The rocker "Only The Young" sets the standard for Steve Perry's soaring vocals, a wistful chorus, a strong backbeat of drums, and a crash of guitars. This song, about a hopeful generation at a new dawn, is romantically optimistic: "Only the young can say/They're free to fly away/Sharing the same desires/Burnin' like wildfire."

"Don't Stop Believing" [Escape] is a mid-paced rocker with a strong keyboard chords punctuating the rhythm. There's a sad but true moral here: "Some will win, some will lose/Some were born to sing the blues/Oh, the movie never ends/It goes on and on and on and on." However, there is a note of hope in the coda: "Don't stop believin'/Hold on to the feelin'."

"Wheel In The Sky" [Infinity] may be a followup to the male protagonist of the previous song who took that midnight train and has found life too hard going enough to want to go back home.

"Faithfully," [Frontiers] about a rocker on the road and vows to remain faithful to the dear one he has left behind because "the road ain't no place to start a family." Perry's vocal reaches the heights in the finale. The slow ballad "Lights" and heartfelt "Send Her My Love" [Frontiers] also have the same theme.

"I'll Be Alright Without You," [Raised On Radio], avers that "love's an empty face...oh I've got to replace."

The rowdy party rocker "Any Way You Want It," [Departure] the song Rodney Dangerfield and crew jams to on the green in Caddyshack is enough to chase out any blue funk.

The rocking "Ask The Lonely" tells those who've gotten the wrong end of the love stick and despairing to do the title act. The operatic backing vocals from the band really enhance the song.

I remember trying to find the yearning "One Love" on Journey's albums before I was put wise-it was called "Who's Crying Now." [Escape] One of my favourites.

The piercing opening synthesizers and chugging guitars make "Separate Ways" [Frontiers] one of the hardest songs they've ever done. Another big favourite. Memorable chorus: "Someday love will find you/Break those chains that bind you/One night will remind you/How we touched/And went our separate ways"

"Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'"[Evolution] incorporates a bluesy sound. Then comes a heartmelting power ballad and another favourite-"Open Arms" [Escape] about a reunited love after a long separation. Mariah Carey covers this on her Daydream album, BTW.

"The Girl Can't Help It"-no, not the Little Richard song or movie-is another Raised On Radio hit. The chorus sets the basic idea: "The girl can't help it, she needs more/He hasn't found what he's lookin' for/They're still standing in the rain/He can't help it, and she's just that way." Its fellow single, "Be Good To Yourself" rivals "Any Way You Want It" in sheer rockability. Which brings me to this-be good to yourself and get this collection!


An ESSENTIAL CD for any 80s music fan....   November 21, 2001
Robert Jenkins (Celina, TX United States)
20 out of 23 found this review helpful

This album does a great job of covering all the big songs from Journey's albums Infinity, Evolution, Departure, Escape, Frontiers, and Raised on Radio, plus a couple of excellent soundtrack cuts that have never previously been released on a Journey album. Each song features the one-of-a-kind voice of Steve Perry (the new guy is good, but not as good as Steve Perry) along with the instantly recognizable guitar of Neal Schon. Both of these guys are rock masters who belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame someday.

Journey was one of the bands whose sound defined 1980s pop music. They were able to craft beautiful love songs such as Faithfully and Open Arms, along with hard-rocking tracks such as Seperate Ways and Any Way You Want It, plus power ballads like Don't Stop Belivin' and Only The Young. The best songs are the ones from the Escape, Frontiers, and Raised on Radio albums, where Steve and Neal teamed up with Journey's best keyboardist, Jonathan Cain (sorry, Rolie fans). Jonathan not only contruibuted wonderful keyboarding, he is a talented songwriter, being responsible for Faithfully, which is one of the best love songs I've ever heard.

This CD is 15 tracks of Rock Gold. For most bands, 15 tracks is enough to cover their best work. But, not Journey. As great and as essential as this CD is, you also need to get their studio albums from this period to hear all their best work. Some of my personal favorites don't make it on here, especially After The Fall and Rubicon. So, once you hear the awesome sounds on this CD, I suggest you pick up their studio albums if you really want to get "the rest of the story" (sorry, Mr, Harvey).


Summing up perfection   August 3, 2001
Brad (CT)
12 out of 13 found this review helpful

This is the ultimate hits album by what I consider the greatest band in the universe. Now if you are a true Journey fan you should also have the original albums. "Escape" and "Frontiers" are two of the best rock albums in history; "Infinity", "Evolution", and "Departure" are all fantastic classic rock albums; and even "Raised On Radio", which marked the beginning of Journey and particularly Steve Perry not rocking as hard, has some great tracks. All of these albums are represented on this collection. The big hit rockers and ballads are all here. In addition, you have the excellent inclusion of two movie soundtrack songs that were not previously on Journey releases: the top 10 "Only The Young" and the equally fantastic "Ask The Lonely". That alone makes this a must-purchase whether you have all their other albums or not. Just a fantastic summary of the premier years of one of the most enjoyable bands in rock and roll history. Sorry borish music critics: nothing "faceless" about this band--especially compared to most of the grunge and then boy bands of the '90's. This is as good as it gets--in any era.


Rock N Roll From The Heart   January 16, 2000
J O'Malley (Long Island NY)
13 out of 15 found this review helpful

Yeah yeah yeah..Journey has been tagged as a "faceless corporate rock band" relic of the 80's..well since then, having to endure tiresome nihilistic grunge and rap music, corporate "divas" and the faceless clones of bubble gum kiddie pop of the last decade... I'll take Journey anyday.

Not being a fan of mindless Heavy Metal or overly sappy love songs...Journey stuck the perfect balance. Steve Perry's soaring vocals, Neal Schon's blistering guitars and Jonathon Cain's diverse keyboards really created a dynamic sound that endured throughout the 1980's.

All of the classics songs from Infinity, Escape, Frontiers and Raised On Radio are here. I never have and still don't think of Journey as a "faceless corporate rock band", just five guys from San Francisco who let their music do the talking..Rock N Roll songs from the heart and with a real sense of melody.