LOOK INTO THE FUTURE

Journey's second album is far more commercially-oriented than their debut, but there are still moments (however brief) of progressive rock genius here. The lyrics are largely typical classic rock fare (one can look at the titles and determine that much). In terms of its predecessor, though, this is one album that is practically forgettable.

"On a Saturday Night" A straightforward rocker, "On a Saturday Night" has a verse-chorus structure followed by a guitar solo. It's a decent song, but rather unremarkable. Like always, the rock and roll guitar playing does what it's supposed to do.

"It's All Too Much" This one sounds like something Fleetwood Mac might have done with Lindsay Buckingham. There is (as always) plenty of pleasing guitar work, but as with the first number, this one is undemanding, although the short guitar interludes between verses are interesting. The back masking at the end is pointless.

"Anyway" Not to be confused with the Genesis track, "Anyway" takes us back to the previous album. It has velvety guitar and lush keyboards, but even in a relatively short song, there are changes in the music to enjoy. As with much of this album, there is little inspiration in the lyrics, but the melody works well.

"She Makes Me (Feel Alright)" Kicking off with a heavy guitar riff doubled by bass guitar, the shortest song on this album is akin to Foreigner, standard arena rock, complete with guitar soloing from the middle until the end. It could have had a place on classic rock radio.

"You're on Your Own" Using a basic chord progression, the electric piano gives way to dual lead guitars and eventually a short ascending then descending bass line. The whole introduction builds, adding new parts each time around before suddenly changing to a 12/8 time signature. As with several early Journey songs, there is a fascinating vocal melody. There are varying sections to this one, making it more complex than anything that has come before despite the simplistic chord progressions. For the first time on this album, we're treated to a solid organ solo before heading back into the 12/8 section for a guitar solo.

"Look into the Future" Here is one of the longest songs Journey has ever created, and it begins with a clean electric guitar before Rolie begins singing. But what starts off to be promising quickly gives way to too many lyrical clichés to count ("I'm coming home" and "There you are my shining star"). The song does not even begin to get interesting until almost halfway in, beyond the cheesy power rock ballad, and it is there that we find some of the best music this album has to offer. This time, one almost wishes Rolie refrained from singing anything further. The song ends with a lengthy (and clearly Jimmy Page-inspired) guitar solo.

"Midnight Dreamer" Something that's first ninety seconds might have been played in a bar, the song quickly gives way to jazzy electric piano soloing, and finally, a synthesizer part comparable to that on Camel's early albums. The guitar solo is played at a frantic pace, but is one of the better ones on this album.

"I'm Gonna Leave You" The riff that starts this one sounds similar to the second half of that heard in Kansas's "Carry on Wayward Son." Rolie's vocal work is not mellow at all, and for the first time, we really hear him sound like a gritty howler in a southern rock band. There are some complex time signatures midway, however, supporting a well-performed organ solo and later some rollicking guitar work.