Which one's your favourite? REO / Styx / Journey / Foreigner

[Ají de Gallina]

POLL: Of these four rock bands which one is your favourite?
REO Speedwagon
Styx
Journey
Foreigner

________________-

Styx is my vote.

[Jack Batty]

I'd have to go with Foreigner. They had, basically, the same line-up, they didn't put out a slew of shitty albums, and didn't turn into girls.

Styx, comes in second, but, come on, "Lady", "Babe"? What is this, Lilith Fare? And don't get me started on Kilroy.

Journey was ok, for about 10 minutes, but when it turned into tight jeans, polka dot tshirts and Steve Perry, I lost interest.

REO would have been a great band if they stuck to their guns when they fired Cronin in the first place. That guy sucks.

[Southern Yankee]

Journey, by far. I will say that Foreigner's Double Vision was the very first cassette tape I ever bought...

[Thudlow Boink]

I musically came of age in the early 80s, and I was a mild fan of the first three (never really got into Foreigner, for some reason). And even though my tastes have gotten a bit more sophisticated, I still enjoy hearing them occasionally—maybe because I seldom listen to oldies radio and so haven't had them ruined for me by overexposure.

If I have to pick a favorite, while I'm tempted by REO, I guess I'd go with Styx, largely due to the fact that they had multiple vocalists & songwriters, which I like in a band.

[Ají de Gallina]

I musically came of age in the early 80s, and I was a mild fan of the first three (never really got into Foreigner, for some reason). And even though my tastes have gotten a bit more sophisticated, I still enjoy hearing them occasionally—maybe because I seldom listen to oldies radio and so haven't had them ruined for me by overexposure.

If I have to pick a favorite, while I'm tempted by REO, I guess I'd go with Styx, largely due to the fact that they had multiple vocalists & songwriters, which I like in a band.

(my bolding)
Exactly. That's always a big plus.

[Southern Yankee]

Not that it's relevant to the poll, but I got curious:
Record sales (according to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_music_artists))

Journey: 75 million
The rest did not crack the list with a minimum of 50 million.

[Southern Yankee]

Looks like REO had about 40 million. Foreigner may have 70 million also according to Wikipedia, although they weren't on the earlier list (shocking!)

[Eonwe]

Styx.

I was gonna go with Journey, because they have a few phenomenal songs, and Neal Schon is one of the best soloists from that genre/era (IMHO, of course).

But, I think that Styx at its best can be a lot more fun and innovative than Journey. They're quirkier, and more interesting. I'd pull out my Journey's Greatest Hits and listen to three or four tracks off of it. I'd pull out Grand Illusion and listen to the whole album.

I never got Foreigner, and REO is more miss than hit for me.

[Argent Towers]

I hate all of those bands except for Styx. One of the very first albums that I owned was a Styx album which I bought when I was 11 years old, on a vacation to Toronto with my parents. It was just a "Greatest Hits" collection but it had their best songs on it, like "Mr. Roboto" which totally blew my mind and "Grand Illusion." They were no ELO, and certainly no Yes, but I definitely like them. The other bands listed in the OP, I really don't like at all.

[Ludovic]

Styx isn't really in the same category as the others. Journey attempted to be like them but failed so had to become more like REO Foreigner.

Which isn't to say I love Styx, it's just that I'd like to say that the band they remind me of the most is Heart or maybe Supertramp, except I won't actually say that because it makes Heart look bad.

[salinqmind]

Well, Journey, of course! They are a grandstand act at the state fair this year. They took pity on Foreigner and invited them along. (Foreigner played at the fair for free a couple years ago). I laugh when I hear Styx on the oldies station now, they sound hilariously dated, but I enjoyed them back in the day. I can't remember anything REO Speedwagon did, would probably recognize one of their songs if I heard it.

[Baal Houtham]

Styx and Journey put out some catchy fun songs. I'm unfamiliar with their albums. As Eonwe mentioned, Neal Schon could play guitar. Went with Journey in the poll.

REO was a dum band. They really didn't seem to have anything going on upstairs, and I didn't care for their hooks.

The couple of Foreigner fans I know are very playing/arrangement oriented -- rather than song or lyric oriented. Hot Blooded and that Africa song had decent hooks, but (like REO) sounded like dumb guys singing... even with Nigel Tufnel style references to Kilamanjaro.

