Customer Reviews

Evolution

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album and Infinity are two of my all time favorites. With the exception of just a couple of songs (oddly enough the two that you still hear on classic rock radio stations, Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin' and City of the Angels) everything on the album just sounds unbelievable. Too Late, When You're Alone, Sweet and Simple, Lovin' you is Easy, Just the Same Way, Do You Recall, Daydream...all phenomenol. Daydream has a surreal quality, and you're in another world when you listen to it. Do You Recall is one of those rare songs that hooks you a couple seconds into the song, and it never goes wrong. Sweet and Simple is a little bluesy, and placed right in the middle of the album it really balances out the rest of the album. I even like Lady Luck, also a little bluesy with heavy keyboards, which is a departure from their other stuff (it sounds more like something you would hear on the Departure album) although it is an acquired taste.

Unfortunately, 2 years after releasing their two greatest albums, Journey's sound became much more pop than rock. Along with many other great 70s bands, Journey succumbed to the early 80s MTV pop revolution. The worst thing that happened to this band was the replacement of original keyboardist Gregg Rollie with former Babys keyboardist Jonathan Cain, who wrote a lot of the 80s pop hits most people are familiar with. (I have a feeling they would have turned pop either way, but who knows?) Don't get me wrong; some of their 80s stuff was good, but it just doesn't hold a candle to the songs from Infinity or Evolution. It's such a shame that we have only two truly great Journey albums. What could have been...

This album by my favorite all-time rock band yielded their first top 40 single in the bluesy, catchy "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'". For sure, that is an all-time classic rock track, but it is hardly the only highlight.

This album continues Journey's Evolution (pun intended) towards becoming a huge rock and roll act. From the opening grand instrumental "Majestic", you can tell that this is going to be another grooving melodic rock ride. "Too Late" has a slower groove to it overall, while "When You're Alone" is more uptempo. "Just The Same Way" is another chance for Greg Rolie to shine on a co-lead vocal role with Steve Perry. That catchy, rocking track may in fact be the best on the album. "Sweet And Simple", "City of the Angels", and "Do You Recall" are among the many other highlights on this classic melodic rock masterpiece.

Journey was beginning to spread their wings a little more musically with this release, and the songs and melodies are tighter than ever. This album was simply the second in a line of several straight 5-star gems with Steve Perry at the helm. Highly recommended.

I can't praise this album enough. The songs are incredible. Listening to "Daydream" is enough to give me chills 21 years after the fact. Steve Perry and company still sound hungry on this recording before "superstardom" hit them a couple of years later. Gregg Rollie shines on "Just The Same Way" and Schon is incredible on "Majestic/Too Late". Folks, if you like in your face rock music with incredible musicianship, than this CD is for you. Any Questions? Let me know.

Not everyone was old enough, and musically astute enough to have heard Journey's first release...back when it WAS released, but those of us that did were hooked. The next two were excellent as well...nothing else like them.

Then came Infinity and the inclusion of Steve Perry. Hmmmm. Ok, nice duets, good production and pretty good songs overall. Much more mainstream, however.

Evolution was even more mainstream, and suffered from less Gregg Rolie vocals. Many people do not realize the Gregg was a founding member of Santana, the lead vocalist, and a major songwriting force in that band for the first three albums, after which he left with Neal Schon to form Journey. It is significant to note that Santana did not have another hit after Rolie's departure until 1999's Supernatural, which has a different and popular guest vocalist on every track.

All Journey releases after Evolution became more pop oriented, and was subject to the fickle whims of the masses, eventually leading to their decline. The best reviews I've read here so far were posted by "Darth Kommissar", who likewise knows the origins of Journey.

I would urge anyone that has an interest in hearing the true depth of this band should really purchase the first three releases as well. "Look Into The Future" from the album of the same name, is one of my all time favorite songs.

Because of the lessened influence of Gregg Rolie, I rate this a 3 of 5.

