Journey Album: “Evolution”

This album by my favorite all-time rock band yielded their first top 40 single in the bluesy, catchy "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'". For sure, that is an all-time classic rock track, but it is hardly the only highlight.

This album continues Journey's Evolution (pun intended) towards becoming a huge rock and roll act. From the opening grand instrumental "Majestic", you can tell that this is going to be another grooving melodic rock ride. "Too Late" has a slower groove to it overall, while "When You're Alone" is more uptempo. "Just The Same Way" is another chance for Greg Rolie to shine on a co-lead vocal role with Steve Perry. That catchy, rocking track may in fact be the best on the album. "Sweet And Simple", "City of the Angels", and "Do You Recall" are among the many other highlights on this classic melodic rock masterpiece.

Journey was beginning to spread their wings a little more musically with this release, and the songs and melodies are tighter than ever. This album was simply the second in a line of several straight 5-star gems with Steve Perry at the helm. Highly recommended.

Not everyone was old enough, and musically astute enough to have heard Journey's first release...back when it WAS released, but those of us that did were hooked. The next two were excellent as well...nothing else like them.

Then came Infinity and the inclusion of Steve Perry. Hmmmm. Ok, nice duets, good production and pretty good songs overall. Much more mainstream, however.

Evolution was even more mainstream, and suffered from less Gregg Rolie vocals. Many people do not realize the Gregg was a founding member of Santana, the lead vocalist, and a major songwriting force in that band for the first three albums, after which he left with Neal Schon to form Journey. It is significant to note that Santana did not have another hit after Rolie's departure until 1999's Supernatural, which has a different and popular guest vocalist on every track.

All Journey releases after Evolution became more pop oriented, and was subject to the fickle whims of the masses, eventually leading to their decline. The best reviews I've read here so far were posted by "Darth Kommissar", who likewise knows the origins of Journey.

I would urge anyone that has an interest in hearing the true depth of this band should really purchase the first three releases as well. "Look Into The Future" from the album of the same name, is one of my all time favorite songs.

Because of the lessened influence of Gregg Rolie, I rate this a 3 of 5.

Great rock with heart and soul. This one makes the very short list of music if I could only have 10 albums in my collection. The majority of today's noise that passes for music is disposable and forgettable. A great album is one you can listen to over and over. Great music does not display in-your-face anger, profanity or attitude.

Evolution is one of the best albums from the great band Journey and amongst my favourites and contains classics like lovin touchin squeezin.I heard that in heaven they reward people by making them listen to albums from JOURNEY.Hugely and strongly recommended.

"Evolution" is Journey's second album with Steve Perry and their first with new drummer, Steve Smith, who is an absolutely magnificant drummer. Smith stepped into Aynsley Dunbar's place and just takes it to the limit every time! Evolution is one of my favorite "feel-good" albums by the band. As with "Infinity," "Evolution" provides us with nothing but fun, groovy, jamming, pure classic rock from start to finish. Journey pulls us in to the experience of "Evolution" right off the bat with "Majestic," a jamming, free-flowing little number, featuring Neal Schon's powerful guitar, Smith's pounding drums, and the group harmonizing a couple notes over and over. They don't sing, but just harmonize: "Ahhhhhhh, ahhhhhhhhh" over and over a few times. It is absolutely magnificant, and very well done. I love the way the song starts out with Schon's soft strumming of the guitar, and then builds up to a charging, thunderous work of musical art. This song kick's the party off. "Evolution" shows Journey giving us a variety of songs. The bluesy shuffle of "Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin' is somewhat of a sing-along song, and is very catchy. "Too Late" and "Do You Recall" are poppy rock masterpieces that really get you moving. "When You're Alone (It Ain't Easy)," "Lovin' You Is Easy," "Just The Same Way," and "Lady Luck" are classic examples of perfect, fun, jamming, head-banging, and groovin' classic rock. The craftsmanship, and musicianship are superb! These are wonderfully crafted songs that really show off the talent of the band. Of course, one cannot forget two of my favorites on the album; "City Of The Angels," and "Daydream." "City Of The Angels" has a very catchy beat, and the harmonies are melodic, flawless, and charge through you, but then, virtually every song is full of melodic, harmonious flavor. "Daydream" is a slower paced song, and the style of the song fits the title well. This song is kind of haunting and makes your mind kind of drift away on a dreamy "journey." The song is free-flowing, and makes you want to kick back and sway softly from side to side. "Evolution" is one of Journey's very best, and is a must for fans of classic rock! My favorite songs are "Majestic," "Too Late," "City Of The Angels," "Do You Recall," and "Daydream." You will not be disappointed with this album! Take a trip back to 1979 with "Evolution" and have a good time! This is one kickin' album!!!