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Post by marco17 on Oct 20, 2017 6:12:02 GMT 2
I'm still waiting to listen to the album from start to finish, but listened to all the tracks on Planet Rock multiple times. As advertised, it's a different album. I like a few of the tracks pretty much instantly, and then some the jury is still out. My overall feeling is that there's a difference between trying to sound like all your idols and being influenced by them. So far WTE has me feeling a bit cold because they are trying too hard to sound like Deep Purple, Thin Lizzy, Bowie, etc. Whether it is musically in some songs, or the way the vocals are done, it just doesn't sound much like the Europe most of us love. The tempo is the same on many songs, and those come across boring, and can sound similar in some way, even going back to WoK. I have enjoyed most of the newer albums, so for me it's not that I am stuck in the 80's/90's, I'm just not feeling WTE compared to the others. I hope after a few listens, it is the grower that some claim is it. It may also be that there seem to be so many hands in the pot on this one, with so many influences, that it's just more of a mixed bag.
My first take on each song...
Walk the Earth: The War of Kings of the new album. A bit boring for what is supposed to be an uplifting song.
The Siege: Modern/Classic Europe…a more modern twist on what Europe has always been.
Kingdom United: Musically good, not sure of Joey’s vocals… Almost like he’s trying too hard to emulate Phil Lynott.
Pictures: Bowie inspired ballad that sounds like a beefed up, more majestic Mother’s Son.
Election Day: Ok track, Deep Purple-ish
Wolves: Sounds like they are trying to be Alice In Chains, vocals buried in the mix
GTO: This album’s Hole in My Pocket-type song
Haze: Still not sure what I think of this song
Whenever you’re ready: Music and effects are decent, more straight ahead rock, but wish is had more of a chorus.
Turn to Dust: Decent rocker, but slow and plodding.
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Post by Andy foster on Oct 20, 2017 8:11:05 GMT 2
Must say Walk The Earth is the first album since LLAE that I instantly love. The previous 2 were slow burners which I now really enjoy. There are certainly obvious signs of who their influences are but as I Listen to it more it just sounds superb.
Stand out tracks for me are
Walk the earth
Pictures
The Siege
Turn To Dust
To bee honest could put them all down the more I Listen
Well Done Europe Brilliant Album
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Post by nikos on Oct 20, 2017 12:07:15 GMT 2
I will join the club of people who are not impressed with this album. I respect EUROPE but they moved away from the Swedish melodic rock model and moved to the English, probably because of Joey. I gave a 9/10 for WoK in the Greek RockHard mainly because I respect a band trying to sing like their favorite bands. But doing the same, second album in a row is boring, shows luck of imagination and creativity.
The majority of riffs are full of clichés and mostly similar to WoK. Some songs are having similar music to previous Europe songs like Firebox (The Siege for example and especially the drums). I believe that collaborating with Cobb is not helping Europe. They lost their identity and just sound almost like a tribute band. I do not want to listen to Europe singing only like Bowie, Lizzy, Purple or Zeppelin. These bands left us a heavy heritage and I can listen to their albums, not Europe. Europe should be Europe. You can get the influences but make the sound YOURS. OWN your sound. I am sorry but the album disappointed me. I could give it a 8/10 but it would be mostly for emotional reasons. Without the fan factor, it's a solid 7/10. Disappointing.
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Post by Mark-David on Oct 20, 2017 12:46:09 GMT 2
I have seen at least one review that claims this is Europe's best album since the reunion but I would have to disagree with that. It is early days and it will no doubt be a grower but for me it doesn't come close to 'War of Kings', 'Secret Society'. Solid enough and a few stand out tracks, but too much trying to reproduce sounds of other bands. Europe have by far enough talent and ability to have their own sound. I sum it up with a similar sentiment to Nikos. Disappointing, but perhaps my expectations were just too high.
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Post by vielip on Oct 20, 2017 13:55:57 GMT 2
A better album than War of kings! Mostly because it has a better production. But also the songs are a notch better. I hear people saying that Europe doesn't sound like Europe. To me they sound more like Europe than they did on War of kings. The guitarwork in songs like The siege, Kingdom united, GTO and Whenever you're ready reminds me of old school Europe a lot! And yes, songs like Haze or Wolves are a bit weird but they're cool. I have a feeling that those songs will grow after some time. To me this album comes in just after Secret society at the number 2 spot. Since the reunion that is  |
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Post by philreeves on Oct 20, 2017 14:18:04 GMT 2
A better album than War of kings! Mostly because it has a better production. But also the songs are a notch better. I hear people saying that Europe doesn't sound like Europe. To me they sound more like Europe than they did on War of kings. The guitarwork in songs like The siege, Kingdom united, GTO and Whenever you're ready reminds me of old school Europe a lot! And yes, songs like Haze or Wolves are a bit weird but they're cool. I have a feeling that those songs will grow after some time. To me this album comes in just after Secret society at the number 2 spot. Since the reunion that is What he said  |
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Post by wardy on Oct 20, 2017 14:30:31 GMT 2
Grateful my local brick and mortar got the record in which I've since had on constant rotation throughout the day...
Am with the majority here so far in that Walk The Earth isn't as strong as my own personal post-reunion albums but it's a strong record (and a few of the songs here are yet again some of the band's better works, WTE, The Siege, Haze...)
While don't take issue with Europe running with their influences and in fact applaud them for staying true to themselves, someone above already mentioned the record lacks 'melodies' and find myself agreeing with that at least in part, suggesting often it's the choruses that are lacking those usual Europe singalong 'vocal melodies'!? Thankfully not always and that said there's plenty to love, and even if not up to personal faves Secret Society and War Of Kings, WTE is yet another solid addition to the Europe catalog.
Early days but am probably sitting about a 7.5 minimum for this one atm \m/
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Post by guesswho? on Oct 20, 2017 14:38:48 GMT 2
I've just received my copy, and can't stop listening to my 4 favorites (which is a problem for me, as I've got a lot of work to do instead of listening to a Europe album.. !  ) This 4 top songs IMO are : Election Day Turn to dust The Siege Walk The Earth I've listened only once to the other songs of the album, and probably I will enjoy them later... But rignt now, I'm in love with the 4 songs I mentionned. Pure gems     Strong and powerful, lyrically rich, and soooo melodic. I see Mr Mic Michaeli touch in these amazing music themes, probably  There's so many other positive things to say. But I have no time right now. Just have to add Joey Tempest voice is at its top. More beautiful and powerful than in all the previous albums. For me, WALK THE EARTH is a magnificent album.  |
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Post by Mark-David on Oct 20, 2017 14:55:40 GMT 2
hmm I'm still not convinced. I agree the production sound is better than 'War of Kings' but the songs themselves..personally prefer WoK. But I totally get and understand why the band don't want to repeat themselves. And what is going on at 6:23 in 'Turn to Dust'? What's that all about?  |
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Post by markjalink on Oct 20, 2017 21:45:04 GMT 2
I love this album! Everything that I want to hear from Europe is there, good melodies, uptempo songs and backing vocals! I also think they found the right mix between guitar and keyboard, both present but in the right proportion.
Sure there's always something to discuss about (just like setlists 😜) but come on it's 2017,not the eighties...
To me the best release after reunion together with Secret Society
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