REVIEWS:
Post your comments about Meat Loaf
(reviewed by Philip Maddox)
Meat Loaf wasn't really famous. He wasn't a song writer. He didn't have a recording contract. His biggest career achievement was appearing in the Rocky Horror Picture Show, which had gained him a cult following. Then, one day, songwriter Jim Steinman walks up to our friend Meat with a bunch of songs and wants to record them. The songs, which are all ridiculously over the top rock-n-roll odes to all kinds of stuff, seemed to fit in with the meaty one's style, so he signed on. The result was Bat Out Of Hell, and the rest is history. This is one of the best selling albums of all time, blah blah blah... nowadays, of course, it's loathed just as often as it's loved. The question, though, is this: more than 20 years later, does this album still sound good? The answer... a resounding "YES!!!!!!"
Seriously, though, cut through all the pretentions and just focus on the songs, and what do you get? An unbelievably fun piece of the seventies that just refuses to leave your brain. 7 songs are on this record, and 4 of them were significant hits (the title track, "You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth", "Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad", and "Paradise By The Dashboard Lights"). As for the others... well, they ALL could have been hits. Very commercial, very catchy, very FUN. That's the word for this album... fun! The songs stretch to ridiculous lengths, the vocals sound right off, well, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and it's a subtle as, well, an untirely un-subtle thing. But therein lies the fun! Trying to separate the goofy parodic stuff from the serious stuff.
As you might expect from an album as much fun as this one, the rockers are better than the ballads. The title track starts things off with a bang... motorcycle riffs, loud vocals, great shouts, an awesome build... everything about it just rules. Or how about the bigger hit, "Paradise By The Dashboard Light"? One of my favorite songs! Definately! It rules! It's so fun! The riffs rule, the melodies can't be topped, and the whole thing is just... well, if you haven't heard it, do so! Now! Right now! "All Revved Up And No Place To Go"? Cool cool tune. I like it! You will too!
Now, when we get to the ballads, the matter gets a little bit more complicated... they range from operatic grandeur ("For Crying Out Loud") to utter cheeseball schmaltz (like, well, "Heaven Can Wait" or the still pretty "Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad"). How much do I like these songs? It varies from day to day. Sometimes I really like them, and sometimes they bore me. They REALLY walk that fine line between parody and utter seriousness. You may like 'em, you may not. Either way, though, this is an album you should have in your collection. Everybody else you know probably has one anyway. Points off because of my ambivalence about the ballads here and because sometimes the whole mood can annoy if you're in the wrong mood, but hey, don't let that stop you from getting it! After this, Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman parted ways, and our good friend Meat didn't have another hit for 16 years (when he got back together with Jim and made Bat Out Of Hell II). I guess it's true what they say about great singers... without a good songwriter, you just can't make it.
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COMMENTS
Oh man. I hate this guy. I hate his voice, but even more than that, i hate his ridiculous ballads and incredibly laughable lyrics. And "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" goes up there as one of the stupidest songs ever to become popular, IMHO.
Hey, hows this for lyrics:
"You took the words right out of my mouth/It must have been when you were kissing me."
LOL. Oh man. That one gets me rolling every time i hear it.
Sorry Phil, can't share your admiration for this album. :-)
Ditto for the above message, what a piece of crap this record is. I hated it in 1977 and I hate it even more today. You talk about minimal talent! Whatever vocal talent this guy used to have (did I say vocal talent? we're talking about Meat Loaf!!!) he's completely lost...have you heard this guy today? It's embarrasing to say the least.
...Anyway, I suppose I should explain just exactly why I can't stand Meat Loaf or any of his records (at least the one's I've heard). For one...as I already said, he can't sing to save his life. Another reason is he does'nt write his own music, that dorky Jim Steinman does. And last but not least, THE SONGS THEMSELVES!!! Holy shit, batman, does it get any friggin' worse than "Paradise By The Dashboard Light"? YES, YES IT DOES! Have a listen to the overblown, way too long title track!
In short, Meat Loaf sucks.
Jeez, guys, mellow out! Were you even around in the 70s? It was refreshing to hear complex (OK, sometimes "overblown") compositions unlike the Disco ABBA/Andy Gibb/Village People CRAP that was going on at the time. And if you think Meat can't sing, I suggest you find your most adept local cover band and, assuming they can put the Creed down long enough to learn it, try to sing a few bars. I've tried it! It ain't easy! It's an acquired taste, I suppose, and I can see how its campiness could be missed, but for Chrissakes, GET THE JOKE! He's not the Phantom of the Opera! (Oh, I forget - was that Sebastian Bach or Robert Guillaume?) I'm with you on this one, Phil!
Best debut album of all time.
Johnathan Lydon, kiss my ass.
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