Scorpions Humanity Hour 1 Review.... with a interview link

Heart of Metal Number of posts : 1828 Age : 56

I would've posted a review of this disc sooner (since it came out last year!) but I didn't pick it up until recently. In 1982 I heard 'Blackout' for the first time and I quickly went back and bought 'Animal Magnetism' and 'Lovedrive' (later on I'd get their material with Uli). I simply thought they were fantastic with lots of ENERGY, MELODY and CRUNCH!!! Scorpions guitar tone is traditionally brutal, but after several misteps in the mid to late 90's and excursions into "modern" (Eye 2 Eye) and symphonic orchestration (Moment of Glory), I honestly thought they were done, finished. Out with a whimper.

2004's "Unbreakable" changed all that in my opinion. Loud brash and HEAVY. The Scorpions were back. I was hopefull that this disc "Humanity Hour 1" would be a continuation of that style. The Scorpions definatley did not disappoint. Some may think by working with Desmond Child and James Michael that they might remove the power and edge that defined the Scorpions with songs like "The Zoo", "Blackout", "Rock You Like a Hurricane". Those same folks probably forgot about 'Always Somewhere', 'Lady Starlight', 'The Smoke is going Down' or 'Still Loving You'.

I view this disc in companionship with 'Lovedrive'. Much like I see 'Unbreakable' ties with 'Animal Magnetism'. There is a lot of acoustic guitar parts, that complement powerful choruses. "The Game of Life", "We were Born to Fly" are prime examples of melodic acoustic based tunes with huge powerful electric choruses. (aka 'Is there anybody There' or 'No one Like You'). Klaus Meine has really never sounded better. One of the few vocalists who sings with power and subtley. A real tour de'force in this acoustic style is 'Love will Keep Us Alive'. It has single written all over it.

If you're like me you don't buy discs for ballads. Where are the DRIVING tunes!! The highlight for me is clearly "321". The lyrics are a bit cliched (who cares), this song ROCKS HARD, along the lines of "Blood Too Hot" from Unbreakable. "Hour 1", "The Cross" and after a intro "Humanity". These songs simply stick in your head and prompt you to push the accelerator on your auto to 80+ mph. (just make sure you keep your hands on the wheel all you air drummers!). Rudy and Matthias lay down a fantastic guitar driven assault that is among the best in the Scorps catalog. Matthias has his moments of shining solo glory in many of these tunes. If you get your copy from Best Buy they have included a bonus tune 'Cold' which really is a great song. A driving mid tempo power tune, worth giving BB your cash.

Lest I forget this is supposed to be a 'concept' or 'thematic' disc of sorts. "Humanity Hour 1 is based on an original concept by Sir Desmond Child and futurist
Liam Carl predicts a world torn apart by a civil war between humans and robots. This apocalyptic nightmare serves as a warning shot to all mankind... our only hope of survival is to reclaim our humanity." from the liner notes. Honestly I'll watch "The Matrix" or "The Terminator" for this stuff. There is no lyric sheet in the disc so I couldn't really expound on this concept.

They struck a great balance between power and sublety. Klaus, Rudy and Matthias clearly have something left in the tank. A fantastic collection of tunes.
Humanity Hour 1 is a must buy as it does rank up with the best the Scorpions have done. If your gonna complain how "Blackout" or "In Trance" was better go listen to that, this is 2008 and the Scorps clearly have delivered amidst winds of change. Warm production that isn't over compressed, but allows the songs to breath. Rock on my brothers..... (sorry for a review so late in coming....)

here's a cool interview for this new disc.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf3LsqbRC7E

Master Sailboat Number of posts : 9301 Age : 45

good review.. i enjoy the album as well.

_________________
Scorpions Humanity Hour 1 Review.... with a interview link MNxjcKm

Metal master Number of posts : 883 Age : 56

mc666 wrote:: good review.. i enjoy the album as well.

Agreed. Good album, good review.

Heart of Metal Number of posts : 2256 Age : 40

Nice review, dude. There are a lot of people that blow it off for being commercial...well, Desmon Child did produce the album, and he is pretty much the second version of Bob Rock... I really enjoyed the album, though. Could be a tad bit heavier, though Laughing

Guest

The Scorpions have been putting out commercial rock since the 80s. How anyone could complain about that is being a bit silly.

Heart of Metal Number of posts : 2256 Age : 40

Eyesore wrote:: The Scorpions have been putting out commercial rock since the 80s. How anyone could complain about that is being a bit silly.

I know, I thought the exact same. I have always loved the Scorpions. They were always so damn catchy. And hell, they can be heavy too! Just LISTEN to that crushing main riff in "New Generation"...seriously, my brains were splattered against the wall! Especially, knowing it was the Scorpions...without exaggeration, that riff could compete with Pantera any day.

Heart of Metal Number of posts : 1828 Age : 56

Mglaffas81 wrote:

Eyesore wrote:: The Scorpions have been putting out commercial rock since the 80s. How anyone could complain about that is being a bit silly.

I know, I thought the exact same. I have always loved the Scorpions. They were always so damn catchy. And hell, they can be heavy too! Just LISTEN to that crushing main riff in "New Generation"...seriously, my brains were splattered against the wall! Especially, knowing it was the Scorpions...without exaggeration, that riff could compete with Pantera any day.

I couldn't agree with you more. Thanks for kuddos on the review. The Scorps have always snuck in one of the ball crushing heavy/fast tunes. "Another Piece of Meat", "Now", "Coming Home", "Love on the Run" (from Savage Amusement. that tune rips!) and of course "Alien Nation".
Heck the riff for 'Virgin Killer' is pretty darn heavy considering.

Thanks for the writing encouragement. I might do some more.... Cool

Metal student Number of posts : 100 Age : 32

This album is the Heaviest i've ever heard the Scorpions, and Klaus sounds better than ever

Metal, Movies, Beer Number of posts : 37954 Age : 54

Excellent album (and review). It's in my Top 5 of 2007, easy. It's one of the few discs that came out this year that I've bothered to learn almost all the lyrics to so I can sing along in the car!

(Just so you know, you really DON'T want to hear my awful singing in the car.)

_________________
"If you're a false, don't entry, because you'll be burned and died!"