What Are You Listening To?

[CRAZY-HORSE]

BLACK SABBATH "paranoid"

review from: amazon.com only because im worn out and cant think straight!!

Black Sabbath were one of those bands from my youth it seemed totally impossible to like, they were for older, rockier types than a young entrant to the world of music. They also seemed terrifying with their mystical connection with the dark arts.

So, buying this album aged 43, I felt pretty secure that I would not suddenly start eating the heads of bats or burning churches down in rage whilst spouting the words of Paranoid backwards.

Right, to the music. Stone wall classic is a well used description, but it fits the bill. Ozzie sings each and every song with a tenderness and power that I had no idea he could, having truthfully only seen him as a TV former alcoholic. The man can sing, the band could play like demons and this album is an incredible experience from track one to the finale.

Drugs, paranoia, war and more are covered with some of the finest musicianship you are likely to hear. The band are as tight as hell, the guitar playing is magnificent and the overall feeling is dark, but with much more lightness of touch than I would imagine.

Stand out tracks, nope, can't help, it is an ALBUM, one of those old fashioned art works that has a start and end, with a track order that you have to follow to get the full effect. Kind of not the best news for the digital throwaway generation, but hey, live with it.

If you like music you need this album, whether a fan of rock, indie, punk, whatever, just buy it, grab a bottle of fine red and sit back late in the evening and play this on repeat.

rating 1.7