"Just remember love is life,
And hate is living death.
Treat your life for what it's worth,
And live for every breath.
Looking back I've lived and learned,
But now I'm wondering.
Here I wait and only guess--
What this next life will bring."
--Geezer Butler, from "National Acrobat," from the LP, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, 1973
What a great album; one that I think is well ahead of its time. This is still probably my favorite of the Sabbath albums—the first six are incredible—and this one also has the most “pop” sounding songs.
My favorite is the opening riff of Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath which set the tone for the entire album. This was a heavy rock album. Iommi outdid himself on this one. The song changes tempo and builds on the opening riff again and again.
The second cut, a National Acrobat is one of the most classically melodic of the Sabbath catalog, cutting in and out of rock’s steady beat with a rhythm section that thunders. I am not as much a fan of Fluff, as I am of the others, but it has a nice tranquil moment. Sabbra Cadabra has another enchanting opening riff that builds as the song progress, with choppy drums and a thundering bassline. Ozzy’s vocal blast through on this number—almost as tough as they are on the next cut: Killing Yourself To Live.
Who Are You is the made-ready for radio hit that everyone ignored. Perhaps relying too much on the synthesizer sound, this easily sounds the most dated.
The album closes with the two best songs in my opinion. Looking For Today almost has a Jethro Tull-esque quality to them—perhaps the flute—perhaps not; as they are treasures for the ear and the mind. Looking For Today thumps and thunders along with a familiar “Metal” chug and churn. Spiral Architect has a beauty and wonderment about it that is perhaps the most unique cut at the time for the band. There is some philosophy in the lyrics, some strain in the vocals—a strain that is controlled. The guitars swirl and the rhythm section takes the listener along for a ride.
My bias shows as I love this album; but I think it is the one most fans would agree shows a grace of Black Sabbath. This is a classic Metal album that sounds somewhat fresh and clearly inventive—even today.
My favorite is the opening riff of Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath which set the tone for the entire album. This was a heavy rock album. Iommi outdid himself on this one. The song changes tempo and builds on the opening riff again and again.
The second cut, a National Acrobat is one of the most classically melodic of the Sabbath catalog, cutting in and out of rock’s steady beat with a rhythm section that thunders. I am not as much a fan of Fluff, as I am of the others, but it has a nice tranquil moment. Sabbra Cadabra has another enchanting opening riff that builds as the song progress, with choppy drums and a thundering bassline. Ozzy’s vocal blast through on this number—almost as tough as they are on the next cut: Killing Yourself To Live.
Who Are You is the made-ready for radio hit that everyone ignored. Perhaps relying too much on the synthesizer sound, this easily sounds the most dated.
The album closes with the two best songs in my opinion. Looking For Today almost has a Jethro Tull-esque quality to them—perhaps the flute—perhaps not; as they are treasures for the ear and the mind. Looking For Today thumps and thunders along with a familiar “Metal” chug and churn. Spiral Architect has a beauty and wonderment about it that is perhaps the most unique cut at the time for the band. There is some philosophy in the lyrics, some strain in the vocals—a strain that is controlled. The guitars swirl and the rhythm section takes the listener along for a ride.
My bias shows as I love this album; but I think it is the one most fans would agree shows a grace of Black Sabbath. This is a classic Metal album that sounds somewhat fresh and clearly inventive—even today.
Tracklist:
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
A National Acrobat
Fluff
Sabbra Cadabra
Killing Yourself To Live
Who Are You
Looking For Today
Spiral Architect
The “rare” Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath promo video from YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uReAUILc1w
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