Journey - Departure: Classic or Dud?

I realized today that this is actually pretty great, underrated even. Side 2 contains a couple weak tracks (especially "Homemade Love") but side 1 in particular is flawless. "Any Way You Want It" is an essential pop-rock hit, as everyone already knows, and is an excellent kickoff. But most of the rest, notably demonstrated by the next two songs "Walk Like a Lady" and "Someday Soon", actually seems to go for and achieve some weird middle ground between light fusion/prog and pop-AOR, like a glossier, more emotive Steely Dan or something or maybe like Yes actually pulling off an album of 'souful' pop love songs. Neal Schon's chops are actually quite solid on this, especially compared to what you'd expect from Escape. He throws in tasteful fills and his solos are tightly constructed and lyrical, without an excessive note. "I'm Cryin"" is a great piece of whitewashed blues-rock pomp that puts a whole lot of hair metal ballads to shame.