(Review by Alekos Romeo's Daughter Touloumis)
If I had taken this CD in a white packing sleeve without even one letter printed inside, I am absolutely sure that a lot of years would pass to name the band that plays here, despite the sharpness of my experienced, musically, ear. Still, the music that I heard comes from one historical band in the European scene, and not only, the Swedish pioneers EUROPE. The band that once glorified - in the 80's - the property of Hard Rock, bringing millions of people in contact with them making them bigger and bigger, returns with a brand new music recording work, the 8th in line in their history, under the title Last Look At Eden.
For - naturally - those who did give a credit in what I said above, let's say I was troubled recognizing EUROPE musically; nothing, but nothing here is similar to the past. In order to be sincere, I did not waste enough time with the two previous CDs of EUROPE's return, (Start From The Dark, Secret Society), because I had much better things to listen to at that time(s) but the only thing for sure is that now EUROPE belongs to the general Rock category, sailing their ships in other seas.
A pompous intro heads to the opening song of the same title. A slow pace creating a depressing landscape with some kind of nice refrain and guitar solo that - eventually - did not touch me, I'm afraid. A more vivid songs is next, Gonna Get Ready, reminding me of Lenny Kravitz due to the main riff; a song with a clear 70s blend and structure. Also traditional is the next song named Catch That Plane bringing to mind DEEP PURPLE or Jimi Hendrix, still in a slow tempo. A solid ballad follows,
New Love In Town, calming things a little bit, while The Beast sounds like WARRIOR SOUL or something, speeding up . Mojito Girl sounds like a Stoner track, also bringing the 70s forth (the way e.g. THE ANSWER does). No Stone Unturned's keyboards result in a symphonic/pomp song, not bad anyway, while Only Young Twice has an ALICE IN CHAINS aesthetics. U Devil U is quite average and Run With The Angels gets kinda groovy/new again. The epilogue unveils maybe the most beautiful track, In My Time, an impressive Blues-y ballad capable of traveling the listener fear away; a diamond cut really.
Truth is EUROPE left me totally unaffected with this new album. I really tried to focus on their new style in order to see things quite differently, but in vain. Their style is too 'Rock' now, with groovy tempos, keyboards and somehow Stoner dynamics. Funny thing is many people talk positively about this turn and consider Last Look At Eden a brilliant release but - unfortunately - I cannot share the same belief since in my opinion this does not happen due to the lack of musical value from the tracklist in general. I prefer the it's been three years, let's release an album assumption, hence I like to be strict in my grading.