Jonmc defends the indefensible. and we're bringing out the big guns now.→[More:] I'm talking about the two bands guaranteed to make any hipster smirk or prog snob gag. Yes, I'm talking about Foriegner and Journey.

Both bands have sadly become synonymous with the term 'faceless FM corporate rock,' which is odd since such a thing didn't quite exist when both bands came into being. One could almost make the argument that the whole AOR phenomenon sprung into being as a response to their success.

But both bands have a bit in common. Both were formed out leftovers from previous scenes (the best known Journey lineup featured guitarist Neal Schon and keyboard man Greg Rolie from Santana and bassist Ross Valory of cult psyche act Frumious Bandersnatch. Foreigner featured former members of British hard rockers Spooky Tooth and King Crimson.) Both bands also managed to use the innovations of their earlier experience-meaty guitar riffs, distortion- and combine them with concise pop craftsmanship to create great hooky car stereo rock. Sure, there were deeper and more meaningful bands aplenty, but these cats were good at what they did. And they were generally content with being the worlds biggest bar bands and didn't want anything more. OK, Foriegner wanted to know what love was, but Journey was generally content with some loving, touching and the occasional squeezing. And even those who despise both bands will grudgingly admit they both possesed vocalists who had excellent voices. Apparently, at the We Are The World session Bob Dylan went up to Journey's Steve Perry and said 'Man, you've got a great set of pipes.'

And when they had their moments of genuine inspiration, they could transcend their limitations, if only for a song or two, but that's always fun to watch. So here's the cream of the crop as it were:

Journey:
Lights(their best ballad for my money, shows Perry's pipes nicely without going overboard)
Anyway You Want It(their hookiest number, showing they had pop acumen. Although Steve: wear a shirt next time, please)
Don't Stop Believin'(their most inspired and best song IMHO. I remeber hearing this song at a friends house and liking it so much that I had to go by my first record, which launched a lifetime of fandom. Their fusion beginnings show in Neal's clean guitar tone, but the dynamics are all rock and roll)

Foriegner:
Juke Box Hero (a nicely dynamic ode to rock star fantasy. and as someone who has put his ear to the wall of sold-out shows, it resonates. That inflatable jukebox is really something. I wonder what became of it. It's probably floating somewhere with Pink Floyd's pig to this day)
Urgent
I Want To Know What Love Is(these songs show some willingness to venture out: the sax solo on 'Urgent' from R&B legend Junior Parker and the gospel choir on "I Want To Know..." add some new dimensions while retaining their own sound. Nice trick that).

I am sure many of you have just died inside a little bit.