Journey - Evolution

Best album Journey ever did

This really is an excellent album. Ballads such as 'Too Late' and 'Sweet and Simple' are strong and not too mellow. 'Lovin Touchin Squeezin' is a brilliant song with a twist - listen how the girl is mocked in a thrilling finale! 'When You're Alone' is an excellent rocker. But the best part may be the three song conclusion. First the lovely melancholic rocker 'Do You Recall', then 'Daydream', alternating drowsy parts with explosive guitar bursts and soaring vocals by Perry, finally the slow rock of 'Lady Luck', with the entire band working flawlessly to end the album with a real bang.

Yes, I know, their biggest hits came a few albums later, but to me this remains their best release. The album transmits real joy, energy and enthusiasm - the band are just totally loving it. Very consistent, not quite as commercial as 'Escape', but an album that will grow on you and (unlike some of their later releases) bears repetition very easily. Recommended!
December 26, 2007

Journey---Evolution

Love it----nothing more needs to be said, except that I smile from ear to ear when I hear this one, start to finish!!!!!! July 24, 2007

collector's digipak packaging with tour booklet n' pics

i bought this because all the journey albums re-released in 2006 were issued in a collectible digipak which is a cardboard cover rather than a jewel box case. it included a booklet with lots of pictures and all the tour dates for that album. as for the music itself i liked the tracks Lovin' Touchin Squeezin, Daydream, Sweet and Simple the most. Not as easy to listen to as Escape or Frontiers but I love the clear sound of Steve Perry's voice before it started getting that horrid rasp. I liked Daydream because he starts out in a low voice instead of the usual high tenor. May 16, 2007

Another Hard-Rockin Classic From Journey

"Evolution"cemented Journey's place as a AOR-radio staple after Steve Perry's poerful pipes gave them their first massive platnium success with "Infinity" in 1978.With its tuneful,melodic rock in plenty supply in such fine songs as "City Of The Angels","Too Late","Lady Luck","Daydream",the Top 20 hit and Journey classic "Lovin,Touchin,Squeezin" and "Just The Same Way"(sung by both keyboardist Gregg Rolie and Steve Perry),Journey became every teenager's soundtrack(and every rock critics's worst nightmare)in 1979 and beyoud,as their popularity grew with each new succeeding record until their breakup in 1987.Although I like some of their albums better than this one("Escape","Frontiers" and "Raised On Radio",to name three)"Evolution is still a fun,high-quality effort that I listen to whenever I feel down and I need something to pick me up.The 2006 reissue is the 1996 remaster in a digipack featuring a cool booklet that includes photos and tour dates from the period. March 13, 2007

Excellent follow-up to Infinity

Journey's fifth studio album Evolution was first released in April of 1979.
After hitting paydirt with 1978's Infinity, Journey were now one of the biggest bands in the US after failing with their first three albums. The group's fifth album, Evolution, continues on the band's evolving from prog band to a successful rock band. However there was one change in the band and that was ex-Jean Luc Ponty/Montrose drummer(and a fellow native from my hometown of Whitman, MA) Steve Smith who replaced former drummer Aynsley Dunbar whom was sacked near the end of the Infinity tour. Smith joins lead singer Steve Perry, keyboardist Gregg Rolie, guitarist Neal Schon and bass player Ross Valory.
Like its predecessor Infinity, one-time Queen producer Roy Thomas Baker returns and his presence here is much appreciated. With him around, many of the songs actually have a slight Queen sound to them, but the album is pure Journey.
We kick the album off with the instrumental Majestic. This piece is very short, but it is like its title says. We then go into the ballad Too Late which is a great power ballad. The song has always been one of my favorite tracks. The classic Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin' comes next and was the band's first US Top 20 hit. This classic ode to an ex of Perry's is a classic. We then segue into the great melodic rocker City Of The Angels. It fuses a melodic rock sound with a hard rock sound and the result is amazing and Smittie's drumming is superb. We follow with a great rocker When You're Alone (It Ain't Easy) which has one of Schon's best solos and the musicianship is killer! The first half ends with the ballad Sweet And Simple. Steve Perry's vocals on this track shows his range going from crooning to screaming. His scream from a middle A to a high A and back down after the guitar solo is brilliant singing at best which is lacking today in music. The music is powerful too and Schon's solos on this track are stellar.
The album's second side starts off with the rocking Lovin' You Is Easy which is a classic song. This song is a great rocker. Next was the album's second single Just The Same Way which featured Gregg Rolie on lead vocals with Steve singing the chorus. He was a great singer but he felt out of place compared to Steve Perry in his opinion. Next is another great rocker Do You Recall which is a very good song and a classic. We then segue into Daydream which is a slow and melodic number but a great song nevertheless. Lady Luck closes the album out on a rocking note and is a killer track.
Evolution proved once and for all Journey were a force to be reckoned with and this album reached #21 on the album charts and like Infinity would go Platinum within a few months of its release.
Sales notwithstanding Evolution is a great album and is another Journey classic!
In 2006, the album was re-released using the same remaster as the 1996 version but now the artwork is in a digi-pak.
Recommended! January 10, 2007

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