OZZY
OSBOURNE
"Down to Earth"
Epic
4/5
Obviously calculated and positioned to fill a particular niche in the
Metal market by a horde of Osbourne family minion Ozzy's latest disc
succeeds more than it succumbs and though it be no "BLIZZARD OF
OZZ" "DOWN TO EARTH" is certainly the best that he has
managed in the last decade and a half.
The overall texture of "DOWN TO EARTH" follows much the same
tone as set on Ozzy's commercial behemoth, "NO MORE TEARS"
and this is due in no small part to ace guitarist Zakk Wylde. Wylde
is most likely the prime element that took this record from a collection
of commercial Metal drivel to something infinitely more significant
and powerful. This premise is best evidenced on the lead track, "Gets
me Through." "Gets me Through" is the kind of Ozzy track
that every album has strove for, dangerous in appearance but easily
chewable for those a little more hip than Mom and Dad. This is a track
that will still be played in the decades to come just as "Bark
at the Moon" and "Shot in the Dark" are now.
The remainder of the album vacillates between rocking on the edge, "Facing
Hell," "No easy way Out" and "Can you hear Them"
and sappy ballads in the vein of "Mama, I'm coming Home,"
("Dreamer," "Running out of Time"). When it rocks
this disc gives hope that arena's will be open to another generation
of Metal fans raising the horns but when it tries to pull the at the
heart strings it comes off a bit flat but then again I have always hated
Ozzy's ballads.
These tracks were written in the period between Zakk Wylde's inclusion
in the band and the fact that he pulls so much life out of material
that he had no investment in is what really impresses in the listening.
So, another record, another tour and another couple of tracks that will
become Heavy Metal standards, in all quite impressive for a guy who
retired from the business a decade ago.
For older Ozzy fans, (You know who you are Mr. Mullet!), there are some
very sweet bonus video features most notably the rare live footage of
Ozzy during the Randy Rhoades era performing "Mr. Crowely"
and "Crazy Train" which in my mind supports the purchase of
this disc alone.
David Lee Wilson
