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Rating:
The wild side of life is the main theme of this thirteenth album (1996) by the Teutonic metalheads, and even its cover (which was partially censored in Europe) demonstrates it. It's not the clear example of how pure heavy metal was born and died in the '80s, but the sound of the tracks on this album firmly confirms the Scorpions at the top of the hierarchies of that genre. The "heroes of heavy metal," as they were defined by the Rolling Stones (what an honor!), don't want to overdo it with this album rich in ballads, not a novelty for Klaus Meine and company, but at the same time they dedicate a few minutes to the usual powerful guitar riffs. The new drummer Curt Cress, who also played with Freddie Mercury as a solo artist and with Elio e le Storie Tese, is passing between Herman Rarebell and new, current James Kottak: he does not fare badly, also giving a good personal contribution to all the tracks, especially the ballads.
New sounds, keyboards, and other experiments that the Scorps will continue to conduct in their future albums characterize this moderately successful album (double gold and one platinum), but the best times remain memories.
"Wild Child" opens the record, introducing the guitar with a bagpipe riff, original and, if you like, also fitting: perhaps the most violent track, followed by "But The Best For You" and the cheerful "Stone in My Shoe". The hit "You And I" in bursts seems to recall the times of "Fly to the Rainbow", but overall it unfolds into the classic ballad, slightly tainted by very electric brackets; similar to "(Oh Girl) I Wanna Be With You". There's a lot for those who want to cry lying on the bed, closing their eyes and turning off the light, while listening to the poignant arpeggio of "When You Came Into My Life", the most splendid and saddest ballad present here. Rudolf Schenker and Matthias Jabs show they can even handle acoustic guitars, and we're left only to dream of a better love, as described in the splendid words of the poet Meine, made even better by his magnificent voice; also great soft frameworks are "Does Anyone Know", "Soul Behind The Face", and the two "Where The River Flows" and "Time Will Call Your Name", slightly more rhythmic with almost country guitar twists.
The album beautifully closes with the saddest of all, "Are You The One?", leaving a bit of bitterness at the end of the record and the desire to start it over, to hear the bagpipes of "Wild Child" again.
Abundant arpeggios and slowness, but far from exaggeration, then you could never get tired of Scorpions albums full of slow songs, demonstrating the high production of best ofs and various collections by the group.
The track "She's Knockin' At My Door" is present only in the Japanese version of the record, proving the Germans' interest in also conquering the eastern market.
As always in the end, one could say, a poorly advertised album, often one of those bought only by fans of the band, but let someone who knows how to appreciate the true soul of rock listen to it, and, if they cannot call it a milestone, they will surely at least ask to borrow it from you.
The overall judgment sees the group, historic but never outdated, confirming itself in its genre, and to those who are staunch detractors of their famous slow pieces, someone who prefers harder songs, we can reply that no artist is such without sentiment, and, more importantly, no one knows how to make ballads like the Scorpions.
Tracklist Lyrics and Samples
02 But the Best for You (05:20)
Let me tell you something
In the darkness of the room
I'm leaning back against the wall
Try to walk on broken glass
A cut so deep just hurts so bad
I remember what you said
Tears were rollin' down your face
And after all's been said and done
You're a woman, I'm a man
Could I turn back the time again
You must know by now
I won't let you down
Whatever comes along the way
Don't you agree that one thing is true
I'm not the best, but the best for you
And I step outside the door (step outside the door)
Blinded by a million lights
In the valley of the fools (in the valley of the fools)
Another day went by so fast
What in the world will ever last
You must know by now
I won't let you down
Whatever comes along the way
Don't you agree that one thing is true
I'm not the best, but the best for you
There's nothin' else that we have got
But our love is like a rock
Standing up against the tide
There's nothin' else that we have got
But our love is like a rock
Standing up against the tide
You must know by now
I won't let you down
Whatever comes along the way
Don't you agree that one thing is true
I'm not the best, but the best for you
You must know by now
I won't let you down
Whatever comes along the way
Don't you agree that one thing is true
I'm not the best, but the best for you
Don't you agree that one thing is true
I'm not the best, but the best for you
I'm not the best, but the best for you
I'm not the best, but the best for you
03 Does Anyone Know (05:57)
Music: Klaus Meine
Lyrics: Klaus Meine
Is this world out of control
Say what is right what is wrong
Do I know this world at all
I think I do but then I don't
I'm confused by what I see
I try to understand
But it makes no sense at all
I'm confused by what I feel
I thought that our love
Was something that is real
Does anyone know
The truth we're looking for
Can't find it anymore
Does anyone know
How to make me feel
For something that is real
So many things that I recall
When we were young just flying high
Can we turn our fate at all
I wish we could say don't you cry
I'm confused by what I hear
Girl it seems to me
We're losing after all
I'm confused by what I feel
I thought that our love
Was something that is real
Does anyone know
The truth we're looking for
Can't find it anymore
Does anyone know
How to make me feel
For something that is real
Another day has just begun
Life goes on there's no return
How can I trust anyone
When honesty is such a dirty word
Does anyone know
The truth we're looking for
Can't find it anymore
Does anyone know
How to make me feel
For something that is real
Does anyone know
The truth we're looking for
Can't find it anymore
Does anyone know
How to make me feel
For something that is real
Yeah
04 Stone in My Shoe (04:38)
I keep on dancin' on the roof
Try not to fall, stay in the groove
A step too far. I'm out of place
Life beats you up some of these days
Just like a whisper there's a voice
Inside of me
It's sayin' you ain't got a choice
Well, can't you see
Ooh, when your world comes tumbling down
Ooh, you better find a way around
I keep on walkin' in the clouds
Find out what life is all about
I keep on runnin' away from here
To learn the grass ain't greener there
Just like a whisper there's a voice
Inside of me
It's sayin' you ain't got no choice
As you can see
Ooh, when your world comes tumbling down
Ooh, you better find a way around
Ooh, cause no one else but you
Ooh, can find the stone inside your shoe
Ooh, when your world comes tumbling down
Ooh, you better find a way around
Ooh, cause no one else but you
Ooh, can find the stone inside your shoe
Inside your shoe
Inside your shoe
Inside your shoe
Yeah
Keep rockin' in the street
Keep landing on your feet
Keep runnin' on and on
Still play my favorite blond
Keep rockin' mother earth
Just all around the world
These days mean safer sex
Get my survival pack
My orgasm isn't faked
Ooh Lord, I need a break
And what's annoying, too
Is that damn thing in my shoe
Ooh, there is a stone in my shoe
05 Soul Behind the Face (04:00)
Would you care for me if I was deaf and blind
Would you hear my voice if I was always quiet
Would you hold my hand if I was going to fall
Would you cry for me would you know my name at all
Would you be there if I was on the ground
Would you be my friend if no one was around
Would you hold me close if I was in the cold
Would you pray for me would you know my name at all
Would you care would you be there
For the soul behind the face
Would you love me for what I am
Would you care would you be there
For the soul behind the face
Would you love me for what I am
Would you care would you be there
For the soul behind the face
Would you love me for what I am
Would you care would you be there
For the soul behind the face
Would you love me for what I am
Would you love me for what I am
Would you love me for what I am
Would you love me for what I am
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