Evolution, Journey's fifth studio album, was released in 1979. I like all 11 of the tracks. Altogether, the songwriting is good, the musicianship is firm, and the sound quality is satisfying. The material is in a pop rock musical direction. Steve Perry's singing is gratifying and unique. The disc gets off to a nice start with the attractive opening instrumental "Majestic," a cut that is just over a minute. Other examples of songs that I enjoy are "Just the Same Way," "Daydream," and "Sweet and Simple." The fun and lively "Just the Same Way" sports a tight duet from keyboardist Gregg Rolie and Perry. The pretty-sounding "Daydream" features smooth vocals from Perry and charming keyboard work from Rolie. The pleasing ballad "Sweet and Simple" displays engaging harmony vocals. Even though the CD packaging does not include the song lyrics, there are various color photos of the group. Behind the CD tray is a black-and-white Journey logo illustration. There is a color photo of the band on the back of the CD jewel case. The album cover artwork is also interesting. The CD is just over 37 minutes. Evolution is a solid piece of work from Journey.

Great rock with heart and soul. This one makes the very short list of music if I could only have 10 albums in my collection. The majority of today's noise that passes for music is disposable and forgettable. A great album is one you can listen to over and over. Great music does not display in-your-face anger, profanity or attitude.

this shows how the group is starting to the blockbuster Journey

must have

Evolution is one of the best albums from the great band Journey and amongst my favourites and contains classics like lovin touchin squeezin.I heard that in heaven they reward people by making them listen to albums from JOURNEY.Hugely and strongly recommended.

Starting with the aptly titled "Majestic" and ending with the rocking blues number "Lady Luck", great music ranging from classic hard rock and lilting ballads. Well known standouts are "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'" (STILL played live), and "Just the Same Way". Also included are standout tracks "Too Late", "Lovin' You is Easy", and "Do You Recall". Not only are the songs well done, but the order in which the songs were placed on the Album are virtually perfect. For these reasons, I HIGHLY reccomend the addition to ANY music collection.

"Evolution" is Journey's second album with Steve Perry and their first with new drummer, Steve Smith, who is an absolutely magnificant drummer. Smith stepped into Aynsley Dunbar's place and just takes it to the limit every time! Evolution is one of my favorite "feel-good" albums by the band. As with "Infinity," "Evolution" provides us with nothing but fun, groovy, jamming, pure classic rock from start to finish. Journey pulls us in to the experience of "Evolution" right off the bat with "Majestic," a jamming, free-flowing little number, featuring Neal Schon's powerful guitar, Smith's pounding drums, and the group harmonizing a couple notes over and over. They don't sing, but just harmonize: "Ahhhhhhh, ahhhhhhhhh" over and over a few times. It is absolutely magnificant, and very well done. I love the way the song starts out with Schon's soft strumming of the guitar, and then builds up to a charging, thunderous work of musical art. This song kick's the party off. "Evolution" shows Journey giving us a variety of songs. The bluesy shuffle of "Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin' is somewhat of a sing-along song, and is very catchy. "Too Late" and "Do You Recall" are poppy rock masterpieces that really get you moving. "When You're Alone (It Ain't Easy)," "Lovin' You Is Easy," "Just The Same Way," and "Lady Luck" are classic examples of perfect, fun, jamming, head-banging, and groovin' classic rock. The craftsmanship, and musicianship are superb! These are wonderfully crafted songs that really show off the talent of the band. Of course, one cannot forget two of my favorites on the album; "City Of The Angels," and "Daydream." "City Of The Angels" has a very catchy beat, and the harmonies are melodic, flawless, and charge through you, but then, virtually every song is full of melodic, harmonious flavor. "Daydream" is a slower paced song, and the style of the song fits the title well. This song is kind of haunting and makes your mind kind of drift away on a dreamy "journey." The song is free-flowing, and makes you want to kick back and sway softly from side to side. "Evolution" is one of Journey's very best, and is a must for fans of classic rock! My favorite songs are "Majestic," "Too Late," "City Of The Angels," "Do You Recall," and "Daydream." You will not be disappointed with this album! Take a trip back to 1979 with "Evolution" and have a good time! This is one kickin' album!!!