06/10: 'Journey's Revelation'

I've had a real obsession in the past week or so. Don't worry, it's a healthy one. Normally, an obsession of this kind wouldn't be (more on that later). But I have some faith.

My obsession has to do with the five guys in this picture that have been making some great music lately and are currently breaking new ground:


If you don't know who they are, then you're probably not a fan. And if you're Filipino and you don't know who they are, then you must have been living under a rock for the past few months or so (or more realistically, you somehow haven't made contact with another one of our people in a while).

However, everyone in the above categories has one thing in common: they have heard a song from this band at least once in their lives. I am talking, of course, about Journey; and their new lead singer, Arnel Pineda. He is the reason why so many Filipinos - I mean, people - have been opening their eyes, their ears, and their wallets for this band that has been around for close to three decades. And he has been the catalyst for what could be the group's biggest revival in years.

Arnel Pineda, 40, steps into the shoes of once lead singer Steve Perry to revive the band's iconic sound. However, his beginnings were very humble; his discovery, even more so. When the band needed to get back on the road in hopes of rising up again, it had to find a lead singer. The previous two attempts didn't last, either because of a failure to live up to the Perry legacy or a failure to bring in fans. So, in a move that really reflected our current technology-based generation, band member Neal Schon searched for that voice - on Youtube.

Soon enough, he found Pineda and his cover band 'The Zoo' rocking out to various songs by famous acts like Sting and Led Zeppelin. The one thing that Journey couldn't deny this long haired Filipino was his voice, and it sounded every bit as good as the original Steve Perry wailing of yesteryear. In fact, Pineda's voice had its own unique and palpable quality.

A few phone calls, some voice samples, and one long flight to America later, Pineda auditioned for the band. Journey's stamp of approval was given just as quickly. That was about half a year ago, and in the first week of June, the band release its album 'Revelation', debuting Arnel Pineda as a full member of the band.

The album features a re-recording of the band's greatest hits compilation, a DVD of its first large-scale concert with Pineda, and a CD of new songs. It was also only found exclusively at Wal-Mart (which I still don't understand why). I am putting all these details down for one reason - people should buy this album.


And this doesn't come from a Filipino that is high off another one of his own people's 15 minutes of fame. This is coming from a new fan of the music - not the identity. The new, original songs, shine with a quality that rivals that of the band's former glories, and many of them are sure to be hits. The original band members before Pineda haven't lost a beat - they still strum and drum with the best of them. However, when you add in this man's voice, everything falls into place. The passion and the soul of every song resonates out of the speakers, into your ears, and into your heart. It's like listening to Journey on KOST 103.5 all over again, complete with all of the 'oohs' and 'aahs' and 'awww I love this song!' - only this time, the music is all new. Pineda has brought a lot to this band, and in a lot of ways it's a great thing; but this is a band, and altogether, this band has created a quality piece of work.

However, I will admit that this is the first Filipino bandwagon (would it be Jeepney for us?) that I think I can get on. Think about all the Fil-Am acts that have made it in the limelight. Most of them were on American Idol, some may know a few from Youtube, and then there's, of course, Manny Pacquiao. All of these people, excluding Pacquiao, have not managed to break the mainstream market in a big way. Support for the American Idol contestants basically stopped after those people were booted off the show, and support for Youtube stars remains exclusive towards very small online audiences.

But this is the first time that the fame is actually legit. Journey is such a popular band already, and both it and Pineda will benefit from this partnership. Pineda will rack in - and already has - new Filipino fans, and Journey has themselves a singer that brings both new and old to the sound. Old, because he still gives justice to the Steve Perry legacy. New, because he changes the culture of the band. Literally. And should Pineda get through the world-wide tour over the coming months, his place in Journey will be solidified. A platinum album will add to that, as well. And finally the Filipino community can really say that one of its own is making a splash in mainstream music.

The story, the band, the man, the songs - they are all stellar and deserve to be listened to. I have bought this album (I know, go figure) and I thoroughly recommend it. Try it, love it, buy it, and then love it some more.

Check out:
Pineda's Interview on CBS
First Gig, in Chile! Performance of 'Open Arms'

06/10, 2:15PM: At Starbucks; Living the Dream

I suppose from now on I will be putting the time and date that I type my posts, despite the times that they are actually posted. At least in this case, I do not have any internet access at Starbucks. Oh well, this is when something like Tomboy Notes comes in handy. (Funny, when I typed 'internet', my computer told me I typed it wrong. Apparently, it's supposed to be 'Internet' with a capital letter. Interesting.)

I always wanted to just come to Starbucks and be like one of those people that are hanging around on their laptops, sipping on coffee. Well, here I am, but instead of coffee, I'm sipping on some iced green tea (obviously). And now I'm one of the many people trying to feel like they're in a metropolis-style cafe in this small, primarily lower-middle class town. It's not all that bad though.

On the other hand, I feel like I'm back in Aromas again at the University, trying to do homework and trying to escape the confinements of my apartment. That's a feeling I actually like, when compared to the other one. I miss San Diego a lot; most of all, the people.

It's kind of weird seeing all of these new black labels at this Starbucks. All around the world the popular chain has changed their labels from the usual green-on-black-and-white to a fully black and white circle. The depiction of a queen inside of that circle has changed too. It sparked a little bit of controversy here and there, as depicted below:



Well, if they can't stand to see a woman cover her breasts, they can still find the original, no-breasts label on the plastic cups made for cold drinks, like:



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Yes, that is my laptop. A wonderful System76 laptop fully equipped with Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron, running Compiz Fusion and finally customized with a black motif and a 'manyoshu'-style background.
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I just don't see what the fuss is about. If you're that riled up about a woman covering her breasts and you can't bear to look at your hot drink, then just buy a cold one. It's summer, anyway - chill out!