Frontiers, Journey
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Journey – Frontiers
Artist: Journey Title: Frontiers Album Type: Eighth Studio Album (Original Vinyl Release) Original Release Date: February 22, 1983 Label: Columbia Records (Catalog: QC 38504) Genre: Arena Rock / Hard Rock / Power Pop
Background & Production Frontiers is the high-water mark of Journey’s commercial dominance, serving as the follow-up to the massive success of Escape. Recorded at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, California, the album was produced by Kevin Elson and Mike Stone. It reached #2 on the Billboard 200, where it famously sat for nine weeks behind Michael Jackson’s Thriller. This record solidified the classic lineup of Steve Perry, Neal Schon, Jonathan Cain, Ross Valory, and Steve Smith as the kings of 80s arena rock.
Musical Composition & Style The album features a more synth-heavy and aggressive rock sound than their earlier work, perfectly tailored for the stadium tours of the era.
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The Power Ballads: Features "Faithfully" and "Send Her My Love," two of Steve Perry’s most iconic vocal performances.
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The High-Energy Hits: "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" and "After the Fall" showcase Neal Schon’s biting guitar work and the band’s mastery of rhythmic drive.
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The "Lost" Track: The album was originally intended to include "Ask the Lonely" and "Only the Young," but they were removed at the last minute for soundtrack use, making the remaining tracks like "Chain Reaction" and "Edge of the Blade" the core of the record’s harder edge.
Original Pressing & Collector Notes As a massive seller in the early 80s, original copies are common, but "M- / Near Mint" copies with all inserts are the standard for collectors.
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Identification: The original 1983 US pressing (QC 38504) features the Columbia "Barbed Wire" labels (dark grey with red text/logos).
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Mastering: Look for the "STERLING" stamp in the deadwax (runout), indicating it was mastered at the world-renowned Sterling Sound in New York.
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Sleeve Details: The original release comes in a single sleeve with a printed inner lyric sleeve featuring photos of the band members.
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Cover Art: The striking, futuristic "head" artwork was designed by Jim Welch and Moushegian, continuing the band’s signature sci-fi aesthetic.
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Keywords: Journey, Frontiers, Original Pressing, 1983 Vinyl, Steve Perry, Separate Ways, Faithfully, Arena Rock, Columbia Records, Sterling Sound.
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Collection Ideas: 80s Arena Rock Classics, Steve Perry Era Journey, Platinum Selling Records, Essential Rock Soundtracks.
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Related Artists: Foreigner, REO Speedwagon, Styx, Boston, Toto.
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MINT - sealed
NM - likely never played - almost perfect
VG+ - light scuffs, light scratches wont effect play
VG - signs of wear, light scratches you can feel
GOOD - surface noise, visible groove wear
POOR / FAIR- some damage, causing issues like skipping & distorted audio
OIS - original inner sleeve







