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Published in 1988, “No Rest For The Wicked” is yet another success brought home by Mr. John Michael Osbourne.
After a dark period following his expulsion from Black Sabbath, it was clear from the start that the 1980s would smile upon the “madman” from Birmingham, with albums selling millions of copies and top-notch musicians joining his ranks. The previous “The Ultimate Sin”, another multi-platinum giant from two years prior, saw Ozzy and company veering towards an “American” sound that many didn't appreciate, with songs seemingly crafted to cater to the glitzy glam scene of Sunset Boulevard. The end result was still enjoyable, but for the next LP, many were hoping for a return to the roots.
“No Rest For The Wicked” partially tried to cater to the more discerning tastes, while acknowledging that it was now 1988, and much water had flowed under the bridge since “Blizzard Of Ozz.” New album, new lineup: cutting ties with Jake E. Lee, who had the honor and burden of filling Randy Rhoads' shoes, Ozzy set his sights on a twenty-year-old who seemed to know his way around a six-string, Zakk Wylde, who from here would kickstart a long and prolific career with a bang. On drums, Randy Castillo remained, already behind the kit for the previous LP, while on bass, Bob Daisley returned, a respected composer with a past in Uriah Heep, Rainbow, and Black Sabbath. The keyboards were entrusted to new recruit John Sinclair, also a former Heep member.
Accompanied by a striking cover, with an image of Ozzy reminiscent of a pagan god, the album kicks off with “Miracle Man,” a driving track that shows a band in great form, precise and cohesive. The same goes for the following “Devil's Daughter,” perhaps not a classic, but nonetheless enhanced by excellent solos by Wylde, who over the years would represent a real added value for Ozzy’s band. “Crazy Babies,” for which a video was shot inspired by the LP’s cover, is one of the more commercial tracks of the lot, certainly catchy, but ultimately leaves little impact. A different story for “Breaking All The Rules,” a melodic yet well-structured and played track, with Castillo pounding away like a madman behind the drums and Wylde letting loose on the six-strings, excellently closing out the first side of the album. Side B opens with “Bloodbath In Paradise,” inspired by the Charles Manson murders, and with dark keyboard passages and reverse-recorded voices, it plays with the more “damned” side of Osbourne, succeeding brilliantly: the song works well and deserved more recognition, as few remember it today. The following “Fire In The Sky” is excellent too, graced by a chorus seemingly written to be belted out at full volume in a packed arena, recalling Ozzy’s solo moments at their finest. These two are undoubtedly the best tracks on the entire album. “Tatooed Dancer” has a fast-paced rhythm, with Daisley and Castillo showcasing a precise and firm rhythm section, but it doesn't add much to the final outcome, just like the closing “Demon Alcohol,” which would have been an excellent B-side for a 45, but on a full album reveals its limitations. Paradoxically, “Hero,” a bonus track present in various editions of the album, is much better: it’s not miraculous, but it's a far more complete and interesting track.
“No Rest For The Wicked” was a commercial success, selling over four million copies, but from an artistic standpoint, it is considered an intermediary work. The songs are well written, especially with strong writers like Bob Daisley on board, but with the exception of a couple of instances, it seems to lack the spark that differentiates a good track from a classic. The album is nevertheless enjoyable, and Wylde’s solos remain a treat for the ears over the years, but the impression is that albums like “Bark At The Moon,” excellent yet incomparable to the debut, remain on a different level. However, Ozzy and crew would soon deliver yet another masterstroke: the team from “No Rest For The Wicked” would indeed produce “No More Tears” three years later, a much more mature and complex album, considered by many as Ozzy’s last great solo classic. The “madman’s” career was far from over.
