Supernature - Cerrone

This is the third album by French, I think the correct term would be, Disco teck Cerrone. I'ven't heard his first two album, but I first found out about this guy through his album covers. It's actually kind of funny; over there, in Europe, they are more open to nudity. So the whole Love in C Minor probably didn't get two thoughts over there. It might have caused problems over here, I don't know of any, but I could see it doing that. I heard this album in it's entirety yesterday, at like 2AM. And I figured, why not review this while it's fresh in my head, and while Random Access Memory is too. You know, especially since this music is what influenced that album.

1. Supernature: I saw the promo video to this, before actually listening to the whole song. And It's actually pretty sick. Other than the whole fetish masks, I think it is pretty sick. This song starts out pretty interesting and grabs your attention. This song reminds me a little of Giorgio off the new Daft Punk album. This is, musically, pretty cool. It's got a funky vibe to it that makes me want to jump and dance to it. The string arrangement during the verses is just, UGH! I don't know why, but I love the way that is. And I also really like his voice in this song. I also like the kind of driving bass at the end. This song is just a fun song musically and lyrically. This song seems to be telling a story. About science and we made chemicals and it dripped and leaked and mutated nature. Now there are mutant creatures and "even God is on their side". Thought it's kind of silly sounding and "cheesy" by today's views, I still think this song has a type of truth to it. A big part of science is tampering with things, and finding out what happens. Sometimes when we use our scientific creations it causes problems. This isn't just something that happens in movies, look at the Nukes in World War II. That destroyed the cities in Japan they were dropped on. I'm not going to go to much into it, I could go on for hours, but I just wanted to point that out. One of my favorite lines in the 10 minutes of this song is the last verse. It's kind of a warning to people. "Hey maybe nature has a plan, and in order to control mans curiosities they need to start over and stop trying to progress so fast." You know and then the ending line is the real kicker "Will there be a happy end, now that all depends on you". Damn! I love that because people probably take this song as they will. The thing though, as odd and silly and fun this song is, that doesn't mean there isn't something you can take out of it. I don't know how serious Cerrone was in this song, but I think that we can all learn a lesson from this song, don't fuck with nature too much, unless you want to screw us over. I love that idea though kind of "you don't have to believe me, but when I'm right you'll be sorry".
2. Sweet Drums: This is pretty much an instrumental drum continuation of the ending of Supernature. It's pretty sick though when you hear both of the tracks flow together. I think it a pretty decent track by it's self, but it's best as a continuation of the last. Kind of the same way I see the song Any Color You Like. It's best as a continuation of Us And Them. That doesn't make it a bad song, just more proper as a flow. Another example, The Medley off Abbey Road.
3. In The Smoke: There is this heartbeat in the beginning of the track. It also his this atmosphere to it. I could actually see the beginning of this song maybe being a song that would be on Dance Dance Revolution. This is, musically, kind of a continuation of Supernature. But it's kind of darker. The music also reminds me a little of the "Super Nintendo" game "Diddy Kong Country". That's a great game. Damn, I need to find that Super Nintendo in this house of mine.
4. Give Me Love: The song starts off with something I could see Santana doing. Kind of like Soul Sacrifice. Until, well, the other instruments come in. I like that it kind of got a New Wave vibe to it, but there is still that latin flavored beat to it. The strings are also pretty cool. The synths actually remind me of the soundtrack to "For You Eyes Only". That soundtrack was done by Billy Conti of "Rocky" soundtrack fame. Towards the end there is a very funky instrumental part, something that reminds me of Love Gun by Rick James, and because of the strings, the song Funkytown by Lipps Inc..
5. Love Is Here: Thought I don't know what to say other than this could be a continuation of the last track and that this is an awesome ending to the album, or at least intro to the ending of the album.
6. Love Is The Answer: This flows from the last. This is kind of like joyous. While the first side of the record wasn't so upbeat, this song could make up for the whole thing. This really sounds like a traditional disco song. I could see this being played on disco radio. Maybe even being played in the "amazing" movie "Disco Godfather". If you haven't watched that yet..... don't. The female backing singers in this song are pretty epic. They really sing this song with a type of soul. This is truley great! "Love Is The Answer" it will prevent people from fucking with nature.... maybe.

