Journey Essentials

This San Francisco band refined the power ballad and shot the concept into hyperspace. It's easy to see why “Don't Stop Believin'” and “Open Arms”, from their triumphant 1981 album, Escape, are staples of both high-school dances and sports teams: With sweeping piano, towering guitar, and Steve Perry's gravity-defying vocals, they're at once cries from the heart and rallying calls to the faithful. Journey get more gritty on gems like “Lights” and “Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'”, letting their blues-rock roots show through with edgy riffing, throbbing rhythms and Perry's untethered wail.