Europe’s guitarist JOHN NORUM first three solo albums have been remastered by Rock Candy specialists. The sound quality on “Face The Truth” has been really improved here, more defined and detailed.
Comparing this album to Norum’s debut Total Control, this second LP sounds much more Americanized, still intense, refreshing and with a classic hard rock feel.
The line up is completely different as well: The Voice of Rock Glenn Hughes is on lead vocals, and Peter Baltes (Accept and Don Dokken) hits the bass, while Joey Tempest guest lead vocals on one song. How can you be wrong with these?
The shock of John Norum’s departure from Europe was a disappointment for the fans somewhat tempered by the release of his debut solo album, a work of real purpose and commitment to a heavy sound and style that suggested his tenure in Europe was not as musically harmonious as originally thought.
Norum, it seems was somewhat aggrieved that too much pop was being woven into Europe s sound and that the original intention of a hard rockin unit in the manner of Deep Purple and Rainbow had been sidelined. It was a fair conclusion and one that sparked a well-received solo career.
Following his debut, John worked in Los Angeles joining forces with Don Dokken for Don’s debut solo album ‘Up From The Ashes’ and toured the USA extensively. It was a positive experience that also led John to enter into a stunning collaboration with Glenn Hughes, the wayward bassist/vocalist of Deep Purple and more recently in Hughes/Thrall.
John’s second solo album titled ”Face The Truth” was a match made in heaven, with Norum and Hughes providing a number of high energy yet melodic hard rock tracks that stand proud as musical highlights in an era that was slowly succumbing to the emergence of grunge.
Originally issued in 1992, and recorded in Los Angeles, the album boasts a number of stunning tracks, including ‘Still The Night’ a re-recording of a Hughes/Thrall song originally released on the much praised Phenomena concept album.
Title track “Face The Truth” is one of my favorites from the entire album. The main riff stay in your head at first listen and Glenn’s phrasing in the chorus is incredible. ‘Night Buzz’ is a catchy song very much in the L.A hard rock wave of the late ’80s. It just reminds me a lot of George Lynch and the song could perfectly well have been included in ‘Up From The Ashes’ by Don Dokken.
‘In Your Eyes’ is a wonderful ballad awesomely performed by Hughes. If the musical climate had not changed when released, shoulda been a hit. Also included is ‘Opium Trail’, a tribute to Norum’s enduring love for Thin Lizzy, and a well-received co-write with Joey Tempest titled ‘We Will Be Strong’.
When you think about it, “Face The Truth” is kind of a foretelling of what Europe is doing now musically speaking, yet pretty this Norun solo second effort is much more catchy. It’s a killer hard rock album, and one of the best Glenn Hughes recordings in my opinion.
As said above, this remastered reissue sounds million bucks.
01 – Face the Truth
02 – Night Buzz
03 – In Your Eyes
04 – Opium Trail
05 – We Will Be Strong
06 – Good Man Shining
07 – Time Will Find the Answer
08 – Counting on Your Love
09 – Endica
10 – Still the Night
11 – Distant Voices
John Norum – Guitars, lead and backing vocals
Glenn Hughes – Lead vocals
Peter Baltes (Accept, Don Dokken) – Bass
Hempo Hilden – Drums
Joey Tempest – Vocals on “We Will Be Strong”
Billy White – Rhythm guitar on “Time Will Find the Answer”
Mikkey Dee – Drums on “Distant Voices”
John Schreiner – Keyboards
Andy Lorber – Additional backing vocals
turbo thx Stefano!
JOHN NORUM – Face The Truth [Rock Candy Remastered & Reloaded] (2020)
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