Bag of Bones

BEFORE I BEGIN, I ASK YOU TO FORGET "THAT SONG" AND ANY OTHER PRECONCIEVED NOTIONS YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT THIS BAND, AND READ WITH AN OPEN MIND. Since their reunion in 2004, Europe have produced 3 very different, but very uneven albums, the last, 2009's 'Last Look at Eden' was the strongest of the 3 but still didn't fully achieve the sound they clearly were trying to achieve. Of course, the band's first 2 albums the self titled debut 'Europe', and the far more developed 'Wings of Tomorrow' showed signs of the hard, classic, blues based band they could be. Then came 'The Final Countdown' and the title song which is probably playing on at least 483 radio stations as you read this and is now playing in your head. (Sorry, I had to, it's too easy.) While incredibly dated, the album was, and still is, a classic 80's album. Bombastic, produced to a mirrored finish, with well written, hook filled songs performed by great musicians. At this point Guitarist John Norum left the band, and for me, the next 2 albums suffered from it. Norum rejoined for the 2004 reunion, and as mentioned, the resulting 3 albums were hit and miss.Last year I began reading about the progressions of this album and watching the online clips the band shared about the making of the album. As a longtime fan, I liked a lot of what I heard, and loved in interviews the band all said they wanted to make an album that was a return to the original sound of the early albums. Reviews started appearing online, all hailing 'Bag of Bones' as the band's best ever. In fact I had yet to read a negative review before FINALLY recieving my import copy 2 days ago. I had heard the lead single and it only heightened my expectations. So many albums disappointed me in recent years, so when I popped the CD for the first time I really had high hopes. So did "Bag of Bones" live up to expectations? No..it exceeded them! This album is all it was hyped to be and more! 11 songs (12 on the Japanese import version. "Beautiful Disaster", the extra track on the import is KILLER!) that are all killer, no frills, straight up, Classic, blues based PURE ROCK tracks. The Songwriting is brilliant as there's not a bad song among them. Make no mistake, this is still Europe, just an older more mature version. Joey Tempest can still wail, and he sounds better than ever. One of rock's greatest singers showing he's only getting better with age. Mic Michaeli's keyboards are more previlant here than on the last 3 but they compliment the songs perfectly without overpowering them. John Leven is steady as always and Ian Haugland, forever one of rock's underappreciated drummers finally gets his due here. But 'Bag of Bones' is truly John Norum's album. The riffs are instantly memorable and his solos are mindblowing. I have a lot of his solo work and all the Europe CD's, and without question this is the best he's ever been. If you're a guitar fan, check out his solo on the opener 'Riches to Rags'. Truly amazing, as is all his work on this album. Besides Norum and Tempest, the songs are the true stars here. All of them featuring the hooks that have been mostly absent since the reunion, while maintaining a more classic rock vibe. Highlights are the first single, 'Not supposed to sing the Blues' with it's memorable riff, strong vocals, and very lyrically strong, 'Firebox' which has an almost "Kashmir" vibe and a great hook, The title track with the best chorus on the CD and a tremendous vocal performance by Tempest, 'Doghouse' is a straight up catchy rocker, and the closer, 'Bring it all Home' a ballad not about love or a failed relationship, but an introspective look back on life. A truly beautiful, timeless song that is my favourite song on the CD. All the directions Europe's tried the past 3 albums comes to fruition on 'Bag of Bones". The blues influence is so evident and well executed here, while still allowing them to maintain thier sound. The mix is also great, so put the Headphones on and crank it up. The band is in fine, tight form here, most of the songs done as live takes, which, despite the crystal clear production, stll gives some of the songs like 'Drink and a smile' and 'My Woman, my friend' a chance to still have a raw feeling. If you're expecting 'The Final Countdown' you'll be disappointed at first. But if you want a straight up, no frills, blues rock album, this is it. Please, Please, buy this album and listen to it without bias, and you'll find an album that's easily a contender for best album of 2012. You will NOT be disppointed, it's the absolute best work from a talented, mature band that has too long been unfairly judged by one song, and this may be one of the best purchases you'll ever make. It's THAT good. Yeah, I kinda can't believe it either.

