Evolution (1979)
1. Majestic
2. Too Late
3. Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'
4. City of the Angels
5. When You're Alone (It Ain't Easy)
6. Sweet and Simple
7. Lovin' You is Easy
8. Just the Same Way
9. Do You Recall
10.Daydream
11.Lady Luck
It was pretty amazing to see how this
band was able to take such a radical left turn on the previous record,
Infinity, and do it in such a powerful,
warm, well received way. If anything, this album finely replicates its
predecessor. There's a new drummer - Steve Smith (Ansley Dunbar wasn't
too crazy about the band's new direction), and his presence is
definitely noticeable, but other than that, this record seems have
a message that their latest sound would be the same sound they would be
anchored. Perhaps, then, the title of this album is bit of an
misnomer, since they haven't really "evolved" from their last album that
much. As mentioned, though, they've definitely became a new creature.
Also ironic is that when one glances at the album tracks, they really don't reveal that many
well known favorites. Apart from the defining, excellent Lovin'
Touchin' Squeezin, there aren't any "hits" here, and one may be
inclined to skip the album and get the above mentioned song on one of
the many "best of" compilations. I would advise against this, since the album is
almost immaculate. Every fan is bound to have their select favorites,
and, yes, obviously some songs stand out significantly better than
others, but the album is a carefully crafted exercise of great song
writing and musicianship.
Steve Perry has now won the hearts of millions (well, maybe not quite
that many yet) and the brand of the band had changed to perhaps define
the term "arena rock" that would dominate the next several years. Every
song on here has the band's unique stamp of professionalism and should
please everyone that considers themselves a "fan". Yes, they would be
accused a few years later of "going commercial" and/or "selling out"
with their radio friendly top 40 ballads, and even though the music put
out by these guys around this time isn't that different, this should
please those, who for whatever reason, were turned off by the band's
massive popularity in the 1980s.
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