[cochrane]

The couple of Foreigner fans I know are very playing/arrangement oriented -- rather than song or lyric oriented. Hot Blooded and that Africa song had decent hooks, but (like REO) sounded like dumb guys singing... even with Nigel Tufnel style references to Kilamanjaro."Africa" wasn't by Foreigner. It was by Toto.

[Argent Towers]

Styx isn't really in the same category as the others. Journey attempted to be like them but failed so had to become more like REO Foreigner.

Which isn't to say I love Styx, it's just that I'd like to say that the band they remind me of the most is Heart or maybe Supertramp, except I won't actually say that because it makes Heart look bad.

Supertramp, yes. I used to think many Supertramp songs were Styx when I was a kid. But I don't see the comparison to Heart. I always thought Heart was basically a female Led Zeppelin. I don't think they have anything in common with any of those other bands.

[Ludovic]

I guess it's just because they both have prog-wannabe songs about sailing that are so pretentious they turn into awesome

[Prelude to Fascination]

Styx. Grand Illusion and Equinox are my favorite albums of theirs, but I do like REO's You Get What You Play For (live Ridin' the Storm Out) and Journey's Wheel in the Sky, but Styx's Equinox is great with "Mother Dear".

Foreigner? Never liked 'em.

[Typo Negative]

Styx, hands down.

Journey was a great band, but not exactly my kind of music.

REO had 2 or three songs I liked. But by the time 'I can fight this feeling anymore' came out I wanted to kill Kevin Whatshisname.

Foreigner, meh.

[Suburban Plankton]

I voted Styx, as I have a 'thing' for prog-rock. REO Speedwagon and Journey are hit-and-miss for me, and I just have a general distaste for Foreigner, for no particular reason.

[Baal Houtham]

"Africa" wasn't by Foreigner. It was by Toto.

Yeah, that sounds right. Should they be in this poll too?

[notfrommensa]

I like them all. I pick Journey but it but closely followed by REO, Foreigner, Styx.

[RealityChuck]

All terminally mediocre bands, but Foreigner had Ian MacDonald and more good singles.

[blondebear]

I'll go with Journey on top with the others close behind. The first three Journey albums were great, but after Steve Perry joined...meh.

[pulykamell]

Of those, I have to go with Journey. Styx had no album comparable in quality to Escape or Evolution or even Infinity, I'd argue. Not even close for me.

My list would probably go (although my knowledge of the work is not exactly in-depth): Journey, Foreigner, REO Speedwagon, Styx.

[dropzone]

You mean they are different bands? ;)

Never much liked the arena rock style, but if I have to choose I took Journey because they did that completely out of place song over the closing credits of Tron, Disney apparently believing that nobody but geeks would buy a Wendy Carlos soundtrack.

[Lobot]

All terminally mediocre bands, but Foreigner had Ian MacDonald and more good singles.

Agreed. King Crimson alumni add coolness points automatically, and Foreigner had quite a few decent singles.

[devilsknew]

Man, I can't choose a favorite. They each produced individually four of my favorite songs from the early 80's.

[Katriona]

I picked Styx, but Journey would be my very close second.

[CaveMike]

Of those, I have to go with Journey. Styx had no album comparable in quality to Escape or Evolution or even Infinity, I'd argue. Not even close for me.Really? Paradise Theater and Escape are pretty comparable in a lot of ways.

I remember buying Escape for my brother for Christmas for $7.

[pulykamell]

Really? Paradise Theater and Escape are pretty comparable in a lot of ways.

I remember buying Escape for my brother for Christmas for $7.

Not sure why I would want to do this, but perhaps I should load up the iPod with some Paradise Theatre and Escape and compare them side-by-side in a fair manner, many, many years later. It's been at least 15 years since I've heard those albums in their entirety--I just don't remember any Styx really resonating with me. (Well, actually, as a keyboardist, I did like the "Blue Collar Man" organ riff.)

[CaveMike]

Not sure why I would want to do this, but perhaps I should load up the iPod with some Paradise Theatre and Escape and compare them side-by-side in a fair manner, many, many years later. It's been at least 15 years since I've heard those albums in their entirety--I just don't remember any Styx really resonating with me. (Well, actually, as a keyboardist, I did like the "Blue Collar Man" organ riff.)If you can and are interested, load up REO's Hi Infidelity and Foreigner 4 -- two more hit-laden releases from '80/'81.

[pulykamell]

If you can and are interested, load up REO's Hi Infidelity and Foreigner 4 -- two more hit-laden releases from '80/'81.

Yeah, those two all are on par with the Journey records I mentioned, in my opinion. Perhaps even better.

