Joey Tempest and the boys are back.
Europe will always be hampered by the legacy of "The Final Countdown" but unlike many bands from the 80's
Europe isn't stuck in the past. "Last Look at Eden" is a natural follow up to "Start from the Dark" and "Secret Society" namely contemporary Hard Rock characterized by Tempest's unique voice and Norum's detuned guitars. However, "Last Look at Eden" is also the album that best connects
Europe's past and present. "Last Look at Eden" is also the most consistent of the newer albums with only a minimum of fillers. The only songs that hold lower standards are
No Stone Unturned and
U Devil U. The riff for
U Devil U is a straight replica of Danish Rock band Dizzy Mizz Lizzy's
Love Me a Little from 1994.
The title track is cleverly chosen as the first single and the song also stands as album highlight. Melody is the key word for
Last Look at Eden with Norum playing the melody line for the solo. The song is bombastic with very Led Zeppelin-alike keyboards.
Europe is fine musicians and fine song-smiths.
Gonna Get Ready and
New Love in Town are other top songs.
New Love in Town is the lost brother to
Hero from "Start from The Dark".
The melodies are the focal point of the record and even though Norum plays some heavy guitars - just listen to
Catch That Plane and
Mojito Girl - the aggressive guitars are never at the expense of melody. It seems like the band has gone back its 70's roots like with bombastic Led Zeppelinish orchestration on
Only Young Twice and
U Devil U. The album closer
In My Time is a 70's sounding blues-rock ballad and my personal favorite.
John Norum smokes on this emotional blues piece.
There is no
Final countdown or
Scream in Anger on this record.
Europe has found themselves in the new millennium - like it or not. Even though "Last Look at Eden" isn't the best album from the Swedes one has to recognize the many melodic hits that they deliver on his record.
Written by
Michael Monday, September 21, 2009
Show all reviews by MichaelRatingsMichael: 7.5/10Members: 4.75/10 - Average of 2 ratings.
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 | Alanna (Staff)
Rating: 4.5/10
I agree, this album is not a good example of rock brought into the modern times. It lacks... · Read more · |
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