MEAT LOAF - Hell In A Basketcase (Relesase: Wherever-Whenever, Sony Music)

Is known that Sony Music is the main guilty of making the music business the piece of shit that it is nowadays and it's also known that they use to do stupid things like what is going on with the latest by Meat Loaf. There are two months of difference between the release of this album in AUS/NZ and in Germany and five months with UK and USA but the best is that now the release in USA has been delayed to March 13... isn't it funny?
And now let's talk about music... it seems that after the infamous Hang Cool Teddy Bear (even the title is stupid) Meat Loaf ain't seen the light. This album is not as melodic as the Bat Out Of Hell series, guitars are heavier and have a modern vibe while drums are also updated. At this point everything is ok but the surprise comes when you reach tracks like Blue Sky-Mad Mad World-The Good God Is A Woman And She Don't Like Ugly and you have to listen some fuckin' rap... man, it's not so difficult... if i buy an album by Meat Loaf is because i love Rock & Roll if i wanted to listen a guy rapping i would buy an album by the damn Kanye West... but if this is not enough we'll find another rap in  Stand In The Storm. Said that you'll understand this is an strange album but you should add the cover of Califonia Dreamin'. I'm not a fan of The Mama's And The Papa's but certain songs shouldn't be touched 'couse is not possible to make them better... Meat Loaf has done it and the question is, was it needed? Though the cover is not bad the song has lost all the melody and is full of programmed percussion, sound effects, electric guitars and some saxophone. The cover also features vocals by Patty Russo and i must say i love the voice of this woman but her powerful and raspy vocals do not fix at all with such a melodic song as California Dreamin'.
Party Of One comes with a punk rhythm and introduce violins and some slide guitars mixed it all with arabian touches and some heavier guitars. It's not easy to describe this cut but in one word... sucks.
Meanwhile Forty Days take us back to the 90's. This song could be taken by any album by Collective Soul, is built on raw guitars and strident cymbals... another weak cut.
Said that, is fair to tell there are some good tracks in this album. All Of Me comes with some modern drums but is pure Meat Loaf. Is a very melodic cut introducing some piano and with catchy chorus while The Giving Tree has some late 60's-early 70's vibe though the rhythm section is modern, there's no guitar solo in this cut but the interlude is awesome.
Another Day starts with some programing and soon becomes melodic due to some melancholic piano that lead us to a beautiful chorus where Meat Loaf shows his powerful vocals while Our Love & Our Souls is another mid-tempo featuring Patty Russo whose vocals eclipses Meat Loaf perfomance.
Blue Sky... is not easy to describe this song but i must say that the in-crescendo and the break that leads to the end is one os the most beautiful things i've listened in a long time. The only thing with this tune is that the in-crescendo should be a little longer... just seat, relax and play this song too loud.
Fall From Grace closes the album, this track has evident Springsteen influences and sometimes reminds of Born To Run though chorus comes with some heavy and raw guitars... not an spectacular end for this album but it's ok.

In summary, this album has many ups and downs and won't rule the charts. The reason is that this album ain't what Meat Loaf fans are waiting for but neither will attract new fans so this album is doomed to have poor sales... better wait fot Bat Out Of Hell 4.

Special attention to Patty's vocals... awesome.

This album is worth of 3 out of 5 ROCKS!!!

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