[WordMan]

Junior Walker's sax solo in Foreigner 4's song Urgent is the best thing across all of those albums.

Not sure what else to say.

[Fiddle Peghead]

I absolutely loved Foreigner's first album. I never got into any of the other bands much, so I picked them.

[Johnny L.A.]

I voted for Styx, just based on the number of albums I bought. (I only have Escape by Journey.)

But man, does Lords Of The Ring (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXdstPB1hEE) sound corny now!

[PapSett]

Journey got my vote but REO is pretty close. I like Foreigner & Styx too... this is my kinda music!

[Oslo Ostragoth]

REO wins by virtue of the greatest pick-me-off-the-floor songs ever:

Roll With the Changes (http://www.amazon.com/Roll-With-The-Changes/dp/B00137XEI4/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1310538222&sr=8-7)

[Just Ed]

Of the four, only Foreigner and Journey have ever really interested me. REO Speedwagon's only impression on me is "Can't Fight This Feeling", and Styx - well, Styx just always sounded like well-intentioned schmaltz to me, though that impression is probably colored by over-exposure to "Lady" and "Come Sail Away". In my mind, they're in the same boat as Kansas; listenable at times but ultimately boring.

Now, when I got around to loading up the iPod with the soundtracks of my youth, I made sure I had Journey's "Greatest Hits" - but I also made sure I had all of Foreigner's first four albums. Foreigner is my choice.

[It's Not Rocket Surgery!]

Journey is the worst of the four because "Don't Stop Believin" has been used EVERYWHERE in recent years - and that song sucks!

Foreigner is the most consistent of the four. No real horrors or great songs.

REO Speedwagon loses points for "Keep On Loving You" and "Can't Fight This Feeling", but gets those points right back for "Ridin' The Storm Out", the best song by any of the four bands.

Styx had the highest aspirations. It's too bad they weren't good enough to reach them.

[CaveMike]

Journey is the worst of the four because "Don't Stop Believin" has been used EVERYWHERE in recent years - and that song sucks!A slight hijack that I have been meaning to ask: What started this song's comeback? Even some of the young people I have run into know this song. Was it in a movie? A cover?

[pulykamell]

A slight hijack that I have been meaning to ask: What started this song's comeback? Even some of the young people I have run into know this song. Was it in a movie? A cover?

I see you're from Illinois, so maybe this applies, but around the Chicagoland area, that song is very much identified with the 2005 White Sox World Series run.

Also, it was used in the final scene of the Sopranos.

Interestingly, Jonathan Caine of Journey thinks the White Sox (http://www.quora.com/When-how-and-why-did-Journeys-Dont-Stop-Believing-get-its-second-wind-of-popularity-1) are the main instigator of the song's renaissance.

[It's Not Rocket Surgery!]

I see you're from Illinois, so maybe this applies, but around the Chicagoland area, that song is very much identified with the 2005 White Sox World Series run.

Also, it was used in the final scene of the Sopranos.

Interestingly, Jonathan Caine of Journey thinks the White Sox (http://www.quora.com/When-how-and-why-did-Journeys-Dont-Stop-Believing-get-its-second-wind-of-popularity-1) are the main instigator of the song's renaissance.

Those two, plus it was the first hit from the first episode of Glee.

[cochrane]

Junior Walker's sax solo in Foreigner 4's song Urgent is the best thing across all of those albums.

Not sure what else to say.Agreed. And Lou Gramm has one of the great voices in rock 'n roll.

I like Styx, but I can agree with those who don't much like the schmaltz. There are two Styx's, the Dennis De Young side and the Tommy Shaw side. I've always favored Tommy's songs, such as Renegade, Too Much Time On My Hands, and Blue Collar Man. Dennis' songs are the ones that make people think of high-concept, overproduced theatrical rock. (Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto)

[Thudlow Boink]

I see you're from Illinois, so maybe this applies, but around the Chicagoland area, that song is very much identified with the 2005 White Sox World Series run.Ironic, for a song about being "born and raised in south Detroit." You'd think Styx and REO would get the Illinoisans' home town favorites votes.

[Dung Beetle]

Journey, Styx, REO, and Foreigner in that order.

[born too late]

Styx always seemed like it had a split personality - there were the earnest rocker songs, and then there were the cringe-inducing theatrical abortions sponsored and sung by that wanker Dennis DeYoung. Mr. Roboto is an abomination.

All four bands had at least a few great tunes, but because they were all trying to make money in the era of the power ballad, they each had their share of sappy, dated crap.

