Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in CDs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on CDs
While not quite up to the high standard he set for himself with "Bat Out Of Hell", this follow-up album by Meatloaf is still extremely good listenning. It lacks any stand out numbers, such as were found on his original Bat Out of Hell album such as "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad" or '70s make out/parking anthem, "Paradise By the Dashboard Light". There are however, several memorable lyrics like those he gave us in his first album (such as the "On a hot summer's night, would you offer your throat to the wolf with the red roses" introduction to "You Took the Words Right Outta my Mouth", on the first album). "Back Into Hell" is an essential addition to the collection of anyone who owns the original "Bat Out of Hell" LP.
Bat Out Of Hell II – Back Into Hell rocks the holy hell out of me like no other. LOAF’s singing is as passionate as ever and though some of the youthful energy and recklessness has been lost with age, it is taken back with sheer power, emotion and depth. The beauty-with-the-beast-like vocal duet with the leading lady in the end is pure magic. Life Is A Lemon And I Want My Money Back convinces with the pounding beats and aggressive attitude that just oozes youthful discomfort. Rock And Roll Dreams Come Through is a nice counterpart with the uplifting major chords crashing in with the brilliant harmonies. Both of these songs give Todd Rundgren plenty of room to shine as the layers upon layers of vocals he has arranged mount up to form fantastic choruses and backing melodies that explode one's mind with pleasure. In fact, the vocal work does this on every track. Out Of The Frying Pan (And Into The Fire) raises the bar with one of the greatest anthemic rock tunes in history. The wailing guitars and piano make way for the steady drums that hold back just right until starting up a rock beat that makes you mosh instantly. The chorus is pure superglue and once in full speed the amount of air guitar this tune demands from me is humongous. Objects In The Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are is a Bruce Springsteen-meets-Richard Wagner mishmash of rock 'n' roll yumminess. Wasted Youth is Jim's hilarious speech to the greatness of guitars and rock n’ roll. After that a pair of rolling rockhammers come out swinging hard in the form of Everything Louder Than Everything Else and Good Girls Go To Heaven (Bad Girls Go Everywhere). I just love the horn work in the latter one mixed in with the heavy guitars. Back Into Hell is a nice symphonic intro into the closing ballad, Lost Boys And Golden Girls. Pure Springsteen in the composition and lyrics, laced with angelic choirs accompanied by the strings and jangling guitars, just beautiful. No distortion is necessary. This one acts as a very good twin to For Crying Out Loud from the Bat Out Of Hell album. This album pulls off the impossible by coming in even with its older brother’s humongous quality. It's one magnificent piece of bombastic rock.Read full review
Verified purchase: No
4 small cracks in case (quite possibly UPS's fault) but disk in fine shape and plays great This was a replacement purchase as I wore the first copy I bought in half.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
This is a great album. It is also a great album to introduce you to meatloaf, where you either love the band, or not. If you love it, he has many other great songs on other albums. I grew up in high school with this album, and lost it sometime in the last 13 years. I had several songs stuck in my head from this album, and I knew.. "Oh yes, It will be mine..." Like any album, there will be some you hate and some that are okay, but there will be quite a few that you love on this album.
This CD did not quite live up to it's predacestor but it is still one of the best pieces of music you can get. I finally got this album in 2007. Before hand I could not find it. The best songs on this CD are: I Would Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That) and Life is a Lemon and I Want My Money Back. This CD is a definite buy for any rock and roll or MeatLoaf fan. However the songs are rather long but I feel that is what makes this so great.