Europe

Jack Morgan2 said:Count me in—we're doing this together.🙂

Done. Deal. 🙂

Jack Morgan2 said:Where even was that? I remember when they were first starting out—first, second, third albums—right at the start of high school... just typical glam metal garbage. One of those half-baked approaches to rock where they aren't really metal and they aren't exactly pop, just guys wearing enough makeup to look like disco stars, only with more hair. Honestly, even someone like Justin Paprić looks like a man compared to them—I never thought I’d admit that, but damn, when I first saw Europe on TV, I was convinced they were total pushovers. All those "tough" stares and riffs that sounded as polished as a cheap car bumper.

I’m talking about people back home—you mention Europe and everyone immediately gets stuck in that one specific era you're describing. It’s honestly pathetic how one damn TFC defined the entire careers of incredibly talented people who actually had much more potential than that. Seriously, do yourselves a favor: Google them and actually listen to their new stuff—believe it or not, they're still alive. 🙄 Honestly, Tempestov’s vocals and Norumov’s playing are top-tier—doesn't matter what era you're looking at, they just nail it.

If you follow their early stuff, you probably remember that second album—the one that leaned more into gritty rock rather than pure glam. As for everything after that, I guess you have a point, though "a little" feels like a massive understatement. They pushed commercialism to the absolute limit, basically turning the music into an afterthought just to serve the image. Look, a lot of factors played into that—I don't feel like writing a novel here—but they were just naive kids who became a goldmine for a manager who eventually bled them dry. Personally, I don't mind that era, so it really comes down to taste. Still, what they're doing now is incomparable to the 80s in almost every way. Thank Krist. ☕

Style-wise, grouping Justin and those guys in the same sentence is just tragic—I’m not even going to dignify that comparison with a comment. Besides, men back in the 70s were way more "feminine" anyway, rocking those tight bell-bottoms and high heels. 😁 A little eyeliner wouldn't hurt anyone—honestly. 😛
Man, they really hate looking back at how they used to dress—those were some weird years, honestly.

Here are a few recommendations:
I can't really get into this one—it’s just more of the same stuff we've heard a thousand times before. Honestly, it feels like they're just going through the motions at this point.

I can't really get into this one—just another clip that doesn't hit the mark for me. Honestly, I've seen better stuff during a late-night scroll through YouTube back in my college days.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucQZTHNdxtQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBv303jBNOc

silvernomad3 said:If you happen to recall their early days, then you probably know about that second album—the one that doesn't lean quite as heavily into the glam aesthetic, leaning instead toward a slightly grittier style of rock.

For instance. in The futur to Come Or the original version. Seven Doors hotel They weren't even getting any airtime on MTV—which, let's be honest, didn't have the slightest interest in that kind of band back then (though, I suppose, the group sounded quite different than they would just two or three years down the road).

I’ll say it again—there were plenty of other factors at play here. I really don't have the energy to write an entire dissertation on this right now, but essentially, they were just young and naive back then. They became this highly profitable project for their manager, who—let's be honest—ended up completely stripping them of everything later on. Personally, I find their work from that era to be perfectly fine, so I suppose it ultimately comes down to individual taste. Still, if we're being objective, what they’re producing today is incomparable to the 80s in almost every single category.

They essentially weaponized MTV throughout the '80s—specifically around their second album and even more so with the third—making it nearly impossible to turn down that kind of MTV-style management. I mean, when you’re looking at guaranteed success with the teen demographic, how do you say no? It's hard to resist the scent of money and fame, I suppose. The problem is, once you've embraced those MTV labels, it becomes incredibly difficult to shake them off in a negative sense—especially if your sound leans toward anything remotely metal, whether people call it pop, melodic, glam, or whatever else they want to label it. You just end up being dismissed; the band loses its street cred and isn't taken seriously by the critics—at least, not within the musical circles here in the States. 😁It’s understandable—if a bit unfair at times, truth be told—that people jump to those conclusions. It doesn't necessarily mean there's a lack of quality, originality, or raw talent involved. And honestly, I can't stand that tired old cliché about how "it's all just a matter of taste."

