SFTD less keys and pop? Norum answers questions!

[WardyS3]

Found this great interview with Norum that was transcribed by Mia at the Europe forums. Norum answers why SFTD is less keyboard and old time Europe, and answers why Kee isn't in the band etc. It's been transcribed by Mia and she apologises for her english. Can get confusing but makes sense in the end. Very worthwhile reading.

Here's the link.
Thanks Mia.

http://www.europetheband.com/forum_post.php?ID=214

[Mr.Rock]

Norum doesn't like Prisoners in Paradise, at least he's honest! Pesonally I don't mind the album.

It still would have been interesting to hear Europe as a 2 guitar band.

[Chris Brooks]

Great interview, but he really is a cocky son of a bitch to walk back into the band he dumped 17 years ago and then make such demands.

[Paul_UK]

My thoughts exactly Chris.

Don't get me wrong, its great to see John back in the fold but he has to remember that there are fans that supported the band through those years he missed that may want to hear some of the tracks featured that he particularly doesn't like.

I know that I'm one of them! Some of my fave Europe moments are from the "Prisoners..." album. Songs like "Halfway To Heaven", "Seventh Sign" and "Prisoners In Paradise" would go down a storm on the live stage.

[Superstitious1]

You make good points, but John Norum isn't the only guy behind this. I don't think the BAND likes Prisoners in Paradise very much either, based on interviews I've read. They all say it sounded too American for them (being Scandanavians). Don't forget it was probably the worst selling Europe album too. In fact, the entire Prisoners in Paradise era was not a happy time for the band, hence the "Prisoners" theme. I think John Norum IS sensitive to the history of the band he was not part of, because I know they've been playing several songs from the post John Norum era:

1. Superstitious
2. Let the good times rock
3. Ready or not
4. Sign of the times
5. Girl from lebanon
6. Yesterday's news

That's almost 1/3rd of their live set. Not bad at all.

[Paul_UK]

I guess not, but no less that i would expect!!

[RonK]

Prisoners in Paradise (the song) would not be good enought for Europe 2004 ?? What a bunch of crap. I love the song ! I don't see what Yesterdays news or Girl from lebanon makes a better song.

Besides that i had i hell of a time last Saturday night !! John was superb and Joey's performance (vocally as microphone-standardly !!) was great to see, just if he never took a "melo rock" break.

Great time, good sound btw

RON

[Paul_UK]

I totally agree, "Prisoners In Paradise" is one of the best tracks the band has ever done. I love the 'Queen' style guitar intro too!

For me the "Prisoners..." album is the complete Europe album. It features the trademark Europe catchy hooks, blistering guitar solos and top drawer vocals.
As much as "Start From The Dark" is growing on me, I don't think it will ever be one of my faves as I miss those catchy hooks you find yourself humming all day!!

[RonK]

I dont get it with that SFTD album. Why did it have to have such a "weird" sound. I can understand they wanted to do something heavier or darker. But they could have done it the Brazen Abbot way or the Corner Stone way, not ? In that way they even could have had a hit record maybe . Now its almost NOT melodic. Got to have faith ? I dont get that track. The title track i do like a lot. And then take the a lighter song as Sucker ? It sucks indeed. The lyrics would have been ok when we were back in 86, when i wasnt old enough to drink a bear !
And admit it, even the people who like the album, would an Europe show still be as much fun, if you had to go to one hour of this kind of music ?
Guess not. Why didnt they invite Kee in the first place ?

[Superstitious1]

Well Ron, I respect your opinion but I don't find the sound of the album "weird" at all. It's modern. More 21st Century. I LOVE "got to have faith". A perfect introduction to the new Europe. Heavy and melodic. I love "sucker". Great vibe. I don't think the lyrics are meant to be taken too seriously. The rest of the album is serious enough.

The reasons for John being in the band, and not Kee, are many and complex. Both artistic and financial. The bottom line is Kee didn't want to do the reunion. John did. It all comes down to that basically.

[WardyS3]

Been away a while and only just got to these replies, wow, difference of opinions indeed.

I liked Prisoners but thought for the time it was released the chart-music had already indicated a massive change, and although I respected they stayed true to form I felt it was a little bit too pop, when in fact it should have gone the way of SFTD back then!? I like a handfull of songs mind, some of their best melodies. For the pop Europe I liked Out of this world better though.

I really like SFTD. It is a little less melodic but guys, the band and music of this nature has grown up. Less pop and maybe a little less melody is where music has gone and I'm afraid if we don't like it too bad. There's still plenty of Countdown era Europe on the new album, but overall it has taken a darker turn toward their first two albums (their best IMO) and although the songs don't speed along like back then, the whole feel of the album is early Europe and I think that's a good thing.

I thought this was a helpful interview anyhow!

[TxStorm]

PIP = Incredible album! "Seventh Sign" is a rocking tune!

SFTD = Jury's still out on it for me. I do wish it had more keyboarding though. Keyboards is one of the things that made a Europe album so enjoyable to me. I love the sound of keyboards if they help to "lift" the song as they do in most Europe songs.

Even the first 2 albums had keyboards. Remember "Seven Doors Hotel", "Words Of Wisdom" or "Stormwind"?

Being realistic here, it seems that almost every band tends to change with trends of the time. Perhaps what I wish for is for the musical trends of the time to return to what they were in the 70's or 80's. Wishful thinking, I know.

I can't help it, I grew up loving rock/metal bands that used keyboards. Amazing guitar riffs, awesome vocals and soaring/intricate keyboarding usually equals a very cool rock song!!! (to me anyways)

[WardyS3]

Hey TxStorm! Seventh Sign got flogged to death on my stereo more than any other from PIP when that album was released. Great song!

Yeah, I'm a little moved on with the whole keyboard thing nowadays (probably why like SFTD, not overdone) but certainly have no qualms if used correctly. One of my favourite albums is Empire by Queensryche and that's full of them. How do you feel about bands like Ark and Masterplan (yes, both involve Jorn, not biased, just a coincidence they're both so bloody good) that use plenty of keys these days?

[TxStorm]

Great bands, all of them that you mentioned! "Empire" is an incredible album too! "Mindcrime" and "Rage" are also incredible.

[WardyS3]

One of my fave 80's bands that used keys well were House of Lords. Of course there were many, Tyketto etc that did it well but House of Lords were that American version of Whitesnake and still drag out Sahara and Demons Down nowadays.

[Jonny B]

STFD is a decent album considering the change. Most hard rock bands fail to go modern, and well, it isn't really as modern as most people say. The vocal melodies in particular, match the Euro-Metal style that a lot of bands put out these days. Musically, it's no more modern than Ra, which some people have pointed out to me that said band aren't as modern as bands from the same genre of rock.

They didn't make a lousy album by moving on to a different direction (a rarety in comeback albums.) But at the same time, I won't be spinning STFD too much either. There's just too many bands out there that are releasing a better product, and not necessarily the blast-from-the-past variety either.

Favorite track: 'Spirit of the Underdog.'

(don't get me started on the keyboard thing. I've tinkled the ivories for 16 years, and I'm not afraid to defend my instrument.)

[Jonny B]

...on a side note, I just wanted to point out that a close friend has approved of STFD. Yes, the biggest 80's purist of 80's purists has found a reason to like it.

...but that still doesn't change my opinion though. I would still need 2 hours in the recording studio to beef up the keyboards on the mixing board.

[lip803]

PIP = Incredible album! "Seventh Sign" is a rocking tune!

I just do not get it....