Meat Loaf - Couldn't Have Said It Better

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Free Music Notes for Couldn't Have Said It Better

Free Music Review: "This Is BIG TIME!! This Is LARGER THAN LIFE!!"
Hit: 5 Stars

Some highlights: The opening two tracks ("Couldn't Have Said It Better" and "Did I Say That?") by James Michael with Nikki Sixx are easily amongst Meat Loaf's greatest recordings and majestically thunder towards the same place where Steinman is found (but there will NEVER be any substitute for Jim). "Love You Out Loud" is an upbeat, driving, rock anthem and the showcase for Producer Peter Mokrans reworking to include 'new' and stylish sound adlibs (although I don't necessarily agree with a lot of them). "Man Of Steel" (with its almost psychedelic spoken intro) starts slow and builds into a fiery, tear-jerking duet with Meat's daughter, Pearl; her voice is really something - raunchy and totally perfect here (her presence all too short). "Intermezzo" is a beautiful Penny Whistle interlude that weaves a peaceful, reflective magic into the entire recording. "Testify" is where gospel meets rock and one of the most uplifting songs I've ever heard (The lyrics are WOW!) Here, Meat delivers the fastest vocals since his performance of "Whatever Happened To Saturday Night" on "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." "Tear Me Down" is taken from the "Hedwig & The Angry Inch" movie/show - but Meat has turned it into his own epic, rock song - and for the man himself it is somewhat autobiographical - a spit in the face to everyone who has ever attacked him throughout his career. The spoken part performed by Giselda Vatcky is too kewel for words! "You're Right, I Was Wrong" written by Diane Warren is a very simple song - but to hear Meat sing those simple lyrics... well, the words courageous, noble and yet again, very beautiful don't begin to describe the emotions.

The leading female vocal by Patti Russo adds more to the entire recording than she will ever be given credit for. There's no diva out-there to compare her vocal abilities to - she is out-there, on a limb and deserves to be recognised as THE ultimate diva! If there is any justice in this world Miss Russo will be handed a solo recording deal.

What might niggle: Songs feel over produced, with 'effects' such as vocal fading to echo being used too often (only Steinman can pull-off extreme production!) In my humble opinion, Meat performing with only piano accompaniment is equally as spectacular as all the production wizardly in the world. Credit to Meat for trying something different by recording the Rap endorsed "Do It!" but for me its the one that spoils the entire album as it's the only track I have to skip (maybe it's a grower?) But then I think why wasn't "Decadent Wish" (a B-side from the "Did I Say That?" single) used here instead of this "Do It!"? "Decadent Wish" is a really great, modern rock song and, all and all, more fitting for the album. Even at 50+ minutes, the album still feels short and that niggles because I think that Meat should have recorded the Stephen Trask song, "Origin Of Love" (also from "Hedwig...") - it is crying out for Meat Loaf. Oh, and I also think the ever present and very beautiful backing singers deserved more credit. Why is the "Intermezzo" joined onto "Man Of Steel" and not a separate track? Why is the bonus track joined onto "Forever Young"? Im sorry to disappoint, but if like me you were expecting an epic 10 minute version of "Forever Young" (as the sleeve notes might suggest), you will be disappointed to learn that this includes a 4 or 5 minute silent gap before the bonus track kicks in. I still say Meats "Forever Young" is the definitive one, only because of his awesome vocal delivery. The arrangements sound plastic and it's another track that sounds over produced (Is it just me who believes that Meat Loaf + just Piano = something that little more special?) Don't buy this for the bonus disk. Sure the videos of Meat are great, but it's just a horrible reminder of how half heartedly the record label dealt with this album; the design is as dull as an academic website and quite frankly, it's embarrassing, especially when you see what record labels do with Flash for other artist's bonus material. And where's all the nice artwork we are used too?

To conclude: Meat has surrounded himself with some of the best songwriters and musicians in the business (most of whom are old friends who have been with him throughout - which says something fantastic about the Meat Loaf camp...) It's a pity, going by the trash I hear played around college, that people won't give this album a chance because they'll think, "Err... Meat Loaf?" Also, please don't pre-judge just because it isn't Jim Steinman. Sure we miss Jimmy, but why not judge this album for what it is, instead of what it isn't; and it IS easily one of the most awesome albums that you will ever hear - soaring up there (and at moments going further...) than the legendary "Bat Out Of Hell" and "Bat Out Of Hell II" albums (Although I do adore "The Neighbourhood" and think that as an album, it's a tough act to follow... and Im undecided if "Couldn't Have Said It Better" lives up to "The Neighbourhood" when all is said and done) However, this album still has everything of the camp ness, the grandeur, the slammin' rock n roll, the bucket loads of fun and just the sheer over-the-topness you'd expect from Meat Loaf!

The lacking of something in parts and annoying production aside - at its core, this is very real and I can not recommend it enough to.

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