Overall I have to give this album a 8/10. Yes I know about the CBS logo in the corner. But it was originally released on Malligator. This is a fun record just to listen to for fun. It's also not just idiotic. This album kicks the crap out of Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. Even Staying Alive, that isn't as good as this thing. This is just a fun this to listen to and I hope you enjoy it too. Who's looking forward to my ButterFly review.

13 - Black Sabbath

This is the first, Studio, album since 1978's Never Say Die to have Ozzy as the singer of Black Sabbath. Me, being me, I was kind of iffy on this. I was a little cautious going into this. They haven't released an album since, even if you include Heaven & Hell, 2009. That was about 4 years ago. I don't know the exact date it was released, but the point is they haven't released any material since then. Now, this is Ozzy's first album with them in 35 years. And it's on their original record label Vertigo. I know Rick Rubin worked on this album with them, production wise, but I hope he didn't hurt it. I know there was something magical he did with Slayer. He pretty much cleaned them up and made their Reign In Blood and South of Heaven album

1. End of the Beginning: I think that this is a pretty interesting way to kind of say "were back". I don't know if, with the intro of the song, they really accomplished that, but well you know. There's still the rest of the song. I've heard this riff before. It's very similar to Black Sabbath off their Self Titled. You know, sometimes bands write an song then later change it. I could see this being a re recorded early version of that song. Kind of like most of the Different Kind Of Truth album that Van Halen did about a year or so ago. There is other stuff to, they could have added on to the early version, but still. For the most part, this isn't doing anything for me.
2. God Is Dead?: This is a pretty eerie song. It reminds me a little of the title track of the 1970 Debut album. But not so much. It's kind of like not so much like it. It's a good song, but it doesn't have the umph. I feel like those '70s bands are all in the same rut. I've realized what's wrong. This song doesn't have a warm feeling. It doesn't have a cold feeling either. It just feels like it isn't enough emotion. They do sound like more current doom metal, but it just isn't a evil as Sabbath I love.
3. Loner: This song reminds me of Vol. 4. I can't recall the exact track off the top of my head, but I'll say it later. And they lyrics aren't anything that amazing. But you know, I don't know. I'm not ripping of this, but I'm not gonna pretend that I love this album. So I think I should just be straight from now on, more so.
4. Zeitgiest: This is very much like Planet Caravan. This is actually my favorite song, by far, thus far on the album. This is actually the only song that I could say I've enjoyed. This is more of a pop oriented Planet Caravan. There is like a jazz guitar solo in it. And you understand the words. Much different from the rest of the album. And very good. {8/10}
5. Age of Reason: This song starts out ok, but It doesn't seem like it will go anywhere. I do like this more than Loner or End of The Beginning. This song is heavy, and is like the others. I could picture Dio singing this song. I do like the tempo change but I don't think it has that warmth to it I need. I also like the "gregorian chants" thing in the background. The more I listen to this song the more it grows on me. For the better, this is much better than tracks 1-3.
6. Live Forever: This song isn't that bad. This song doesn't drag me in, but yeah. It's just Ok, but not bad.
7. Damaged Soul: This is another decent song. I didn't expect this to blow me.... away. But I did hope for something to like out of this. I got a few songs, like this one, and I'm glad. I like the riff in this song. It's kind of driving.
8. Dear Father: According to my friend, this song is about a priest who a man is confessing to, and the Priest was the one who molested the kid. In a way I could see this being a continuation of the last song. In a sense that it was a combine song. Like they cross faded, I hope you get what I'm saying? This song is pretty decent. I feel like this song is a little long, but I do enjoy the end. I hope they don't make another album though. Because this would be the perfect end to their studio discography, like a book closer, with the rain.

Overall I have to give this track a 7/10. I think it's good. The album kind of picked up after Zeitgiest. I wish there was a different name, 13's already been used look at blur, Megadeth and there are others I just can't think of anymore off the top of my head. I do look forward to reviewing every Sabbath studio/live album from the debut to Cross Purposes. Unless there is a request to review another album too.