Certainly: songs like "City of Hope" or "Anything is possible" are catchy tunes with radio qualities, and numerous other songs of the album are composed by and through solid, but in my opinion, simply weaker (and any) than much of what JOURNEY in have created their best times. Most of the songs are simply nice, expertly written songs, no more and no less. Real milestones or masterpieces I do not see in them, to simply lacks "that certain something" - and an epic and monumental rock album in a class is simply not for me ECLIPSE. Another reviewer made, I think, moreover, aptly noted that "most of the pieces seem a little overexcited" ... for me it sound as if the band knew not quite where it wants to go.
It is also clear that Arnel Pineda does its job very well. What JOURNEY my view, however, is missing with this album is really compelling material, a little more enthralling, more consistent compositions have the band just gutgetan.
All in all, despite all the praise in the press, to rapturous applause me tears ECLIPSE not go. Surely you can hear the music well, and not a fan (or even occasional listeners) of JOURNEY should be really disappointed, but as I'm not convinced all around.
