Meat Loaf

Bat Out Of Hell

Classic Cuts by Kasey Ferguson

Review Score:

(10/10)
You've waited. You've begged. You've pleaded. Have no fear Classic Cut is here! I think it's safe to say Bat Out Of Hell is the best album ever made by a man who took his stage name from a food product. I know what your thinking ...and Eminem doesn't count.... ( M&M, get it? )

If there is one word to describe the sound of Meat Loaf I think epic would be it. Three of the album's tracks run over eight minutes in length so I think it is particularly apt. But length aside epic would be the word. Meatloaf's (or would it be Meat Loaves?) over the top voice and Jim Steinman's orchestral like arrangements sound huge even by todays standards .... no small feat considering the album was released in 1977 ....thats right Bat Out Of Hell is over twenty five years old.

It's hard to resist the grandiose title track "Bat Out Of Hell" or the bouncy "Paradise By The Dashboard Light"(how much fun is it to have All Star shortstop and commentator Phil Rizzuto commentating the dashboard escapades"?). The same is true for the ever popular half full ballad "Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad" and the other classics that compose this album. Bat Out Of Hell is just such an extravagant, ambitious album it's mind boggling. Meatloaf's voice is so powerful I envision a glass breaking everytime I hear him sing. I cannot think of any album that sounds as monsterous arrangement wise as Bat Out Of Hell. Not only was Meat Loaf much more fun that many of their competitors they were often much more musical.

Bat Out Of Hell is a brilliant record from beginning to end brimming with artistic genius and incredible musicianship. Props must be given to Todd Rundgren for his stunning production aswell. Maybe not quite as influential as some of the other classic cuts, I believe Bat Out Of Hell is still quite an underrated album. Many may acknowledge it as a classic but there should be many more. Sometimes .... ok ...alot of times I just don't understand the music industry. Britney Spears gets props and not Meatloaf ....what's wrong with this picture. Oh well, I suppose we can all take comfort in the fact that Britney Spear's will never have an album featured in Classic Cuts ..... that I promise you.

More Reviews: