Customer Reviews

Dead Ringer

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Jim Steinman's a pretty odd bloke. Let us not forget that this man - ne, genius - created a rock opera based on Peter Pan. Certainly plausible (the roots of many mythical tales are damn freaky), but clearly insane, Jim Steinman is a songwriter like no other. Certainly one of the best songwriters of our age, arguably of all time.

"Dead Ringer" was one of two albums Jim Steinman assembled in 1981, the other being the definitive "Bad For Good". Both were intended for Meat Loaf, but he stormed out of the "BFG" recordings, thus leaving him with "Dead Ringer". And though "BFG" clearly got more than it's fair share of the better material, the fact of the matter is that there's not a bad track on "Dead Ringer". This is one-hundred percent musical matery.

Jim Steinman seperates himself from most musical minds by being truly diverse. You don't normally get this much variety in songs from an album full of different songwriters, much less all on the one. "Dead Ringer" is a roller-coaster ride taking you from heavy rock through to beautiful love-drenched ballads and back again (often doing this across the course of each song) - seven stunning tracks that have to be heard to be believed.

Let's take, for example, the album's centrepiece (and original title-track) "I'll Kill You If You Don't Come Back". This track kicks off with a guitar riff of which most axe-gods would be proud (stunning considering it's written by a pianist), launching into a heavy-rock spectacular that could easily be the stage-standout of any rock act on the planet. But then, about halfway through, the song slides from being an angst-rock song into being a powerful piano-driven ballad. It's two songs - the same tagline, the same title, but two completely different tracks. And it works. This is an example of Steinman's mastery, completely unlike anything seen on "Bat Out Of Hell", but definitive in it's own, special way.

Not all the songs are so varied within themselves, however. "Read 'em and Weep" is one of the finest ballads that Steinman ever wrote, for example. Smacking a bit of "Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad", to be blatantly honest, but doing it in it's own special way, "Read 'em and Weep" is as much of a classic as anything else that Meat has ever sung, including the stuff on the "Bat" albums. It's not a ballad in the most typical sense - not like "Heaven Can Wait" or "For Crying Out Loud" from the 1977 LP - it's got guitars and drums and the works, but it's still emotionally driven and quite touching.

The only other track that really qualifies as a ballad on this record is the closer, "Everything Is Permitted". This dark, sinister track, is sometimes not immediately obvious. It's not immediately brilliant, either, but give it time and it'll grow on you. This is probably the worst of Meat Loaf's closers (his albums are known for finishing on highs - "For Crying", "Where Angels Sing" being the most obvious standouts), but that said, it's still a pretty impressive song. "More Than You Deserve" is, of course, a part of Meat Loaf lore. The version found here was actually recorded (or so the liner notes suggest) in 1974, but I'm not so sure about that. At any rate, it's not a song that I ever really appreciated, and I remain with mixed feelings about it today. The version found on "Storytellers" is far superior.

For all these ballads and slower tracks, the album has it's share of explosive rock, as well. "Peel Out", the album opener, rips along at a rate of knots. People often confuse this song with having illusions of "Bat Out Of Hell", but it's nothing of the sort. They're two completely different songs, and there's no comparison between them. "Peel Out" never got much in the way of recognition, but that doesn't mean it's a bad song. The other, obvious, rock track on the album is, of course, "Dead Ringer For Love" itself. This track is a duet with Cher, and, ladies and gentlemen, let me tell you that there's a reason that this was one of Meat Loaf's most successful singles until "I'd Do Anything...". The band gallop along at one hell of a pace as Meat and Cher exchange barbs and upleasantries in one of Steinman's better short efforts.

Which leaves just one song. A song that is...well, more or less indescribable. A song that has a bit of everything. A song that (and I better whisper this) is perhaps one of the three best songs that Meat Loaf ever sang. From it's dark and moody piano and bass opening, through to it's explosive heavy-guitar climax, "I'm Gonna Love Her" is not only musically diverse, but also lyrically stunning, as Meat pleads with his best friend to stop mistreating the woman they mutually love. He's "gonna love her for both of" them. And it's a good thing, too. Because if he wasn't so assertive, then we wouldn't have this song. It's got a bit of everything. It's epic, but it doesn't feel like it. A true Steinman masterwork.

So, where's the inevitable "Bat" comparison? It's not so inevitable after all. Sure, "Bat Out Of Hell" and "Dead Ringer" are both albums written by Jim Steinman, and sung by Meat Loaf, but in so many ways they're each their own, independent entities that it's unfair to compare them. "Dead Ringer" is every bit as good an album as "Bat". Enjoy it for what it is - don't criticise it for what it isn't.

