Arrival

Arrival is an ambitious studio work Journey made after a long gap, welcoming the new vocalist Steve Augeri. Amid the difficult situation of succeeding the great flagship Steve Perry, Augeri’s soaring, powerful voice, evoking Perry, breathes new life into the band. Thick choruses, Neal Schon’s singing guitar and ballads’ sure structural beauty again clearly show the band’s musical core. From the powerful drive of the opener “Higher Place” and the drama of “All the Way” to a cut like “Signs of Life,” every song holds big melody that shines in arenas and a sure playing steadiness, while cuts like “Loved by You” and “World Gone Wild” convey the work’s fullness. Though there are many songs, Journey’s appeal breathes in each one. A record that, rather than merely tracing past glory, powerfully reaffirmed Journey’s character with a new voice. A stance of the band moving powerfully forward, overcoming the great trial of Perry’s departure, comes through. Announcing the start of the new lineup welcoming Augeri, it is an ambitious, engaging, fulfilling work — the opening of the band’s new chapter.