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Rating: Teased hair, glam clothes, pompous keyboards, and lots of choirs. This was a history-making band, named Europe.
You might be wondering why I used the imperfect tense instead of the present since I am reviewing this new album, released about a month ago. The explanation is simple: today's Europe is a new band. If it weren't for the voice of the charismatic Joey Tempest, which is almost unrecognizable compared to the past glories, one would hardly say that it is indeed the same band. I have been eagerly anticipating this reunion since it was announced, even though the statements from ex-Europe Kee Marcello, who chose not to participate due to Norum's new guitar style (now fixed on Zakk Wylde's type and his Black Label Society's rough rock-thrash-blues) gave me some concerns about the new album.
I didn't know what to think except for the fact that, however this comeback would be, I wouldn't miss the chance to listen to the new effort and, if possible, see live the form of the band born in distant 1980.
The album then arrived and without hesitation, those few “euros” needed for the purchase jumped out of my wallet. Honestly, the first listen truly shocked me: heavy guitars, solid drums, keyboards and choirs rarely present, and especially a Joey Tempest (let's admit it, the hallmark of Europe also because the main composer) that I struggled to recognize.
A great disappointment was overwhelming me, I remembered the good times of “Out of this world” (which I highly recommend to all those who want an excellent melodic rock album), with those melodies that made you dream and with Joey evoking magical images with his so angelic voice, and I wondered where they had gone. Then I stopped for a moment to think about the title… “Start from the Dark”... Then I understood that what I was listening to were not the Europe I knew, but their rebirth from the darkness.
The album itself, as mentioned, has rather dark and melancholic hues; even in the ballads, there is a substantial veil of sadness and anger. The songs are mostly mid-tempo with meaty and gloomy riffs, tending much towards blues-thrash (see the latest works by Ozzy Osbourne), among which the beautiful opener “Got to have faith” and “Wake up call” stand out. However, there is also room for some ballads like the cute “Roll with u” or the anonymous “Settle for love” where acoustic guitars and piano prevail.
Now let's get to the pains. I would have never expected tracks like “Song n.12” which seems to take and put together, almost like a collage, various parts of Audioslave tracks (note especially Tempest's singing… what a shame!!!) nor such a ridiculous song as “Sucker” that could have fitted perfectly in an Avril Lavigne album (without taking anything away from the latter, to be clear). Nonetheless, the performance of these sacred monsters named Joey Tempest (vocals), John Norum (guitar), Ian Haugland (drums), Mic Michaeli (keyboards), and John Leven (bass) is quite energetic and compact, thanks to excellent production and remarkable group cohesion.
The only flaw might be Michaeli's keyboards, quite in the background except in some parts reserved for solos or ballads.
In short, in the end, it is a new beginning, well-produced and perhaps even well-packaged (despite the artwork being really sparse if not for the song lyrics), but it shows clear signs of a transformation that in some ways can even be enjoyable (due to the much more abundant energy expressed than in the past), but in others denotes an abysmal fall from the Olympus of the greats for a band that I think had no need to mimic others to achieve today's success.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
03 Flames (03:55)
the pressure is mounting I'm ready and counting
there's something I've got to be
I'm fearless I feel it scared sensless who needs this
still something I've got to be
there is no going back this is what we know
we've come to entertain asking you to follow
we've born to self-destruct here it comes again
a desire to go down in flames
my hearts racing my legs shaking
there's more drama in the making
I had a feeling this day would come
so are we real good or just delirious
but if you stop us now it could get serious
sorry mama for what I've become
there is no going back this is what we know
we've come to entertain asking you to follow
we've born to self-destruct here it comes again
a desire to go down in flames
you can turn it off but it never stops
madness or not I'll risk everything I've got
and if I got to do it all over again
I'd still believe in these friends
And they mess they got me in
04 Hero (04:15)
It's not like I wouldn't dream, if you had not shown the way
It's not like I wouldn't fight, not knowing 'bout your life
It's not like I wouldn't stand, right here with you my friends
But you thru us all a line, when our days slipped away
