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The Ozzman returneth with Scream, his first album to feature his new band, particularly new guitarist Gus G. Their has been a lot of controversy over the split with longtime guitarist Zakk Wylde but since both had gotten stale in the new millennium, I think the split will wind up a great thing for both artists and Scream is proof positive.
The album opens with one of the strongest and heaviest tracks Ozzy has released since the No More Tears days, “Let It Die.” That’s probably the biggest surprise of the album, just the heaviness that it opens with. “Let Me Hear You Scream” (the album’s first single) and “Soul Sucker” (the album’s one time potential name sake) are up next, causing the album to quickly lose steam. While the former may appeal to the more Pop Rock oriented crowd, the latter is just a terrible song all the way around.
“Life Won’t Wait” hits the ground with an album saving slow build that blossoms into one of the best Ozzy tracks maybe ever. Easily the album’s highlight, yes, the song is a semi-lightweight anthem, BUT it burns it up. The song is just amazing through and through in the same way “Shot in the Dark” and “Mama, I’m Coming Home” were. Ozzy’s love of the Beatle’s really shines through on this track and Gus G., Blasko, Adam Wakeman, and Tommy Clufetos make it soar! This song is easily the album’s highlight.
From there the album stays extremely solid. The catchy “Diggin’ Me Down” and the excellent guitar work on “Time” are undeniable highlights. “Latimer’s Mercy” is an interesting moment as well due to the subject matter (Google it kiddies) and even the off-kilter “I Love You All” stands pretty strong.
If “Soul Sucker” and “I Want to Hear You Scream” had been omitted from this album this would be Ozzy’s strongest effort since the early eighties. It’s a little clogged up though by the over production and that really holds the songs back in my opinion.
Bottom Line: I absolutely dig the new band and if the Ozzman can step away from “modern sounding” producers and songwriters and let this new band handle things, Ozzy may have another Bark at the Moon or No More Tears left in him.
Key Tracks: “Life Won’t Wait”," “Time”
Reviewed by: Mark Fisher
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