For the Love of Strange Medicine is the second solo album by Steve Perry (ex-Journey singer).
Coming ten years after his first solo album, For the Love of Strange Medicine's lack of success was solid proof that a new decade had no room for Steve Perry's saccharine-induced love songs or makeup and breakup-styled gushiness, even if it was sculpted to sound more mature. "You Better Wait" was the lead single that managed a number 29 spot, mainly because Perry's voice soared throughout its entirety, proving he could still utilize his greatest asset. The rest of the album tries to blend Perry's romantic formula with pumped-up keyboard playing and manufactured rhythms, worsening any sincerity that may or may not have been there in the first place…
Because of the strength of the number three single "Oh Sherrie," the rest of Steve Perry's first solo album was somewhat overlooked, even though it managed to put three other songs into the Top 40. Even with Journey's power ballad formula draping every runny lyric and mawkish keyboard stretch, Perry was able to make the album sound relatively steadfast and sincere all the while. "Oh Sherrie" deserves it's chart placing, accentuating Perry's vocal power, especially throughout the explosive chorus. Both "Foolish Heart" and "She's Mine" aren't as strong, but they do provide the same type of romantically florid appeal that made "Open Arms" and "Faithfully" hits for Journey, minus the sturdiness of his former band…
For the first time, one of the most iconic voices in rock sings eight holiday classics. The Season is Steve Perry's personal journey back to some of the best times of his life. Produced by Perry and longtime collaborator Thom Flowers with artwork by Jeff Wack.
In the fall of 2018, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Steve Perry made his long-awaited return with the release of TRACES, the legendary musician’s first new album in 25 years. The album’s personal expression of love, inspiration and renewal resonated with both critics and fans around the world, thrilled to have their ‘voice of a generation’ making new music once again.
Steve Perry walked away from the music business at the twilight of the 1990s, following the modest success of 1994's For the Love of Strange Medicine and the underwhelming commercial performance of Journey's 1996 album, Trial by Fire. Perry spent the next decade and a half out of the spotlight, quietly re-emerging with an appearance at a 2014 Eels concert in St. Paul, Minnesota. Perry's affinity for Mark Everett's eccentric indie pop outfit came as a surprise, as nothing in either band's music suggested a mutual connection, but as the former Journey singer ramped up the publicity for 2018's Traces, his first solo album in 24 years, his fondness for Everett's songs became plain: the Eels leader explores the depth of grief on many of his songs, and that's an emotion Perry felt deeply at the dawn of the 2010s.
Legendary singer-songwriter and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Steve Perry makes his long-awaited return with Traces, his first new album in nearly a quarter century. The famed singer introduces Traces with lead track 'No Erasin'' and reassuringly greets fans with the opening line 'I know it's been a long time comin'.' The track is an emotional homecoming, a familiar welcome from the iconic voice and writer of Journey's timeless, global hits including 'Don't Stop Believin',' 'Faithfully,' and 'Open Arms,' as well as the significant solo success of 'Oh Sherrie' and 'Foolish Heart.' Perry says, 'Putting 30 years into 10 songs has certainly been an emotional experience for me. I started writing and recording these songs with the creative freedom that I was the only one who would ever hear them. Along the way, I rediscovered my love for music. Each track represents traces of my past, but is also a hopeful look into the future. I invite you to listen with an open heart.' Produced by Perry alongside co-producer Thom Flowers, Traces is the artist's most vulnerable and honest recording to date, balancing tremendous loss with enduring hope and beauty. The album is a collection of nine original tracks that encompass the spectrum of human emotion, and also features a beautifully reimagined cover of The Beatles' 'I Need You.' It is the work of an artist who has reconnected with his music in a new way.