Optimus [Import]

John Norum | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 7, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Mascot
• ASIN: B0007KT0B8
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #285,206 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Chase Down the Moon

2. Nailed to the Cross

3. Better Day

4. One More Time

5. Time to Run

6. Optimus

7. Takin' the Blame

8. Change Will Come

9. Forced

10. Solitude

Editorial Reviews

Japanese pressing includes a bonus track tba. Victor. 2006. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If they played baseball in Sweden, this would be a home run, January 17, 2006

By 

Paul Lawrence "'EJL'" (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Optimus (Audio CD)

Norum is in charge of the mike on this one and certainly in charge of his guitar. Even UK magazine Classic Rock liked this one and they (fairly enough) have panned some of his other releases.

The guitar work here is thundering and heavy. But in a 70's kind of way. Which makes sense since John grew up in that environment. But... well I'm sort of lost for words in the about turn this guy has achieved with this album. I can't give it five stars as it does drone a little, but the riffs here would be worth three stars even if the album was marred by Norums usually crap lyrics. And that isn't the case here. And listening to the latest Europe album, the guy took this new found heavy riff style into that band too, which can only be an improvement.

Anyone who liked the new Europe album should get this. Anyone who didn't like the new Europe album also should probably get this!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Optimus- A Near Miss..., May 15, 2006

By 

Patrick Smith (Cleveland, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Optimus (Audio CD)

I recently came across this cd in a used shop, and was very happy to pick it up. I have been a big fan of John's for many years. I have all of his previous solo efforts and enjoy all of them. While I think John Norum is an exceptionally talented guitarist and songwriter, I really can't give this disc a favorable review. I have a few issues with it. First off the disc is extremely short. Ten songs clocking in at a total time of 37:52 is really unacceptable in this day and age of cd technology. Of the ten tracks, two are instrumental, which leaves only eight vocal tracks. Once I get past the short running time, my biggest issue it the drop-tuning guitar sound that John is using these days. It is also present on his last solo disc Slipped into Tomorrow. At times some of the tracks almost start to sound like Zak Wylde's BLS work. I find that rather strange as Norum comes from the European culture of rock/metal. This is an area where "traditional metal" is considered to still be doing well, and not having to update itself to more modern sounds. I again cite Norum's Thin Lizzy influence, which is nowhere to be found on this disc. Lizzy is long considered to be a pillar of classic European hard rock/metal.
My other issue is the same as was previously noted. John's vocals are passable, but he would benefit from using a guest vocalist who could have improved these tracks. I think John's first two solo albums are his best work. 1992's Face the Truth is simply fantasic.
In conclusion, there are a couple of decent tracks on here, such as Takin' the Blame and Time to Run. I am sure fans of John Norum will seek this disc out, no matter what reviews it recieves. I would encourage all fans to pick it up and form their own opinions, but in my humble opinion, I find it the least essential of his solo work.

4.0 out of 5 stars If you like great rock guitar, you'll lone Norum!, June 27, 2010

By 

msairmaiden - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Optimus (Audio CD)

I love the album what can I say. It's less melodic than his europe fair, but it certainly isn't metal either. John's voice is deep & raging which fits the style of music. You can read into the lyrics however you want, but it isn't bubblegum fluff & he is no pop star. Norum plays the guitar hard, melodic & heavy!