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Rating: The Scorpions burst onto the '80s scene with a sound that draws from past glories while looking towards the future. Although they can't be labeled as purely commercial, they are certainly slightly more radio-oriented compared to previous albums. However, unlike what often happens, this is not a bad thing at all because, in fact, "Animal Magnetism" is a very beautiful album.
This is where we see the true ascension of Matthias Jabs, the excellent replacement for Uli Jon Roth, who is often considered by many to be more anonymous or of less significance compared to his predecessor, perhaps also because he was slightly overshadowed in the previous album "Lovedrive" by the (temporary) return of Michael Schenker, brother of the Scorpions' backbone, Rudolf Schenker. But in "Animal Magnetism," Jabs unleashes himself and shows everyone what kind of guitarist he is.
Make it Real is the quintessential opener model, where the crossing guitars of Rudolf Schenker and Matthias Jabs sparkle, not to mention the magnificent Klaus Meine, in better shape than ever. The chorus is spectacular, as well as the verse, grand all around! This song is one of the great classics that is permanently on the Scorpions' live setlist. Don't Make No Promises (Your Body Can't Keep) is a typical Scorpions track, with a pleasant rhythm that flows and the usual semi-sexual maniac lyrics, because the Scorpions, as we know, are quite crazy about that stuff. With such topics, they love to joke, as shown by the cover, but especially its back: "animal magnetism" manifests itself in all its grotesque comedy, and I have nothing more to add! Hold Me Tight is a good track, and the chorus is truly remarkable. Herman Rarebell on drums and Francis Buchholz on bass provide the right rhythmic compactness that a Hard rock band needs.
Twentieth Century Man is a ballad where the most memorable part is the bass, prominently featured, showcasing what kind of bassist Francis Buchholz is. Lady Starlight is instead the most moving part of the album, a gentle sadness that concludes with one of the most beautiful electric guitar solos in Scorpions' history. The nice little riff of Falling In Love, a song in the vein of Twentieth Century Man, inspires joy throughout its duration. Beautiful. Only A Man has an original vocal style, dictated by the guitar duo that reigns majestically.
The Zoo is a heroic toned ride, one of the album's strong pieces, also never left out live and impossible to stop listening to. The beautifully sung verse, almost in a low voice, to which the guitars respond in chorus, not to mention when it comes to the explosive chorus, is truly awesome. At its time, The Zoo was also covered by Iron Maiden, who provided a worthy version.
From the title-track, the song that gives the album its name, one usually expects a great bang, a powerful song. I'm sorry to say that in this case, it's not quite like that, because Animal Magnetism is indeed the album's weak track, where the rhythm is quite diluted, almost reaching whining. In fact, much better is the spectacular bonus track, Hey You, even labeled as a "Rare Single," where Klaus Meine's singing seems to insinuate itself almost mischievously among the song's notes. Truly an exceptional track!
In short, "Animal Magnetism" is an album of very good and healthy old-school hard rock and a prelude to the great album that will follow: "Blackout."
Tracklist and Lyrics
01 Make It Real (03:49)
You can always trust your inner feelings
'cause they always tell the truth
Where did it get you, then your analyzing
Just do what feels right for you
If you take life as a crazy gamble
Throw your dice take your chance
You will see it from the different angle
And you too can join the dance
Make it real not fantasy
Fantasy
Make it real not fantasy
Fantasy oooh yeah
Did you ever have a secret yearning
Don't you know it could come true
Now's the time to set wheels turning
To open up your life for you
As you know there's always good and evil
Make your choice don't be blind
Open up your mind and don't be trivial
There's a whole new world to find
Make it real not fantasy
Fantasy
Make it real not fantasy
Fantasy oooh yeah
Did you ever have a secret yearning
Don't you know it could come true
Now's the time to set wheels turning
To open up your life for you
If you take life as a crazy gamble
Throw your dice take your chance
You will see if from a different angle
And you too will join the dance
Make it real not fantasy
Fantasy
Make it real not fantasy
Fantasy
Make it real not fantasy
Fantasy
Make it real not fantasy
Fantasy oooh yeah
02 Don't Make No Promises (Your Body Can't Keep) (02:58)
Saw this girl walking down the street
I thought, oh yeah, she looks rather neat
I grabbed my chance and played my usual game
I tell you man, it can be a strain
She didn't wanna know what I'd got to say
Just shook her head and looked the other way
And then she said, I've met your type before
For me you're all the same, you're such a bore
Oh no, don't make no promises
Oh no, your body can't keep
Next day, can you believe, she was at the show
She said, hey man, you're great and she took me home
She started to undress, what a shock to see
Padded bra, blonde wig, not much left for me
Oh no, don't make no promises
Oh no, your body can't keep
Oh no, don't make no promises
Oh no, your body can't keep
Oh no, don't make no promises
Oh no, your body can't keep
Oh no, don't make no promises
Oh no, your body can't keep
03 Hold Me Tight (03:59)
She's the one, that's what I thought
When our love had just begun
But times have changed
And It's better go
Because it's gonna be too late
And all my love will turn to hate
You've always known
That music is my life
And I live just for Rock'n Roll
No one can make me change my mind
'cause I just want to live my life
Alright don't want me to stay
Alright have it your way
Alright I'm leaving tonight
Alright woman, I'll get out of your sight
You're still the one
But you've shown me
How independent you've become
Don't tell me you need, you need me
To be your ever faithful strong lovin' man
Don't tell me I'm wrong
I gotta go my way
And you'll see, where I belong
You live your life and I live mine
I bet, you will turn out fine
Alright don't want me to stay
Alright have it your way
Alright I'm leaving tonight
Alright woman, I'll get out of your sight
Alright don't want me to stay
Alright have it your way
Alright I'm leaving tonight
Alright woman, I'll get out of your sight
Alright don't want me to stay
Alright have it your way
Alright I'm leaving tonight
Alright woman, I'll get out of your sight
08 The Zoo (05:31)
The job is done and I go out
Another boring day
I leave it all behind me now
So many worlds away
I meet my girl, she's dressed to kill
And all we gonna do
Is walk around to catch the thrill
On streets we call the zoo
We eat the night, we drink the time
Make our dreams come true
And hungry eyes are passing by
On streets we call the zoo
We eat the night, we drink the time
Make our dreams come true
And hungry eyes are passing by
On streets we call the zoo
Enjoy the zoo, and walk down
42nd Street
You gonna be excited too
And you will feel the heat
We eat the night, we drink the time
Make our dreams come true
And hungry eyes are passing by
On streets we call the zoo
We eat the night, we drink the time
Make our dreams come true
And hungry eyes are passing by
On streets we call the zoo
09 Animal Magnetism (05:58)
You get me loose
I want ya, that's all I do
You leave me loose
I want ya, that's all I do
Make love to me right now
Love me till I'm down
You make me groove
I want ya, that's all I do
You let me groove
I want ya, that's all I do
Make love to me right now
Love me till I'm down
Who are you?
Your magic is strange and new
Who are you?
I want ya, that's all I do
Make love to me right now
Love me till I'm down
Make love to me right now
Love me till I'm down
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