>>rep from fellow musicians, esp. when they know a player
>>definitely has skills.
>
>All of those guys were infinitely more advanced players than
>their songs required. I've never hear a musician say a bad
>word about them. And if they did, it would probably be out of
>jealousy for the lifestyle they acquired after selling 47
>gajillion records.
>

I think you are talking about their pop hits. Even though I don't listen to much Journey I know their records are supposed to have some musically adventurous stuff, esp the early ones with Greg Rolie.

And, Journey are usually criticized by the Rolling Stone type mags of being kind of corny, Journey and that type of almost prog-rock or out-right prog.