One thing about most hair metal bands of the '80s -- they were not necessarily known to be "proficient" at their respective instruments. But one such group from the genre that certainly had the chops to back up their pretty boy looks was
Europe, which prove this theory once again on their 2008 live CD,
Almost Unplugged (which was issued as a DVD a year later). Recorded at a venue in Stockholm (called Nalen) on January 26, 2008,
Almost Unplugged sees the group joined by a string quartet as they balance originals with a few classic rock nuggets, including
Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here,"
Thin Lizzy's "Suicide," and
UFO's "Love to Love," among others, as well as a still-bombastic rendition of "The Final Countdown." Surprisingly, there is no rendition of their power ballad, "Carrie," included here, which you'd think would have fit in well with all the other stripped-down tunes here -- especially when overbearing cheese such as the song "Hero" is included (although admittedly, the song's meaning is heartfelt -- it's a tribute to the late, great
Phil Lynott). The histrionics may be toned down a tad here, but
Almost Unplugged serves as further proof that
Europe remain arena rock kings throughout...Europe. ~ Greg Prato