Infinity (Journey album)

Infinity is the fourth studio album by American rock band Journey, released in January 1978 by Columbia Records. It was the band's first album with vocalist Steve Perry and the last to feature drummer Aynsley Dunbar.

Infinity
Cover art by Alton Kelley and Stanley Mouse
Studio album by
Journey
ReleasedJanuary 20, 1978 (1978-01-20)[1]
RecordedOctober–December 1977
Studio
GenreRock, hard rock
Length36:28
LabelColumbia
ProducerRoy Thomas Baker
Journey chronology
Next
(1977)		 Infinity
(1978)		 Evolution
(1979)
Singles from Infinity
  1. "Wheel in the Sky"
    Released: March 1978[2]
  2. "Anytime"
    Released: June 1978
  3. "Lights"
    Released: August 1978 [3]

Background

Looking for a stronger lead vocalist, Journey briefly enlisted Robert Fleischman and even recorded a few tracks with him, one of which, "For You", later appeared on the Time3 compilation album and Fleischman's solo album Perfect Stranger. Fleischman was soon replaced by Steve Perry, due to musical and management differences. Fleischman would later resurface as the first singer of the glam metal band Vinnie Vincent Invasion.

In "Feeling That Way", Perry dueted with keyboardist Gregg Rolie, who sings lead vocals on "Anytime".

"Patiently" was the first song Perry and Neal Schon wrote together. Perry wrote the lyrics, in which he expresses the sadness of being on the road and away from home, while also expressing admiration for the band's fans, and Schon wrote the music for the song. Other popular singles included "Lights" and "Wheel in the Sky". The latter was co-written with temporary frontman Fleischman.

Journey's manager, Herbie Herbert, enlisted English producer Roy Thomas Baker to produce Infinity. Baker produced a layered sound approach, similar to his work with Queen, as demonstrated on tracks such as "Winds of March" (with help from engineer Geoff Workman). In addition, Baker's method of stacked harmonies, notable on several other albums he produced, became trademarks of Journey's sound. He achieved this by having each vocalist (usually Perry and Rolie, sometimes joined by Valory and/or Schon) sing each harmony part in unison. This had the effect of making three or four voices sound like more, and is notable on the songs "Feeling that Way" and "Anytime", which are often played in tandem consecutively on radio stations as presented on the album.

The addition of Perry gave the band a more mainstream sound, and helped Journey attain their highest chart success to date.

Reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[4]
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal8/10[5]

In John Franck's AllMusic review, he wrote that the album, "effectively cemented their rep as one of America's most beloved (and sometimes hated) commercial rock/pop bands." The changes to the band and its music allowed "each bandmember to play to his strength: Perry's soaring, whale of a voice, Schon's scorching fret work, and Gregg Rolie's subtle keyboard arrangements," he said.[4]

Cash Box said of the single "Anytime" that it is a "dynamic, irresistible effort that features exuberant, multi-tracked harmonies and potent lead guitar."[6] Record World said of "Anytime" that "The a capella opening and high harmonies are guaranteed to catch the listener within seconds."[7]

Track listing
Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Lights"Steve Perry, Neal Schon3:11
2."Feeling That Way"Perry, Gregg Rolie, Aynsley Dunbar3:28
3."Anytime"Rolie, Roger Silver, Robert Fleischman, Schon, Ross Valory3:28
4."Lă Do Dā"Perry, Schon3:01
5."Patiently"Perry, Schon3:21
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Wheel in the Sky"Schon, Fleischman, Diane Valory4:12
2."Somethin' to Hide"Perry, Schon3:27
3."Winds of March"Matt Schon, Schon, Fleischman, Rolie, Perry5:04
4."Can Do"Perry, R. Valory2:39
5."Opened the Door"Perry, Rolie, Schon4:37

Personnel

Journey

Production

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[13] Gold 50,000^
United States (RIAA)[14] 3× Platinum 3,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. Rivadavia, Eduardo (January 20, 2015). "How Journey Finally Broke Through With 'Infinity'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  2. "Journey - Wheel in the Sky". Dutch Charts.nl (in Dutch). Media Control Charts. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  3. Strong, Martin Charles (1995). The Great Rock Discography. p. 445. ISBN 9780862415419.
  4. Franck, John. "Journey - Infinity review". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 2013-06-30.
  5. Popoff, Martin (October 2003). The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 1: The Seventies. Burlington, Ontario, Canada: Collector's Guide Publishing. p. 153. ISBN 978-1894959025.
  6. "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. June 3, 1978. p. 24. Retrieved 2022-01-01.
  7. "Record World Single Picks" (PDF). Record World. June 17, 1978. p. 20. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  8. "Top RPM Albums: Issue 4597a". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  9. "Swedishcharts.com – Journey – Infinity". Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  10. "Journey Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  11. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 4577a." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  12. "Journey Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  13. "Canadian album certifications – Journey – Infinity". Music Canada. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  14. "American album certifications – Journey – Infinity". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 25, 2022.

Sources
  • Daniels, Neil (2011). The Untold Story of Journey. London: Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-1-84938-657-9.
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