What do you think about "Bag Of Bones"?

This thread gets really interesting ...

I've read very carefully all the views on BOB or LLAE, there are people who have very clear what is their choice but this is not my case, I like some songs more than others, I can not say categorically that I like an entire album more than another, for me "My woman my friend" and "Firebox"are fantastic, as much as "Last look at Eden" and "In my time" ...

And about the promotion: I'm not enjoying with the image that are selling of the band, is like:

" hey ! they have matured aren't the same as they were ..."

and I think : what ??? What happen with the old EUROPE ?

This band IS and WAS very good, those who now realize are welcome but it is their problem not having done it before, this band is not changed in its essence, has evolved but it is not another band, ...

Well, I will be as honest as I can be. NSTSTB is not bad as a single, it's not great. The video is nothing special. Blury at times, a scene with luxury cars (luxury for us poor P.I.G.S. but probably a bit more ordinary for Northern Europeans) that doesn't make sense and Joey singing about wrinkles. Then you get all those photo sessions where they pose like grandpas, bored, tired. But as a fan, I still leave these behind. Now, give me some music to drive my adrenaline up. Unfortunately, we get 40 minutes of music with a 20 year old song reinvented, a 30" instrumental track and a 'Zeppelin wannabe' song that sounds horrible.

Then I read:

"Bag of Bones is the first Europe album to chart in UK Top 100 Albums since Prisoners in Paradise in 1991 and also entered in UK Top 40 Rock Albums at number 3"

Well done. Happy for that. Promotion seems great, you accomplished being on the charts, success is on the way, you got rid of that lousy forum that was destroying your investment and became a spot on your bum. Most important album since TFC. But for who?

Then I see all the live DVDs. Filmed in London (blurry), filmed in London (dizzy). UK charts. Full UK tour, some concerts here and there in Europe. For me it is clear that Europe focus on certain markets on certain audience. If they go to the US, seriously, nobody will give a cent about the new material. If they come to Greece, nobody will give a euro-cent (or Drachma, who knows) about the new material. Why? Because we are forgotten, left in the dark ages. Then I see bands like Firewind that they tour everywhere to promote their albums and this is why they are selling (I bet) more albums than Europe worldwide.

I love this band. I got a guitar in 86 because of them, I was dressed in jeans and white trainers (ah, the 80s), I was listening to their music in the car's driving seat (when the car was parked because I was not driving but I was dreaming to do so with my pals), the first thing I was searching when I was in front of a computer with sloooow internet was 'Europe band'. But I think they are doing the same they did in the past. History repeats itself. At least, they control their own fate. No crap managers getting their money. Success is on its way. But as I said for who?

All I hope is that they wont forget those fans that they stayed loyal to them. I will put my hand on my heart and say deeply from it that this album is certainly not bad, but it is far from being good. Not because the music is so bad but because I feel a distance (that keeps growing) from those who loved the band since 30 years ago. And their last song seems like a goodbye to them (and good buy to others) and really makes me sad. I hope I am wrong. I really do because it will hurt me a lot if I am not.

I think that they have done nothing to integrate their fan base, it's sad to me but, What have they done in their new website for all passionate fans who wrote in the official forum? Nothing ...
I understand they want to look into the future and gain more fans, but that is not incompatible with keeping people who is supporting you from always, sadly I have not seen any action in this regard.

I also understand that it is more important for them to enter the charts the UK that in Spain, but is that Southern Europe supports the band from always and I have read memorable reviews that have been written in these countries and have not even picked up on their official website, not interested. I don't need that they talk about my country in every interview, is not jealousy, I travel to UK to see them because I love it, but maybe they should take better care of certain details, or not, if they aren't interested in more fans from countries that are not going to give them much prestige, ... depends on the direction wants to take the band but really I do not see it clearly. In the other hand, e.g Coldplay made ​​its world debut album last year in Madrid and everyone could see it on You Tube, and this band has a lot of sucess in UK, right?

Riches To Rags 9
Not Supposed To Sing The Blues 8
Firebox 10
Bag Of Bones 9
Requiem 7
My Woman My Friend 6
Demon Head 9
Drink And A Smile 7
Doghouse 7
Mercy You Mercy Me 7
Bring It All Home 9