Back in the 1970s, men actually embraced a certain level of femininity—I mean, you had to see those tight bell-bottoms and high heels to really believe it. 😁 And honestly—a little eyeliner never hurt anyone. 😛

Honestly, if you ask me, I find that era even more charming than the whole 80s aesthetic. It’s almost as if they were all just playing some sort of "He or She" game. 🤣

Just a quick break from everything—but I really felt like I had to step away for a moment. 😁

I always figured that before TFC, they were mostly just huge in Sweden, and everywhere else they had this niche cult following among metalheads and hard rock fans...
Also, I had no clue there was a video for Seven Doors hotel, or that they’d even filmed a clip for anything on Wings of Tomorrow.
And Europe isn't even that "glam" or feminine... I mean, sure, Poison and Mötley Crüe, but bands like Europe, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake, Winger, Warrant, White Lion, and Great White never really went for that flamboyant, gender-bending look. Honestly, if someone thinks Bieber is better than Europe, then they're just lost...🙂

Sophia Wells72 said:It’s tough to shake off that mtv-jevski label once you've done anything in the metal vein—even if you call it pop, soft, or glam. People just don't take the band seriously, which I guess makes sense here in the States 😁, even if it feels unfair. High quality doesn't always equal high prestige, and honestly, saying "it's all just taste" is such a tired cliché.

Exactly—MTV basically turns everything they touch into some slick, mainstream plastic. Still, looking at what people listen to nowadays, the 80s actually felt like they had some class. Plus, hardcore metal fans are notoriously sensitive about reputation, so I get why Europe still carries that baggage unfairly.
I just don't get why people stay stuck on stuff from twenty-five years ago. Just let go and move on, folks. 🙄
And while calling it a matter of taste sounds hackneyed, there's truth to it. Even the best critics have biases, whether they admit it or not. We all get emotionally attached to certain sounds—some things just hit different.
For me, I can recognize quality without necessarily loving it, which is why I try not to trash things just because of my own vibe. I know The Beatles and Pink Floyd are top-tier, but I'll pick Floyd over them any day—they just have that soul for me, whereas The Beatles feel a bit more distant. Now, Europe is in a completely different league, but they're my kind of band—I just can't help it. 🙂

Sophia Wells72 said:Actually, I found that era even more charming than the 80s fashion. It was almost like they were playing a game of "He or She." 🤣

Yeah, there's something to that... personally, I love both the 70s and the 80s so much I can't even decide 😁 For me, style matters less—the music comes first.

Sophia Wells72 said:🙂

I’m with you on this. That Bieber comment is the wildest thing I’ve heard in a long time—honestly, I'll just ignore it. As for this whole "feminine" debate—I don't get why everyone is obsessed with it. It wasn't about being soft; they just had those youthful, boyish faces. It's not a crime, and honestly, that's exactly why they still have a following even as they approach fifty. 😁

Comparing them to Bon Jovi—sure, they leaned into that "larger than life" poser vibe (🙄), but they’re actually pretty solid, especially the songwriting. I caught one of their shows once and they weren't half bad. Still, you can't put them in the same league as Europe. Bon Jovi basically stayed frozen in the 80s—there's barely any difference between how they sounded in '88 versus '05, and at this rate, I can already guess what a 2017 album would sound like.
Europe, though—they actually evolve. Every album feels like there's something new going on, even if they stay true to their roots.

Listening to Devil Sings The Blues today—perfect for those moments when life feels just wonderful (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At8n7bXWyaM). Hell of a track. 😵

Man, I really wish Bon Jovi sounded like they did back in '88. Actually, scratch that—1984 would be even better. Those first two albums were some seriously killer hard rock/AOR. It’s a shame because, just like Van Halen and Def Leppard—who were both massive, commercial hard rock giants back then—they eventually leaned way too hard into the mainstream. Not that I have a problem with it personally (same goes for VH and DL), but still... Sadly, Bon Jovi eventually morphed into this sort of bland, boring, generic modern pop act. And the kicker? They’re pretty much the only hard rock/AOR/glam metal band from the 80s that's still huge today. I mean, sure, Guns, Van Halen, and a few others are still around, but BJ are the only ones whose recent stuff you actually hear playing on the radio constantly.

The new album Bag of Bones is finally out.

http://love-it-loud.com/wp-content/u...nes-review.jpg

For those hunting for reviews:
http://rushonrock.com/2012/04/29/reviews-new-music-77/
http://www.europetheband.com/reviews.html
👍

Here are a few links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpzXPX3k1n0 - Not Supposed to Sing the Blues
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uy9-BBMETj0 - demon Head 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOg6OIwqaEM - Mercy you Mercy me (a bit more aggressive and energetic)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nu3qwaR8XCE - Bring IT All home (classic Europea style ballad — pretty great)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1BM9...feature=relmfu - my Woman my friend (has a bluesy vibe 😍 )

I’m digging it so far. After a few more spins, I think it'll really click. They might have even topped Last look AT Eden—which, honestly, was a tall order.
🙏

Honestly, I don't think the new album is anything to write home about.

