The last three CD's I recently checked out enhanced my driving experience immensely with blistering sounds engulfed in melodically structured vocals, instrumentals and great writing.
"Black Rain" by rock 'n' roll icon Ozzy Osbourne didn't disappoint. If not a free check-out, I would have never listened to this metal mastery of marvelous. This is not a mental album, but it's labeled as such. "Black Rain" is a hard rock album geared toward true rock 'n' roll, meant to provoke individual thoughts, enlighten its listeners to the injustice of government and the evils of power and war.
The first three songs on "Black Rain" pelt the ears with raucous rhythms while guitarist Zakk Wylde's leads construct the chaos into gripping music. Osbourne co-wrote all ten songs on the CD with Wylde and producer Kevin Churko.
"Not Going Away," the first song not only stays true to hard rock, but is Osbourne saying he's here to stay, continue touring and making more music. Osbourne is nothing like his character portrayed in his sitcom from 2002-2005. He speaks in clear sentences and his mind is keen. Great actor indeed.
"I Don't Wanna Stop," the second song is even harder sounding then the first, pleasantly so and I love the lyric, ' too many religions, only one God...' Religion is first and foremost a business and business is all about money. Naturally Christians and other denominations get upset, even vicious when other churches cut into their profits. Osbourne has arguably imbibed in every drug known and unknown to human kind, but he is one soulful writer, and his lyrics are intellectually sound.
"Black Rain," the title track is a fantastic anti war song.
...a flag drape over a coffin, another soldier is dead...we've crossed too many borders, military suicide, war, killing sons and daughters, I watch the body count rise, why are the children all marching in the desert to die? (Osbourne, Wylde, Churko)
Those lyrics alone boosted the rating of "Black Rain" above three stars.
The fourth song "Lay Your World On Me," is a love ballad, sagaciously written.
...give me your pain, give me your anger, I can take the weight...lay your world on me...we all fall and lose our faith in who we really are...the choice is for us to make it together. (Osbourne, Wylde, Churko)
"The Almighty Dollar" is the sad harsh reality of our lives.
...Rape, steal and murder...God bless the almighty dollar...you kept us blind and mislead...chained to industrial need... The almighty dollar governs the world into upheaval of greed, injustice and the over all manipulation of the masses. Osbourne is enlighten, and he shares his thoughts extremely well.
"Silver" is the heaviest tune on the disc which only fans of heavy mental and acid rock could appreciate. No matter how you bake the cookie, 2007's "Black Rain" is a must listen for all hard rock 'n' fans; 3 and half stars easy.
1993's "Siamese Dream," the second album by the Smashing Pumpkins is one of the best hard rock albums of all time, even if only three of the 13 songs are top notch. The first three songs on the disc captivate the hard rock ear with pulverizing guitars by Billy Corgan and James Iha punctuated by the heavy drumming of Jimmy Chamberlin. Progressive rock guides metal into a blissful realm of musical mischief.
"Today," the third song may be a little too heavy for a wedding march, but I could see it working. As the father is walking the soon to be bride down the isle of mystery, the lyrics in the song encased in the heavy guitar lead bleed bliss; 'Today is the greatest day I've ever known...I wanted more than life could ever grant me...
"Death Proof" is the sound track to a Quentin Tarantino movie with the same name. Much of the music on this disc is balefully bizarre. 1995's "Chick Habit" by April March harnesses a true 60s hip sound sung wonderfully by March. She hits the high notes with aplomb and delivers the verse 'your gonna need a heap of glue when they all catch up with you and they hack you up two... Fitting words for a Quentin Tarantino flick.
"Jeepster," "Baby it's You" and "Down to Mexico by the Coasters are the most catchy songs on this sound track. British band T. Rex's 1971 "Jeepster" has a theme as old as time itself; love and lust. ...your so sweet, your so fine, I want you all and everything, just be mine... "Jeepster's" beat may get you off your seat and dancing.
"Baby it's You" preformed by Smith in 1969 is another upbeat song about yearning for that special someone. 1956's "Down to Mexico" withstands the ultimate test of time sure to get most heads bobbin as the cool riffs in the tune imbibe the ears with joy.
"It's So Easy" by Willy Deville is a raucous song fitting for the final action scene in "Death Proof." The worst things about these three CD's was having to return them to the library. Lovers of hard rock and ones who enjoy old school music should embrace these albums while fans of modern day mainstream would most likely hate real instruments beget from these CD's. Bottom line, the local library is an awesome source for entertainment and knowledge.