On preview: what cochrane said.

[Rushgeekgirl]

I picked Journey but I loved Styx just about as much.

Of course if Rush had been an option . . .

[CPomeroy]

I never liked Journey, but to be fair, they are probably the one that stuck with the rock and roll the most. Foreigner and REO both sold out badly, with really lame ballads and Styx never was as clever as they thought they were and they just kind of collapsed under their own pretentiousness around Paradise Theater.

I think the pre-Hi Infidelity REO and Pre-Four foreigner are both reasonably good, but seeing REO live in their home town of Champaign, Illinois gives them the edge to me. They really could rock live, which in a way makes the sell out all the more disappointing.

[CaveMike]

I see you're from Illinois, so maybe this applies, but around the Chicagoland area, that song is very much identified with the 2005 White Sox World Series run.I think you're right. That would be the right time-frame. Thanks pulykamell.

[amanset]

Three terrible, terrible bands and one that I couldn't even name a song by (Styx).

In short, I'd rather gnaw off my own cock.

[Johnny L.A.]

Three terrible, terrible bands and one that I couldn't even name a song by (Styx).

In short, I'd rather gnaw off my own cock.

Now? Or 30 years ago?

[Rhythmdvl]

Styx taught an entire generation of Americans to say "thank you" in Japanese.

Unfortunately, I had expectations of something as great as 2112 but was sorely let down.

On the other hand, there is the absolute awesomeness that is this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvLXOZKSve8&feature=related) and this.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAAa1YPcoV4&feature=player_detailpage#t=8s)

[amanset]

Now? Or 30 years ago?

You asking if they were terrible 30 years ago or if I'd like to have preferred to gnaw my cock off 30 years ago?

A bad band is a bad band, whenever. Three of them are utter shite and a fourth is totally off my radar.

And I was seven thirty years ago.

[tnetennba]

This thread title is parody to me.

[Mince]

False Dilemma, but I'll choose anyway:

Journey. Every song they did from Captured to Escape was so amazingly feel-good it gave me chills (the good kind) and inflated my sense of self-worth. It's like when, as a kid, you see Superman or a Chuck Norris movie in a theater, you left thinking you could fly or kung-fu everyone to death. Even today, when I hear Velvet Curtain/Feeling That Way, I believe I can rule the world; and I just might one day, all thanks to Journey.

REO: Only really good song is "Time for Me to Fly," but I love that one a lot.

Styx: A few really good songs, but mostly mediocre.

Foreigner: Utter crap and historically overrated.

What, nor Rush?

[Swords to Plowshares]

Journey out of the ones listed, although I'd take Kansas over all of them.

[FoieGrasIsEvil]

Junior Walker's sax solo in Foreigner 4's song Urgent is the best thing across all of those albums.

Not sure what else to say.

Well, that and the intro to "Woman In Black". Always loved that screaming guitar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnWzF-C-u-M

[Rhythmdvl]

By the way, does anybody else put them in the fairly broad category of 'lobotomy rock'?

[DMark]

I had to pick REO.
Back when I was a student at Southern Illinois University, REO would perform in the local bars there on a fairly regular basis and I was a huge fan. However, not being yet 21, I couldn't get in to see them.
I used to get there early, wait behind the bar, and the band would let me sneak in as a Roadie. They were really nice guys and I did this so often that they really did let me help (a bit) with set up.
I was really happy for them when they started to get "big" and perform at larger venues than just local campus bars.

[njtt]

This poll very much needs a "None of the above" option.

[Ají de Gallina]

This poll very much needs a "None of the above" option.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
I specifically NOT put an "other" option, because it only derails the poll.

[JKellyMap]

All four were pretty bad, but I went with Journey -- good guitarist, good vocalist, and some decent songwriting. (Styx was more interesting, but Dennis De Young's contributions were lame and pretentious.)

Why on Earth have two posters proposed adding Rush to this list? This thread is not about talent-laden progressive rock bands which created an impressive and varied (if not always successful) oeuvre over multiple decades!

(I guess the one thing in common is that Rush happened to make it into the Top 40 world right around the same time that the OP's bands did -- but, then, so did Madonna, Prince, and many other acts...)

[GargoyleWB]

When the ultimate anti-establishment subversive, Rodney Dangerfield, decided to stick it to the stuffed shirts at the country club by blasting a boom box across the grounds from the 7th hole fairway, what did he choose?

Journey; condemnant quod non intellegunt