Well, Journey are at it againâŠ.over a decade later! Not since 2011’s Eclipse have we gotten an album of all-new songs from this band that made the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018, has enjoyed 25 gold and platinum albums, came to prominence with MTV, and remain an American institution despite many personnel changes.
For 2022âs Freedom, the lineup includes bassist Randy Jackson (the former American Idol judge played on the bandâs 1986 release, Raised On Radio), drummer Narada Michael Walden, keyboardist Jonathan Cain, vocalist Arnel Pineda, and guitarist and lone founding member Neal Schon. From opener âTogether We Run,â a classic-sounding Journey power ballad, to the chunky guitar-arpeggiated synth-heavy âDonât Give Up On Us,â onto the soft swing of âLive to Love Again,â featuring Pineda at his most restrained â Freedom comprises much of that familiar mid 80s territory.
But then there are the heavy tunes. âCome Away With Me,â the superbly growly âLet It Rain,â and the groovinâ âAll Day and All Nightâ shows this band at the height of their powers. Led by Schonâs wild flights and Pineda singing his Steve Perry-like high flights of vocal spikes, these songs provide a sly and clever contrast to the softer material the band is best known for.
Mellower fare like âAfter Glowâ (sung by the bandâs one-time drummer Deen Castronovo), âDonât Goâ and âLife Rolls Onâ wind the record down before a pretty acoustic plucks under Pineda where we are swept into the catchy chorus of  âBeautiful As You Are.â You have to applaud any classic rock band still making new music. With Freedom, you get exactly what youâd expect from Journey. Plus thereâs those deeper tracks you wouldnât expect. Altogether, it makes for a satisfying listen.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.