The 2012 album by Europe can at times be a patch affair. Overall the familiar vocals of Joey Tempest and the sheer weight of experience when combined with very suitable production values mean that the album scores four stars.The album doesn't outstay its welcome in terms of length, it opens up with a few really good hard rock tunes in the likes of Riches to Rags, Not Supposed to Sing the Blues and Firebox before the slightly too twee for its own good title song turns up. The production - as noted earlier - is very appropriate for this sort of stuff. Not too much sheen and it has a certain timbre that gives some gravitas to the vocals while allowing for real arrangements within the song structures as opposed to a bludgeoning blast. But then producer Kevin Shirley knows what he is doing and is every bit as experienced as the band. The album low point of My Woman My Friend (seriously how did this make the album?) serves as a halfway point of proceedings before the quality goes up with some solid of not spectacular tunes in the form of Demon Head and Drink and Smile. Not bad songs by any stretch but they do set the scene nicely enough for Doghouse which has plenty of groove and funk.The booklet has full lyrics etc and some nice artwork. It is light-hearted. Much like the bouncy nature of second last tune Mercy You Mercy Me in which - as with so many other tunes on the album, Tempests vocals really do shine as he gets inside the song and really treats the vocals as a theatrical performance in terms of emoting (well OK not as much as Geoff Tate live but you know what I mean). Sadly the last song sees the album go out with a whimper rather than a bang. It's meant to be a heart warming tale of looking back at good times or whatever but the down home folksy vibe just doesn't cut it. Dreamer this ain't.All up a solid hard rock album from a band who know what they are doing married to a producer who has here presented them well. Not a case of all killer no filler but certainly an album that any lapsed Europe fan should enjoy. Well worth picking up.

I bought this on the basis of hearing "Doghouse" on a free Classic Rock CD but had also read positive reviews about it. It was also only £5 so it was a no-brainer. If you still think of Europe as being a "Final Countdown" and "Carrie" big hair band then don't buy this. The musicianship is superb with John Norum finally managing to show off his talent as a top notch guitarist. His solo albums have always attracted me more than Europe's but on this album his Schenker influences are really noticeable in his mazy lead runs and rhythmn style and acclaim is well overdue. Joey Tempest still looks like Peter Pan and it's hard to believe he's 50. He still has a fantastic voice and his lyrics really hit a chord on some of the numbers. I'm hard pressed to point out any bad songs as they are all excellent. They really do rock right through the full album with the exception of the ubiquitous slower numbers, "Drink And A Smile" and "Bring It all Home" but the highlights are "Demon Head", "Firebox" and "Doghouse". It's a pity they didn't stick to this formula 25 years ago as they would be arena superstars now. At such a giveaway price you have to try it out. Alternatively, catch them on tour this November 2012, you will not be disappointed.

I always thought that Europe were only really known for one song. However after hearing the track " Not supposed to sing the blues" on a popular UK rock station this changed for me as I bought the album. The album is great through out with strong musicianship, tunes, songs with the album feeling fresh and not at all dated. I would recommend it any blues/rock fan.

Good album, Europe have come a long way since 'Final Countdown' which came to be considered, rather unfairly, a parody of rock music.Their recent efforts easily match and indeed surpass the early days, and this album is no exception. Its still much what you would expect, but there is a harder, more confident edge. 'your not supposed to sing the blues' is a surprise, but an excellent one. For me its a stand out track, and underlines the talent and skill of an overall underrated band. Go on, give 'em a try!!!!!

I was numbered among those who could only name you one Europe song until recently. But then a radio station started playing some thumping' gert riffs and I had to find out more! This album is really proper chunky, slightly dad-rock (but anyone my age knows that is only a good thing) and prompts my 2year old to ask for 'not supposed to sing the blues' every time we get in the car. Also he asks if he is in the dog house, and if we have a bag of bones. Which hopefully we don't.If you like rocking out and want something new, give this a listen, it's ace.

as good as old school music