LOOK INTO THE FUTURE

The second of Journey's original trio of progressive-flavoured albums, 'Look Into The Future' picks up pretty much where 1975's self-titled debut left off, only with a cleaner and more focused sound that sees the group starting to inch their way towards the blockbusting pop-rock sound that made them household names during the 1980s. With rhythm guitarist George Tickner having departed, Journey were now slimmed down to a four- piece, the group's overall direction still very much dictated by the dominant ex-Santana contingent of Gregg Rolie(vocals, keyboards) and Neal Schon(guitar). However, there are still strong progressive and fusion elements to be found on 'Look Into The Future'. After a poor start - feeble opening track 'On A Saturday Night' sounds more like Elton John than hard-rock - things do pick up, with both the impressively-serene 'Anyway' and the highly-emotive title-track showcasing the Bay Area group's strong melodic instincts and consumate instrumental abilities. As an album, 'Look Into The Future' lacks the overt experimentation that flecked the classic rock of their debut, though it's a much more accessible album as result. Often unfairly derided by many as the group's artistic low-point(much like their debut and follow-up album 'Next') this may not be progressive rock per se yet it is by no means the dreadful album it is meant to be. All three of Journey's 'prog' albums have their merits, and the blend of classic rock riffs, carefully-crafted ballads and fusion-intoned improvisation shows that there was much to Journey than just radio hits and sell-out stadium tours. And compared to the outfit's 1980s output this is, simply out, streets ahead in almost every department.

STEFAN TURNER, STOKE NEWINGTON, 2012