Freedom (Journey album)
Freedom | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | July 8, 2022 | |||
Recorded | 2021 | |||
Studio | Tarpan Studio (San Rafael, California) Yo Mama's House (Hollywood, California) Left On Sunset (Hollywood, California) NRG Recording Studios (Los Angeles, California) Addiction Sound (Nashville, Tennessee) Dreamsong (Orlando, Florida) | |||
Length | 73:12 | |||
Label | BMG | |||
Producer | ||||
Journey chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Freedom | ||||
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [6] |
Classic Rock | [7] |
Riff Magazine | [8] |
Freedom is the fifteenth studio album by the American rock band Journey, released on July 8, 2022, through BMG Rights Management and Frontiers Records. It is the band's second album to date not to feature founding bassist Ross Valory, who was dismissed in 2020; he is replaced by Randy Jackson, who was last on Raised on Radio (1986). With fifteen songs and a run time of one hour and thirteen minutes, it is the longest Journey album ever released, excluding compilations.[9][10]
Upon its release Freedom received mixed critical reviews – despite the performances and musicianship receiving near-universal praise, criticism was directed at its production, mixing and length.
Background and title
The album's 11-year gap from Eclipse (2011) marked the longest between two Journey studio albums to date. It is the only Journey album to feature drummer and producer Narada Michael Walden, as well as the first album to feature bassist Randy Jackson since Raised on Radio (1986). Both departed the group before its release.[11]
The album's title of Freedom was the original title of the group's 1986 album Raised on Radio, but was changed by then lead singer Steve Perry.[12]
Tour
Tour by Journey | |
Location | North America |
---|---|
Associated album | Freedom |
Start date | February 22, 2022 |
Legs | 4 |
No. of shows | 134 |
Journey concert chronology |
The Freedom Tour[13] is an ongoing concert tour by American rock band Journey. The tour began in Pittsburgh on February 22, 2022 and is currently ongoing.[14][15]
Background
On November 15, 2021, Journey announced that they would be embarking on a tour over the spring on a 40-city tour.[16] Billy Idol who was set to be one of the two opening acts on the North American tour, announced on February 2, 2022 that he would be canceling his appearance due to an upcoming surgery, and will be replaced by Toto throughout the tour.[17] On May 10, 2022, the last four shows of the North American leg were postponed due to a band member testing positive for COVID-19.[18] The tour dates were later rescheduled for March to April 2023.[19]
Reception
Jim Harrington of Mercury News applauded Journey during the concert in San Francisco, but Toto stole the spotlight in their gig at Chase Center.[20] Steve Knopper of Billboard reviewed the Durant concert, in which he praised Schon and Cain for taking a break from feuding and Knopper quoted that concert was "harmonious and upbeat".[21]
Setlist
The following setlist was performed at the first show in Pittsburgh, but may not represent the majority of the shows on the tour.[22]
- "Only the Young"
- "Stone in Love"
- "Don't Stop Believin'"
- "Faithfully"
- "I'll Be Alright Without You"
- "Ask the Lonely"
- "Who's Crying Now"
- "Mother, Father"
- "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)"
- "Lights"
- "The Way We Used to Be"
- "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'"
- "Wheel in the Sky" / "My Hometown"
- "Open Arms"
- "Girl Can't Help It"
- "Send Her My Love"
- "Be Good to Yourself"
- "When You Love a Woman"
- "Anyway You Want It"
Tour dates
Personnel
- Arnel Pineda – lead vocals
- Neal Schon – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Jonathan Cain – keyboards, rhythm guitar, co-lead backing vocals
- Deen Castronovo – drums, percussion, co-lead and backing vocals
- Jason Derlatka – keyboards, co-lead and backing vocals
- Todd Jensen – bass, backing vocals
Track listing
All tracks are written by Neal Schon, Jonathan Cain, and Narada Michael Walden, except where noted
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Together We Run" (writers: Walden, Rachel Efron, Randy Jackson, Cain, Schon) | 4:49 |
2. | "Don't Give Up on Us" | 5:23 |
3. | "Still Believe in Love" | 5:16 |
4. | "You Got the Best of Me" | 5:33 |
5. | "Live to Love Again" (writer: Cain) | 5:30 |
6. | "The Way We Used to Be" | 3:35 |
7. | "Come Away with Me" | 4:02 |
8. | "After Glow" | 5:22 |
9. | "Let It Rain" | 4:40 |
10. | "Holdin' On" (writers: Schon, Cain, Jackson, Walden) | 3:14 |
11. | "All Day and All Night" | 3:38 |
12. | "Don't Go" (writers: Arnel Pineda, Schon, Walden, Cain) | 4:58 |
13. | "United We Stand" (writers: Schon, Cain, Walden, Jackson) | 5:05 |
14. | "Life Rolls On" (writers: Schon, Walden) | 4:57 |
15. | "Beautiful as You Are" | 7:10 |
Total length: | 73:12 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
16. | "Hard to Let It Go" (writer: Cain) | 4:08 |
- Notes
- The CD released by BMG does not list Walden among the writers of "The Way We Used to Be".