Why? 🤔

I don't know, I actually think it's great. It’s a different beast compared to LLAE—the guitar tone feels way warmer, and Tempestov’s voice has hit this incredibly smooth, mature sweet spot... a rich, mellow baritone, if you ask me.
The whole album carries this vintage vibe, almost like something straight out of the seventies, whereas LLAE felt much more modern to me—this heavy, biting hard rock that was cold in the best way possible. One's nearly perfect, and this Bag of Bones—if it hasn't already topped it, it's definitely in the same league.

But hey, that's just my take. 🙂 It’s just a shame how it'll probably fly under the radar here in the States again, though I guess I shouldn't be surprised given the absolute disaster of a music scene we've been dealing with lately. Local critics haven't even bothered to weigh in yet. As far as I recall, LLAE got some really solid reviews over at Muzika.hr a few years back. Whatever. 🙂

Well, I guess I’ll jump in here too...🙂
Of course, I’m a huge fan of Europe, I just really feel their music, you know? It’s one of those things where music is totally subjective, but for me, they aren't some kind of trashy act, they lean much more into that classic glam rock vibe and stuff like that...
I’m actually trying to collect their entire discography, though I only have a fraction of it so far. I absolutely love songs that have basically become anthems, like The Final countdown. Then there's Dreamer, open Your Heart, Seven doors hotel, Superstitious, and I can't forget that one instrumental piece—Aphasia😍.
Even though I was only born in the early 80s, I just love that whole musical era... and while Queen and Scorpions are probably my absolute favorites when it comes to that kind of sound, Europe is definitely right up there with them.
I haven't had a chance to listen to the new album yet, but I'm really curious about it, so once I give it a spin, I'll let you all know what I think...

In my book, Europe blows Bon Jovi out of the water by a mile!

They aren't nearly famous enough here in the States, I guess. People just suffocate them with The Final countdown, since everyone associates them with nothing else! Personally, they're my favorite band. They actually released four albums after their reunion—start fra The dark, Secret society, Last look AT Eden i Bag of Bones—and they're currently touring Europe for the latter! I'm seeing them in Vienna on October 23rd. I already grabbed my tickets, and man, they weren't cheap—about $45—but for a band like this, it’s worth every last cent. You just don't see stuff like this very often. It doesn't really fit that 80s vibe or style at all. This is modern Hard rock with some blues influences, and I'd even go so far as to say they feel like a completely different band; honestly, I like this version better than the old one. The reviews are great, the critics love them, and the fact that they're still relatively unknown in America says a lot about American tastes! I suppose we just prefer our country music!

Oh, and hey, is anyone planning on heading to Vienna for the concert!? Or maybe even making a trip out to Italy!?

They just can't seem to recapture that magic from Prisoners in Paradise.

Ever since they got back together, they’ve been struggling to find their footing.

Last look AT Eden felt like they were actually getting somewhere, but then we get this tedious Bag of Bones...

Oh, and the tour setlist? About as predictable as a generic pop band's routine.

Next up on my list of all-time greats—or more accurately, my absolute favorites.

Tempestov vocals. 🙏

Their musicianship has always been top-tier, though I honestly think they struggle to pin down their actual genre. 🤷

If you really sit down and weigh the options, I’d say they were easily the most defining act of the 80s—truly the gold standard. It wasn't just about being popular, though; there was a genuine quality there that most bands couldn't touch. They had this incredible knack for blending heavy, driving metal with those massive pop sensibilities... it worked so seamlessly that it almost felt effortless, even if it certainly wasn't. I guess you could call them the perfect bridge between two worlds.
I have to say, I’m finding their stuff particularly compelling lately—with that one glaring exception, of course. I'm talking about the big hits, specifically "Cherokee." Aside from that, though, most of it really hits the mark for me.

If anyone is out there claiming they’re just some mediocre pop band, I really think they should sit down and listen to >, >, >! I wrote that third one in all caps because, honestly, I’d be pretty bold to say it isn't just their best work—it might actually be the greatest hard rock album ever released. They’ve put out quite a few DVDs too, so you can easily find them on YouTube, like >! I actually caught them live three different times after they reunited, and I honestly don't have the words to describe those shows. It was just pure energy—real hard/heavy stuff with those nice little blues undertones. About a year ago, I was out in Vienna during the > tour, and I guess those memories are still playing like a movie in my head!

Like someone else already pointed out—they’re a solid band playing pure hard rock with a heavy blues influence these days, but unfortunately, they’re never going to shake off those MTV, hair metal, or glam metal labels.