Metal Masterpiece
Lonnie E. Holder | Columbus, Indiana, United States | 10/30/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"30+ years ago "Paranoid" was unleashed upon an unsuspecting world, the second album for Black Sabbath after their debut album "Black Sabbath". The late 60s and early 70s were a great time for experimentation, and rock was heading all over the place as various groups pushed the limits of what rock could be and where it could lead.
Paranoid remains a good album after 30+ years, a remarkable feat. "War Pigs" and "Iron Man" are considered primers for metal music, which we called hard rock in those ancient days, with a very basic bass, lead guitar, and drums sound, and the gritty, earthy voice of the Oz-man.
Of course some parents and many religious leaders pounced on the group's name and some of their lyrics. On the other hand, the current-day version of these same people complain that Harry Potter promotes witchcraft.
The lyrics in this album are mild, almost mainstream by today's standards. Furthermore, the lyrics are not all that breakthrough or novel, but when the lyrics are coupled with the music and Ozzy's voice, you have what was in 1971 a breakthrough album that sold very well, in spite of nearly zero radio play (except on the infamous, but not really, underground FM stations).
What else is on this album? "Planet Caravan" is a spacey tune that is a psychedelic rock holdover from the late 60s. I enjoy this song with its synthesized voice and mellow mood. "Electric Funeral" is another hard rocker in the vein of "War Pigs" and "Iron Man." The transition in this song is solid hard rock, bridging a relatively slow beginning to a brief lead guitar solo that takes off into a screamer...and then back to the slow beat of the intro. Ozzy is nearly singing a dirge at the beginning and end of the song, but that's also the point of the song.
"Hand of Doom" starts with the bass, adding drums and then Ozzy's voice. After the intro the lead guitar thrusts into the song and Ozzy starts putting himself into the song. The song switches back and forth between the bass/drums/mellow Oz to heavy bass, lead guitar, drums and Ozzy's full voice. Then the song suddenly changes so that it's almost like a completely different song, another hard rocker that may be the most metal song on the CD. Then about two minutes from the end of the song the speed slows down in a reprise of the beginning. By the way, this song is about drugs; the images are not positive.
Next you've got "Rat Salad." This song is an instrumental, the excellent drum work (turn up the bass!) setting you up for the last song.
I love "Fairies Wear Boots." I realize the lyrics are borderline corny, but on the other hand here's Ozzy singing about somebody who's clearly having a trip (chemically induced). Fortunately for many of us, the song is all the trip we need and the chemistry set is not required. This song is fun and good and has excellent riffs and bass.
Music has changed a lot in 30 years. But some things remain the same. This album is one of them. I hope I enjoy it 30 years from now as much as I enjoy it today.
This album is a Japanese version and others exist. Given that prices and availability vary between the versions, you may wish to seek the others out before buying.
"
Great Packaging, Okay Sound!
Frederick Baptist | Singapore | 12/06/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is Black Sabbath's most popular album and rightly so. The band that spawned countless imitators like Soundgarden and heck virtually every other heavy metal band that ever was shows just how it's supposed to be done in this album. From the brilliant intro of "War Pigs" to the great finale of "Fairies Wear Boots," this album just flows along very well and is a classic. My favourite track is "Iron Man" with it's great guitar riffing and improvised pentatonic solo break in the middle, it's just THE classic heavy metal track. Now the album comes remastered in a really cool mini-lp replica sleeve. The only problem is that the master tapes must have really deteriorated as despite a very valiant remastering attempt, some tracks sound better than others but having heard the normal un-remastered version, I can tell you that this version is still light years better. This is the best version of the album that's out there for fans old and new alike. Recommended!"
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1
