Terry's Reviews
Page
|
||
| Movies | Music | Books |
Music Reviews: |
||
|
Europe –
Secret Society Sanctuary Records Group Inc. – 2006 |
|
| As much as I like
songs like "The Final Countdown", "Carrie" and
"Superstition" I barely recognized that this CD is from the same band that made
those songs. I’m not knocking those songs because I definitely like them but rather
trying to tell you how much this band sounds different on this aggressive, high-energy
album. Prisoners of Paradise was a pretty lame album and a great disappointment to me personally. I’ve been listening to these guys since they pretty much broke into the scene back in the mid-80s and I wasn’t surprised the band came to a halt as a result of that CD. But you can wipe the slate clean with SECRET SOCIETY, because this album is the best reinvention/comeback by a band since I don’t know when. Every song has a definite purpose with no fluffy ballads. Europe writes about things that are on a deeper level than previously and they seem incredibly humbled & more focused than the last time out. The songs are harder edged with John Norum’s guitar & John Leven’s bass leading this stronger approach. I don’t really want to discuss the songs so much because I’d hate to ruin the surprise they bring the first time you hear this outstanding album. My favorites are "Secret Society", "Always The Pretender", "Let The Children Play", "Love Is Not The Enemy" and "Forever Traveling." I would add that "Let The Children Play" is one of the top three songs I’ve heard this year. Joey Tempest has really matured as a vocalist and his voice is mixed wonderfully in all sorts of ways to make him sound different. I’m tremendously impressed that THE BAND wrote and produced the album themselves, because of the maturity of the songwriting and the kick ass sound. There’s even a message in the linear notes from the band to PLAY LOUD! You’ve got to love that. You would be smart to pick up Europe SECRET SOCIETY and rock with one of the best of 2006! |
||
