I became a fan of Journey’s music in the late 70’s and listened to albums like Infinity, Evolution, Departure and Captured over and over. In fact, I listened to those albums so much, I knew every crack, pop and skip on the records (yes, vinyl records). But nothing prepared me for the release of Journey’s “Escape” album. I was 12 years old, and when I got the album, the melodies and lyrics on the album just seem to resonate in my pre-teen ears.
I know it probably sounds silly, but this album is one that most influenced my musical tastes for years to come. I’m 42 years old now and I can still listen to the whole album. “Escape” sounds as fresh to me now as it did when I was 12 and reminds me of what it was like to discover new music as a youngster.
I can appreciate Journey in all it’s forms, through changing times and a changing lineup (although, I’ll freely admit I’m a Steve Perry purist) and “Escape” is the perfect gateway album into the entire Journey catalog.
Excerpt from the Wikipedia entry:
Escape (Journey album)
Escape
Studio album by Journey
Released July 31, 1981
Recorded Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California, Mid Spring/Early Summer, 1981
Genre Hard rock, rock
Length 42:46 (original), 59:43 (reissue)
Label Columbia
Producer Kevin Elson, Mike Stone
Escape (sometimes stylized as E5C4P3) is Journey‘s seventh studio album (and eighth overall), released on July 31, 1981. The album features four hit Billboard Hot 100 singles – “Don’t Stop Believin’” (#9), “Who’s Crying Now” (#4), “Still They Ride” (#19) and “Open Arms” (#2) – plus rock radio staples like “Stone in Love” and “Mother, Father”.
Background and writing
Escape was the band’s first album with keyboardist Jonathan Cain who replaced founding keyboardist Gregg Rolie after he left the band at the end of 1980. The album was co-produced by former Lynyrd Skynyrd soundman Kevin Elson and one-time Queen engineer Mike Stone, who also engineered the album.
In celebration of the new year and a 2011 full of possibilities, opportunity and change, I thought I’d share Richard Page‘s song “Brand New Day” from his new album Peculiar Life
This is an inspiring and uplifting new collection of songs from the singer and songwriting member of the 1980’s band, Mr. Mister.
