The Journey / It’s Easy

The Zoo Crew is spinning the groovy vibes of "The Journey / It’s Easy" by Boston from their 1978 album Don't Look Back, and the Zoo Freaks are loving it! This track is a slick segue, with "The Journey" serving as a short, atmospheric instrumental that flows seamlessly into the upbeat rock of "It’s Easy." In a 1987 interview, Tom Scholz, the mastermind behind Boston, called "The Journey" his favorite song from the band’s first three albums, lamenting that he wished it were longer. He described it as evoking a sense of “floating through space, cruising in an airplane over the clouds,” capturing its ethereal, almost sci-fi vibe that matches the album’s iconic guitar-spaceship cover art. The track’s church-like organ and ghostly guitars give it an eerie, otherworldly feel, which critics like Billboard’s Paul Grein noted as having an “almost religious” tone, drawing comparisons to David Bowie’s late-1970s work.

Interestingly, "The Journey" is unique for its minimalism—no drums, just Scholz and guitarist Barry Goudreau laying down the haunting soundscape. Scholz revealed it took only three days to record, using a piece he’d had lying around for years until he found the perfect theme to match its mood. The transition into "It’s Easy" is deliberately jarring, with the latter’s boogie guitar riff kicking in like a burst of energy. Fans on Reddit have praised this segue, with one user calling it a highlight of the album, evoking memories of blasting the record as a teen in 1978. The lyrics of "It’s Easy" carry a nostalgic thread, similar to Boston’s hit “More Than a Feeling,” with lines like “I believe what we achieve will soon be left behind,” hinting at fleeting moments and possibly the band’s own meteoric rise.

Boston was born in the mid-1970s in Boston, Massachusetts, spearheaded by Tom Scholz, a multi-instrumentalist with a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from MIT. While studying at MIT in the late 1960s, Scholz started writing music, including an instrumental called “Foreplay.” He joined a band called Freehold, where he met guitarist Barry Goudreau and drummer Jim Masdea, who’d later become part of Boston. In 1970, vocalist Brad Delp joined, bringing his Beatles-inspired vocal range that would define the band’s sound. After graduating, Scholz worked at Polaroid, funneling his salary into building a basement recording studio where he crafted demo tapes. These demos, featuring songs like “More Than a Feeling,” faced multiple rejections from labels until Epic Records signed the band in 1975. Defying the label’s push to record in a professional studio, Scholz recorded most of the debut album in his basement, creating the polished, guitar-heavy “Boston sound” that blended classical influences with 1960s pop and rock.

The band’s 1976 self-titled debut was a phenomenon, selling 17 million copies in the U.S. alone, making it one of the best-selling debut albums ever. Scholz’s innovative use of harmonized guitars and analog effects, later commercialized as the Rockman amp, became a hallmark of their music, influencing bands like Journey and Def Leppard. Despite their success, Boston faced challenges, including legal battles with Epic over rushed releases like Don't Look Back. The band has released only six albums in over 50 years, with long gaps due to Scholz’s perfectionism. After Delp’s tragic death in 2007, vocalists like Tommy DeCarlo, discovered via MySpace covers, and Michael Sweet of Stryper have carried the torch. Boston remains active, with Scholz hinting at a seventh album.

Stay connected with Boston through their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans can dive deeper at sites like thirdstage.ca, a dedicated fan hub with discography details and liner notes, or join discussions in the Boston Fanatics Facebook group, where Zoo Freaks can share their love for the band’s timeless sound. Keep rocking, Zoo Crew!