by Doug Stone

Neal Schon's perpetual quest for a heavy metal posse ends with Hardline. Freed from the corporate confines of Journey and Bad English, Schon unleashes pent-up guitar firepower. The best tunes on Hardline's solitary offering do shake, rattle, and rock. Three of these scorchers found FM radio: "Hot Cherie," "Rhythm From a Rad Car," and "Takin' Me Down." The ballads are retched, naturally. Sissy rock seems to be a big part of Schon's bag as he stays with Journey. At the time of Double Eclipse, principled rocking out was even more important as alternative closed in, so Hardline never really had a chance. Nice to hear Schon work it, though.