Presently, I was assigned to read the book, "Hardcore Zen" by Brad Warner for an Asian History class. It’s a collection of essays promoting Buddhism, written by a musician and monster moviemaker from Ohio. Overall the book is a good read except for this moment when he lumps Journey in with bands described as….And I quote.
“…bland, so joyless, so unrelentingly, wretchedly awful, it’s hard to imagine that it hadn’t been scientifically designed to induce vomiting.”
And in response he will be receiving this letter in the near future.
Dear Mr. Warner,
Journey is an awesome band. That is all.
PS: Journey is a brilliant group of musicians who have defined GOOD 80’s music. Who hasn’t had an ephiphany listening to “Separate Ways,” or “Don’t Stop Believing?” (Other than you of course) Journey combines intense vocal melodies with some of the best keyboard playing of that decade. They certainly are not wretchedly awful or joyless, and I find your criticisms blow.
Sincerely,
Avid Journey Fan
Hopefully, he'll respond shortly. And in case you're wondering the other bands he placed on his shit list were Styx and REO Speedwagon. Neither of those really hurt me too much; although, there are some good Styx songs out there. But JOURNEY is a totally different story. They definitely are not awful!!
QATFYG: Have you ever had an epiphany while listening to "Separate Ways," or "Don't Stop Believing?"
I know I have.
“…bland, so joyless, so unrelentingly, wretchedly awful, it’s hard to imagine that it hadn’t been scientifically designed to induce vomiting.”
And in response he will be receiving this letter in the near future.
Dear Mr. Warner,
Journey is an awesome band. That is all.
PS: Journey is a brilliant group of musicians who have defined GOOD 80’s music. Who hasn’t had an ephiphany listening to “Separate Ways,” or “Don’t Stop Believing?” (Other than you of course) Journey combines intense vocal melodies with some of the best keyboard playing of that decade. They certainly are not wretchedly awful or joyless, and I find your criticisms blow.
Sincerely,
Avid Journey Fan
Hopefully, he'll respond shortly. And in case you're wondering the other bands he placed on his shit list were Styx and REO Speedwagon. Neither of those really hurt me too much; although, there are some good Styx songs out there. But JOURNEY is a totally different story. They definitely are not awful!!
QATFYG: Have you ever had an epiphany while listening to "Separate Ways," or "Don't Stop Believing?"
I know I have.
YES! I loved "Don't Stop Believing" ever since I discovered it was the wong playing on the cello when Robbie's about to get married for the first time in "The Wedding Singer." then I would listen to it in the mornings before school and marvel at the lyrics. so beautiful, classic American stuff.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! For me my first Journey epiphany was the first time I heard "Separate Ways!"
ReplyDeleteI was like, "Hello! Musical ORGASM!"
I've been a Journey fan ever since.
When "Don't Stop Believin'" played during the last episode of "The Sopranos", my mind was blown.
ReplyDelete