When you take 4 years to follow up the biggest selling debut album of all time (forget Jagged Little Pill, Alanis had about 5 albums before that, Bat out of Hell REALLY holds that title) you're bound to experience a 'slight' sales drop-off. If selling 5 million albums is considered a dissapointment, then this is a dissapointment. Dead Ringer is a great album, worth 5 stars much like the two Bat albums... but 5 stars is too general. On a 10 star scale this album would be a 9 or an 8. The songwriting by Jim Steinman is top notch, amazing considering he did it in a month and a half. The production, however, is hit-or-miss. The music is great but the album sounds poor, thanks to Steinman's studio absence. Meat Loaf's voice didn't help any, either, he gives it his all but that isn't much considering his horrible vocal problems that almost left him without a voice at all (the very reason he didn't record Steinman's solo effort and the REAL Bat out of Hell II, Bad for Good). He records this album just as he is recovering from his problem and it shows in his inferior delivery (compared to his other work). Vocals aside, Dead Ringer contains some great songs like I'll Kill You if You Don't Come Back (album highlight) and I'm Gonna Love Her for Both of Us (which was actually a minor hit). Dead Ringer for Love is sex-inflected duet in the Paradise by the Dashboard Light style (featuring Cher as a lonley barfly, perectly cast). Peel Out kicks the album off almost as good as Bat out of Hell did, Everything Is Permitted has meaningful lyrics and crappy vocals. Read em and Weep is a great ballad, which was VERY suprisingly improved upon greatly by none other than (drum roll please...) BARRY MANILOW!... this shows what Steinman's production can do. Meat Loaf overshadowed by Manilow. Weaknessess aside (and there are only few) Dead Ringer is possibly the Loaf's most underrated work (next to Bad Attitude). It's definitley worth a pickup, even though it's not in the league of overall quality as the Bat albums. But then again, what is?

For those of you who are true Meatloaf fans, or those who have enjoyed his music in the past, the "Dead Ringer" C.D. is a must for your collection. Classic Meatloaf, especially on the slower tunes, and Jim Steinman does some great work on this project. There are many good ballad type songs, like "Read 'em & Weep", "Gonna Love Her For Both of Us", and "Everything is Permitted". Also on the album is classic rock, as Meatloaf does a great job on "Dead Ringer For Love" and "Peel Out".
On "Dead Ringer For Love", Meatloaf teams up with Cher in a great tune. How's this for classic Meatloaf lyrics ... "rock 'n roll and brew, they don't mean a thing when I compare them next you". This duet with Cher is worth the price of the C.D. itself!Don't let the fact that this album didn't get a lot of radio airtime fool you ... it is Meatloaf at his best and I strongly recommend it!

This record had impossible shoes to fill. Nothing would have successfully 'followed up' "Bat Out of Hell." That record is a once in a lifetime achievement. "Dead Ringer," in the end, is just a record. A good one (at moments a great one) but nothing more. A gem like "I'll Kill You If You Don't Come Back," is laid in there with rock solid numbers like "Peel Out" but whereas "Bat" is as much an entity as a gathering of independent songs, "Ringer" is nothing more than a collection of its songs.

At times it seems to be trying too hard from a sloppy title track to an anti-climactic finale called "Everything is Permitted." There are moments where Jim Steinman is TRYING to be Jim Steinman, instead of just letting it happen.

But "Dead Ringer" is worth re-evaluation and appreciation. It's a good record. It just isn't another "Bat Out of Hell." But what is?

Years ago someone told me this album wasn't worth buying. Recently, I decided to try my luck and was very pleased that I did.

DEAD RINGER is a wonderful rock album and has a hint of BAT OUT OF HELL's character. "Peel Out" and "I'm Gonna Love Her For Both Of Us" are very memorable and have been floating through my head for days.

The song "More Than You Deserve" is especailly interesting. It's from a musical that Jim Steiman wrote about the Vietnam War. One of the characters gets a letter from his mother. In it she tells him that his wife has run off and left him. This is the song he sings after reading the letter.

"I'll Kill You If You Don't Come Back" first hit me in a way I didn't like. I guess it was the lyrics that the title was derived from. It seemed very morbid by today's standards. Perhaps when the song was written it would have been more symbolic and accepted. However, the song is very touching and is easily one of my favorites on the album. It begins with a very hard rock beat and later transforms into a ballad style. ...

The only song I really don't care for on this album is "Everything is Permitted." It just doesn't hit me as being very meaningful.

Overall, I suggest giving this album a try. I really enjoy it and listen to it often.

Its a great cd but has nothing on the bat. Its a hard rock album with a grand design and awsome sound. The title track seems out of place however more pop than the awsome operetic sound we expect from Meat loaf and the female voice-Cher? whats she doing singing w/ the man who gave us bat outta hell. Could they have gotten Steinman's other student Bonnie tyler that would have been awsome. but dispite that there is nothing bad about the cd a must have for all Meat Fans. If you dont have any of his cds yet this is the order in which u should buy them.

