> IMO, why would you suggest music from a lineup that no longer exists?

Because if not for that lineup, there wouldn't be a "Journey that IS." Sadly, most of any reason Journey is still talked about is because of their past and how they are or are not living up to it today whether live or in the studio.

That being the case, wouldn't it make sense to point a newcomer to the music that allows Journey to still even function as a legitmate band under that name today?

And check the setlist over the last few years. If not for the music from that lineup, it would be a short show assuming anyone showed up. Isn't that one of the current problems? The band wants to move forward while the majority of fans want the "Journey that was."

This thread has been interesting, but probably less than helpful to Mike. Just about every album has at least one vote. I did my part with voting for Dream After Dream. ;-)

Some of those classics are not full price, so the best advice, IMHO, is to just buy 'em all. If Mike is in the U.S., then he can't even buy Generations locally unless he wants to shell out more for an import.