- Miracle Man
- Devil's Daughter
- Crazy Babies
- Breaking All The Rules
- Hero (bonus)
- Bloodbath In Paradise
- Fire In The Sky
- Tatooed Dancer
- Demon Alcohol
- Ozzy Osbourne, vocals
- Zakk Wylde, guitars
- Bob Daisley, bass
- John Sinclair, keyboards
- Randy Castillo, drums
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Miracle Man (03:43)
I'm looking for a Miracle Man
That tells me no lies,
I'm looking for a Miracle Man
Who's not in disguise
I don't know where he'll come from
And I don't know where he's been,
But it's not our jimmy sinner
Because he's so obscene
Miracle Man got busted,
Miracle Man got busted
Today I saw a Miracle Man,
On TV cryin'
Such a hypocritical man,
Born again,
Dyin'
He don't know where he's goin'
But we sure know where he's been,
It was our little Jimmy sinner on the screen
Miracle Man got busted,
Miracle Man got busted,
Miracle Man got busted,
Miracle Man
A Devil with a crucifix,
Brimstone and fire,
He needs another carnal fix
To take him higher and higher
Now Jimmy he got busted
With his pants down,
Repent ye wretched sinners,
Self righteous clown
Miracle Man got busted,
Miracle Man got busted,
Miracle Man got busted,
Miracle Man got busted,
Miracle Man got busted,
Miracle Man got busted,
Miracle Man got busted
05 Bloodbath in Paradise (05:01)
Your comin' home
There's blood on the walls
And Charlie and the family made house calls
If you're alone
Then watch what you do
'Cos Charlie and the family might get you
Can you hear them
In the darkness,
Helter Skelter
Spiral madness,
Yeah,
Bloodbath in paradise,
But there's no where you can run to baby,
Bloodbath in paradise
Forever sleep
In paradise
California sun
But you're still in bed
And the California rain is turning red
No sign of life
Or the keepers of doom
In Charlie and the keeper's scarlet room
Can you hear them
In the darkness,
Helter Skelter
Spiral madness,
Yeah,
Bloodbath in paradise,
But there's no where you can run to baby,
Bloodbath in paradise
Forever sleep
In paradise
They'll summon you,
To wake from the dead
As you lie bleeding,
Murdered in your bed
The sweetest dreams
Are all in your mind
But no-one wakes when Charlie creeps behind,
Yeah
Execution halts your breath,
Helter Skelter
Spiral death,
Bloodbath in paradise,
But there's no where you can break out baby
Bloodbath in paradise
Forever sleep
In paradise
06 Fire in the Sky (06:24)
The introduction to his heartache began as a child
So it's no wonder that he grew up to be so wild
So he protected his feelings in walls he imagined
But castles crumble exposing the frightened child
Fire in the sky,
Can't you see that all my castles are burning
Fire in the sky,
Won't you help me now my castles are burning
In solitude he couldn't deal with his own existence,
The burning questions in the castles have still remained
God only knows how he searched in vain for the answers,
Now castles crumble exposing his naked flames,
Yeah
Fire in the sky,
Can't you see that all my castles are burning
Fire in the sky,
Won't you help me now my castles are burning
(Repeat 7 times)
07 Tattooed Dancer (03:53)
Well she's a mean hard woman
And she knows what she wants
She's my tattooed rock 'n' roll dancer,
I'm under her thumb
And when she tells me come,
Oh hi's the only way I can answer
They're gonna put me away,
Put me away,
Goddamn them
Well I can hear her moaning
Like a dog that's in heat,
She never takes no for an answer,
she's driving me mad,
She makes it good to be bad,
My little tattooed rock 'n' roll dancer
They'll never put me away,
Put me away,
Goddamn them
They'll never put me away,
Put me away,
My soul's on fire
Tattooed dancer,
Dance for me bitch
I think I'm in grave danger,
Goin' over the top,
There is no question only and answer
She can't give me love,
I think I've fallen in lust
With my tattooed rock 'n' roll dancer
They'll never put me away,
Put me away,
Goddamn them
They'll never put me away,
Put me away,
My soul's on fire
They'll never put me away,
My soul's on fire
08 Demon Alcohol (04:27)
I'm sick and tired of you excuses,
Can't deal with living anymore
I'll give you reasons to continue
While you lie writhing on the floor
I'll wash away your lies
And have you hypnotized
They'll be no compromise today,
I'll share your life of shame,
I think you know my name,
I'll introduce myself today,
I'm the demon alcohol,
Demon alcohol, I'll get you
If you could deal with your reflection
I'm sure you'd see into my eyes.
There'll be no need for resurrection,
Let's drink to people of lies
Although that one's too much,
You know ten's not enough,
They'll be no compromise today,
I'll watch you lose control,
Consume your very soul
I'll introduce myself today,
I'm the demon alcohol,
Demon alcohol,
Ha, ha
Demon alcohol,
Demon alcohol,
Let's party
(Demon alcohol) (I'm the demon alcohol)
I'm sick and tired of resolutions,
You've quit me time and time again,
Don't speak of suicide solutions,
You took my hand,
I'm here to stay
This time it's you or me,
I'll never set you free,
There'll be no compromise today
So satisfy your lust,
Too much can't be enough,
I'll introduce myself today,
I'm the demon alcohol,
The demon alcohol,
Aha,
Demon alcohol,
Demon alcohol,
Let's Party!
09 Hero (04:47)
I don't want to be your hero
I don't want to ever let you down
No I don't want to let you down
I can try to take you higher
But I don't want to wear your broken crown
You know it brings me down
Don't think you'll ever understand me
I don't even understand me
Don't have the power to anoint you
And I don't want to disappoint the fools no more
The fools no more
I couldn't answer all your questions
And if you're lost I couldn't find the way
I couldn't find your way
You know you'll have to face the music
You change your tune, you don't know what to play
So don't you run away
Everybody's talkin' crazy
Some think I am a devil maybe
I don't want to hear about it
Don't want to have to scream and shout at
Fools no more
The fools no more
So I don't want to be your hero
Don't want to sit upon your crippled throne
I've got a life of my own
I am not your destination
Or a road that's gonna lead you home
So baby please don't go
Please don't go
Please don't go
Please don't go
Please don't go...
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Other reviews
By aniel
This album was a true rebirth for Ozzy, and their chemistry was immediately apparent.
Tracks like 'Crazy Babes,' 'Devil Daughter,' and 'Miracle Man' immediately strike you with their melody and intriguing riffs.
By MaZo1
Ozzy sings really badly, and we might define his voice as transitioning between the 80s and 90s.
Score 3 for the dullness of this album that includes cliché songs arranged somewhat hastily by Ozzy.
