MR

"Neal Schon says the upcoming Journey record will move away from their famous AOR sound and create a concept album instead.

The band behind iconic tracks Don't Stop Believin', Any Way You Want It, Who's Crying Now and many more feel they've gone as far as they can in that direction, and it's time to turn back to a more rock vibe.

Guitarist Schon tells Classic Rock Magazine: "I had a long talk with keyboard player Jonathan Cain and I said, 'We have all the AOR material we need. We've got all the hits we need and we need to play that stuff for ever. There's no getting away from it.'

"So I don't see the point of repeating the same song with different chords.

"I'm going for a conceptual record because I really feel we have the musicality to pull it off. We have everybody's attention. And the days of writing songs that are three-and-a-half minutes long for radio are over."

Schon says his instinct is built on a gut feeling for what people want to hear. He says: "I think in Europe, of not in the States, they're ready for us to come up with something on the artsy side. It's got to go up and down. It can't stay on the ceiling because there's no dynamics.

"I think it's going to be a very musical record and I have a cool thing to write about. But I don't want to reveal too much because somebody will steal it.

"But it's a one title, like most of our records are, and it's a very deep subject. Real stuff."

Here's a fun idea for the thread -- see who can guess what the concept is, or who ends up getting closest to it. Let's get a few SERIOUS guesses in here before Stevew2 jumps in here and destroys it.

I'll play, Ripper-

I think it'll either be:

a) something having to do with technology running amok or...
b) something having to do with US soldiers (ala the last Queensryche album)

A one word title, Neal. Would that word be DIVORCE, or alimony?!

Rip Rokken wrote:Here's a fun idea for the thread -- see who can guess what the concept is, or who ends up getting closest to it. Let's get a few SERIOUS guesses in here before Stevew2 jumps in here and destroys it.

This line by Neal intrigues me:

"But I don't want to reveal too much because somebody will steal it. " So it's a little unusual regarding the concept. .

YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES

Neal's been listening to me! All this time! He's copied and pasted and saved all my posts regarding my Journey fantasies! He's been custom-molding an album just to please me, the biggest fan of Journey's prog and hard rock leanings!!

OOOOOOOOOOONE MOOOOOOOOOOOORE

ProgRocker53 wrote:YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES

Neal's been listening to me! All this time! He's copied and pasted and saved all my posts regarding my Journey fantasies! He's been custom-molding an album just to please me, the biggest fan of Journey's prog and hard rock leanings!!

OOOOOOOOOOONE MOOOOOOOOOOOORE

Dude, change your underwear already... LOL.

I don't see how they're going to pull this off, but I'm anxious to see what comes of this.

wasnt generations a concept CD??? just saying. sorry too easy

Maybe this is his concept, do a Cd where there isnt a foriegn accent,and with no ploky ploky gay keyboard parts in it, no pussy lyrics about faded photographs and saving grace. Whats Friga going to do with it it other than let Neal record another suck ass solo CD in his shitty basement. Whats he thinkin, he saw how Red 13 did and Soul Sircus did. People dont want to hear that shit. He must be hittin the bottle again.He talked to Friga on the the phone? Friga must have been talkin on the bona phone to be thinkin stupid shit like this Here s a concept Friga, stay off the fuckin guitar and mouth harp.It doesnt make you cool or relavent.Concept means no $$$$ Get it Neal?

stevew2 wrote:Maybe this is his concept, do a Cd where there isnt a foriegn accent,and with no ploky ploky gay keyboard parts in it, no pussy lyrics about faded photographs and saving grace. Whats Friga going to do with it it other than let Neal record another suck ass solo CD in his shitty basement. Whats he thinkin, he saw how Red 13 did and Soul Sircus did. People dont want to hear that shit. He must be hittin the bottle again.He talked to Friga on the the phone? Friga must have been talkin on the bona phone to be thinkin stupid shit like this Here s a concept Friga, stay off the fuckin guitar and mouth harp.It doesnt make you cool or relavent.Concept means no $$$$ Get it Neal?

lol

We already know that this is going to be a more rockin' album!! I know Neal has said it before
"but this time he means it", that is the concept ... they've learned how to construct truth!!

stevew2 wrote:Concept means no $$$$

Sure didn't hurt Green Day. Or Pink Floyd. Or The Beatles.
Styx... okay, ya got me there. Kilroy killed them. Maybe you guys will get your wish and this idea will kill Journey.

I guess the first step towards more rocky and a step away from legacy sound is

brywool wrote:

stevew2 wrote:Concept means no $$$$

Sure didn't hurt Green Day. Or Pink Floyd. Or The Beatles.
Styx... okay, ya got me there. Kilroy killed them. Maybe you guys will get your wish and this idea will kill Journey.

We are talkin Journey not Pink Floyed or The Beatles, fuck Green Day,I cant name one song they do.It wont kill Journey,as long as Neal needs money.He ll do it,it will flop,people will head to the pisser,or to get a big 12 dollar can of beer when they try it at there concerts,as long as they do what they are known for they we do fine, they will drop that "concept" sound halfway through the tour and rock out with Dont Stop believing for the 2000 th time while Friga wishes he was a guitar player

Behshad wrote:I guess the first step towards more rocky and a step away from legacy sound is

Here, I fixed it for you...

