts are not only wrong, but they suck. It’s easy to say anything from the late 70s and early 80s was nothing more than over-produced garbage. I’ll level with you. Captain and Tenille made waves during this time. However, we don’t have to rehash musical nightmares. Instead, let’s talk about the biggest musical wet dream the 80s ever had-Journey.

Arena rock is, on the outside, the biggest joke in music. All the songs are about making love, getting girls, and generally loving life. Think about the times, though. No bands-much less rock bands comprised entirely of dudes-were writing love songs. It wasn’t in the fabric of the times. Bands like Journey were a joke to the 80’s in the same way the Beatles were a joke to the hippie crowd in the late 1970s. Since their music wasn’t challening the government or silently protesting arbitrary nonsense, the Beatles’ music was irrelevant. Much is the same about Jorney-their music was original, thought provoking and boner-inducing. Not that they appealed to a gay audience or anything, but they made songs that got people pregnant (in a theoretical sense).

Listen to the band’s Greatest Hits collection. Every song has a vocal range that would make the most professional opera singer cut out their vocal chords. Teh guitar playing was fast, inventive and unlike anything any other bands had going for them. Journey was  a group of musical mad scientists gatherered together to make magical cock-rock. Not only that, but the way each musician played their insturments makes it seem like putting each musician on top of each other would make for musical mush. By that, I mean that each part was so involved, it seems like putting each piece on top of each other would make the music inaudible. However, their recordings show the true art of record producing in the fact that each piece is EQ-ed just enough so that each part is distinguishable enough that anyone can hear each part if they listen hard enough.

Final note: everyone has sung “Don’t Stop Believin’” drunk at least once. Everyone. Oh yeah…tell me this live performance doesn’t make you wish you were in this band:

I realise that this video showcases Steve Perry’s replacement, but listen to Neil Schone’s shred skills. Who else can do it like he does and get laid after? no one.