Growing up listening to groups like Motley Crue and Ozzy, I never thought that either would ever run out of fashion. Some come, some go, but unbelievably, a few decades after Ozzy Osbourne got his start, he’s still here. He’s still making music, and of course always making the most of it.
Down To Earth wasn’t an album that was much of a surprise. Actually it seems to be about six years late, but Ozzy’s been busy making bands and bringing metal back to the world. “I’m not the kind of person you think I am/ I’m not the anti-Christ or the iron man/…I feel like I’ve lost my spirit and sold my soul/…I try to entertain you the best I can,” sings Ozzy on “Gets Me Through”, a song dedicated to fans worldwide. It’s Ozzy personified with a solo from Zakk Wylde that will light your ass on fire. I almost forgot what a guitar solo sounded like.
The wild laugh of “Facing Hell” is really old Ozzy, not at his best, but older Ozzy doing his best younger Ozzy. “No Easy Way Out” impacts you with what this album seems to be capturing. There is a lot of Ozzy, of course, but the veins seer with moderately crafted pop songs supplemented with scorching guitar riffs. If they were missing, this album wouldn’t be far from tepid.
The slow stepping of “Dreamer” sounds good (who really has a voice like his anyhow?), but it’s pretty soft. “You Know” finds our wildman being daddy in a loving, tender way. We’re used to him singing ballads, but usually it involves something more dastardly.
A few songs do go wrong. “Junkie” and “Black Illusion” feel like filler. “Running Out Of Time” is almost good. There is just something lacking and I can’t quite touch that nerve. After six tracks it seems like the wheels come off.
Ozzy rocks. Even when he sucks, he still rocks as hard as anyone else. The word Ozzy alone inspires thoughts of decades of great music. Even if Down To Earth is just a mark above average, even average Ozzy is better than most groups’ best.
+ rae gun
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