Customer Reviews

Bat Out of Hell

5 star:		(72)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(33)

 

 

This album falls somewhere between progressive rock, classical, and opera. Strange? Yes. Good? Definately. A classic? You bet. One reviewer said that Meat Loaf is a "pretty good singer". Man, is that a major understatement. Meat is one of the greatest singers of all-time. Although he is not my favorite singer, you'd be hardpressed to find another rock vocalist who could pull off these songs and not make them sound corny. Despite what some reviewers have said, that is exactly what he does here. Every single song is a masterpiece. The title track is a classic rock song, with the timeless "motorcycle guitar" from Todd Rundgren (who also does a masterly job producing this album). Paradise is the most well known song from here, and with good reason, it is great. Heaven Can Wait is a simple song (a rarity on this album) that features one of Meat's best ever vocal performances and some great piano work from Roy Bittan. Jim Steinman is a genius, plain and simple, anyone who could write such grandiose, sprawling music as this should be given credit, and no one else could've sung it except for Meat Loaf. For that reason alone, Bat Out of Hell is worth owning.

Bat out of Hell is probably the one album in the history of rock, more so than Sgt. Peppers, more so than Are you Experienced?, more so than Van Halen, that you can honestly say 'There's nothing else like it'. The stellar, powerful singing of Jim Steinman's music by Meat Loaf has been unmatched over time.

This album has truly stood time's tests. It's been recharting steadily over the years (breaking into Britan's top 100 again only a few months ago!) and has sold no less than 35 million, making it the third largest selling album of all time behind Dark Side of the Moon and Thriller. Now that's some fairly good company.

As far as the actual music goes, it's simply amazing in scope and vision. Jim Steinman writes musicals, not songs, each and every time out. Bat out of Hell remains one of the best album-opening songs ever. Paradise by the Dashboard Light has long been, and probably long will be THE Karaoke song, THE Duet, THE ultimate teen-sexuality song. Two out of Three Ain't Bad, aka 'the hit', is still an adult-contemp radio staple, and every other song on this album is just as good.

The musicians backing Mr. Loaf are some of the best of their day... Todd Rundgren, believe it or not, did the lead guitars for the title track in one take (and it's a 10 minute song, people). Max Weinberg and Kasim Sultan made one heck of a rhythm section, taking to Steinman's varied tempos with ease.

The flawless Todd Rundgren productions makes this album the masterpeice that it is. Everything is just loud enough, just long enough, and just *good* enough to touch a button with every human being on the planet. And you know what? Just about all of them bought this album. No sense being left out. Bat out of Hell is truly a highlight of music history.

7 songs, 45 minutes. That in itself sums up the nature of this untouched classic. Not a song under 4:20. (Coincidence?) Not a note taken for granted, not a guitar chord that won't blow you against the wall, not a band member that isn't one of the greats of their time. And this set a pattern Jim Steinman would always follow to this day -- Not a bad song written by him, anywhere, anytime. Jim Steinman, you ask? Yes, my friends, he did WRITE this music (and just about every other Meat tune worth hearing). This album is as much the singer's (that would be Meat Loaf) as the writer's, however. Meat Loaf squeezes every last bit of emotion out of the too-smart-to-be-teenage-yet-still-youthful lyrics, and it's unquestionable that any other singer who attempted this work would have failed quite completley. Five of the seven songs on this album made his 'Best of' collection, but the wrong one was left off. For Crying Out Loud, the only song on the album that wasn't a hit SOMEWHERE (the entire album was released as singles) is by far and away the best song on the album and quite possibly the best song Jim Steinman ever wrote. It features a beautifully simple solo piano by E-Street's Roy Bittan in the first verse/chorus, and then kicks into an unforgettable overdrive with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. It's amazing how Meat Loaf sounds like he's one with the solo piano part, and when the orchestra kicks in, so does he, managing to somehow overshadow the hundred-something musicians during the orgasm-inducing (forget Herbal Essences) second chorus. The 9-minute composition ends beautifully, as well. For Crying Out Loud aside, every other song on this album is beautiful. The title track (10 minutes, no less) teaches everyone that 'No no no, THIS is how you kick off an album'. Paradise by the Dashboard Light will live forever as long as Karaoke bars and college talent exhibitions still exist. (Do you love me? Will you love me forever?.... now, now.. Let me sleep on it... etc etc). Two out of Three Ain't Bad is always fun to try and break up with someone with. You just can't honestly say a bad thing about this album. Meat Loaf gives his best performance ever, Steinman is at the pinnacle of his songwriting form, the band shoves the rest of rock out of the limelight, and the listener will never forget a note.

