Disco de Journey: “Escape”

While I am not the biggest fan of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I do believe that the band Journey is a Hall of Fame band. One thing that the Hall of Fame seems to like in bands is stability among the composition of the band. This is something that has always been a problem for Journey. Journey was originally a spin-off band from Santana formed by Keyboardist/Vocalist Gregg Rolie and guitarist Neal Schon. They started out as a Progressive Rock band, but eventually would transform themselves into a mainstream band. This was due in part to two key additions - lead vocalist Steve Perry and keyboardist Jonathan Cain. Perry would join Journey in 1978 and become the lead vocalist on "Infinity" that would feature the mainstream Rock songs "Wheel in the Sky" and "Lights". The band would then release two more albums and was slowly beginning to establish themselves as s commercial force in Rock. By 1981, the band would put together what would be its strongest lineup when Jonathan Cain would replace longtime keyboardist Gregg Rolie. Journey now had its strongest lineup in Perry, Cain, Schon, Bassist Ross Valory, and Drummer Steve Smith. It would be this lineup that would form the basis for "Escape". This would be the album that would establish Journey as legitmate Superstars in the Rock and Pop World.

The additions of Perry and Cain are important because they were not just hired hands - they would become the main songwriting nucleus for Journey. Perry and Cain would collaborate on the songwriting for all ten songs on "Escape". Eight of those 10 songs would include Neal Schon. Perry and Schon actually started collaborating on the "Infinity" album. Part of the reason why "Escape" would be the album to put Journey over the top was the addition of Cain. Not only is he a sensational keyboard player - but he is one terrific songwriter as well as guitar player. The quality of the songwriting and music got much better following his inclusion into the band.

As mentioned, Journey started out as a Progressive Rock band. By 1981, they had become an early "Arena Rock" band. I classify "Arena Rock" as a good mix of Hard Rock and Ballads. "Escape" has all of the elements for "Arena Rock" and seems to do a good job at splitting the Hard Rock and Ballads evenly. Journey also perfects the "power ballad" - a good mix of soft music with its harder Rock moments. Steve Perry is one powerful vocalist who really shines on this collection. Schon's strong guitar playing gives the band a hard edge when needed And of course - they have the powerful songwriting trio. For the most part, the band does it with a very basic formula - just playing Rock and Roll. The quintet doesn't rely on horns, external musicians, or guest vocalists. They create all of the sound on this collection. I find it ironic that this album achieved commercial success during a time where the mainstream music world was heading toward synth-pop.

"Don't Stop Believin": This has become a legendary song. It starts out as a ballad, but grows into a harder Rock song. Cain's keyboards with Perry's vocals provide a terrific opening. Slowly Schon's guitar gets folded in for the harder edge. The lyrics are incredible as it deals with people searching for love.

"Stone in Love": It is going to be Schon's guitar that is going to be the dominant presence on this track. Most likely Cain also contributed guitars to this track. This is your classic "reminiscent" look back to the good old "young romantic days".

"Who's Crying Now": This is probably Journey's best power-ballad. Cain's keyboards provide a nice intro again and Perry shows outstanding vocal ranges on this track. Steve Smith has some power drum moments too. Neal Schon gets a nice guitar solo toward the end of the song.

"Keep on Runnin": This one starts off with what best be described as a classic guitar jam between Schon and Cain. Smith provides what can best be described as thundering drums. Perry's vocals are great, but the rest of the band provides terrific background vocals.

"Still They Ride": This is more of a classic ballad. This song will move you as you listen to it. This song starts out as a narrative with a bit of a reminiscent theme in this song as well. Cain's Keyboards set the tone for a good part of the song.

"Escape": This is a harder Rock song. A short guitar jam starts this song out. While this might not be the catchiest song, this song has some great lyrics. As the song starts "He's just a boy out of school; Livin his world like he wants to" - thus providing the impetus for "Escape". Listen to the Guitar solo about 2 minutes into the song - has a bit of the flavor of Ted Nugent's "Catch Scratch Fever".

