If the future of melodic rock is in the way Sony UK handle the promotion of the new Journey album (titled 'Arrival' if Classic Rock is to be believed) then...we're fucked!! Their handling of the Matchbox 20 album over here, another big US seller, was appalling. They didn't promote it at all and ran out of stock for the first weekend. Such was their belief in the album. All this despite a tour which was sold out months ago!

The only spark of encouragement on the horizon is that they have just put out a compilation called 'American Dream' featuring Journey, REO and Boston amongst garbage like that 'Freebird/Baby I Iove your way' cover. Perhaps this is them testing the water to see if there is a market for soft rock in this country.

I for one want to see Journey succeed on BOTH sides of the Atlantic this time, but my faith is about as strong in Sony UK as it is in England to get through to the quarter finals of Euro 2000...SHAKY!!!