Journey Album: “Look Into The Future”

Following the reviews of rabid pre-Perry Journey fans is a bit intimidating, but let me include myself as one of them albeit with qualifications. Of the first three Journey albums, this one stands a cut above the other two because of the more focused effort overall as well as their unquestionable peak with the title song, their "Stairway to Heaven"; I can't think of another song in their entire catalog that exhibits such raw and exciting inspiration. Having said that, this and the other two pre-Perry albums, indeed Journey itself, could have been easily relegated to footnotes in rock history were it not for the decisions to add Steve Perry to the lineup and to commit themselves to a specific musical direction rather than continue as a band in search of itself (and a paying market). There is outstanding musicianship demonstrated throughout the first three albums, but relatively little growth in between. Even the most adoring fan must admit, shining moments of musical clarity aside, there are only marginal distinctions between them.

All that to say this: I own the first three Journey CDs and play them regularly, partly out of nostalgia but mostly because they demonstrate a fundamental joy of playing that sometimes got lost in the slick production of later albums. There's no denying Perry's talent or the wisdom of bringing him in, and it is almost certain that Journey wouldn't have achieved the success they did without him. Nonetheless, I have a special place in my heart for their first three efforts, this one in particular. Recommended for anyone who appreciates an honest piece of work.

If you're into BLAZING, orgasmic lead guitar I recommend this album for the song Look Into the Future alone. It is the absolute best lead guitar I'VE EVER HEARD. And being a fan of lead guitar, I'm very familiar with Satriani, Beck, Vai, Page, Santana, among many other names with huge reputations in the rock world. Neal Schon outdoes them all on this song and in Journey's first three (pre Steve Perry) albums overall. While the first of the albums is my favorite of the three, the song Look Into the Future is the best song on these albums and is my favorite song for lead guitar of all time. Give it more than one listen, crank the sucker up and enjoy. It grows and grows and grows on you. Should be a staple on classic rock radio. Unfortunately even Journey themselves has forgotten about it.

I just pulled this one out and cranked it up after alot of years. I grew up in Marin County listening to Journey(pre-Steve Perry) and absolutely loved their early "Space Rock" stuff. Neal Shon has the best solo of all time on Look Into the Future. Saw him at Winterland in the front row and lost a bit of hearing during that show, but it was awsome. If you want to hear a guitar virtuoso at work, check out Look Into the Future, and then follow it with I would Find you on the Next album, I believe.

If you like his solos, follow it with some Camel music. Very soulful solos as well.

How many times weren't you listening to a Rock CD (or album) and felt sort of disappointed because nobody really ROCKED. I do like Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple (their beginning) but when I listened to the first 3 Journey records I put the others a little aside.

This is the CD every Hard Rock fan must have. Outstanding playing and singing. I sometimes wonder how it would have sounded with Steve Perry on the leading vocals.... but Greg Rolie was great and fit the bill. Besides, Neal Schon, like Michael Schenker, did (and still does) everything we want to listen to from a guitar player. To top that off, only a tunneling drumming played by such a monster of a drummer like Aynsley Dunbar. Talk about PERFECTION.

I first caught wind of Journey's pre-Steve Perry days after buying the "Time 3" box set, and I rushed to grab up Journey's "root" albums: their debut "Journey," this album and their third album, "Next."

I had to special order "Look Into The Future" a few years ago, and it was well worth the wait! "Look Into The Future" is a great album in which Journey re-captures their melodic, progressive, fusion, hard rocking flavor they exhibited in their first album, "Journey." This time around, the group presents us with a lot more vocals headed by Gregg Rolie. Rolie does a fine job as usual, driving out his intense, soulful voice out amongst Neal Schon's power-charged guitar, Ross Valory's flawless bass, and Aynsley Dunbar's pounding, energized drums. Virtually every song is a polished work of art, with catchy, rhythmical performances. As with the first album, "Look Into The Future" presents us with plenty of unique twists and a variety of different sounds and jamming, shuffling beats.

Check out the bluesy groove of the opening track "On A Saturday Nite." Schon and Dunbar do a great job here, and the song is a lot of fun. Check out Rolie's way groovy piano/keyboard intro. In speaking of fun, you're sure to enjoy the fun rock of the following track, "It's All Too Much." I believe this was originally a Beatles tune, or perhaps done by one of the Beatles. Journey does an excellent cover of this song; Journey-style of course. It's such a powerfully charged song, courtesy of Schon's sizzling guitar and Valory's intese base guitar. The song really jams. But then we're shifted back to the blues with "Anyway." Rolie's vocals are charged and demanding and Schon's guitar has a free-flowing edginess that makes the song great.

Journey decides to get rough, rugged and rowdy with "She Makes Me (Feel Alright)," and down and dirty rock song crafted to Journey perfection on the wings of Rolie's energetic vocals, Dunbar's harsh, shuffling beats, and Schon's smoking guitar. And if you want more edgy and rowdy rock fun, than set your CD player to track #7, "Midnight Dreamer." The song is in the exact same ballpark as "She Makes Me (Feel Alright)," and the exact same works of musicianship by Schon, Rolie, Dunbar and Valory can be heard here.

Not only is Gregg Rolie a great classic rock vocalist, but he is also an excellent keyboardist. The intense "You're On Your Own," starts out with some melodic but urgent sounding Rolie keybaords and they continue throughout the song. Rolie's keyboards and Schon's guitar work so well together here, and Valory's bass is heard loud and clear.

The next song is my favorite; the free-flowing, progressive, melodic "Look Into The Future." Rolie's voice is soulful, free-flowing and smooth as are Schon's soft guitar chords. Again, Rolie's thick keyboard swirls and Valory's base bring the whole package home. This song is almost atmospheric and takes you on a mind "Journey." The song is unique in that it is soft, contrasted by loud and more rowdy toward the end.

The album ends with a bluesy but rugged number in "I'm Gonna Leave You." Again, Schon's powerful guitar is clearly exhibited here as is Rolie's edgy voice. It fits with the two other rough rock songs I mentioned previously. Dunbar's drum beats are a jamming good time.

Journey is entertainment galore with the variety and exquisit musicianship they present on this album. You want fun? It's here. You want edgy? It's here. You want smooth? It's here. You want blues? It's here. This is overall a superb early Journey album, and one to not pass up!!