Frank, the fact is Britney is currently on top of the world. Her records, like it or not, contain a healthy injection of AOR/soft rock melody. The same can be said of the Backstreetboys to name but a few. Surely, this proves that there is a market for AOR style radio friendly rock. The problem lies with promotion. Journey will do jack shit in the UK because the record company will not promote a band who they deem to be 'uncool'. Bonjovi will sell shitloads regardless of whether or not they get good promotion. I fail to see how boycotting the likes of Britney will help rock return to the mainstream. Her market could be Journey's market if the nobs at the record companies would just wake up and smell what they shovel in.

It's never going to be 1989 again. We need new bands with fresh approaches to both the music and the image if there is to be any kind of resurgence. I can't wait for the Journey album but to turn this thing around we ultimately need bands who will attract new audiences.