Rhiannon wrote:

Behshad wrote:I guess the first step towards more rocky and a step away from legacy sound is

Here, I fixed it for you...

talk Neal into doing a M Jaskcon cover CD

stevew2 wrote:Maybe this is his concept, do a Cd where there isnt a foriegn accent,and with no ploky ploky gay keyboard parts in it, no pussy lyrics about faded photographs and saving grace. Whats Friga going to do with it it other than let Neal record another suck ass solo CD in his shitty basement. Whats he thinkin, he saw how Red 13 did and Soul Sircus did. People dont want to hear that shit. He must be hittin the bottle again.He talked to Friga on the the phone? Friga must have been talkin on the bona phone to be thinkin stupid shit like this Here s a concept Friga, stay off the fuckin guitar and mouth harp.It doesnt make you cool or relavent.Concept means no $$$$ Get it Neal?

Hi Steve!

Am I to take this to mean that you can't get behind this idea?

steveo777 wrote:

stevew2 wrote:Maybe this is his concept, do a Cd where there isnt a foriegn accent,and with no ploky ploky gay keyboard parts in it, no pussy lyrics about faded photographs and saving grace. Whats Friga going to do with it it other than let Neal record another suck ass solo CD in his shitty basement. Whats he thinkin, he saw how Red 13 did and Soul Sircus did. People dont want to hear that shit. He must be hittin the bottle again.He talked to Friga on the the phone? Friga must have been talkin on the bona phone to be thinkin stupid shit like this Here s a concept Friga, stay off the fuckin guitar and mouth harp.It doesnt make you cool or relavent.Concept means no $$$$ Get it Neal?

Hi Steve!

hi Steveo check out Dumb

and Dumber

steveo777 wrote:

stevew2 wrote:Maybe this is his concept, do a Cd where there isnt a foriegn accent,and with no ploky ploky gay keyboard parts in it, no pussy lyrics about faded photographs and saving grace. Whats Friga going to do with it it other than let Neal record another suck ass solo CD in his shitty basement. Whats he thinkin, he saw how Red 13 did and Soul Sircus did. People dont want to hear that shit. He must be hittin the bottle again.He talked to Friga on the the phone? Friga must have been talkin on the bona phone to be thinkin stupid shit like this Here s a concept Friga, stay off the fuckin guitar and mouth harp.It doesnt make you cool or relavent.Concept means no $$$$ Get it Neal?

Hi Steve!

Am I to take this to mean that you can't get behind this idea?

He'll get behind anything that involves Frigga

Behshad wrote:

steveo777 wrote:

stevew2 wrote:Maybe this is his concept, do a Cd where there isnt a foriegn accent,and with no ploky ploky gay keyboard parts in it, no pussy lyrics about faded photographs and saving grace. Whats Friga going to do with it it other than let Neal record another suck ass solo CD in his shitty basement. Whats he thinkin, he saw how Red 13 did and Soul Sircus did. People dont want to hear that shit. He must be hittin the bottle again.He talked to Friga on the the phone? Friga must have been talkin on the bona phone to be thinkin stupid shit like this Here s a concept Friga, stay off the fuckin guitar and mouth harp.It doesnt make you cool or relavent.Concept means no $$$$ Get it Neal?

Hi Steve!

Am I to take this to mean that you can't get behind this idea?

He'll get behind anything that involves Frigga

that plus its a stupid idea. I like Change for the Betta. If thats the concept he is talkin about im for it.If it is another CD with guitar solos drowning out the vocals fuck it

stevew2 wrote:

Rhiannon wrote:

Behshad wrote:I guess the first step towards more rocky and a step away from legacy sound is

Here, I fixed it for you...

talk Neal into doing a M Jaskcon cover CD

Don't you talk shit about MJ!

X factor wrote:I'll play, Ripper-

I think it'll either be:

a) something having to do with technology running amok or...
b) something having to do with US soldiers (ala the last Queensryche album)

"b" was my first thought, but it's definitely not original unless it's a different take. Winger's also done a concept album in IV.

Rip Rokken wrote:

X factor wrote:I'll play, Ripper-

I think it'll either be:

a) something having to do with technology running amok or...
b) something having to do with US soldiers (ala the last Queensryche album)

"b" was my first thought, but it's definitely not original unless it's a different take. Winger's also done a concept album in IV.

or maybe trying creating something own there on? not

stevew2 wrote:

brywool wrote:

stevew2 wrote:Concept means no $$$$

Sure didn't hurt Green Day. Or Pink Floyd. Or The Beatles.
Styx... okay, ya got me there. Kilroy killed them. Maybe you guys will get your wish and this idea will kill Journey.

