I feel ‘Evolution’ is a much forgotten part of Journey’s discography, and deserves kudos alongside their other much more popular albums.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Journey
ALBUM: Evolution
LABEL: CBS
SERIAL: FC 35797
YEAR: 1979
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Steve Perry – lead and backing vocals * Neal Schon – guitars, backing vocals * Gregg Rolie – keyboards, lead and backing vocals * Ross Valory – bass, backing vocals * Steve Smith – drums, percussion
TRACK LISTING: 01 Majestic * 02 Too Late * 03 Lovin’ Touchin’ Squeezin’ * 04 City Of The Angels * 05 When You’re Alone (It Ain’t Easy) * 06 Sweet And Simple * 07 Lovin’ You Is Easy * 08 Just The Same Way * 09 Do You Recall * 10 Daydream * 11 Lady Luck
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
Journey’s 1979 album ‘Evolution’ is a changing of the guard in a number of ways. The band, who are veritable superstars at this site, presented an album a year after their breakthrough commercial LP ‘Infinity’ featuring (then) new singer Steve Perry.
That album, a favourite of yours truly, was a completely different kettle of fish from their triumvirate of prog flavoured albums between 1975 and 1977. It set the band on a new course with a new skipper at the helm, and ‘Evolution’ was the second release on their winds of change.
Drummer Aynsley Dunbar had departed to Jefferson Starship, replaced by jazz understudy Steve Smith, this lineup of the band would stay intact until 1981’s mega successful ‘Escape’ album when Jonathan Cain would replace Gregg Rolie.
The interesting feature about ‘Evolution’ is that it would move Journey even further into commercial territory, away from the heavy prog leanings of their earlier efforts, though the last track ‘Lady Luck’ is proof that Schon and Rolie weren’t completely prepared to throw away three years of hard work to the whims of Herbie Herbert and CBS.
The Songs
For the most part, the tracks are a perfect example of what AOR in the year 1979 was all about. Only Boston, Foreigner and REO Speedwagon could put up anything half decent in the genre, while bands such as Styx paled, though still charting high in the Billboard Charts on the back of their ‘Cornerstone’ LP.
At 38 minutes, Journey deliver 11 tracks, all listenable, and reminding me of what my senior high school years were all about! In my opinion, there’s not really a dud track here. The album should be listened to as a complete segue from track 1 to 11. My favourites include the utterly brilliant ‘Daydream’, the fiery Neal Schon guitar solo at the end is killer! shining in the silver moon, crystal ships are sailing in the sea.’, Very ethereal. Then there’s the piano stomp of ‘Just The Same Way’, with Gregg Rolie on lead vocal.
I enjoyed the simplicity of ‘Sweet And Simple’, again Schon let’s loose with a cannon load of guitar fodder toward the end. Of course we can’t forget the Na Na na na Na’s of ‘Lovin Touchin Squeezin’, an anthem of unholy remembrance during 1979. Great stuff! Of course, it segues directly into another killer track from the Journey back catalog, ‘City Of The Angels’, all songs that strike a chord with my teenage years, no doubt it will do likewise with other readers here.
In Summary
‘Evolution’ would consolidate Journey’s reputation through that year and into 1980, where ‘Departure’ would act as a springboard for future success. The band toured heavily through this part of their career, not just North America, but also Japan and other locations. I feel ‘Evolution’ is a much forgotten part of Journey’s discography, and deserves kudos alongside their other much more popular albums.
Video
Just The Same Way
Entire Album (Select Tracks)
