Over the last 3 days I have been listening to Journey’s new album Revelation. It is a WalMart exclusive and it is a 2 CD and 1 DVD package. The first disc is all their new stuff with new lead vocalist Arnel Pineda a performer Neal Schon discovered on the internet playing with his cover band The Zoo in the Philippines and Hong Kong doing covers of Sting/The Police and of course Journey. He was flown out to the Bay Area for a 2 day rehearsal and he got the job. His vocals are strong and tops former vocalist Steve Augeri and on the new stuff could hold his own against Steve Perry. If you want to get an idea of Arnel’s ballad abilities just give “After all These Years” a listen, I believe it is comparable to Faithfully or Open Arms. You can also listen to disc #2 which has Arnel singing those and other hits as well. Finally,I need to make an open apology to Arnel, I have been one of those “Journey is not Journey without Steve Perry,” I am so wrong on that. With Arnel at the helm, Journey could be due for a resurgence. I would love to see Perry and Journey reconcile but it doesn’t sound like something that will happen anytime soon, I also would love to see Steve put out another solo album too. I also have to remember that Steve is now 59 where is Arnel is 40 and that is a big gap in vocal ability, even Sinatra sounded different in his 70’s then he did in his 30’s or 40’s and he is the standard bearer for vocal ability. So my advice go out and get the album even if it requires a WalMart run. The DVD is a concert they did in Vegas this year which is also entertaining.
I think Arnel’s humble enough to accept your apology. Hardcore SP fans should accept the fact that SP and the rest had separated ways badly and reconciliation is still not in sight. But I guess, they did a good respect for SP’s so-called leagcy to the band and Revelation proves this right.
God Bless!
Sorry, not related to Arnel. I must say that the album (first CD) is very consistent, the band is on top form. The production sounds very similar to their 80′s albums. Neal rocks, of course. I would have liked to hear some more rocking material tho.
About Arnel, well what else can I say? his vocals are very impressive, really the highlight of the album. He can hit all those notes that Steve (Perry) used to. I think Augeri was great, but Pinedas superpasses him by miles!
If you’re a Journey fan, just buy it, well worth it. I don’t have the DVD, so please somebody review it.
About the second CD, I don’t know really what’s the point with it, seriously. If they wanted to show how Arnel signs the old songs, it would have better to have the soundtrack on the DVD instead.
just listened to the cds and watched the dvd…it’s awesome! was never a die hard journey fan, but now will be!
that was very nice gesture on your part to offer an apology to AP; some are too scared to admit the truth…instead, it’s easier to be in denial and criticize…I love SP’s voice..it’s his voice and the kind of music that Journey made that gave the whold Journey package so powerful many years ago…But with Arnel, he has a bit more stronger voice..SP was softer..at times both sounded almost close to identical..but Ap will get better and better as time go by with Journey. Journey songs especially the ballads are not the easiest to sing. If AP can sing them..and I can still feel the magic of the songs, I think he’s darn good as Sp…life is a journey..and with AP now.
well said helen! Great Post!
To SP fans
No one in this world can ever replace SP. His voice is one of a kind. Journey was known (To those people that will contradict this statement, please research Journey’s history. They were just instrumental Rock Band in the old days and they were not as popular as they were until SP joined the band) because of the “Voice” AP can never be SP. The unfortunate thing is SP left Journey and don’t intend to come back, and Journey chose to move on and exist without SP.
To AP fans
There is no effing way that AP can replace SP. He can establish himself and be a part of the legacy. Since AP himself is humble enough to admit that he is not with the band to be like someone. He is Arnel Pineda – Journey’s lead vocals, not SP. So dream on AP fans, do not compare him with SP, because AP himself don’t want to be compared to SP.
To Journey fans
With or without SP, Journey is still going to be there to deliver the music that they had perfected. They started out without SP and they are going to make it to the end of their Journey with AP. Peace everybody!
Hello everybody,
I just caught Journey’s kick off in Denver last night (7/10/08) and let me tell you…wow! I was expecting Arnel Pineda to be good, but he actually had me thinking, “holy crap!” I thought his voice was incredible powerful! He has groomed himself to have a 95 percent vocal similarity with Steve Perry but, there was a 5 percent difference. That 5 percent was not bad, but uniquely different than SP and he made it his own. Enough to satisfy die hard Journey fans, but perhaps create new fans of AP. The true test was my wife. She has been in love with SP since she was 12. She had a sad look on her face periodically throughout the concert, but when AP was rocking out she had a sparkle in her eye and was gyrating around like she WAS 12 again! I thought the bad was as good as ever and Neil Schon IS a Guitar God for sure!!! So, if you haven’t seen Journey with AP in concert yet….definitely do it. We will always miss and love SP. Although with AP here and now, I feel I can move on, but maintain a place for SP in my heart. Holy crap, I sound like a girl! I almost feel like when Van Halen and David lee Roth parted, in a way. Sammy rocked the house, and make Van Halen, with him in the band uniquely his. Anyway, I have got go. I have to see if I can download Journeys new album on Itunes! Bye!
Oooops everyone, that was last night the 9th, not the 10th! Take care!
Hi Sean,
Glad you had a fun time. Sadly the new Journey CD is only available at Walmart it’s one of those exclusive deals like Garth Brooks and the new Eagles CD.
Rob
I stumbled across Arnel Pineda on YouTube. I immediately went out and bought the Revelation CD/DVD. I have been watching it almost every day since I bought it two weeks ago I LOVE Arnel Pineda and Journey. It’s a perfect fit. His life story and how he was “discovered” by Neal Schon is inspirational. Arnel is an awesome singer and wish him MANY, MANY, MANY years with Journey. Steve Perry is a great singer but his time with Journey has passed.
I’m a R&B music lover but thanks to Arnel Pineda, I’m now a fan of Journey. Arnel rocks!
One day somewhere in an unknown bar in the US, some guy would be singing “After All These Years” and “Turn Down the World Tonight” and it’s not A Steve Perry Journey signature but Arnel Pineda’s own Journey classic!