Beautiful Mess

Beautiful Mess is the varied fourth album, taking in the touch of soul and funk while keeping hard rock at its axis. Begun before he joined Journey and completed after he left, it first appeared digitally in 2008 and then on Frontiers in February 2009. Sweden's Paulo Mendonça took the central role in production and co-writing, involved in 11 of the 14 songs; Soto's own writing accounting for only half was unusual for his career to that point. Ben Carey (guitar) and others take part in the playing. Beyond powerful high notes, the phrasing that hugs low-range nuance and rhythm has appeal too. The opener “21st Century” pushes with guitar yet carries an R&B texture, and the range is wide — the pop of “Cry Me a River,” “Gin & Tonic Sky,” “Our Song,” “Testify,” “Kick It.” It steps well away from the previous AOR path, and opinion was divided. Even so, across the genres what sits at the center is the strength of the singing. From light songs to hot rockers, a record for enjoying an expressive vocalist's range.