Personnel
Journey
- Neal Schon – guitars, backing vocals, keyboards
- Jonathan Cain – keyboards (except "All Day and All Night" and "Don't Go"), backing vocals, synth bass on "Still Believe in Love"
- Arnel Pineda – lead vocals (except "After Glow")
- Randy Jackson – bass (except "Still Believe in Love"), backing vocals
- Narada Michael Walden – drums, backing vocals, keyboards
- Jason Derlatka – backing vocals on tracks 5, 6, 9, 12, 14, 15
- Deen Castronovo – lead vocals on "After Glow"
Production
- Neal Schon, Jonathan Cain, Narada Michael Walden – production
- Bob Clearmountain, Adam Ayan, Jim Reitzel, Keith Gretlein, David Kalmusky – engineering
Charts
Chart (2022) | Peak position |
---|---|
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[25] | 23 |
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[26] | 25 |
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[27] | 77 |
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[28] | 65 |
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[29] | 7 |
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[30] | 22 |
Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[31] | 29 |
Scottish Albums (OCC)[32] | 8 |
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[33] | 92 |
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[34] | 2 |
UK Albums (OCC)[35] | 87 |
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[36] | 3 |
US Billboard 200[37] | 88 |
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[38] | 9 |
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[39] | 17 |
References
- ^ Kaufman, Gil (June 24, 2021). "Journey Release First New Song in Decade, 'The Way We Used to Be'". Billboard. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
- ^ Greene, Andy (April 26, 2022). "Journey Preview New LP 'Freedom' With 'You Got the Best of Me'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
- ^ Irwin, Corey (May 17, 2022). "Listen to Journey's New Song 'Let It Rain'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
- ^ "Journey Releases New Single 'Don't Give Up On Us'". Blabbermouth.net. June 7, 2022. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ Irwin, Corey (July 4, 2022). "Listen to Journey's New Single 'United We Stand'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
- ^ Monger, James Christopher. "Journey Freedom review". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
- ^ Barton, Geoff (July 8, 2022). "Journey's Freedom: a succession of songs that are the stuff of legend". Classic Rock. Future plc. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
- ^ Hicks, Tony (July 4, 2022). "ALBUM REVIEW: After 11 years, Journey overstays its welcome on 'Freedom'". Riff Magazine. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
- ^ "Journey Releases Official Visualizer For New Single 'You Got The Best Of Me'". Blabbermouth.net. May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
- ^ "Freedom by Journey". Retrieved July 4, 2022.
- ^ "Jonathan Cain Says Journey 'Step Out a Little Bit' on New Album". Ultimate Classic Rock. March 2022. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
- ^ Wardlaw, Matt (May 24, 2022). "Journey's 'Raised on Radio' Was Almost Called 'Freedom'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
- ^ a b "Journey Music - On Tour". Journey Music. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
- ^ Wise, John (November 15, 2021). "Journey, Billy Idol To Kick Off 2022 Tour In Pittsburgh". CBS Pittsburgh. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
- ^ Polansky, Rob (November 15, 2021). "Journey bringing its 'Freedom Tour' to Hartford". WFSB. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
- ^ a b "Journey Announces 'Freedom Tour 2022' With Billy Idol And Toto". Blabbermouth.net. November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
- ^ Rolli, Bryan (February 2, 2022). "Toto to Replace Ailing Billy Idol on All Journey Dates". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
- ^ "Journey Postpones Last Four Shows Of North American Tour After Bandmember Tests Positive For COVID-19". Blabbermouth.net. May 10, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
- ^ Rapp, Allison (October 17, 2022). "Journey Announces 2023 50th-Anniversary Tour Featuring Toto". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
- ^ Jim Harrington (April 1, 2022). "Review: Journey is good, but opening act is much better". The Mercury News. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
- ^ Steve Knopper (January 28, 2023). "Journey Takes a Break From Feuding, Returns for Harmonious Concert at Oklahoma Casino". Billboard. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
- ^ Wilkening, Matthew (February 23, 2022). "Journey and Toto Kick Off 2022 'Freedom' Tour: Set Lists, Videos". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
- ^ "Journey Announce North American Freedom Tour 2022 With Special Guests Billy Idol, Toto". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
- ^ Ed Balint (July 8, 2022). "Donnie Iris and The Cruisers to open for Journey at Aug. 6 Concert for Legends at HOF Fest". CantonRep.com. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – Journey – Freedom" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Journey – Freedom" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Journey – Freedom" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Journey – Freedom" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Journey – Freedom" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
- ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2022-07-18/p/3" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
- ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums: 2022/07/13 公開". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved July 13, 2022.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ^ "Top 100 Albums Weekly". El portal de Música. Promusicae. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Journey – Freedom". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ^ "Journey Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
- ^ "Journey Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
- ^ "Journey Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
Notes
- ^ The concert on March 10, 2022 was part of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
- ^ a b c d These concerts on July 15, 16, 22, and 23, 2022 were performed with an orchestra.
- ^ The concert on July 20, 2022 is part of the California Mid-State Fair.
- ^ The concert on August 6, 2022 is part of The Concert for Legends.
- ^ The concert on September 16, 2022 is part of Dentsply Sirona World 2022.
- ^ The concert on July 1, 2023 is part of the Stadium of Fire