MR

Just listened to the samples here on melodicrock and I love the sound so far You can hear the influences of all the projects the guys have done since 92 as well as the classic Europe sound from pre-Countdown. I might actually wear this cd out when I get it

I've listened carefully to 8 songs and I like all of them very much. For me, Europe couldn't have made a better album in their comeback. I like it even more than The Final Countdown

Hmm, the jury's still out for me! I miss those big catchy chouruses from the old days!!

"Prisoners In Paradise" is still their best album for me!!!

I think the new music is fantastic!! Very fresh! I loved the '80s sound as much as anyone, but I like modern stuff too. I think EUROPE did a magnificent job of updating to the 21st century while still holding on to their roots. Better to move forward than backward...

Paul_UK wrote:Hmm, the jury's still out for me! I miss those big catchy chouruses from the old days!!

"Prisoners In Paradise" is still their best album for me!!!

Quite agree wit' U. The best album. Like these blues intonations... Most completed record after all.

I have now heard sound samples of all the songs on sony.se site and I have to say WOW!!! Europe have done a fantastic job on their comeback album. I also loved the 80's sound, but I really love this new music direction. It is fresh, heavy and very guitar-oriented, which is something I really love (Thank You John Norum!!!)
Can't wait to get this album in my hands and wear it out!!

Great job guys and hope to see you in the states!!
All the best,
Valerie

Wow, I just listened to ALL the song samples at www.sonymusic.se. This is gonna be a pretty fantastic album. The return of John Norum has done them well. This new music has great vibe! "Song No. 12" and "Roll with you" are the only ones that didn't thrill me at first listen. They've gotten better with repeat listening, but maybe they should've just been B-sides...

Guilty guilty guilty! I'm a fan of harder music such as Maiden Megadeth Charon and the Ryche (as much as a couple of these have softened over the years!) but although I hated 'the Final Countdown' I had a soft spot for this band and was a closet fan of the 'Out of this world' and 'Prisoners in paradise' albums.

These soundclips are VERY promising. A little less commercial was a good deciscion IMO cause the big chorus' would come accross a tad cheesy today which I feel is the downfall of a lot of the reformed 80's bands.
I don't suggest they change their sound etc, but just move forward in a more mature way, unlike Motley and the likes, and a lot like Tesla did with their 'Into the now'.

Anyway, just my two cents worth, looking forward to buying this album indeed!

[quote="WardyS3"]I don't suggest they change their sound etc, but just move forward in a more mature way...

I totally agree. People need to remember these guys are in their early 40's now. They're not kids anymore. The old Europe stuff will always be great, but to duplicate it now would be a mistake. Prisoners in Paradise sounds a bit juvenile now...

Exactly!

I certainly take on board what you're all saying and I do agree with you.

I guess you could call it an album of two halves! I've just bought the album and the first 5 tracks really are fantastic, and possibly some of the best tracks the band have put together. However, for me from tracks 6 thru to 11 the album loses its way a little. Each song just seems to drift into the other and are instantly forgetable, unlike the album's first half.

Of course, this is only my humble opinion!!

Album lived up to the sound bites.

Very much enjoying the album, in fact I rated it 75% in the reviews section but am already moving that up to 80%. Finally stopped listening to Megadeth's new one (albeit probably for only a short while ) and cannot put Start from the Dark away.

Good sign indeed!

I agree the 1st half is better than the 2nd half, although I still think the songs are very good. "Sucker" might be my 2nd favorite, behind "Hero"...but that's just how I feel today!! I haven't been able to put the CD away either. Truly a classic album, to me.