Europe (2) – Out Of This World

This classic Europe album sounds good. The sound is nice balaced, warm and generaly sounds natural, but I would like more dynamic and more energy and air (ambient) in the top. Maybe it is omly me, sorry. The sound is very organic and I like it, but I am an audiophile.

With the departure of John Norum, who disagreed with the direction that the band were heading in musically, Europe were forced to carry on without him. Despite missing Norum's riveting riffs, "Out Of This World", the band's third effort, went platinum in the US alone, though falling short of achieving the status or even a smash hit single akin to its predecessor. I would attribute this to the gospel overtones present on several tracks, as well as the general mellow conventionality of its arena rock sound, lacking the pomposity and energy of "The Final Countdown". However, that is not to say the band do not attempt for a rehash of their previous hits, because they most certainly do; it appears that the aim of producing a lightning-in-a-bottle classic as instantly iconic as "The Final Countdown" led to the band failing in every respect. "Out Of This World" features many sonic and style revisions of the previous album, though not so as you would notice unless you scrutinise. Fortunately, the guitars and keyboards are unobtrusive, and Joey Tempest's vocals are as proficient as they ever were, possibly even more so due to the moderation of the songs in of heaviness. "Superstitious" is a particular highlight of the band's less grandiose affectations, characterised by a glam metal sheen with strong pulses and a romantic, driving chorus, it is one of the most memorable on the album. During this song as well as others, Tempest has free reign to show off his stunning vocal range to match the free-wheeling instrumentalists, both of whom are given to extended solos in a bid to imitate, or most likely complement, the utterly prominent Tempest, who truly shines on the closing track, "Tomorrow", assisted by a mere piano. Such ego-driven indulgences may have been curtailed by an assertive producer, but such flaws do not dampen the irably imioned qualities of the music, which is first-rate arena rock elevated by keyboard-heavy pop melodies, midtempo balladry and, for the most part, continuing the formula they previously adopted to gain wider exposure.

As is usually the case, success is as difficult to acquire as it is to sustain, therefore it comes as no surprise that "Out Of This World" would become Europe's final album to scale the Billboard chart. It isn't as raw as "Wings of Tomorrow" or as breezy as "The Final Countdown", but "Out Of This World" is an integral part of the band's discography and equally as well-executed and sonically pleasing as its forerunners.

Rating: 4.5/5