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Ozzy Osbourne - Bark at the Moon
Music CD CoverArtist: Ozzy Osbourne Edition: Music CD Format: Extra tracks, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered CD Release Date: 2002-06-25 Music Label: Sony Soundtracks: - Bark At The Moon
- You're No Different
- Now You See It (Now You Don't)
- Rock 'N' Roll Rebel
- Centre Of Eternity
- So Tired
- Slow Down
- Waiting For Darkness
- Spiders
- One Up The 'B' Side
Free Music Notes for Bark at the MoonFree Music Review: 5 Stars For The Real Album, Not The 2002 Remaster! Hit: 5 Stars
Bark At The Moon(1983). Ozzy Osbourne's Third Solo Album.
In 1982, while on tour for 'Diary of A Madman', brilliant guitar virtuoso Randy Rhoads was killed in a freak airplane accident, ending the life of one of the most gifted and talented guitarists of our time, and momentarily putting Ozzy's solo career on hold. As grief-stricken Ozzy(who lost his best friend) considered retiring, his wife Sharon pulled him through his grief and convinced him to start back over his career. Fortuneatly, Ozzy listened to his wife and hired guitarist Jake E. Lee, a newcomer to the heavy metal world, to sucede Randy Rhoads, and he went on to make two albums, 'Bark At The Moon' and 'The Ultimate Sin', before he was replaced with Zakk Wylde. Fans eagerly awaited the new album, and, when 'Bark At The Moon' was released, MTV put "Bark At The Moon" into heavy rotation, and the video and the song have since became extremely famous, and it pushed the album to platinum sucess. So, is 'Bark At The Moon' as good as the albums before it, or just a weak effort from a grief-stricken Ozzy? Read on to find out!
Track Ratings-
Bark At The Moon- The album's big hit, "Bark At The Moon" bears a strong resemblance to Ozzy's hit "Shot In The Dark", with it's chugging guitar riff and crazed vocals(Ozzy manages to even howl a few times). The synthesizer is nicely mixed with Lee's chuggy riffs, and it reminds me of "No More Tears" at many times. Lee's heavily distorted solo also boggles the mind. An impressive opener!
You're No Different- As usual, Ozzy's has a few ballads, and "You're No Different" is his first on 'Bark At The Moon'. Behind an odd organ beat, much like heard on "Mr. Crowely", Ozzy sings about how even if you're changed on the outside, you're "no different" on the inside. An uplifting song, "You're No Different" is a good ballad, with a thundering solo and interlude.
Now You See It(Now You Don't)- A fun rocker, "Now You See It(Now You Don't)" comes across sounding like a combination of "Over The Mountain" and "No Bone Movies". Ozzy's vocals mix perfectly with Lee's guitar harmonies, which often show a little bit of a blues influence. Bob Daisley dishes out a groovy bassline, and Lee also has a nice solo. Another good addition to 'Bark At The Moon'.
Rock N' Roll Rebel- A song that should have become a hit, "Rock N' Roll Rebel" reminds me *strongly* of Dio, with Lee showing particular influences of Dio's guitarist Vivian Campbell and the slightly mythical sounding beat. Ozzy rips out those sarcastic vocals, where he makes fun of the fact of how many people consider him an immoral satanist. Lee really sounds good on this track, and he proves how good he is here with his sweet riffs and solos.
Centre of Eternity- An odd track to say the least, "Centre of Eternity" begins with monk's chanting eerily behind tolling bells and doomy sounding organs, until Lee's electric assault sweeps in, with Ozzy singing behind eerie keyboard effects. Much like "Mr. Crowely", "Centre of Eternity" is a song, that's a little eerie and creepy, yet still really well done. Jake Lee and keyboardist Don Airey do a great job together on "Centre of Eternity".
So Tired- A soft, jazzy ballad by Ozzy? "So Tired" finds Ozzy singing about love and romance in the *least* heavy metal way possible, even putting in a backup orchestra behind Airey's piano, and making Lee barely noticeable until his solo. While it may sound a little left of center, "So Tired" is still a nice little track, and, if you enjoy Ozzy's other ballads, you probably would like this track pretty well.
Slow Down- "Slow Down" could have easily been a hit, using an upbeat guitar harmony mixed with Airey's synthesizer effect. Ozzy sings his heart out, and, even though the song can get a little cheesy at times("slow down, and join the human race"?), I can forgive Ozzy. Lee pulls out an excellent interlude and solo, and "Slow Down" stands as a good addition to the album.
Waiting For Darkness- A *dramatic* rocker, "Waiting For Darkness" finds Ozzy singing about fitting into society and Jake Lee dishing out power chords like a madman. Although it's very melodic, with a chorus that would fit well with his ballads, the song is undeniably "heavy metal", especially with Lee's stunning guitar pyrotechnics.
Spiders In The Night- A bass-driven rocker, "Spiders In The Night" is a creepy song with a trippy bassline, doomy guitar melody, and scary vocals from Ozzy. It's impossible not to like the dark tone of the song, and those weird bass and guitar effects will keep you interested until the end. As usual, Ozzy puts together another great track.
Overall, 'Bark At The Moon' is a solid album, one that any heavy metal or Ozzy fan would surely enjoy. While Randy Rhoads and Zakk Wylde are often recognized while Jake E. Lee is often unrecognized, he's at least their equal, and is a worthy successor to Rhoads. While 'Bark At The Moon' and 'Original Sin' are Ozzy's worst selling and least popular efforts to date, it is unfortuneate that so many people overlook these albums... they rock! If you can, go out and get the 1995 remaster, or, just burn it off the internet, as getting the 2002 remaster gives you a rehashed version of the album.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO FANS OF HEAVY METAL AND OZZY! DON'T DO WHAT SO MANY OTHERS HAVE DONE AND OVERLOOK THIS ALBUM! IT'S ONE OF THE BEST MOMENTS OF OZZY'S CAREER!
Killer Kuts- Bark At The Moon, Rock N' Roll Rebel, Centre of Eternity, Waiting For Darkness, Spiders In The Night
Also Recommended-
Diary of A Madman- Ozzy Osbourne
Badlands- Badlands
1919 Eternal- Black Label Society
Thanks For Reading!
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