The Essential Journey

Great combination of hits and ones that should’ve been hits. My favorite album of compilation works.

The very first thing that struck me when reviewing this compilation album is the sheer amount of songs that i, strangely, had heard on the radio before and yet didn't realize it was Journey. Normally, realizing that a band had done so many songs that i could identify would be a good thing - a realization that this band was a lot better than i gave them credit for. This was actually not so much of the case with Journey. What i realized with this band is that the reason i didn't know they were all Journey songs is because they were, for the most part, tons of overrated and forgettable songs that are too radio-friendly to the point of having a fake/inauthentic feel. Except for the songs Don't Stop and Wheel in the Sky (really the only 2 songs worthy of the rabid Journey fandom), these songs are average and cliche at best. The average keeper is still only 3 star quality and the rest are 2 star quality throwaways. Even though this isn't billed as a "hits" album, it's still dramatically bloated for a compilation with the word "essential" on it. The filler songs at the beginning of the album make some sense as they are at least recognizable. Most of the second half of the album is largely just for the serious fan. Only hardcore Journey fans looking for deep cuts can find love for this entire lengthy compilation. The lyrics often come off as really dumb/weak - second only to the band America for stupid lyrics that make little-to-no sense. Much like the incoherent song Horse with No Name, what the heck is the song Ask the Lonely about anyway? Really listen to it and see if you can tell. The vocals are also lack lustre on most of the songs on here. What i realized is that, in general, Steve Perry sounds like a poor man's version of Rod Stewart. If Stewart were to phone in an album, you'd get Steve Perry. Add in cheesy, almost stereotypical instrumentals and Journey feels like a tribute band of themselves. I'm sure i'd have a lot of trouble distinguishing between the doubtless dozens of Journey tribute bands the real deal. They're easy to copy partly because they are so cliche and safe/radio friendly. I think i can now offically say that i don't like this band despite a couple good songs. I wasn't sure how i felt until i reviewed this album. Overall, they're just not good enough and not worthy of their cult-like following. Some songs like Lights and Lovin, Touchin, Squeezin are beyond forgettable and actually quite annoying. But the #1 worst Journey song is the inexplicably popular Anyway You Want It. It might just be the worst song of all time from any band. The song is cloying and the the lyrics are patently untrue. THE WAY YOU WANT IT IS NOT NECESSARILY THE WAY YOU NEED IT. It's far from a 1 to 1 ratio. You might want to eat 3 pizzas in one sitting, but is that the way you need it? WANT AND NEED are 2 completely different things you morons! This song is one of the worst examples of the terrible writting as it equates apples and oranges and fans accept it absolutely. What's worse is that it's catchy. That's the reason it's ubiquitous in commericals. It's cheesy and cliche like a commercial jingle. I want to rip my ears off whenever i hear it pop up on a commercial spewing its lies. Overall there's one 4 star song in Don't Stop Believing, six 3 star songs, one 2 star keeper and the rest are all throwaways. Definitely not a stat line for an "essentials" album.

I looooooooooooooooooooooovvvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeee this 🍑🍆

Something here for every Journey fan. Perry's voice and the classic sound will never fade. I wish "Oh Sherry" was included, but I can't say anything bad. Still sing my heart out for most of this collection, especially "Wheel in the Sky." Buy this and be forever grateful that this band shared their awesome sound with the world.

its 2015 and no one else has writren a review since 2009 lol its still the best album ever.

Who are the idiot that wrote this review? Their comback album Trial by Fire was successful. This compilation album is great. good ole rock n roll

Must have All the songs r supernatural! 2 best songs of this album is escape ,still they ride,love it! thanks journey And STEVE perry

Journey is excellent! Mainly in the Steve Perry era. Get the essential one!

Can there be any question that Journey was one of the greatest rock bands of the 1980s? The quality here is superlative. The level of musicianship leaves me speechless. Steve Perry’s voice is both technically astonishing and distinctive. The song-writing captures the essential moods of the era it represents. When I say that Journey is our Rush, I mean that in the most flattering terms. If you’re a popular music enthusiast, or a classic rock lover, this record is absolutely seminal.

Best song ever.Love it people.