Classic Rock Album of the Day- Black Sabbath- Paranoid (1970) ****
Sadly, a cornerstone of heavy metal passed away today (Ozzy Osbourne). For nearly 60 years he and his other mates much more set up trends and fashions in heavy metal. Hell.... they invented the metal genre single handedly. Very few can make that claim in musical history. I have previously discussed that the first two LP's including these, seemed more around setting the foundations... I personally (and again personally ) was more of a fan of their 3rd and 4th albums Master of Reality and Volume 4. These seem to distance themselves away more from what a critic might call shtick, and forayed more into substantial themes and more complex musically, and a slight more chaotic structure. Again, the merits of these first 4 can be debated forever, but there are many of of us boys born of the late 1950's who literally cheered when the sappy hippy flower power shit finally died after incessant repetition and near parody. We were collectively laughing at hippies and their silly band names and themes. And most of these were so repetitiously awful in their strawberry fruit gum tambourine themes. Were Black Sabbath and Alice Cooper anti- heros? Not in our book. Time had passed the hippies up, and it was our turn to say which direction music should take.
I saw the band on February 10, 1984 (minus Ozzy) Even without OZ, it cannot be minimized that the core 3 musicians to me were the true heart and soul of BS. No diss on Osbourne, but minus the decibels, it was a true delight to see this band., I mean, I had to make sure when I got my guitar it had to be a maroon Gibson SG.... just like Iommi. But there is one main point that cannot be argued. Osbourne is one of the greatest showmen and brands in classic rock. From music, to reality TV, he was one of the most recognizable member of the band, and did more to seal its legacy. Which leads to me what just happened last week. I had strongly went on record saying this was an embarrassment. And at ground level it sure seemed that way, But in retrospect, I feel bad in the fact, I think Ozzy more than anything wanted to say goodbye to his fans. And at intent, I now admire his grit and determination to pull it off. It was not pretty or pleasant, but he did it under his own terms. RIP Mr. Osborne.
Paranoid as an LP, can be arguably described as the first "PURE" successful "PURE" Heavy Metal work. No one had ever sounded like them, though thousands and thousands like them since. As stated earlier, a really really good album, though I preferred Vol. 4's level overall melodic complexity. Some of Tony Iommi's epic riffs may be more recognizable, but that time frame of 1971 and 1972 were my personal wheelhouse of Sabbath at their best.
Fun Fact: Everyone knows my distaste for Rolling Stone Magazine, but in 2017 they named Paranoid as the greatest metal album ever made.
Side 1-
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War Pigs- Song reeks of dystopia, suffering, and a landscape laid waste bound by metal mayhem. In 1970, the anti-war lyrics didn't end with the advent of Metal. Except this wasn't in the form of flowers, bell bottoms, and peace signs. This was a tune that took the theme to a more biting approach, and the infused metal was highly effective in that effort. Iommi laid some great almost phased echoing riffs which were highly innovative at the time, and Geezer's sternum rattling thunder just seals it.
3Paranoid- Band nicely works some hook into one of the band's early standards. Every member contributes as Iommi screams one of his best early solos too.
2Planet Caravan- Very eerie change of pace into a slow rolling in a barrel-ish that was there more for an intent of inferred versatility instead of driving the train still in 4th gear. Was it a mistake? Kinda....
6Iron Man- When a song made 10000 miles away can make groups of dozens of American 12-15 year old boys singing in unison in admiration? This wasn't music..... It was a cultural readjustment.
1 Side 2-
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Electric Funeral- Repetio-riffy low key and staying strong to the theme. Hits all the buttons, including an ax grinding finish that puts the buttons in chaos.
4Hand of Doom- With a tinge of blues infused into metal? I wasn't exactly enamored, but. in this album, the worst song would be one of the best of another band. Just because it is worst ranked does not make if fully unlistenable-
8Rat Salad- You could always count on Sabbath for a few instrumentals on each album- Yes they got better at it though.
7Faeries Wear Boots- Band ends the album with one of their enigmas. As a kid, I always that this one was about gays. Seems there may have been a hallucinogenic angle to it too. Many liked this one, I was kind of lukewarm on it, as far as its greatness in Sabbath lore.
5https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ66x2GRGH8&list=RDPZ66x2GRGH8&start_radio=1
