Departure

Departure is the sixth album on which Journey, around raw, live-feeling playing, binds Steve Perry’s singing to stronger, more striking hooks. A record of a fulfilling period, just before the great explosion of the next masterpiece Escape. Neal Schon’s guitar powerfully lifts Perry’s singing, and the rhythm section of Ross Valory and Steve Smith beautifully unites lightness and sure weight. From the straight, exhilarating momentum of the opener “Any Way You Want It” and the bouncing feel of “Walks Like a Lady” to cuts like “Someday Soon,” “Line of Fire” and “Where Were You,” the album, while refined, never loses a raw feel. Content strongly showing their strengths as a live band. A record on which, listened through, the exquisite placement of fast songs, mid-tempo and restrained passages richly creates the whole album’s breath. Rather than emphasizing only flashy parts, by firmly keeping time to build emotion, the release of the choruses and guitar that finally comes feels more vivid. Showing Journey’s growth and momentum as a rock band, it is a powerful, fulfilling work.