"Lay it Down": The harder Rock edge continues on this song. Once again, heavy guitar work. Perry demonstrates some great range. Listen to how he belts out "Higher, higher, higher, ringin' in my head"

"Dead or Alive": More hard Rock guitar to start out with. Cain's Keyboards make a return on this song with subtle Jazz-like sound to it throughout the song (the only place where they deviate from a "basic" Rock formula). Not the catchiest song, but not bad.

"Mother, Father": Falls into the power-ballad category. Great lyrics as it deals with an estranged son trying to connect with his parents.

"Open Arms": This has become a classic ballad. Not my favorite Journey ballad, but certainly not a weak one either. Probably hurt by being overplayed on conventional radio.

The liner notes fold out and contain all of the lyrics and musician credits. Overall, this is Journey at their best - probably the album to have if you are a Journey fan or looking to get into them.

If you want one Cd that sums up the 80s then this should be it. Classic writing, playing and singing. There are hundreds of reviews that focus on the hits from this CD but this is a complete work of art. From the opening Dont stop believing to the closing Open arms there is not a dud in between. The weakest song is Lay it down, but even that is worthwhile. Have a listen to Still they ride - I still get chills when I hear it. Will we ever get a finer singer than Perry?? I doubt it but what a wonderful way to be able to relive the 80's and that voice. Thank goodness for CD quality as my record had so much static and scratches that it made listening almost impossible. Love the CD, love the songs, love the guitars, love the voice.

Some friends of mine have never understood my fascination with music or the hundreds of CD's, LP's, and cassettes I have collected over the years. When I explain to them 'why', I tell

them by explaining the tears that suddenly appear in my eyes when

I listen to "Mother,Father" off of this incredible album.

Critical acclaim has been very rare for Journey and after listening to this album, one would wonder why critics have such

Forget everything you have heard or have known about this band.

Critics? Well, I believe we all are regardless of our 'rank' in the music business..Respect is given where respect is earned..

I recently bought my third copy of this album, which consists entirely of songs that are anthems of my youth. I can still remember the first time I heard "Don't Stop Believin," which was my initial exposure to Journey. I immediately loved the song and later purchased Escape on cassette. It was my first album by Journey.

Ultimately, I bought all the albums Journey had put out through 1986, including Raised on Radio. I bought Escape on vinyl because I wore out the cassette by listening so much, and I could always re-record the record onto a cassette. Journey was my very favorite band during the first half of the 1980's, until a 1985 release called "The Unforgettable Fire" by a legendary Irish band.

This past week I bought Escape on CD, and the music sounds better than ever. I'm not speaking solely about the outstanding quality of digital music. This is a magnificent album, highlighting Steve Perry's soaring and singular vocals, superb craftsmanship in songwriting, and outstanding musicianship from the band. No wonder these guys were superstars.

Every song on this disc is excellent. With Escape, produced back in 1981, Journey proved that a band could glide between hard rockers and soft ballads with persuasive confidence. Who can forget the majestic "Open Arms," the masterful opening track, or the heart-wrenching "Who's Crying Now"? While these were the big singles, there are many more jewels on this album: the title track is nothing short of an adventure; "Still They Ride" is spine-tingling; "Lay It Down" showcases Steve Perry's amazing voice; "Stone in Love" is a great rocker; and the list goes on...

This is one of my all-time favorite albums. I recommend it without hesitation!

Hey, just don't forget that this is the album with their 3 most known songs (Open Arms, Who's Crying Now, Don't Stop Believin')

This release is not competitive with their previous releases, Escape suppased them by far, with this huge success Journey started a new circle in their career, this is the album that changed their status and gave them the status of Superstars.

Also the success of Escape is maybe the only reason that their early-year albums recieved multi-platinum status.

Their two next albums, Frontiers and Raised on Radio were their most successful efforts for a strong and brave comeback, but everyone will remember Journey for their romantic ballads from Escape and espesially their biggest hit "Open Arms".

This Album holds them to one of the greatest and highest positions of rock music's entire history.