As a fan of Journey and Steve Perry, "Traces" was a must-buy. No matter how the album would turn out later, I told myself. After such a long hiatus, it's hard to know what to expect.
Steve Perry had released his last and second solo album "For the Love of Strange Medicine" in 1994, and two years later came "Trial by Fire" with the reformed Journey. Then he quickly withdrew from the music industry. Only after the death of his partner did he start writing songs again.
Steve Perry has captured the experiences of recent years in 10 songs, actually 15 considering the Bonus Tracks. Songs that tackle themes like loss, love, and hope. Given the premises, one certainly could not expect an album full of rock numbers, also because of the topics addressed. It's therefore an album mainly composed of ballads and mid-tempo songs, with melodies and excellent production.
The supporting musicians are excellent, allowing the great singer to be heard without overshadowing him, while maintaining their quality intact.
The first four tracks immediately imprint themselves into the listener's memory; the other tracks require more careful listening—mostly slow songs with nostalgic lyrics.
The cover is beautiful, illustrating various stages of the singer's career. 3/5
Tracklist
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