I didn't want to mention that I got a Bon Jovi vibe from Thunder and Lightening for fear that Ron H. would KILL me!  But immediately when I heard that song, that's what I thought too. I also got a little feeling when listening to certain songs which reminded me of U2, Lynard Skynard and (J.D. is gonna kill me!) Saxon. Hell Razor just really reminds me of how Biff sings and pronunciates his words. I'm not saying that the song sounds anything like Saxon, just the vocal style reminds me of Biff singing.
I'm not surprised by Rob writing songs about sports, he did it before with "One Will" which is about pro basketball. I'm not a NASCAR fan or an MMA fan so, those songs although musically I like them, just don't do it for me. I don't think he wrote those songs in order to be played at sporting events. I think he began writing them because he loved the sport, but then perhaps he did think about them becoming anthems and made them more crowd friendly. I hope they are played, I'd love to see Rob finally get the recognition that he deserves! As for Matador, I think of that song as a story about a man that had given up on life but then his life canged. Do they even play rock n roll/metal music before Bull Fights? I wouldn't know. I don't think anyone would even think twice about that song if he hadn't already included songs about MMA and NASCAR on the album.
I do think that most of the choruses seem to have been written for crowd participation - like all the '80s hair band songs.
The songs I find myself listening to over and over again are: Speed of Sound, Like There's No Tomorrow, Till the Day I Die and The Mower. Those are my favorites. I love how Rob sings on this album and for me, vocals have always been the most important thing in a song since I love to sing. I'm sure that others that play different instruments feel the same about whatever they play.
I do like this album. But I agree, maybe Z. got a little too close to it playing as well as producing it? Pat was part of the writing team on the first two albums, so I'm sure they lost something. Guido, I only WISH I could have seen them back on the Resurrection tour....
Just my take on it.
[Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by tasnam1 from Friday, October 08, 2010 3:46:45 AM)| |  | tasnam1 wrote: | | Thanks guidogodoy - we seem to think alike.
Heartless seems to have "soul", and is a MUCH better Heart of a Lion. Although the name is almost cheesy.
Heartless, Fire and Ice, Thunder and Lightnight - Sound like I and reading off an 80's record.
Heartless - "walking the streets now baby" ????? Rob can do better than that
Thunder and lightning after the guitar intro listen to it and then listen to Bon Jovi - You give Love a bad name intro.
Anyhow these are the thoughts.
Not saying I dislike the album.
| | | guidogodoy wrote: | | Incredible. I think that you are spot-on with this post as I feel almost exactly the same way. Right down to the "diamonds in the sky" line. That phrase just sticks out like a sore thumb, doesn't it? Caught my attention right away.
While I also like the album as a whole, I do flip-flop about the lyrics as well. Some, along with the guitars and drums for that matter, are simply too predictable. While I like the guitars / solos in Made of Metal, I find myself counting how many times "Supersonic silver flying machine" is repeated. I'll have a count when I get some free time.
Don't get me wrong, I love the album as a whole (I can really get into most songs, even "I Know We Stand a Chance" has a catchy little riff) but can't help but wonder if the absence of Patrick Lachman had an effect here. Roy Z is certainly no match on guitar and, when I compare earlier Halford shows both by memory and DVD/CD, it is even more noticeable. For those who saw the Resurrection tour, I am sure that you'll agree: Lachman was just a metal monster on stage. (Quoting Message by tasnam1 from Thursday, October 07, 2010 8:37:20 PM)
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tasnam1 wrote: |
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Thanks for the comments Budred.
I also forgot to add to my original post the following:
Matador is also another "anthem Theme" -
After listening to the album for another two days some fine tuning thoughts:
I think the album musically is GREAT. But, lyrically, it is just off; i can't explain it. I love Rob, he is the best on this planet. It just seems his song writing lost creativity a little.
Take Made of Metal. GREAT music in the background. Fair lyrics.
Matador, GREAT music and style. Lyrics are "just okay".
Made of Metal, GREAT musically. Lyrics I go back and forth on. (I feel like I am watch Disney's CARS!!!!)
Ect, ect, ect.
I really like Speed of Sound and the track after it Like there's no tomorrow (although "like diamonds in the sky" is a little cheesy), Hell Razor is just plain COOL.
Of course Mower.
I seem to ALWAYS Skip over Fire & Ice and Thunder and Lightning - I believe these were filler tracks for him.
Undisputed is good musically, but the fact it is about a boxer, just seems to rub me the wrong way. Almost like he was trying to hard to fit a song around an industry.
Undisputed
Made of Metal
Matador
These songs just "seem" like he was trying to hard to fit the "events" around these lyrics.
If they become great anthems. I will be the first to admit it worked.
Tasnam
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Budred wrote: |
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I like your post and agree with most of it. The point that stands out is the Heart of a Lion comparison.
I thought the exact same thing. My problem is that over half of the CD has tracks like that. I do not like
that song and that is why I'm struggling with this album. 100 percent agree with Mower comment.
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tasnam1 wrote: |
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I don't post much, but here is my take on H4.
First of all I will preface my comments with the fact that I am a Halford/Fight and of course Priest fan through and through - so my comments are not negative, just analytical in nature.
The Mower song itself is worth the whole album - exceptional in everyway.
I like Speed of sound.
Hell Razor sounds like Stained Class/Sad wind era, which is cool - nice work.
Heartless is like a 2010 remake of 1986 Heart of a Lion, but much better - (now I can stop listening to HOAL (which was tough) and replace it with Heartless)
Made on Metal and Matador - I my opinion - are just ok tracks musically. My belief, challenge me if you want, is that Rob is trying to create an anthem style song to be play at Nascar and Bullfighting arenas. He is a reasonalby smart marketing guy from a 60 yeear old metal bands point of view. Think Gary Glitter (pedophile), and other rock anthems at sports events. The become timeless and of course push the popularity of the creator of the songs, long after the band is even alive.
As far as the lyrics, overall yes they seem a little superficial/simple in nature, I agree. For what ever reason that would be my most critical comment.
Overall I like the album so far and will listen to it even more now. I will like this album more over time. Now I give it a B+ maybe even soon an A- .
But again Mower is worth the album. I would pay $15.00 for that one song. And I mean that. I feel it is that good; even a challenger for Painkiller!
Thoughts?
Tasnam
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acolyte55 wrote: |
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| i realized i was listening to halford 4 hoping for another resurrection or crucible album and maybe not giving the album the chance it deserves !!! i caught myself today turning up most of the cd , i just cant get past the lyrics on made of metal yet and undisputed or the matador but the rest is catching on. i will be more positive in hearing this cd from now on and can maybe learn to like it more , ps mine was bought not stolen budred lol |
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Edited at: Thursday, October 07, 2010 8:59:38 PM |
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