We are talkin Journey not Pink Floyed or The Beatles, fuck Green Day,I cant name one song they do.It wont kill Journey,as long as Neal needs money.He ll do it,it will flop,people will head to the pisser,or to get a big 12 dollar can of beer when they try it at there concerts,as long as they do what they are known for they we do fine, they will drop that "concept" sound halfway through the tour and rock out with Dont Stop believing for the 2000 th time while Friga wishes he was a guitar player

what would you have them do?
Peeps bitch if it sounds too much like Journey.
Peeps bitch if it doesn't sound like Journey.

Not sure what they're supposed to do. I think it could be pretty interesting.

Concept album will be about a colony of crickets. ( a departure from the traditional scarab beetle- this is different you know). What happens in the album is there is one very popular cricket one that does most of the chirping in the colony in there that just doesnt fit it , has kind of a big nose, and cant go out on a food gathering missions becasue he hurt his thorax hiking across a garden stone. Thats song 1-6 In song 7 the colony tries to get another cricket, but by the end of song 8 it is apparent that that cricket isnt really chirping but theres another cricket doing all the chirping. All hell breaks loose one summer night and in song 9 they get another cricket but his chirping just sounds too different form the legacy chirping (or at least that is the excuse given).

the album might not sell , it will bug the heck out of tradional fans.

brywool wrote:

stevew2 wrote:

brywool wrote:

stevew2 wrote:Concept means no $$$$

Sure didn't hurt Green Day. Or Pink Floyd. Or The Beatles.
Styx... okay, ya got me there. Kilroy killed them. Maybe you guys will get your wish and this idea will kill Journey.

We are talkin Journey not Pink Floyed or The Beatles, fuck Green Day,I cant name one song they do.It wont kill Journey,as long as Neal needs money.He ll do it,it will flop,people will head to the pisser,or to get a big 12 dollar can of beer when they try it at there concerts,as long as they do what they are known for they we do fine, they will drop that "concept" sound halfway through the tour and rock out with Dont Stop believing for the 2000 th time while Friga wishes he was a guitar player

what would you have them do?
Peeps bitch if it sounds too much like Journey.
Peeps bitch if it doesn't sound like Journey.

Not sure what they're supposed to do. I think it could be pretty interesting.

It doesn't matter what they do. There is not gonna be much of their money made off an album anyway. The touring is the bread and butter. They'll still have to play the legacy hits or the fans will get pissed and they know this.

steveo777 wrote:

brywool wrote:

stevew2 wrote:

brywool wrote:

stevew2 wrote:Concept means no $$$$

Sure didn't hurt Green Day. Or Pink Floyd. Or The Beatles.
Styx... okay, ya got me there. Kilroy killed them. Maybe you guys will get your wish and this idea will kill Journey.

We are talkin Journey not Pink Floyed or The Beatles, fuck Green Day,I cant name one song they do.It wont kill Journey,as long as Neal needs money.He ll do it,it will flop,people will head to the pisser,or to get a big 12 dollar can of beer when they try it at there concerts,as long as they do what they are known for they we do fine, they will drop that "concept" sound halfway through the tour and rock out with Dont Stop believing for the 2000 th time while Friga wishes he was a guitar player

what would you have them do?
Peeps bitch if it sounds too much like Journey.
Peeps bitch if it doesn't sound like Journey.

Not sure what they're supposed to do. I think it could be pretty interesting.

It doesn't matter what they do. There is not gonna be much of their money made off an album anyway. The touring is the bread and butter. They'll still have to play the legacy hits or the fans will get pissed and they know this.

Yeah, but you don't want to do an album that isn't going to sell. He may not be writing for the radio, but they sure as hell want the record to be a success, which would be Gold at this stage. So they can go concept but need to keep their fans in mind, and I like a moody album, but give me a little Journey sound in there or forget it. Arrival was a change of pace and direction definitely for them as far as atmosphere of the album and sound and I LOVE it, so I'm all with them if they change gears on this album as long as I get some mid-tempo rockers in there and ballads in there and not all rocking.

A concept album works great in studio but how do you tour it? Journey HAS to play their hits on the road. Can you really see them doing a concept album tour the right way (playing it from end to end), like Floyd and others have done? Not with Journey's fans. I am excited they are trying to do something different. I just don't feel they have the balls to actually see it through once they start touring (which is fine, I can just listen to the album at home, right?)
Oh, well. If I get to see Neal and his band next month playing old, OLD Journey tunes live, that can be my swan song with the band and I can feel that I've finally closed the circle with them.

It will sell big in Europe, but not here, conceptual stuff isn't popular here, everybody wants 3-4 minute cookie cutter rock that doesn't require a lot of thought. Journey will never be able to pull off a concept album successfully because everybody want to hear to hear the AOR sound/songs they made famous and the casual Journey fan only knows the old stuff and really doesn't care about anything new. As for my personal opinion, I love the idea and I can't wait to hear it!

The only concept I care about is that it's good and isn't overloaded with sappy ballads (a faded wedding photograph) or cliched lyrics (no 'I' in team - gag). Since Journey has noticed that they are attracting a new, younger group of fans, it may mean that they are going for a more modern sound, but if I hear rap or whatever it is they play on VH1 or MuchMusic that I can't stand, I won't be buying it. If they really want something new, wouldn't it help to work with a new producer?