RAISED ON RADIO

A part return-to-form and, in truth, the last truly half-decent Journey album, 1985's 'Raised On Radio' would see only three members from wretched predecessor 'Frontiers' returning to the fold, namely the core creative trio of Jonathan Cain(keyboards), Steve Perry(vocals) and Neal Schon(guitar, vocals). Ably assisted by an assorted cast of top-notch session players - former drummer Steve Smith and bassist Randy Jackson amongst them - 'Raised On Radio' would chart a distinctly soft-spun, synthesized vibe which saw Cain pretty much taking centre-stage. Already one of the group's main writers and one of the key factors behind the huge success of 1981's career-defining 'Escape' album, Cain's glutinous array of keyboards and synths colours a highly- emotional album that has become something of a fan favourite over the years, as well as being one of the few Journey album's to garner genuinely positive reviews outside of their North American dominion. With Neal Schon's guitars on strangely muted form and vocalist Steve Perry taking a gentler approach, this is very much Journey in reflective, almost melancholic mood, though the album also features the usual array of Journey trademarks, with the misty-eyed ballads, up-tempo rockers and slickly-crafted pop pieces the group do so well still in check. Overall there were four singles culled from the album, with "Girl Can't Help It", "Be Good to Yourself", "I'll Be Alright Without You" and "Suzanne" all reaching the top 20, though overall sales for 'Raised On Radio' failed to match previous efforts, possibly due to the new(ish) direction the group were taking. As a result, it would prove to be the last 'classic era' Journey release before their return eleven years later with 1996's 'Trial By Fire' and the end of an era for the much-maligned but hugely-popular group. Although not in the same league as 'Escape', 'Look Into The Future' or 'Infinity', this is a worthy end to the soft rock story of the 1980's and the genre's major exponents.

STEFAN TURNER, STOKE NEWINGTON, 2012