Sunday, May 27, 2007
IF YOU'RE an 80s kid like me, you would probably have only heard of Meat Loaf from his power ballad I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That). And if you are a die-hard American Idol fan, you would probably have spotted his most embarrassing moment when he sang off-key in a duet with Katherine McPhee during the fifth season's finale last year.
Meat Loaf is the stage name for Marvin Lee Aday yes, "Marv" isn't a convincing rocker name and no brownie points for guessing why he calls himself "Meat Loaf".
He first achieved recognition as a solo artist in 1977 with his debut album Bat Out Of Hell, owing much of his success to his writing partner Jim Steinman who created the sound.
As the album became one of the best selling of the decade, a sequel was planned but released only in 1993, after a series of issues involving lawsuits, bankruptcy and rehabilitation. Bat Out Of Hell II nonetheless was another huge success.
Meat Loaf then attempted a few almost obscure records without Steinman and finally, after resolving disputes surrounding the new and final album to this trilogy, Bat Out Of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose saw the light of day last October 31. The first single of the album is It's All Coming Back To Me Now. The song was reportedly intended for Bat II but Meat Loaf and Steinman decided to keep it for Bat III.
In hindsight it looks like a good move as the album producer Desmond Child was able to bring in Marion Raven, from the now defunct pop duo M2M. The contrast between the two voices is distinct yet they compliment each other well. The duet gives a different perspective to Celine Dion's version, with hauntingly beautiful imagery as the two singers tell a story of lost love.
With no prior experience of the Bat Out Of Hell sound, what captivated me was the grandiose rock anthems coupled with what seems to be an orchestra in the background. Many of the songs found here are like listening to a rock musical. The thundering notes act as the backbone and Meat Loaf's emotionally charged vocal is the soul.
The album opens up with The Monster Is Loose, which some term as "nu-metal", and is co-written by Nikki Sixx of the Motley Crue.
It is a hard-hitting rock number that makes the current pop-rock scene look like child's play. Half way through, the music slows down to a piano solo, telling the middle part of the story with a choir in the background before the guitar and drums kick in once again and the rock continues.
The second song, Blind As A Bat, boasts more strings in the background accompaniment and again the music changes smoothly between fast and slow tempo, never losing its identity as a rock ballad.
These first two songs set the tone for the whole album. Each of the 14 songs is of similar epic proportions and some even sound operatic.
The second single, Cry Over Me, which just got released, is a much slower ballad written by love song guru Diane Warren.
Here is where Meat Loaf shows his emotional side as he weeps, "I want you to cry over, die over me, baby, just one time."
Other notable tracks include the lighter, fast-paced Bad For Good, with Brian May tearing up a guitar solo, reminiscent of the old Queen days; and also a duet with this year's Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson, The Future Ain't What It Used To Be, which is rumoured to be the third single.
Meat Loaf's vocal plays a tremendous part in this project as not everyone can pull off songs as majestic as what this album has to offer.
He can be loud but does not come off shrieking or screaming like My Chemical Romance, and he can be blatantly emotional but not to the point of annoying, like Hinder.
If you're not caught up with the current trend of hip-hop and still believe that "rock never dies", and if you still can't get enough of The Phantom Of The Opera, then you will most definitely enjoy this album. The Brunei Times
Meat Loaf is the stage name for Marvin Lee Aday yes, "Marv" isn't a convincing rocker name and no brownie points for guessing why he calls himself "Meat Loaf".
He first achieved recognition as a solo artist in 1977 with his debut album Bat Out Of Hell, owing much of his success to his writing partner Jim Steinman who created the sound.
As the album became one of the best selling of the decade, a sequel was planned but released only in 1993, after a series of issues involving lawsuits, bankruptcy and rehabilitation. Bat Out Of Hell II nonetheless was another huge success.
Meat Loaf then attempted a few almost obscure records without Steinman and finally, after resolving disputes surrounding the new and final album to this trilogy, Bat Out Of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose saw the light of day last October 31. The first single of the album is It's All Coming Back To Me Now. The song was reportedly intended for Bat II but Meat Loaf and Steinman decided to keep it for Bat III.
In hindsight it looks like a good move as the album producer Desmond Child was able to bring in Marion Raven, from the now defunct pop duo M2M. The contrast between the two voices is distinct yet they compliment each other well. The duet gives a different perspective to Celine Dion's version, with hauntingly beautiful imagery as the two singers tell a story of lost love.
With no prior experience of the Bat Out Of Hell sound, what captivated me was the grandiose rock anthems coupled with what seems to be an orchestra in the background. Many of the songs found here are like listening to a rock musical. The thundering notes act as the backbone and Meat Loaf's emotionally charged vocal is the soul.
The album opens up with The Monster Is Loose, which some term as "nu-metal", and is co-written by Nikki Sixx of the Motley Crue.
It is a hard-hitting rock number that makes the current pop-rock scene look like child's play. Half way through, the music slows down to a piano solo, telling the middle part of the story with a choir in the background before the guitar and drums kick in once again and the rock continues.
The second song, Blind As A Bat, boasts more strings in the background accompaniment and again the music changes smoothly between fast and slow tempo, never losing its identity as a rock ballad.
These first two songs set the tone for the whole album. Each of the 14 songs is of similar epic proportions and some even sound operatic.
The second single, Cry Over Me, which just got released, is a much slower ballad written by love song guru Diane Warren.
Here is where Meat Loaf shows his emotional side as he weeps, "I want you to cry over, die over me, baby, just one time."
Other notable tracks include the lighter, fast-paced Bad For Good, with Brian May tearing up a guitar solo, reminiscent of the old Queen days; and also a duet with this year's Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson, The Future Ain't What It Used To Be, which is rumoured to be the third single.
Meat Loaf's vocal plays a tremendous part in this project as not everyone can pull off songs as majestic as what this album has to offer.
He can be loud but does not come off shrieking or screaming like My Chemical Romance, and he can be blatantly emotional but not to the point of annoying, like Hinder.
If you're not caught up with the current trend of hip-hop and still believe that "rock never dies", and if you still can't get enough of The Phantom Of The Opera, then you will most definitely enjoy this album. The Brunei Times