RAISED ON RADIO

Following the release of "Frontiers" in 1983 and the subsequent promotional tour, the members of Journey decided to take a sabbatical. During the interim period, a couple of unreleased tracks from "Frontiers" surfaced on soundtrack albums, and solo albums were recorded by some of the band members. When they reconvened, musical differences soon resurfaced which resulted in bass player Ross Valory and drummer Steve Smith being fired from the band. Valory left prior to recording of the album starting, but Smith remained long enough to appear on a couple of songs. The two were not replaced immediately, the rhythm section for this album being formed by session musicians.

While songwriting duties are shared once again by Jonathan Cain, Steve Perry, and Neal Schon, it is Perry who is the dominant force throughout the album. He appears to have been the decision maker during the recordings, the album being as much a follow up to his solo work as to the previous Journey album.

While there is perhaps a tinge of disappointment this time around with the lack of any progression, this is nonetheless a fine collection of well crafted songs. Generally more upbeat with less emphasis on the ballads, "Raised on radio" is certainly radio friendly. Songs such as "Suzanne" (girls names are usually a good bet for a hit) offer nothing radical or innovative, but they do generally make for a good listening.

Dan Hull adds some fine sax to "Positive Touch" giving the song a Hall and Oates feel, while "Be Good to Yourself" ends with a welcome lead guitar break by Schon. On the ballad front, "Happy to give" is well up to standard, Perry once again showing that he unquestionably has one of the best voices in rock.

On the downside, there does appear to be rather more in the way of filler this time, with songs such as "Once You Love Somebody" being decidedly average. "The Eyes Of A Woman" too is a by the numbers and all too prosaic ballad.

In all, a good but slightly uninspired offering from Journey. There is a generally feel of going through the motions here which means we have a good but unexceptional release.

After its release and an aborted promotional tour, Journey effectively broke up. It would be the best part of a decade before any further original material emerged in the band's name.

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