Bat outta hell-greatest cd of all time 1000/10
Bat outta hell 2- a lot like the greatest cd of all time 10/10
Bad attitude - an awsome cd hard to find 9/10
Dead Ringer - another great cd the title track seems out of place 8/10
Welcome to the Neigborhood- not as much of meatloafs huge operetic soud but has moments of greatness 6.5/10
Couldnt have said it better- starts out great but declines slowly 6/10
Blind before I stop- some good songs none of MeatLoafs Grandure 4/10
Midnight at the Lost and Found- Not great but its Meatloaf 2/10

Although "Bat out of hell" the song is one off my favorite Meatsongs i think that Deadringer the commercial flop that Followed Bat out of Hell is even better than it it Deadringer doesn't have that bombastic sound that dominates Bat but the song getting more justice here especially the Ballads are great Read'm and weep and More than you deserve are highlights on this one. THis album also has the Great Cher duet Deadringer for love wich i think is better than Paradise by the dashboardlight. Bat out of hell was a great album but somehow it sounds a bit messy Deadringer Sounds more Relaxing and ordered and it's get better each time you listen at it

This is a great album. From the Opening track to the closing it sounds great. This is the follow up album to a 1970's hit "Bat Out Of Hell" (BAT)

The production lacks in some places but over all its still a great record. BAT had a sound like no other record. "Dead Ringer" DR is a sound thats different as well. The opening track is a bit weaking pending on opinion. It could have bit alot better if the whole album was produced right. The songs of course are all good, they were written by songwriter Jim Steinman! The sixth track is just a 38 second piece that provides alot of imagery in just voice, similar to "Hot Summer Night" on BAT, only it is on a seprate track. It is different than BAT, the passion and the lyrics and every thing are all great. Give it a try.

Dead Ringer, the follow up to the ever-so-successful Bat Out Of Hell, took 4 years for Meat to get out, but it was well worth the wait. Although it's not the most underrated Meat work ever (that title belongs to the follow up to this one, Midnight At The Lost And Found). This one was made out as a failure, but you tell me how selling 5 million copies is still a failure. Maybe by the standards Bat made, it was, but Dead Ringer as a standalone effort is a great CD.

Peel Out is EASILY my favorite energy-lead Meat song of all time, although this didn't get a good run as a single (I would love to see what a video for Peel Out would look like today). It is by far the best song on the CD with that guitar riff and powerful lyrics and background vocals. Plus, and I don't think anyone caught this, but one line is used again in "A Kiss Is A Terrible Thing To Waste." ("Tire tracks and broken hearts./It's all that we're leaving behind.")

Then Meat mellows out for I'm Gonna Love Her For The Both Of Us, in which the only minor flaw is the length of it. 7 minutes, and it's easily the longest one on this CD (I'll Kill You If You Don't Come Back is close, but not close enough to top Both Of Us). Don't get me wrong, it's an excellent song, but the length kind of barrs the overall enjoyment of this song to me.

More Than You Deserve is the very first song Meat ever sang of Jim Steinmen's, and Meat delivers this on this one and on I'll Kill You If You Don't Come Back with theatrical-style lyrics. Read Em And Weep, later remade by Barry Manilow, is an excellent ballad, and it is surprising that Meat and Barry didn't do a duet for this song. Here's hoping that the idea hasn't totally escaped either of them.

Dead Ringer For Love is the centerpiece of this CD. Meat and Cher both get some great voices and lyrics for this one, and this song would later be done with I believe Patti Russo of his Neverland Express band.

Everything Is Permitted is jarred by weird lyrics without any point to them, but a interesting rock ballad and closing to Ringer, although you'll be quite lost as to what the hell Meat is talking about here.

With all of this, it's hard to believe Ringer didn't do as well as Bat did. However, it's now that it's FINALLY getting the reconigion it deserves. Maybe this is what you should be listening to while waiting for Meat's upcoming work, Couldn't Have Said It Better (due out in August on US shores). Get Ringer if you haven't already. Don't compare to Bat, and you'll be alright. Oh, and get Midnight while you're at it to find Meat's TRUE "most underrated album ever."

Despite stopping at #45 in the US during a very brief chart run, this album went straight to #1 in the UK and had a top 5 hit single in the form of "Dead Ringer For Love". It also did very well in most European countries and Australasia.

Is it as good as "Bat Out Of Hell"? Of course not...but, in my opinion, it is vastly superior to Bat II, where Steinman got just a little out of hand with those song lengths...

The fact that Steinman co-produced the backing tracks with Jimmy Iovine, but the albums production credits go to Mr. Loaf himself, with Stephan Gralphas in a supporting role demonstrates the friction that nearly prevented the album from ever being finished. Thankfully all parties have done a great job, and an album that could have become a complete shambles is anything but.

The backing band (including Billy Joel's long-time drummer Liberty DeVitto on a couple of tracks) is superb, and Steinman delivers a wide range of lyrical content, which is at it's best when it is either poignant ("Read 'Em And Weep - and, although I've haven't heard it I cannot believe the common consensus that Manilow's version is superior) or tongue-in-cheek ("Dead Ringer For Love", which amongst other great lines faetures this verbal exchange: Mr. Loaf: "You've got the kind of lips that do more than drink" Cher: "You've got the kind of mind that does less than think" - it sounds better with music, honest)The other absolute highlight is "I'm Gonna Love Her For Both Of Us".

All in all a very solid CD, and probably the only post-Bat album you really need.