EUROPE - review added 8th September 2009
Album Review: Last Look At Eden (2009)
For fans of: Hard Rock... and continued reinvention
Europe has existed, under one name or another, since the late 70's, when singer Joey Tempest and guitarist John Norum got together as 'Force'. The name we see today was settled on after they entered a Swedish talent contest (which they won).
The line-up hasn't changed that much over the years. John Norum was replaced by Kee Marcello on the Out Of This World and Prisoners Of Paradise albums and tours, but the present line-up of Joey Tempest, John Norum, John Levén (bass), Mic Michaeli (keyboards) and Ian Haugland (drums) has otherwise been Europe for 25 years.
Last Look At Eden is the 8th studio album by the Swedish rockers and the 3rd since their official 2003 reformation following a hiatus during the 90's. The sound follows the path set by their other albums in the naughties, Start From The Dark and Secret Society.
The vibe is a modern grungy take on bluesy hard rock often underlayed by a sublime symphonic score. The musicianship is, as expected, beyond reproach. John Norum and Joey Tempest are both at the pinnacle of their respective arts, Norum's guitar playing especially is simply phenomenal. One listen to his solo on 'The Final Countdown' all those years ago told you that. If anything he's matured into a better, more rounded player nowadays. Joey Tempest's voice certainly hasn't been ravaged by time. He isn't as crisp as he used to be, but his more genteel approach pays dividends; he now does a lot more singing than shouting and here that's a good thing.
The remainder of the band get a little overshadowed by their illustrious compatriots but they shouldn't; Europe are a 5-piece band and sound like it. Everyone gets a chance to shine and does a jolly good job of it. The music is as balanced as a prototypical Libran and, although not boasting perfect production, the sound of Last Look At Eden is so close it's not an issue.
The songs don't befit the sum of their parts, but there are still moments of absolute brilliance. 'Prelude' cunningly starts with the same thunderous note as 'The Final Countdown' - an obvious reference to past glories - and leads into the simply excellent title track. It's a massive symphonic number with a staggeringly proportioned chorus. The whole song is arguably a touch flat (if you sit back and analyse it) but, for a pure hit of beautifully aggressive musicianship, it's bloody excellent.
'Gonna Get Ready' is an okay but easily forgettable track with an all-too-obvious main riff. 'Catch That Plane' is similarly mundane...if boasting pockets of interest. They are both listenable tracks but do nothing to tickle the taste buds; if they were the only tracks from the album you heard you probably wouldn't buy it. 'New Love In Town' is more like it, if still not outstanding. It's a slow ballad with a semi acoustic feel and an understated symphonic background to the chorus. It isn't in the same league as that old chestnut 'Carrie' but, well, few songs are.
'The Beast' is a grubby grungy track that doesn't stray from a single style throughout it's play-time. There is no standout chorus and little in the way of hooks. It's a knowingly cool track as opposed to a track that's cool for it's subtleties. 'Mojito Girl' is another heavier riff-led track that swaps sweet musicianship for grungy attitude. Joey's singing has a melodious edge that would have worked better with a less overtly raucous guitar attack but, if you open your mind to the trend-friendly approach, it ain't 'alf bad.
'No Stone Unturned' again flaunts the epic symphonic sound and is all the better for it. I love this approach for Europe and, even though the guitars have the Seattle-tinged edge, the orchestral vastness is breathtaking. The trend continues through 'Only Young Twice'. It's another big number that will slay live and gets better the louder you play it. Brilliant.
'U Devil U' is likeable but ultimately too slow and safe to be brilliant. 'Run With The Angels' doesn't do a huge amount for me either. It's clearly a well written, well preformed track but it's vibe - and lack of symphonic underpinnings - means it's not in the same league as the better songs on the album. Final track 'In My Time' is a total change of tack. It's a deeply bluesy song with a slow passionate feel and, without being overly crude, it totally kicks butt. Imagine a cross between a typical Europe ballad and a Gary Moore sad-song and you'll be on the right wavelength. If your only experience of Europe was the rest of this album, you wouldn't imagine they could produce something so emotional, and you wouldn't know John Norum could put so much soul into his playing.
Well, this is definitely another of those mixed bag albums. Some of the songs - 'Last Look At Eden', 'No Stone Unturned', 'Only Young Twice' and 'In My Time' - are stunning. Others vary from the distinctly middling to the almost-excellent. On balance Last Look At Eden is a fine album that, with more symphonic majesty...and less grungy nonsense, could have been phenomenal.
Check out... the title and closing tracks.
Track List:
1. Prelude
2. Last Look At Eden
3. Gonna Get Ready
4. Catch That Plane
5. New Love In Town
6. The Beast
7. Mojito Girl
8. No Stone Unturned
9. Only Young Twice
10. U Devil U
11. Run With The Angels
12. In My Time
Label: earMusic
Band websites: Europe , MySpace
