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BAND:
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Ozzy Osbourne
Black Rain
Epic Records
2007
Metal
David Felix
www.ozzy.com
N/A
Rating:
2.5 stars

“Oh Ozzy, Dear Ozzy
What have you become?
They exploited you on MTV
And now you’re just a bum!”

Ok, ok… maybe it’s not all that bad but when you consider it’s coming from the same man responsible for the likes of “BLIZZARD OF OZ,” “BARK AT THE MOON” and “DIARY OF A MADMAN,” Ozzy’s latest effort, “BLACK RAIN” certainly doesn’t measure up.

I have two major problems with this release… number 1 being the packaging! Are you kidding me? I’m still paying the same price for this as any other release, yet instead of my normal, nice, non-biodegradable plastic slip case with pictures, inserts and album credits I get this piece of shit, flimsy cardboard box with some black lettering stamped into it! No credits… NOTHING! What’s the matter, Ozzy? Run out of people to thank? Shhhh! Keeping your band and everyone involved with the release a secret? So when my dog takes this out of my CD rack and has it ripped to shreds in under 3 seconds, can I call you for my fucking $15.99 + tax back? Thanks…

This brings me to my second issue… ya know, I “may” be able to get past the packaging bullshit if this was a least a quality release. Unfortunately, it’s not. From the production quality at times to the substance of the songs themselves, “BLACK RAIN” is just all over the place. Yes, there are good songs… but more often than not they’re just “ok” or enough to get by.

More so than any of his past releases, the music itself and overall feel is very aggressive and angry. You can tell this right from the opening track “Not Going Away” which is the first of many “ok” tracks. Yeah, there’s a nice guitar break for Zakk to go NUTS, but the song itself sounds like it could have been ripped off a Marilyn Manson CD.

It’s no wonder the next track, “I Don’t Wanna Stop,” is the first song released and the one they’re pushing the most… it’s hands down the best song on the whole CD! The heavy, pounding rhythm really gets your blood flowing and Ozzy’s voice is just brilliant… it’s amazing what they can do in the studio these days!

That brings us to the title track “Black Rain” which is another really, really good track. A bit toned down as compared with “I Don’t Wanna Stop” but still a good, pumping rhythm and melody held together by some solid guitar work and an interesting break/ solo… compliments again of Mr. Wylde, I think? Let me check my liner notes… oh wait! I almost forgot… THERE ARE NONE! One more time… NICE PACKAGING DIPSHITS!

Now “Lay Your World On Me” could have been a good song as the chorus is very well done and the lyrics well written. But the thing that kills it is the slow, drolling melody which almost reminds me of a bad SMASHING PUMPKINS song.

Featuring some weird breaks, bridges and, again, tending to just drag on. “The Almighty Dollar” is another one of those “ok” songs. The same can be said for “11 Silver” which, although it’s sped up a bit, can get real annoying real quick with all the weird vocal effects and a bit overbearing backing track.

“Civilize The Universe” I just plain and simple don’t like! I am just so sick of hearing everybody’s political propaganda spewing from my speakers and this is no different.

“I’m Here For You” is a good track. A bit on the “ballady” side and kind of reminds me of “Mama, I’m Coming Home”… very well done and probably the second best track on the release.

Finally rounding out “BLACK RAIN” are two more “ok” tracks, “Countdown’s Begun” and “Trap Door.” They’re both good tracks but just seem to be lacking something and when you think about everything he’s accomplished in the past, they just can’t make the cut.

I can’t say that BLACK RAIN is a total disappointment, but in the grand scheme of things… it’s just “ok” at best. I’m sure a lot of “die hard” Ozzy fans may get a little more out of this than I did, but I just can’t see anyone listening to this more than maybe five or six times before it’s put on the shelf for good. Five years from now, if you’re thinking about great Ozzy Osbourne releases, I’m sure even the most loyal of fans will find “BLACK RAIN,” for the most part, very forgettable.


Band Lineup:
  • Ozzy Osbourne - Lead Vocals
  • Mike Bordin - Drums, Percussion
  • Rob “Blasko” Nicholson - Bass
  • Zakk Wylde - Guitars

 

Track Listing:
  1. Not Going Away
  2. I Don’t Wanna Stop
  3. Black Rain
  4. Lay Your World On Me
  5. The Almighty Dollar
  6. 11 Silver
  7. Civilize The Universe
  8. Here For You
  9. Countdown’s Begun
  10. Trap Door

 

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