FRONTIERS

Occasionally interesting guitar moments aside, Frontiers is a bitter example of when bland stadium rock tunes meet painfully shrill, mediocre production-- the result... is tedious exercise which will likely have the listener reflecting on all the other things they could be doing with their time.

As far as Journey albums go, this one is low, but not their worst. Separate Ways is an obvious classic, and songs like Frontiers and Edge of the Blade have a heavy sound which the band never really returns to, so it's nice for a change. Schon's guitar playing is passable, with no standout solos (which begs the question-- why are you listening?), but Perry's vocals are simply upsetting. In general he is overrated, and this album shows it in a big way. Both he and Schon are recorded with a high-end that cuts like steel razor wire. The rhythm section is bland as always, but on the plus side Cain's keyboards do some interesting textures, such as in Troubled Child. In general, they simply don't sound as together or interested in the music, this plus the terrible production, makes it a difficult listen.

So, with this piece of FM-only pop, the bads outnumber the goods, and Journey fans should collect this one after their obviously superior albums. Additionally, I decree that Frontiers has the dubious honor of containing what is easily the worst Journey song ever-- the painfully crass and absurd Back Talk.

Songwriting: 2 Instrumental Performances: 2 Lyrics/Vocals: 2 Style/Emotion/Replay: 2