User Profile
Tom Kellar
I enjoy several types of music, but mostly rock of all types: Southern, metal, progressive, grunge and more. Of course, user reviews tend to be higher. We do not get our music for free and are not paid for our opinions. Unless we are given an album, or try an experiment, we are buying works from artists that we have enjoyed. But I plan to be very stingy with full 5-star ratings, saving them for flawless masterpieces which are ALL KILLER NO FILLER. I expect to be giving many 3 to 4.5 scores.
Reviews
281
Lists
0
Collection
819
Tom Kellar's Album Reviews
All Album Reviews
By chance, this was the album I was preparing to review when Ozzy Osbourne passed away. I'm just glad he was able to live so long, after the self-destructive behavior which by rights should have killed him in the 70's. Back in the day, I would have given "The Ultimate Sin" 4.5 stars. It has aged well, put not as well as some of his albums. It's really not deficient, it's just that the bar was set so high by the previous (and some of the later) releases. Guitarist Jake Lee returns for some more great playing. After work on the album began, the on again, off again relationship with bassist Bob Daisley was off. (At least he got writing credit-eventually). Greg Chaisson, who says he contributed some writing, was hired, but was replaced by Phil Soussan prior to recording. Veteran drummer Jimmy DeGrasso came in, but Randy Castillo joined in time for recording, while Mike Moran provided keyboards.
Most of the tunes are fast, and are highlighted by Jake's quick shredding. The thumping title track is a good opener. The pounding "Secret Loser" and "Never Know Why" are decent. The latter has the recurring theme in Ozzy songs concerning rock rebellion being misconstrued as evil. There is the unusual occurrence of 2 songs arguing different opinions on the same topic-nuclear weapons. "Thank God for the Bomb" points out that Mutually Assured Destruction has prevented another world war, as the devastation would be too complete. "Killer of Giants" asks what is the point of having weapons so powerful that there can be no winner of a war? Both arguments are valid, but "Killer...", with its gentle beginning and keyboards, is better than the faster, more, well... bombastic "...Bomb". "Never" has good guitar and drums, but is the slightest tune. "Fool Like You" is decent, and "Lightning Strikes" is a highlight. The best is saved for last. Phil gets a cowriting credit on "Shot in the Dark", so it's not surprising it has a sweet bass line. This gem goes on the short list of Ozzy's best songs, with an excellent melody and the unusual topic of a remorseful assassin. The version available now is supposed to be a 10 second shorter single take. To be honest, I have the original LP, and I don't hear the difference.
The insert has lyrics and photos. The cover has been minimized with a big "OZZY" to the side for marketing simplicity. (Easily remedied by refolding the insert). Boris Vallejo's painting is a bizarre mix of glamour and horror, with the evil booty queen sorceress and her creepy pet dragon Ozzy.
I got to see Ozzy on his "Ultimate Ozzy" tour for this album.
"The Ultimate Sin" is a strong album from Ozzy Osbourne, who has joined his friend Randy Rhoads in the great rock band in the sky.
Most of the tunes are fast, and are highlighted by Jake's quick shredding. The thumping title track is a good opener. The pounding "Secret Loser" and "Never Know Why" are decent. The latter has the recurring theme in Ozzy songs concerning rock rebellion being misconstrued as evil. There is the unusual occurrence of 2 songs arguing different opinions on the same topic-nuclear weapons. "Thank God for the Bomb" points out that Mutually Assured Destruction has prevented another world war, as the devastation would be too complete. "Killer of Giants" asks what is the point of having weapons so powerful that there can be no winner of a war? Both arguments are valid, but "Killer...", with its gentle beginning and keyboards, is better than the faster, more, well... bombastic "...Bomb". "Never" has good guitar and drums, but is the slightest tune. "Fool Like You" is decent, and "Lightning Strikes" is a highlight. The best is saved for last. Phil gets a cowriting credit on "Shot in the Dark", so it's not surprising it has a sweet bass line. This gem goes on the short list of Ozzy's best songs, with an excellent melody and the unusual topic of a remorseful assassin. The version available now is supposed to be a 10 second shorter single take. To be honest, I have the original LP, and I don't hear the difference.
The insert has lyrics and photos. The cover has been minimized with a big "OZZY" to the side for marketing simplicity. (Easily remedied by refolding the insert). Boris Vallejo's painting is a bizarre mix of glamour and horror, with the evil booty queen sorceress and her creepy pet dragon Ozzy.
I got to see Ozzy on his "Ultimate Ozzy" tour for this album.
"The Ultimate Sin" is a strong album from Ozzy Osbourne, who has joined his friend Randy Rhoads in the great rock band in the sky.
Was this review helpful?
As a longtime Deep Purple Mk II fan, I question the assertion that "Burn" is superior to "Who Do We Think We Are". This is one of those albums which I bought and listened to, and then it sat idle in my collection for years. This is a listenable, but hardly exceptional release. What are exceptional are the vocal skills of new members David Coverdale as frontman and Glenn Hughes on bass. Both of them have had long careers full of great performances.
The appropriately named title track is the best, and is a lightning-fast opener. Another strong tune is the David showcase "Mistreated". Yes, this is very bluesy, but if you feel this is Purple's first blues song, then I don't believe you have listened to the band much. "What's Going on Here" has honky tonk piano from Jon Lord. The least impressive track is the instrumental "'A' 200", which has noodling synthesizer. "Might Just Take Your Life", "Lay Down, Stay Down" and "Sail Away" are decent, but are not candidates for a best of Deep Purple collection.
The 2004 remaster has 5 bonus tracks. "Coronarias Redig" has very limited vocals. There are remixes of "Burn", "Mistreated", "You Fool No One" and "Sail Away". These neither add nor subtract from the value of the album.
The cover image is clever and well done. The insert has many pictures and an extensive essay. It is amusing to find that although David was a video star in the 80's, when he joined the band he was given contact lenses and put on a diet to make him more photogenic.
While it does not inspire me to seek out "Stormbringer", the other album with the same lineup, "Burn" is a worthwhile selection from Deep Purple.
The appropriately named title track is the best, and is a lightning-fast opener. Another strong tune is the David showcase "Mistreated". Yes, this is very bluesy, but if you feel this is Purple's first blues song, then I don't believe you have listened to the band much. "What's Going on Here" has honky tonk piano from Jon Lord. The least impressive track is the instrumental "'A' 200", which has noodling synthesizer. "Might Just Take Your Life", "Lay Down, Stay Down" and "Sail Away" are decent, but are not candidates for a best of Deep Purple collection.
The 2004 remaster has 5 bonus tracks. "Coronarias Redig" has very limited vocals. There are remixes of "Burn", "Mistreated", "You Fool No One" and "Sail Away". These neither add nor subtract from the value of the album.
The cover image is clever and well done. The insert has many pictures and an extensive essay. It is amusing to find that although David was a video star in the 80's, when he joined the band he was given contact lenses and put on a diet to make him more photogenic.
While it does not inspire me to seek out "Stormbringer", the other album with the same lineup, "Burn" is a worthwhile selection from Deep Purple.
Was this review helpful?