http://www.getreadytorockradio.com/john_norum.htm
John
Norum is
one of the great unsung guitar heroes of melodic rock. He formed Europe
with Joey Tempest in 1979 and achieved great success with that band in
the late-1980's culminating in the massive worldwide hit 'The Final
Countdown'.
John
got increasingly frustrated with Europe's
commercial synth-pop rock and left the band in late-1986.
Throughout the
1990's he pursued a solo career and the resulting albums featured
Norum
on vocals and guitar and guests including Goran Edman (Malmsteen) and
Glenn Hughes. Several albums included Thin Lizzy cover versions,
reflecting that band's influence on his guitar playing and music.
Whilst his solo
recording career has been lower-key, his melodic style of
metal-flavoured rock brought him to the attention of his peers and he
joined Don Dokken for his solo album 'Up From The Ashes' (1990),
recorded ''Long Way Home" with Dokken (the band) and toured with them in
1997, replacing George Lynch, and again in early-2003.
By the
late-nineties there was talk of a Europe
reunion and an appearance of the original band members at a Millennium
celebration in Sweden led directly to a new album 'Start From The Dark',
released in September 2004.
Europe's
latest album 'Last Look At Eden' is released in September 2009. The band
play the Bloodstock Festival on Sunday August 16.
'Last Look At
Eden' marks a slight change in musical mood from the previous comeback
albums 'Secret Society' (2006) and 'Start From The Dark' (2004). But
that shouldn't put you off, it is a grower too.
Secret Society, in
particular, split the melodic rock camp somewhat, overall a heavier
outing than previously and with
John Norum's
down-tunings and wah-wah riffs may have further alienated those brought
up on a strict diet of late eighties cheese. The album owed more to
bands like Audioslave.
'Last Look At
Eden' is more mainstream, and more bluesy rock and roll.
Norum's
always scintillating guitar is a little more restrained, there's more
keyboard and orchestration from Mic Michaeli, and the overall vibe is
punchy, gutsy, rather than dark and heavy. ('U Devil U' sums up this new
approach).
The title track is
one of the more immediate, and a natural first single, with an
infectious and pile-driving orchestral/guitar riff. 'Gonna Get Ready' is
Classic Europe
with Norum's
wah-wah punctuating Joey Tempest's distinctive vocal, 'Catch That Plane'
has an understated Deep Purple-esque organ-driven riff and the vocal
harmonies remind me of 'Hush', whilst 'The Beast' has the urgency that
characterised 'Secret Society' and is the closest in spirit to that
album (qv 'The Getaway Plan').
'No Stone
Unturned' is another heavily orchestrated piece, with an anthemic chorus
that will go down well played live and Michaeli's fine orchestrations
crop up also on 'Only Young Twice'.
It's not all out
and out rockers. 'New Love In Town' is a truly superb mid-tempo ballad
and a likely crossover success if single no.2. 'In My Time' is a long
bluesy piece that has hints of 'Parisienne Walkways' with
Norum's
Gary Moore-esque motifs.
Another album
highlight is 'Run With The Angels' starting with a sinewy John Leven
bassline replicated by
John Norum's
riff and topped with his always-wonderful wah-inflected solo.
For those, like
me, who really liked 'Secret Society' (and who can't get enough of
John Norum's
guitar) - and expected more of the same - the initial disappointment is
soon overcome by the quality and consistency of songwriting and the
musicianship on offer here. This is an album that yields its treasure
through repeated listenings so don't expect that immediate, instant fix.
And in truth the band have retained all the elements from their previous
post-Millennium outings so this should have potentially wider appeal.
The renaissance of
Europe
has been one of the more interesting stories of recent years and 'Last
Look At Eden' further consolidates their credentials as one of our
finest melodic hard rock bands.
MERRY
CHRISTMAS 
