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Rating: Some time ago, a friend of mine let me listen to Bark At The Moon, the third effort by the ''Madman'' Ozzy Osbourne.
I was quite impressed, so much so that the other day, taking advantage of a sale, I bought it original.
Already after about ten seconds, I started thinking to myself . . . "I didn't remember it like this" . . . . For example, in the first song, the title track Bark At The Moon, Ozzy's evil laughter has been stripped of the echo and now it's just a simple Ah-ah-ah, and the keyboard parts have been turned down so much in volume that they are almost imperceptible (. . . now I'm not going to bore you with the numerous small but annoying changes present in all the tracks . . . )
However, I listened to it all the way through, and I have to admit that, in this shape, it didn't leave me with the same sensations.
Quite irritated, I borrowed the old version. . .
It's the European version, which differs from the American one in three particulars:
1) the song Spiders replaces Slow Down
2) the track order is completely different
3) ''Ozzy Osbourne / Bark At The Moon'' is written in blue and yellow instead of red and yellow like in the American version.
Now let's talk about the album. . . . it's certainly a remarkable product, an excellent mix between metal and the pop/rock typical of the '80s. Ozzy and company skillfully navigate both the more powerful songs and the soft ballads, and Jake E. Lee manages to (quite) respectably replace the incomparable Randy Rhoads.
The opening is entrusted to the excellent Rock'n'Roll Rebel, where the guitars and an engaging rhythm provide an excellent atmosphere more hard rock than true metal.
The following Bark At The Moon is probably the most famous song, as well as the most beautiful one of the entire album: a perfect blend of metal and the inimitable style of the '80s. A sharp guitar riff, a wonderful rhythm, the right keyboard touches, and finally Ozzy's voice, which really gives its best here, make it an essential song in the musical scene of that decade.
Another noteworthy track, although much more pop, is You're No Different, where Don Airey's keyboards (now with Deep Purple) prevail over the other instruments and brilliantly intertwine with the guitar, which serves as an embroidery function. We return to more gritty sounds with Now You See It (Now You Don't), which boasts, for better or worse, a typical '80s production, with a linear rhythm and very ''pumped up'' drums.
The second half of the album is introduced by Forever (better known by the American title Centre Of Eternity): bells and choir seem to introduce us to something sacred. . . but after just over a minute everything changes. The track transforms into a powerful metal which is enjoyable to listen to. The idea of adding a slight echo in the chorus is excellent: the Madman's voice really seems to come from another dimension.
So Tired is a ballad with romantic atmospheres, decidedly over the top (note the excellent work of Airey, who, with the keyboards, simulates an entire orchestra): it seems like an excellent modern revisitation of Changes by Black Sabbath. . . absolutely worth listening to.
The penultimate track is titled Waiting For Darkness. It is, in my opinion, the only slightly underwhelming episode of the LP. It closes with the good Spider, where it picks up the style of Now You See It: an excellent bass line, linear rhythm, and good chorus.
In conclusion, I feel like recommending ''Bark At The Moon'' as I consider it an excellent album. It will definitely appeal to lovers of both hard rock and hair metal, as well as 80s nostalgics.
Just one last piece of advice before closing.
If you really want to purchase this album, buy it on vinyl or look for a used CD (European or American version doesn't matter, as only one song changes), because the original has been out of print since 2002.
The important thing is that you steer clear of this remastered version (the catalog number is EPIC 502042-2), because it's not a remastering at all: it's a total remix, and it's truly an insult to this great album.
The score 4/5 is for the original, of course. . .
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Rock 'n' Roll Rebel (05:28)
They couldn't see what I thought would be so obvious
They hide behind the laws they make for all of us
The ministry of truth, that deals with pretense
The ministry of peace, that sits on defense
I'm washing my hands of what they're trying to do
It's a me, It's a me, It's a you, It's a you
I'm just a rock n' roll rebel
I'll tell you no lies
They say I worship the devil
They must be stupid or blind
I'm just a rock n' roll rebel
They live a life of fear and insecurity
And all you do is pay for their prosperity
The ministry of fear, that won't let you live
The ministry of grace, that doesn't forgive
Do what you will to try and make me conform
I'll make you wish that you had never been born
'Cause I'm a rock n' roll rebel
I'll do what I please
Yes I'm a rock n' roll rebel
And I'm as free as the breeze
I'm just a rock n' roll rebel
They'll try playin' with your hearts
They know it rules your head
If they could read between the lines
You know they'd see the real face
God only knows why they couldn't see the obvious
Is it because they manifest the incubus?
