Greatest Hits – Journey

Producer: Mike Stone, Roy Thomas Baker, Geoff Workman, Kevin Elson, Kevin Shirley and Journey

Released: November 15, 1988

Rating: **** 1/2

I’m a self-proclaimed music geek. There are people who could care less who is responsible for singing their favorite songs. There are others who are apologists, blindly following their favorite artists and approving of their every move. Somewhere in the mix, there are people like me who choose, or more accurately, are burdened with dissecting everything that makes music great. People like me hate Greatest Hits and compilation style albums. By their very nature, they are not “albums”. Bands spend months, sometimes years, perfecting an album. An album is a statement. Greatest Hits packages are, typically, a labels way of cashing in on their more popular artists. And with their less popular artists, it’s a way to fulfill album commitments.

The fundamental problem with Greatest Hits packages is that none of the songs were ever intended to spend time on the same album. Ideally, a Greatest Hits album should serve as a band’s résumé. It should showcase the best that the band or artist has to offer. All too often, what you’ll find is one or two extremely popular songs packaged with album filler garbage. I offer that only a few bands and/or artists are truly worthy of releasing such a pretentious sounding album.

For me, this is the one that all Greatest Hits or Best Of albums should be measured against. This album is amazing, not only as a Greatest Hits package, but as an album unto itself. Journey isn’t just an AOR band, they are the AOR band. It’s always great to be the best at what you do, unless you’re the best at something that garners little, if any respect. AOR has often been labeled “corporate rock” which was never meant to be a compliment. Whatever the original moniker may have implied, it now describes a brand of music that is ear friendly and radio ready. Very melodic, “sing-songy” tunes that are neither capable of inspiring or offending the listener…… according to detractors.

For those of us who grew up in the mid to late 70′s through the early to mid 80′s, this music provided an amazing soundtrack to the memories of our youth. Fact is, Journey transcends all of it. They are truly bigger than the FM stations and roller rinks that they dominated. Bigger than a moment in time, even though we’re glad they can bring us back to more than a few. In an odd way, they are The Beatles for the 80′s kids. Crazy? Let’s take a look.

The album opens with a curious choice, Only The Young. Curious, yet perfect. The song defines Journey’s message….. yet, somehow they all do. With slick production, soaring vocals and an infectious guitar riff, Only The Young sets the stage for a listening experience. Up next is Don’t Stop Believin’, which has the most memorable piano riff of all time. Cover bands and karaoke bars make a living off of this song. A true classic. As many times as I have heard this 80′s anthem, I never get tired of its message. Wheel In The Sky is a haunting classic rock track, while Faithfully is the quintessential Prom Song. It’s also, possibly, the most beautifully produced song of all time.

Bringing the mood down is I’ll Be Alright Without You, but it’s impossible not to smile as Any Way You Want It evokes memories of Rodney Dangerfield and Caddyshack. Ask The Lonely is one of the albums (few) forgettable tracks, perhaps only when compared to the other phenomenal tracks before and after.

Who’s Crying Now kicks off the second half of the album and is, without a doubt, my favorite Journey song. AMAZING is what it is. Very moody, very cool and totally unforgettable. Steve Perry’s voice, coupled with an amazing chorus and background vocals help make this, and most Journey tracks, impossible to resist. Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) is one of the band’s “heavier” tunes while Lights showcases their more sentimental side. Surprisingly, the band’s most “sing-songy” tune is Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’…… this bluesy “screw you” song will make a singer out of every listener. Another unspoken gem. If Faithfully is the ultimate Prom Song than Open Arms is the ultimate (80′s) Wedding Song. Sickeningly sweet, yet stunning.

Girl Can’t Help It is a mellow, but somewhat cool track. However, the ethereal, super moody Send Her My Love is another AMAZING, completely underrated tune. The last-minute or so of this song is spectacular. The album closes with Be Good To Yourself, which is a tad dramatic, yet perfect for an album of this caliber.

The only reason this album didn’t get a 5 star rating is because of song choice. The majority of the songs on this album are amazing. There are 1 or 2 that, if I had my way, would be replaced with a few other great Journey tracks.  Songs like Anytime, Still They Ride and Stone In Love. I’ve got a lot of nerve….. this ALBUM spent nearly 15 years on the Billboard Charts, sold 15 million copies and is one of the best-selling Greatest Hits albums of all time. It is the band’s most successful album. If a Greatest Hits package is truly a band’s résumé, than Journey is the CEO of a generation.