This is an open forum for staff members, contributers, and fans alike to submit their reviews on the latest music releases and concerts. In an industry that is drowning with overprocessed, grossly overrated, unoriginal crap these days, this is our chance to allow the real stars to shine, if only on our humble, little stage; and expose you to some of our favorite talents.
Reviews are given 1 - 5 stars.
1: Got To Have Faith
2: Start From The Dark
3: Flames
4. Hero
5. Wake Up Call
6. Reason
7. Song No. 12
8. Roll With You
9. Sucker
10. Spirit of the Underdog
11. America
12. Settle for Love
One listen to the first track here and you realize … It’s Not … THE FINAL COUNTDOWN.
(Insert cheesy keyboards here).
There wasn’t much more disappointing to me in the eighties then hearing that song represent Europe on their third release. The first two Europe albums were well listened to in my home back in the day, then that hairball that someone coughed up onto vinyl! The Final Countdown, with songs like ‘Danger on the Track’ and ‘Carrie’? Puhleeze ! Europe was always meant for more than that and son of a gun – they are proving it here!
First off, if you like the straight forward ass kicking you get from Zakk Wylde , you’ve got it. This is pure John Norum dropping the shiny and pretty melodic sound and offering the upfront and raw melodic sound that many bands have developed into from days of old. Less effects rack, more volume.
What’s better is, while Mic Michaeli is present, there is nothing poorly mixed about these keys. They sit in the back of the track REASON and give feeling and emotion to the song like a piano is supposed to. The synth compliments the ripping rhythm of AMERICA as it tears into your head with guitars and hard drums – it rocks right to a ending as tight as a frogs butt-hole.
I know what you are thinking here … so the reuniting of the original band is skin- tite right? But reuniting Europe still means putting pretty boy Joey Tempest behind the microphone. Allow me to share this news with you. It’s really Don Dokken in a wig. Jus’ kiddn . What I’m saying is there’s nothing high pitched and pretty about Joey’s vocals here. He’s not worn down and struggling – he’s developed and by God he’s the real deal. You won’t believe it.
Now that you are all excited, here’s the bad news. While the good parts are really good, there is a subtle lack of consistency. Not every song takes you to the top. The sound is nice, the mix is fantastic but some of the songs lack the drive in parts where you are pumping your fist, then wondering what happened. By the time it kicks back up a notch, you may have already hit the button to the next track.
As far as reunions go, there is nothing bad about this one. I feel it turned out beyond expectation because each member is still making the grade in his respective category, but you’ll have to put this on and listen to it beginning to end for the full effect. In part, it leaves questions, in whole I have to say, this is pretty good disc.
My Favorites : Flames, Sucker, America .
Reviewed by: Joe Dolan | November 2005
