Search - John Norum :: Face the Truth

A Decent Album Overall.

08/29/1999

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I've admired John Norum ever since first getting the Europe release The Final Countdown in '87. His solos on that album are all great and quite interesting to listen to. I have also always had quite a bit of respect for his debut solo album Total Control. Face the Truth overall is a pretty decent album. It's never been a favorite of mine though. There's no doubt that it sports good playing, a nice production, and decent songs, but there stills seems to be something missing. Comparing this album to Total Control, Face the Truth lacks the European flavor of that debut. This album is less European sounding, and sounds much more Americanized. That's mostly the reason why I can't relate to it as well as his first album. There are some satisfactory songs on here though. "Nightbuzz" is a good tune, along with "Time Will Find the Answer," and the instrumental "Endica." The rest of the songs are a bit forgettable, but still have a few good moments. The vocals by Glenn Hughes and John Norum are okay. John Norum's guitar playing sounds quite a bit different than on his debut and when he was with Europe. This is not a bad album though. Give it a listen."

John Norum - 'Face The Truth' (Shrapnel)

Mike Reed | USA | 05/29/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"'Face The Truth' is a decent solo effort by John Norum,the former guitarist for Europe(Remember them?Some say they're the Swedish reply to Bon Jovi).This CD also features bassist Peter Baltes(of Accept),drummer Hempo Hilder and Glenn Hughes on vocals.Musically,'Face...' is like semi-commercial metal,but at the same time,it's not cheezy sounding if you know what I mean.As for the tunes,I liked the title cut "Face The Truth","Night Buzz","Time Will Find The Answer" and his Thin Lizzy cover "Don't Believe A Word" the best.Check it out."

A good album

sauerkraut | 10/30/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"John Norum's second full-length disc, Face the Truth, contains a gratifying collection of tracks. Released in 1992, the album's material is in a straightforward hard rock musical direction. There are 11 cuts. The songwriting is good, the musicianship is solid, and the sound quality is crisp. Norum's guitar playing is skillful, precise, and sleek. Keyboards are sparingly used throughout. The vocal duties are handled by Norum and Glenn Hughes; Norum sings on "Opium Trail," "Night Buzz," and "Don't Believe a Word," while Hughes handles six others--both of them do well with the vocals. "Opium Trail" and "Don't Believe a Word" are cover versions of songs from the group Thin Lizzy; the latter tune is live along with the instrumental "Free Birds in Flight." "Endica" is also an instrumental, but it isn't performed live. Examples of compositions that I enjoy are the lively "Distant Voices," "Opium Trail," the spirited "Night Buzz," "Endica," the nice-sounding power ballad "In Your Eyes," and the driving "Time Will Find the Answer." "Distant Voices" sports a nicely constructed, catchy, sprightly guitar riff. I like Norum's laid-back singing on "Opium Trail." The CD insert doesn't include the lyrics, but the back of it does have a color photo of Norum holding a guitar. The back of the CD jewel case displays a separate color photo of Norum and the rest of his band. The CD is almost 42 minutes. Face the Truth is a worthy disc."