Album Reviews
Why, after all this time, a sequel? Perhaps because the theatrical carnage inflicted by the 1977 original continues to be much appreciated to the tune of a brisk 15,000 units per week. Or perhaps, after dueling lawsuits, he has made his peace with his former partner, writer-producer Jim Steinman. Whatever the reason, Loaf hasn't made a record since Bad Attitude, in 1985 which died a quick death and he has been splitting his time between acting and perfecting his curveball on the softball fields of New York City's Central Park.
Accompanied by an impressive cast from the original album (keyboardist Roy Bittan and drummer Kenny Aronoff, with vocal support by Ellen Foley, Kasim Sultan and Todd Rundgren), Bat II is 75 minutes of the same harmless, low-octane operatic drivel. But this is the age of safe sex no groping teens, please, not even a grunt. Just some insufferably long Steinman compositions with equally long names ("Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are" clocks in at 10:15), sprinkled around guilty pleasures like "It Just Won't Quit," "Good Girls Go to Heaven (But Bad Girls Go Everywhere)" and "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)."
Loaf, who'll soon turn 46, is in fine voice. He is also said to be in fighting trim at 250 pounds. Still, 16 years is a long time. Maybe the answer to Bat out of Hell II is revealed in the radio-friendly "It Just Won't Quit," when a mournful Meat Loaf gently croons: "There was a time when I knew just what I was living for/There was a time, and the time was so long ago." But, who knows, with the current trend for all things '70s, there still may be a place in this world for Meat Loaf.
(Posted: Oct 28, 1993)
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- I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)
- Life Is A Lemon And I Want My Money Back
- Rock And Roll Dreams Come Through
- It Just Won't Quit
- Out Of The Frying Pan (And Into The Fire)
- Objects In The Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are
- Wasted Youth
- Everything Louder Than Everything Else
- Good Girls Go To Heaven (Bad Girls Go Everywhere)
- Back Into Hell
- Lost Boys And Golden Girls
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Review 1 of 2
maverickjhs08 writes:
I'm going to disagree with Swanni09...sorry but this album is
better. I'm a musician as well and this album is a masterpiece.
The whole album as a reflective fell to it and just makes you
want to listen to it for days on end. the music is just fantastic
like all of Meat's undertakings and his voice emphesises the
mood of the song. This album is just amazing and Bat 1 is a
verry close second followed by Welcome to the Neighborhood.
Oct 18, 2007 07:44:25
Review 2 of 2
swanni09 writes:
it isnt the original bat out of hell, but then nothing ever could be. If the music hadn't evolved, the people claiming it to be too different would be calling it to old fashioned. The songs aren't as gripping as Bat out of Hell, but grow to an extent almost as good; after skipping tracks like Rock and Roll Dreams and It Just Won't Quit, i found myself suddenly liking them. But, being a musician, I have a different take on music; it isn't arrogance, but fact, you like the music your instrument sounds good with. From a guitar perspective Bat 2 may not be phenomenal, but from a piano perspective it is fantastic. There is so much locked away in the lyrics that new meaning spawns over time; songs that you thought were happy turn out to be depressing and the grungy rock in some of them are inspirational. it may not live up to bat 1, but nothing ever could.
Sep 13, 2007 09:02:12
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