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First of all a declaration.
This is a brilliant album.
However, allow me
to begin in reverse. There were heard
several negative opinions about Scorps
new release, such as:
1. modern guitars sound and limited
guitar solos
2. mid-tempo rhythms
3. lack of passion, power & rock
attitude
4. too many exterior composers.
Making a travel back
in time, we reach the period of "Crazy
World" which was their largest
commercial success. From that time
since "Unbreakable' (2004), a
release that had its moments, we discover
that the mighty Scorpions were maintained
by their legend of 70's & 80's
mainly. The orientation of the band
was vague, so consequently the result
was uncertain and feeble. All these
happened up to now, because 2007 was
proved to be a year for their, long
expected, renaissance. Two right decisions
were finally taken: the return to
their old virtues (but not nostalgically)
plus the entrusting of the production
to the "wizard", Desmond
Child. These 2 factors, combined with
a mixture of traditional & and
modern elements, they completed a
great album: "Humanity Hour 1".
The music sounds
amazingly ripe and relatively dark
with regard to Scorpions standards.
This is certainly owed to D. Child's
production, but more over we must
not forget that he was always a great
songwriter also and this is clearly
visible in the songs he participates
himself. Instead of spoiling the homogeneity,
the exterior composers ensure for
it, because each song has an individual
character without disturbing the cohesion
of the album. Besides this, we haven't
heard Meine's voice so fresh for a
long time. Finally this is a futuristic
concept (!) album about the loss of
humanism that it has as an inevitable
result the return to the "middle
ages" for all the mankind. The
distorted human relationships, the
decay of values, the lack of an optimistic
vision they are subjects in which
Scorpions are focused. "Human
nature is the reason for our downfall
and we deserve it playing God with
our machines..."
There are certain
songs that distinguish, but the most
significant characteristic is the
absence of fillers. We couldn't claim
that for a lot of releases in nowadays.
I imagine that you all agree. The
opener "Hour 1" with its
up-to-date guitar sound and a bulky
refrain along with "The Cross"
(the duet with Billy Corgan/Smashing
Pumpkins) are showing a musical progress,
but this is a little bit alternative
for my personal taste. The stunning
melodies are dominating the whole
work. "The Game of Life"
and "We Were Born to Fly"
are superb melodic hard rockers with
the charismatic voice of Klaus and
riffs that meet the melodies like
we always knew. As fragile as with
"Your Last Song" they never
sounded before. There is no surprise
that "The Future Never Dies"
is probably their best ballad since
"Loving You" and listen
to the orchestra in the bombastic
final, it's naturally genuine Scorpions.
"321" is a grandiose party-hard
rock track based on a chorus made
for live performances. A song in which
the music creates a contrast with
the pessimist verses: "Time is
a wicked master, put your life into
its hands, close your eyes & it
will crush you, rage only spins you
faster, it's a curse born unto man,
turns your dreams into disaster...".
"We Will Rise Again" finds
them in a more metal mood even if
the song offers occasionally calm
tones. Great song! "You're Loving
Me To Death" is also another
highlight in the Alice Cooper's vein.
The closing track "Humanity"
is simply fantastic and perhaps the
best song of the album. Surely a classic
in the future!
Finally: "Humanity
Hour 1" is the most intensive,
hard and passionate album since "Savage
Amusement". It belongs to the
top 5 of 2007 and in my opinion will
be a criterion for hard rock category
in the years that will follow. A buy
or die release!
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