Journey Album: “Dream After Dream [Japan]”

I stumbled across the LP "Dream After Dream" in 1980-something, and was perplexed. I bought it and gave it a spin, and fell in love with this work. It is not your typical pop album, but is lush with different musical textures... precise and ambient guitar... thoughtful piano... tempered orchestration... and various tastes of culture. Overall, this is a softer, mellower work of these performers, with occasional outburts of pure energy unique to this record. I belive only the first and last track feature vocals, with "Little Girl" having the most mainstream appeal. Unfortunately, this work does not make the discography of Journey on their official website, but it MUST make its way into the collection of even the most casual Journey fan. Well worth $25 or more.

I originally paid $30 for the CD when it first became available and it was worth every penny. Unlike their mass-produced offerings, which are still quite excellent, this recording showcases the individual member's considerable musical talents. Neal Schon's playing rivals any of the work found on his solo records. Ross Valory contributes a piano piece backed by a string quartet. He also rearranged "Conversations" on the first record into "The Rape" with a broad range of orchestration. Steve Smith's drums own "Sandcastles". And Steve Perry shows off his full range on "Destiny".

I hesitate to call this a Rock record. The vast majority of it sounds like New Age or Contemporary Jazz. Still, open-minded Journey fans who like a broad range of musical styles will find little not to like on this outstanding album.

"Dream After Dream" is not one of my favorite Journey albums, but it is still a pretty enjoyable album to listen to in many ways. I learned about "Dream After Dream" after listening to the song, "Little Girl" off the "Time Cubed" 3-CD set of Journey. This is mostly an instrumental album with more of a progressive rock flavor that kind of drags on sometimes, but some of the songs have some lyrics, although not much. Journey has a different sound on this album than on their previous albums, so if you're looking for the hard-rocking, melodic hits from this band, you won't really get that on this album. But this album is not to be ignored. The album provides you with dreamy, smooth sounds that take you away into a whole new "journey" experience. One reviewer mentioned Steve Perry's "haunting voice." I would have to totally agree. Perry's voice is indeed somewhat haunting and smooth. As always, Perry has a way of getting to your heart with his uncanny soulful, but intense lyrics. He sings right from the heart every time. "Little Girl" is a true example of this. This is my favorite song off "Dream After Dream" and is by far the most "Journey classic rock-like" song on the album. Neal Schon's guitar is absolutely out of this world in this song. His screeching, intense chords are like no other, and I love the way Perry and Rolie harmonize the words in the song. It's just a great song. I only wish the band would play it live some time. Other songs to enjoy are "Destiny," "Moon Theme," and "When The Love Has Gone." "A Few Coins" is not a bad song either. "Destiny" features a great vocal performance by Perry, some terrific, thundering beats from drummer, Steve Smith, and of course, Schon's power-charged guitar, which is also a soft strumming in the beginning. "Moon Theme" features soft, haunting chords from Schon, and "When The Love Has Gone," is mainly a Schon solo number, where he displays his unique talent. Some songs are more melencholy like "The Rape," and "Snow Theme." Above all, "Dream After Dream" is a very different album from Journey, even though it has some shreads of their classic, arena, radio rock included. They do a fabulous job performing in this somewhat new direction. No matter what style Journey presents, they are never a disappointment. This album is one to not be underestimated. Journey has much better albums, but "Dream After Dream" shows us just how great the band's talent is. Pick this album up!

This is not the Steve Perry/Journey you all know and love. It is a beautiful, mostly instrumental album that will blow you away! Very different sounds, great harmonies, and will add a new dimension to your view of the band's many talents. Very few people are aware of this album, but all I have introduced it to have been amazed and impressed with this different "sound."

I bought this import album while still in high school almost twenty years ago. It cost me a bundle but to this day remains one of my favorite albums. A beautiful piece of work, orchestrated with help from Neale Schon's father, who was a band conductor. I absolutely love the artistry and mood created by this mostly instrumental work. Steve Perry does sing on three tracks, and his voice is a symphony in and of itself. A MUST for any Journey fan.