This album has sold more than 35 million copies worldwide, and it continues to sell aproximatley 200.000 copies each year. There is a very simple reason to it's succes: It is one of the greatest albums of all time and of all genres! Do yourself a favor and buy this album. You'll never stop listening to it - no matter what age, gender, religious belief you may have. If one album can unite the world and bring us peace, it's this one... :)

The reviewer from Texas is certainly entitled to their opinion...however wrong it is. Meatloaf possesses one of the most uniquely powerful voices in the rock industry. His range was (and still is)unbelieveable. To have produced "Bat Out Of Hell" when it was done, and to have it possess the power and majesty it does is truly unbelieveable. There are hundreds of reasons why this recording is one of the 25 largest sellers of all time...ahead of Sergeant Pepper, ahead of all the Stones albums. It is a masterpiece of vocals, power music, and engineering.

I will always remember the first time I heard BAT OUT OF HELL.The album is like a cinematic sequence,a kingdom of theatre/rock music,that will without a doubt live forever.Jim Stienman the man behind the songs comes up with a fresh new look in the music industry,writing the ultimate car crash song(Bat Out Of Hell) the ultimate car sex song(Paradise By The Dashboard Light)and using almost every cliche known to man created the best album ever,with the motorcycle guitar of Todd Rundgren,the willing but confused Ellen Foley and the singing of Meat Loaf that was able to bring the violent,passionate,rebellious and heroic songs of Steinman to life. Meat Loaf and BAT OUT OF HELL will be remembered forever and is a definate album for the album collection. If you havent got it your missing out on a piece of history that sold more CD's than any Beatles or Elvis album.

You've waited. You've begged. You've pleaded. Have no fear Classic Cut is here! I think it's safe to say Bat Out Of Hell is the best album ever made by a man who took his stage name from a food product. I know what your thinking ...and Eminem doesn't count.... ( M&M, get it? )

If there is one word to describe the sound of Meat Loaf I think epic would be it. Three of the album's tracks run over eight minutes in length so I think it is particularly apt. But length aside epic would be the word. Meatloaf's (or would it be Meat Loaves?) over the top voice and Jim Steinman's orchestral like arrangements sound huge even by todays standards .... no small feat considering the album was released in 1977 ....thats right Bat Out Of Hell is over twenty five years old.

It's hard to resist the grandiose title track "Bat Out Of Hell" or the bouncy "Paradise By The Dashboard Light"(how much fun is it to have All Star shortstop and commentator Phil Rizzuto commentating the dashboard escapades"?). The same is true for the ever popular half full ballad "Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad" and the other classics that compose this album. Bat Out Of Hell is just such an extravagant, ambitious album it's mind boggling. Meatloaf's voice is so powerful I envision a glass breaking everytime I hear him sing. I cannot think of any album that sounds as monsterous arrangement wise as Bat Out Of Hell. Not only was Meat Loaf much more fun that many of their competitors they were often much more musical.

Bat Out Of Hell is a brilliant record from beginning to end brimming with artistic genius and incredible musicianship. Props must be given to Todd Rundgren for his stunning production aswell. Maybe not quite as influential as some of the other classic cuts, I believe Bat Out Of Hell is still quite an underrated album. Many may acknowledge it as a classic but there should be many more. Sometimes .... ok ...alot of times I just don't understand the music industry. Britney Spears gets props and not Meatloaf ....what's wrong with this picture. Oh well, I suppose we can all take comfort in the fact that Britney Spear's will never have an album featured in Classic Cuts ..... that I promise you.

It's been nearly a quarter century since this album was released, and still I can listen to it for hours without tiring of it. The early criticism was that it didn't fit with the music of the day. I think that's why it stands today as such a great album. The Meatloaf/Jim Steinman collaboration is one borne of the love that each had for theatrics. This album is best when it soars to new heights that few have dared climb. Almost operatic in nature, yet very sexual in context, "Bat Out of Hell" combined genres with ease. There is not a bad track on this album. Best are the title track and "Paradise by the Dashboard Light."

Fact is,this disc is one of the all-time top sellers in the western-world music industry.There is a very good reason- it is also one of the best discs ever produced (to my unbiased opinion!).

I can honestly declare that I love it.I bought back in 1995, and ever since there was not a month in which I wouldn't listen to it thoroughly ,at least once. More than that,in the first year ,I couldn't miss it for a mere week! To this day I'm never bored with the songs and melodies.Indeed,truley state of the art music creation.

Packed with 46 marvelous minutes of remarkable songs,it's a must for every Rock n' Roll fan. pay attention to "For crying out loud",in my money,Meat's best and one of the most emotional-sentimental songs ever written.

In all,I can simply say that if you ever liked one of meat's songs- don't hesitate,this one won't disappoint you,not a chance.

Although I was a young adult during the late 70's, I only recently purchased the CD, "Bat Out of Hell". The musical arrangements on the CD are excellent, and Meatloaf's voice is full of passion and vitality. The lyrics, I feel, are more serious than what many of the reviewers would have you believe.

It would be great if the production was available on DVD or video. Although the CD does reflect the magnitude of Meatloaf's singing talent and Jim Steinman's musical and lyrical talent, it simply does not capture the magnitude of the overall performance --which would make the lengthy productions on the CD seem less "grandiose" -- keeping in mind that Meatloaf's background in theater played a large part in his live performance of music.