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the movie never ends, it goes on and on and on

A post on Idolator yesterday fueled more rumors about Journey's possible new frontman, Arnel Pineda. Reposting a picture of Pineda with the current members of Journey, this looks to be more than just a snapshot of a fan with his favorite band. Though no official statement has been made about the vocalist situation, speculation is running wild online.

Jess's Idolator post attached a clip of Pineda covering "Don't Stop Believin'" with his band the Zoo, along with the classic Journey line-up doing the same song back in the day. I must say I'm impressed with Pineda's abilities. Checking out other clips online, including this version of "Faithfully," I think he might be the right guy for the band.

Pineda clearly has the vocal chops and has paid his dues on the tribute band circuit. The deal is, for almost any other band, reaching a point like this is ripe for ridicule. Bands like Judas Priest and KISS have carried on in the past and present with people from the tribute band circuit. No matter how much it sounds like it was in its heyday, it all seems like a phoned-in paycheck. But in the case of Journey with post-Steve Perry vocalists Steve Augeri and Jeff Scott Soto, the songs seem to overshadow whomever is singing them. How or why, I don't know, but it just does to me.

Journey's greatest hits still ring true for me even after all these years. I've always had a soft spot for the power ballads and rockers despite enjoying other kinds of music that were made in direct contrast of the so-called Seventies/Eighties corporate rock. No amount of cynicism, goofy-looking outfits or man-perms can really change that for me.

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