Now, I am not the biggest fan of Ozzy's solo material, but I will admit that he has some pretty inspired, catchy tunes. However, you won't be finding any of them on Black Rain. Similarly to Osbourne's guitarist's band's latest album (Zakk Wylde, Black Label Society, and Shot to Hell in case you don't know), Black Rain is among the dullest, most uninspired albums I have ever heard. The band, lead by Ozzy and Zakk, merely plod through 10 tracks in roughly 46 minutes and then it's over. Nothing happens throughout the record which could be considered extraordinary or, hell, even entertaining. Osbourne's crew makes its way through seven generic, mid-paced, sludgy songs, two slower ballads, and one which somewhat combines the elements of both. Being the strongest song on a weak album (which is hardly a compliment); The Almighty Dollar sums Black Rain perfectly. It includes some of the album's heavier moments which entail simple, uninteresting riff-work which might as well have been ripped straight from a Black Label Society song. In between the short bursts of aggressiveness, the band's bassist, Rob Nicholson offers up elongated, directionless bass lines which do little more than make the song longer and duller. Unfortunately, this is probably the strongest track on the album, which speaks volumes about Black Rain, if you ask me.
The worst part of Black Rain, however, is Ozzy himself. No matter how far one looks back in his career; whether he was belting out Children of the Grave in 1971, Crazy Train in 1980, or Perry Manson in 1995, he was never one of the best singers in rock (and at times kind of annoying). But on his latest release his voice is completely shot. Just listen to I Don't Wanna Stop or the title track. He sounds like he sings through his nose, rather than his mouth, and it's extremely irritating. However with Black Rain's ballads (Lay Your World On Me and Here For You) it gets even worse. "The Prince of Darkness" doesn't make any changes to his vocal delivery, meaning we get more of his awful, off key performances. Only this time they fit the music even less. As sappy as it is a nice tribute to Ozzy's fans, it is completely ruined by the monotone. Indeed, it's quite excruciating to listen to, even more so than the rest of the album. But, hey, that's Ozzy for you.
I'm going to be blunt. Black Rain is a very poor offering from one of metal's supposed "gods." Not unlike his 1995 offering Ozzmosis or Black Label Society's 2006 album Shot to Hell, it's boring, uninspired, and poorly put together. When listening it feels as though it was released for the sole purpose of cashing in on Ozzy's popularity, rather than a genuine effort at making music. I do not recommend checking this out at all, unless you enjoy bland, listless rock. Ozzy, I know you don't wanna stop but after Black Rain I don't think hanging it up would be such a bad idea. Honestly?€?
Tracklist for Black Rain:
1. Not Going Away
2. I Don't Wanna Stop
3. Black Rain
4. Lay Your World On Me
5. The Almighty Dollar
6. 11 Silver
7. Civilize the Universe
8. Here for You
9. Countdown's Begun
10. Trap Door
11. Nightmare
12. I Can't Save You (Japanese Bonus Track)
13. Love to Hate (iTunes pre-order only)
The worst part of Black Rain, however, is Ozzy himself. No matter how far one looks back in his career; whether he was belting out Children of the Grave in 1971, Crazy Train in 1980, or Perry Manson in 1995, he was never one of the best singers in rock (and at times kind of annoying). But on his latest release his voice is completely shot. Just listen to I Don't Wanna Stop or the title track. He sounds like he sings through his nose, rather than his mouth, and it's extremely irritating. However with Black Rain's ballads (Lay Your World On Me and Here For You) it gets even worse. "The Prince of Darkness" doesn't make any changes to his vocal delivery, meaning we get more of his awful, off key performances. Only this time they fit the music even less. As sappy as it is a nice tribute to Ozzy's fans, it is completely ruined by the monotone. Indeed, it's quite excruciating to listen to, even more so than the rest of the album. But, hey, that's Ozzy for you.
I'm going to be blunt. Black Rain is a very poor offering from one of metal's supposed "gods." Not unlike his 1995 offering Ozzmosis or Black Label Society's 2006 album Shot to Hell, it's boring, uninspired, and poorly put together. When listening it feels as though it was released for the sole purpose of cashing in on Ozzy's popularity, rather than a genuine effort at making music. I do not recommend checking this out at all, unless you enjoy bland, listless rock. Ozzy, I know you don't wanna stop but after Black Rain I don't think hanging it up would be such a bad idea. Honestly?€?
Tracklist for Black Rain:
1. Not Going Away
2. I Don't Wanna Stop
3. Black Rain
4. Lay Your World On Me
5. The Almighty Dollar
6. 11 Silver
7. Civilize the Universe
8. Here for You
9. Countdown's Begun
10. Trap Door
11. Nightmare
12. I Can't Save You (Japanese Bonus Track)
13. Love to Hate (iTunes pre-order only)
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