You gave us of your time
Cause you were my hero, my Friday night
You wrote the soundtrack to my life
And gave me something to hold on to
When I was growling up you were the rock
In my life
It's not like I live my days by every word you spoke
Like I'm up every night drinking with your ghost
It's not like I can't look back without moving on
But you thru us all a line when our days slipped away
You gave us of your time
Cause you were my hero, my Friday night
You wrote the soundtrack to my life
And gave us kids a chance to dream
Days when I had enough, you were the rock
In my life
(solo)
You still throw me that line, as my days slipped away
You give me of your time
You still my hero, my Friday night
You wrote the soundtrack to my life
You give me something to hold on to
As I'm still growing up you are the rock
In my life
05 Wake Up Call (04:14)
Hello what keeps you going
The way we're running through these years
I guess they're showing
I don't have no clever lines
To explain my state of mind
Well it doesn't matter
It's just a while since I could feel
This song is what I need
Like a wake up wake up call
Hello what made you come here
You defy all kinds of logic
When you don't stay clear
I don't talk the way you do
I guess you feel the same way too
But it doesn't matter
We meet somewhere in between
This song and what we need
Like a wake up wake up call
We're just laying down this track
Guess I'll have to call you back
But it doesn't matter
We'll connect again one day
An the song will find it's way
Like a wake up wake up call
08 Roll With You (04:30)
When you feel out of place let me revolve around you
When your light fades I have the strength to find you
When what you're feeling is too intense
When the darkness seems to draw you in I roll with you
When you're so sorry and don't know why
It came to be a sad time in your life I roll with you we'll get you through
When you shut your eyes I'll show the images you're missing
When you've heard enough through me you can listen
When what you're feeling is too intense
And the darkness seems to draw you in I roll with you
And when you're crawling through all the hurt
And you can't find a real friend in this world I roll with you
We'll get you through
When you feel out place
Let me revolve around you
09 Sucker (03:42)
She works hard to enjoy the weekends
All glammed up to describe the feelin'
makin her way through the crowd
somethin' is drivin' her wild
(Chorus)
She's turnin up the stereo
She wants everbody to know
She's fixin to see the show
She's a s-s-s-s-sucker for a guitar hero
Her obsession is legedary
And all her boyfriends are temporary
Her idea of a perfect man
plays custom trough a marshall amp.
(Chorus)
She's turnin up the stereo
She wants everbody to know
She's fixin to see the show
She's a s-s-s-s-sucker for a guitar hero
(Guitar solo)
God knows she can't controll her weakness
Sometimes she settles for local talent
Everone knows it's a phase
Just tappin' to kill some time
Cause' she'll be back in a wrackfull place
Where the trucks roll into town
(Chorus)
Now she wont need a stereo
Cause' everbody will know
That she's right there watchin' the show
She'll be throwin all her love around
Now the boys are back in town
Until she just can't take it no more
She's a s-s-s-s-sucker for a guitar hero
10 Spirit of the Underdog (04:25)
Seen you round I know your face
watched you try to grow up with grace.
Seen that heart out on your sleeve
like it's so much life
you're dying to feel, dying to feel.
Cause if you got to steal
you've got to steel the show.
It's the spirit of the underdog.
And if you got to break
you've got to break the mould.
It's the spirit of the underdog.
I've seen you reach that main event
and make it look like an accident.
Your need for love can't be replaced.
Just put away at least for today,
at least for today.
Cause if you got to steal
you've got to steel the show.
It's the spirit of the underdog.
And if you got to break
you've got to break the mould.
It's the spirit of the underdog.
11 America (03:35)
You'd think by now I've learned to fake it
You'd think by now I'd find my peace
And there's no risk for me worth taking
You'd think that I'd go quietly
But the journey's still on for my America
You'd think by now I'd take the easy way
And be content with what I've seen
You'd think by now I'd get it in to my head
I'm the same boy I have always been
So the journey's still on for my America
You'd think by now I'd be to jaded
To feel what love can do
You'd think by now that I've done everything I can
In finally reaching you
But the journey's still on for my America
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Other reviews
By fjelltronen
The final result gives the band a “heavy” attitude that baffles and pleasantly surprises.
A consistent and professional work that will not fail to thrill long-time fans and newcomers interested in original proposals.
