Journey - Evolution (1979)

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Evolution is the fifth studio album by American rock band Journey. Released in April 5, 1979 on Columbia Records, it is their first album to feature drummer Steve Smith.It was the band's most successful album at that time, charting at No. 20 on the US Billboard 200 chart. It has sold three million copies in the US. 

They retained Roy Thomas Baker (best known for his work with Queen) as producer, but drummer Aynsley Dunbar was replaced with Smith, formerly with Ronnie Montrose's band.

Evolution features their first top 20 hit, "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'", which was inspired by the classic Sam Cooke top 20 hit "Nothin' Can Change This Love" and reached No. 16 in the US. 

"Just the Same Way" featured original lead vocalist Gregg Rolie along with Steve Perry. 

With the platinum triumph of Infinity still ringing in their ears like coins in a slot machine, Journey was now committed to completing their transformation from jazz fusion/prog rock mavens into arena rock superstars with their fifth album, 1979's Evolution. 

This transition (also clearly illustrated by the futuristic insect gracing each album cover henceforth) would not come without its growing pains, however, and while producer Roy Thomas Baker was back for a second go-round, original drummer Aynsley Dunbar would be the first casualty of the band's new direction. 

Thankfully, former Ronnie Montrose skin-beater Steve Smith soon brought his college-trained jazz fusion background to the table, and the band was ready to get back to work. 

If Infinity had defined a new songwriting formula for the act, Evolution only served to develop it and streamlined it further, clearly qualifying as their strongest effort to date and endearing the band to millions of FM rock listeners in the process. 

With commercial rock hits like "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'" (their first single to crack the Top 20), "Too Late" (which reached number 70), and the powerful "Just the Same Way" (which peaked at number 58) leading the way to radio dominance, Journey had never sounded stronger or more determined. 

And with Steve Perry's tenor pipes now clearly driving the band's engine, and guitarist Neal Schon beginning to relish in his guitar-hero persona, Journey could seemingly do no wrong. Evolution quickly became the band's biggest-selling album, and Perry and co. soon embarked on yet another mammoth tour.

Track listing

1.  Majestic (Instrumental) - 1:16 

2.  Too Late - 2:58 

3.  Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin' - 3:55 

4.  City of the Angels - 3:12 

5.  When You're Alone (It Ain't Easy) - 3:10 

6.  Sweet and Simple - 4:13 

7.  Lovin' You Is Easy - 3:38 

8.  Just the Same Way - 3:18 

9.  Do You Recall - 3:13 

10.  Daydream - 4:42 

11.  Lady Luck - 3:35 

Journey

• Steve Perry – lead vocals
• Gregg Rolie – keyboards, backing vocals, co-lead vocals (8)
• Neal Schon – guitars, Roland GR-500 guitar synthesizer, backing vocals
• Ross Valory – bass guitar, Moog bass, backing vocals
• Steve Smith – drums, percussion

Production

• Roy Thomas Baker – producer, mixing
• Geoff Workman – engineer
• George Tutko – second engineer
• Greg Schafer – production manager
• Larry Noggle, Jim Welch – package design
• Alton Kelley, Stanley Mouse – cover art
• Sam Emerson – back cover photography, liner photography
• Hiro Ito – liner photography
• Pat Morrow – liner notes
• Herbie Herbert – management

Notes

Released:  5 April 1979 

Recorded:  October – November 1978 Studio Cherokee, Los Angeles 

Genre:  Arena rock

Length:  37:10 

Label - Columbia