Great Rock Albums of 1979: Journey- Infinity

It has been said and I won't debate it, that the hit single from this album, "Lovin' , Touchin', Squeezin'" is one of the soppiest love songs of all time. Maybe so, but trust me on this, back in late 1979 and early 80, if you wanted to get a girl out on the dance floor on a couples skate, then this was the song that would do it. Yes, this song was big with a lot of females at the time, my then disco loving little sister included. (She saw the error of her ways about a year later.) Saying that, it wasn't a bad song and I did like it. The correction I would have made to it was when the song was fading out at the end with the "Na na na na na's," I would have increased the volume of the lead guitar that was playing in the background.

As I always said, one song does not an album make. There are a lot of good tracks on here as I remembered when I refamiliarised myself with it the other night. It took me back to the memories of my old friend from New Jersey who played the track "City of the Angels" half to death. That is also a very good song and shows that the "Evolution" album is not a one track wonder. The songs after "City of the Angels" are some good blues based hard rock tunes with some good all around musicianship, especially the guitar talents of Schon,  to go with the unique vocals of Steve Perry.

Track Listing:

1. Majestic

2. Too Late

3. Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'

4. City of the Angels

5. When You're Alone (It ain't easy)

6. Sweet and Simple

7. Lovin' You is Easy

8. Just the Same Way

9. Do You Recall

10. Daydream

11. Lady Luck

Journey

Steve Perry- lead vocals

Neil Schon- guitars, vocals

Greg Rollie- keyboards, vocals

Steve Smith- drums, vocals

Ross Valory- bass, vocals

Some would say that this was the last good rock album before Journey would make the descent into sounding commercial. I'm not sure about that one but it will be interesting to see as we continue the journey through time. In the mean time, enjoy this great classic album from a class rock band.

Next post: Little River Band- First Under the Wire

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Great Rock Albums of 1978: Journey- Infinity

While 1978 was the debut year for bands like The Cars and Molly Hatchet, for Journey, it was their break out year thanks to the album "Infinity." It was the 4th album by Journey, the first three albums didn't take the world by storm, at least none of their songs were played on my AM clock radio and it was also the first album to feature lead vocalist Steve Perry. The result would be this album that would set them on the road to the greatness they would have in the early 1980s.

"Infinity" contains my all time favourite Journey song, "Wheel in the Sky." To me, this was the first song I heard that started with an impressive accoustic intro only to build up to a total rock out. Of course there are some other good rocking tracks such as "La Do Da" as well as some more slower songs such as "Patiently" and "Feeling That Way." The album also shows that Neil Schon was another great guitarist in the decade whose talents weren't fully appreciated by me at the time as well as others.

Track Listing:

1. Lights

2. Feeling That Way

3. Anytime

4. La Do Da

5. Patiently

6. Wheel In the Sky

7. Somethin' to Hide

8. Winds of March

9. Can Do

10. Opened the Door

Journey

Steve Perry- vocals

Neil Schon- guitars

Greg Rollie- keyboards, vocals

Ross Valory- bass

Aynsley Dunbar- drums

If you're fed up to the teeth of hearing "Don't Stop Believing" because of Glee, then a good alternative is to take a journey back to Journey's past and pull out this album. Guaranteed, you'll hear some classic Journey stuff.

Next post: Bruce Springsteen- Darkness on the Edge of Town

To buy Rock and Roll Children, go to www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/RockAndRollChildren.html

Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle