Europe is a commercial/hard rock combo from Sweden. After winning a band competition, they released their self-titled debut record in 1983. The group consists of Joey Tempest on vocals, John Norum on guitar, John Leven on Bass, Mic Michaeli on keyboards, and Ian Haugland on drums. They are Sweden’s biggest selling hard rock band. This is their eighth release...

It’s been a chasm-spanning 23 years since the release of the groundbreaking The Final Countdown (TFC) album and it’s accompanying mega-hit single which seemed to remain at the number one spot forever. That solitary track, more than anything else, catapulted the band into the starlight. However, it’s the measure of a unit how well it handles that fame. Although in my opinion it’s predecessor Wings of Tomorrow was a much better collection of songs, the heady heights of TFC seemed to place obstacles to trip the band. Nevertheless, Europe have enjoyed somewhat of a renaissance recently with the return of original guitarist John Norum, who left to concentrate on his solo career a little after TFC. Two world tours promoting the follow-up albums had sent the group into meltdown, resulting in a rest which turned into an indefinite break.

Last Look at Eden is the third release since that hiatus, and by all accounts is a return to form after Secret Society. The style remains very much set in the eighties, with no noticeable progression, which is fine. There are a number of obvious influences in the music and particularly in the voice of singer Joey Tempest, who appears to be singing in a lower register these days. The lilt of his voice jumps between commercial rock, blues and even country as he at times bizarrely attempts to emulate other singers.

'Catch That Plane' is a decent enough, if somewhat lightweight catchy, AOR-type song. 'New Love in Town' features softer vocals and a Deep Purple-like riff, and in the verses in particular tries to sound like David Coverdale. For someone like me who prefers the heavier end of the market, 'The Beast' is by far the best of the bunch, with much more substance and backbone. It also rather cleverly refuses to outstay its welcome. It’s at this point that the album loses its way a little. The influences come hailing down; 'Mojito Girl' is essentially Bon Jovi’s 'You Give Love a Bad Name', 'No Stone Unturned' is slightly mystical Led Zeppelin, and the Coverdale copy makes a return for 'Run With the Angels'. Although Tempest sings a breathy Coverdale again for the final track, 'In My Time' is an excellent bluesy electro-acoustic ballad with some premium guitar work. A great way to close the album.

Although my musical tastes generally start slightly heavier than this, I’m certain long-time fans of Europe will be more than happy with this output.

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Ty Power