The ministry of war, that got caught in the draft
The ministry of joy, that still hasn't laughed
When it's boiled down and the day's at an end
I'll give you no bullshit and I'll never pretend
'Cause I'm a rock n' roll rebel
I'll tell you no lies
They say I worship the devil
Why don't they open their eyes?
I'm just a rock n' roll rebel
A rock n' roll rebel
I'm just a rock n' roll rebel
02 Bark at the Moon (04:17)
Screams break the silence
Waking from the dead of night
Vengence is boiling
He's Returned to kill the light
Then when he's found who he's looking for
Listen in awe and you'll hear him
Bark at the moon!
Ha ha ha!
Years spent in torment
Buried in a nameless grave
Now he has risen
Miracles would have to save
Those that the beast is looking for
Listen in awe and you'll hear him
Bark at the moon!
Hey, yeah, bark at the moon!
They cursed and buried him
Along with shame
And thought his timeless soul had gone
In empty burning hell - Unholy One
But he's returned to prove them wrong, so wrong
Yeah baby!
Howling in shadows
Living in a lunar spell
He finds his Heaven
Spewing from the mouth of Hell
Those that the beast is looking for
Listen in awe and you'll hear him
Bark at the moon!
Hey, yeah, bark at the moon!
Hey, yeah, bark at the moon!
Oh, oh, yeah, bark at the moon!
Howwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwl!
03 You're No Different (05:02)
How many times can you put me down
Till in your heart you realize
If you choose to criticize
You choose your enemies
Everything that I say and do
In your eyes is always wrong
Tell me where do I belong
In this sick society
(chorus)
You're no different to me..yeah
You're no different
No different to me
Look at yourself instead of looking at me
With accusation in your eyes
Do you want me crucified
For my profanity
Concealing your crimes behind a grandeur of lies
Tell me where do I begin
If you think that you're without sin
be the first to cast the stone
(2xchorus)
Can't you see, can't you see
you're no different to me
Won't you see, Won't you see
you're no different to me
Living my life in a way that I choose
You say I should apologize
Is that envy in your eyes reflecting jealousy
Tell me the truth and I'll admit to my guilt
If you'll try to understand
But is that blood that's on your hand from your democracy
(chorus)
06 So Tired (03:58)
Time has come to say goodbye
I know it's gonna make you cry
But you belong to another my love
And half a love
That just isn't enough
I am so tired
And I just can't wait around for you
I am so tired
And I always thought we'd see it through
I've waited all this time for you
Believed your promises were true
I kept believe that you mean what you say
Be mine tomorrow
Now tomorrow's today
I am so tired
And I just can't wait around for you
I am so tired
And I always thought we'd see it through
And I often sit and wonder why
You're not with me tonight
I stayed at home remaining true
While you do what you wanna do, yeah
I am so tired
And I just can't wait around for you
I am so tired
And I always thought we'd see it through
07 Waiting for Darkness (05:15)
Waiting for darkness
Doesn't anybody see
Deafened by silence
Doesn't anybody hear
(I'm waiting for darkness)
Playing with fire
But they're screaming
When they're burned
Out of the sunlight
Hasn't anybody learned
I know what they find
Is in their mind
It's what they want to see
spare me from the light
Here comes the night
And here I'll stay
Waiting for darkness
Promise me rebirth
And then you tear me from the womb
Give me my freedom
And then you lock me in a tomb
I'm waiting for darkness
You gotta believe, you gotta believe it's true
I'm waiting for darkness
I just can't conceive why darkness is overdue
Who knows the answers
Is it friend or is it foe
Don't ask me questions
There are things you shouldn't know
08 Spiders (04:21)
Spiders in the night
Creeping round the walls
Now you'll feel him crawling over you
Creepy crawly things
Filling up your bed
Soon you'll feel him crawling through your brain
You think he's there
Beware his bite
But when you look
The spiders not in sight
Spiders reappear
Taking people's names
Everything is taken down in sane
There's no way out
And there's no key
But here's a clue
The spider's really me
You're written in his book
The spiders won't forget
You won't forget the spiders in the night
You think he's gone
You think he's dead
There's no escape
The spiders in your head
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Other reviews
By aniel
Only two songs are worthy of note on this album: 'Rock 'N' Roll Rebel' and the title track 'Bark At The Moon'.
A not very lively or spirited album, not up to Ozzy's standards, who we know was capable of much more.
By pepozzo
"The album immediately takes off with the title track 'Bark At The Moon,' a song of tremendous energy, featuring ingenious riffs and a noteworthy solo."
"In my opinion, it remains a fairly underrated album by critics, deserving to be listened to by every metalhead who is one."
