The Journey album cover art in the late-70’s is just as iconic as their music. Alton Kelley and Stanley Mouse were the creative artistic minds behind many of the early Journey album covers. Their storied careers began with the creation of psychedelic promotional concert posters in California. They were responsible for such classic album covers as Styx’s Grand Illusion, the Steve Miller Band’s Book of Dreams and many Grateful Dead albums.
The Infinity album is almost hot to the touch with the flaming wings on this famous cover. One look at it and instantly ‘Wheel in the Sky’ bubbles to the top of your mind’s playlist. The peaceful scene of the earth appearing in the marble shape is ushered into far and distant worlds by the glowing wings which appear to be suspended in outer space. There is no limit to where your journey takes you when you’re accompanied by good and creative music. The wheel in the sky keeps on turning, don’t know where I’ll be tomorrow. The wings and marble world are wrapped in the band name appropriately in the form of the infinity symbol.
The Evolution album cover is strangely similar to the Infinity cover, keeping with the wing theme. A mountain and stream scene within a bubble shape, wrapped tightly within the infinity symbol again. Though the theme is similar, there are some striking differences. Instead of a peaceful earth scene in the sphere, there appears to be a volcano with flowing lava. This may represent the turmoil and upheaval of the real world in which we live. This album also has different kind of wings. In contrast to the flaming wings on Infinity’s cover, the wings on Evolution are green, sprouting from an earthen brown hue. Green is often associated with renewal, rebirth, health and harmony. If that is the case, then this particular album’s artwork could represent that the music on this record offers a flight to a different place… a place of escape, a place of peace and tranquility, a place where everything goes your way.
I’ve got this feeling that things will work out. I’ve got this feeling, and there ain’t no doubt.
City of the Angels
The Infinity and Evolution album artwork has captured a universal truth about the timeless nature of classic rock music. Every note, every lyric… striking a chord that echoes into forever, painting indelible scenes on the canvas of our minds and attaching themselves permanently to our lives. This is the lure of classic rock: taking a trip to our past, returning to a better day by re-living some of our greatest moments through music.
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