NMC # 81 EUROPE/L.A. GUNS

[RJhog (Admin)]

Disclaimer: I was gonna post Europe and Asia, but the Best Buy did not have the new Asia album.  Needless to say, I'm not real happy about it.  But I still have two bands for you that started in the 80's.

Europe (Bag Of Bones)

I'll start it out with one I'm really digging.  Europe's Bag Of Bones.  I can't say I was much of a Europe fan back when they started, but I definitely have enjoyed their resurgence.  Each of their last 4 albums have been very good.  You get some hard rocking music, well written songs and pretty good vocals with this one.  And the title track is one of my favorites of the year so far.

1. Riches To Rags

2. Firebox

3. Bag Of Bones

4. Dog House

5. Mercy Me Mercy You

L.A. Guns (Hollywood Forever)

Another band I did not listen to at all before this album.  I'll tell you why I bought this album.  Last year I bought Rockaholic by Warrant and was totally surprised at how good it was.  I was really hoping for the same results with this one.  But not quite.  Don't get me wrong, I've heard worse.  I actually like the first 3 tracks here a good bit.  I think the opener sounds kind of like W.A.S.P., but  I'm not sure that's a compliment.  Anyway, check it out for yourself.

1. Hollywood Forever

2. You Better Not Love Me

3. Burn

4. Dirty Black Night

5. Underneath The Sun

[TageRyche]

Which version of LA Guns is this? The Phil Lewis fronted one or the one with Tracii Guns?

[Scott]

I believe this is the Phil Lewis edition...

[RJhog (Admin)]

Scott is correct, Phil Lewis on vocals.

[Scott]

EUROPE ...  Two Thumbs trending to even in 5...4...3...2...1  (Get it?)

I like this, really like the riff's I heard and the tunes are written quite well.  My one criticism is the production.  The drums are so understated and under produced that they detract from the listening experience.  Bag of Bones is the Highlight here, and the riff in Doghouse sounds real nice, loved the keyboards in it! Pleasantly surprised on this one overall, but not sure its on the purchase radar.

L.A. Guns ... Two Thumbs holstered and ready to draw even, in 5...4...3...2....1! (And that's the Final countdown!)

This one caught my eye, but I'm so out of touch with what when who and where these guys are nowadays that I stayed away.  So I'm glad you posted this.  Didn't really care for Hollywood Forever. though the geetars are pretty cool in spots.  You Better Not Love Me is a keeper, I like this tune!  Love the sound of the geetars on Burn, also glad it wasn't a DP remake!  The choruses are kind of lacking, the tunes are good but nothing really grabs hold!  Only pieces and parts, but man when that geetar is good its really good!

Very worthwhile post!

[Jon]

I am surprised....

Europe--Thumbs up

No Final Countdown crap here!I liked the song we had on here before and like what Rjhogger posted. Possible buy, these guys now have guts (not the real word I want to use, being PG and all). Tremendously surprised at this.

L.A. Guns--Thumbs most of the way up

Never like 'em, but like this even though it's their typical sleaze rock. Maybe I feel sleazy today. Haven't bathed in a few days, that could be it. The last song though? Nah. That's why this isn't a full thumbs up.

Rjhog actually posted some decent music. Imagine that!

 

[RJhog (Admin)]

I'm very surprised this has been liked so far. 

[Jon]

Kinda scary...

[Gordon Williams]

I am digging this! John Norum of Europe is a vastly under-rated guitar slinger. And "Final Countdown" was a pretty good album way back then, Jon! Its got some heavier stuff than the two keyboard filled songs that made it on the radio....the title track and Carrie.

But, I lost touch with Europe soon after Norum left. But now that he has returned, they have put out some good stuff. So this new Europe is definitely on my "will buy" list. The LA Guns is pretty good, too, and is under consideration. Nice NMC post, for sure!!

[Niels (Mod)]

I don't think, that you're surprised anymore 

[Niels (Mod)]

EUROPE - 2.5 out of 6

I never really liked Europe. I got "The Final Countdown" as a birthday-present back in '86 and bought "Out Of This World" probably because I was bored and needed some new music, but I didn't really like any of those albums. I have a problem with that band, and especially Joey Tempest. Of course not his real name. His real name is Rolf Magnus Joakim Larson. Just like I have a problem with Pretty Maids. Both bands are to me "wannabe-bands". They haven't got anything original at all. To me Europe is the keyboard-riff to "The Final Countdown", and that's it. I can hear that this album is somewhat better than the albums they made in their "heyday". Oh, that's right, I forgot. They did NOT have a "heyday" in the US of A . I've heard this album once or twice and that's more than enough for me. I'd rather listen to the 25 min. song from another swedish band's new album than these 5 songs. By the way, am I the only one, that can hear the "War machine"-riff in the last track?

L.A. Guns - 1 out of 6

This sounds just like W.A.S.P. and that is NOT a good thing, if you ask me. This is the reason why, I welcomed Grunge. Yes, that's right. Every time I hear this kind of music, it reminds me of crap-bands from the late 80's, and how glad I became, when Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins and others made their classic albums. If they hadn't, I probably would have listened to Jazz or classical music today. Both music and lyrics annoys me. "Dirty Black Night" 

Crappy title, and then they also have stolen the riff from "Enter Sandman". I can honestly say, that I hate this band and this album!!!

[Gordon Williams]

Europe has plenty of good stuff. Its really strange how their biggest selling album is the one that most people refer to...that album and that song. It was the song that helped them into stardom, but yet, it's the song some people just hate.But despite the keyboards, John Norum plays 2 great leads on that one song alone. And the album has some heavier stuff on it. And before that album, Europe's "Wings Of Tomorrow" is a strong release, with some great tunes. I did not like "Out Of This World" very much, though. But lots of rock stars have stage names. Some bands have the entire group with stage names.

 

[Niels (Mod)]

Yeah, I know that a lot have stage- names, like Bob Dylan and Gene Simmons, but when "nordic" musicians take very english sounding names, and the names are meant to be sounding cool, I think it's very un-cool.
Ronnie Atkins and Ken Hammer from Pretty Maids have very danish sounding names in reality, but why not keep them, or at least only make a slightly difference. If I should be a rock-star my first name would be Neil :-)
I haven't Got a problem, that you or anybody else likes Europe', but I don't, and never will. I had a John Norum solo-album once and I hated it.