Customer Reviews

Eye II Eye

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(13)
1 star:		(25)

 

 

Yes this is a mellower version of the Scorpions, but true fans will still get into this album. I started listening to the band when I was 15, I am 35 now, as we have all changed so has this band. A look at the front cover should tell you that this is no longer a young man's band. I like the German cut Du Bist So Schmutzig (You are so dirty) and the song Eye To Eye dedicated to the dead fathers of Klaus and Rudolph is touching. There is enough rocking on the album to keep me intrested (Prisilla and Aleyah) but this album is not like Blackout or even Crazy World, it's a more reflective version. It is good makeout music, my wife grew up like me on a steady diet of Scorps and she appreciates some mellow tunes at last. Good album.

With this album, I have read the comments of previous reviewers, and it seems that people either love it or hate it. The Scorpions have shown that they have the ability to change with the times, and have put out a fresh, lively CD. They are returning to their German roots with Du Bist So Schmutzig, which rocks! (not in the same style as Rock You Like A Hurricane, but it still rocks!) The Peter Wolf influence can certainly be heard on this release, particularly on To Be No.1, which is very catchy, and IMHO one of the better songs on Eye II Eye. Mysterious and Aleyah are also catchy, great tunes. As previous reviewers have stated, it will disappoint a lot of fans of their headbanging days of the 80's, but then again a lot of the die hard Scorps fans will appreciate their ability to adapt. The song Mind Like a Tree sounds reminiscent of their 80's metal days, as does Aleyah. There are some songs you'll want to skip to get to the meat on the CD, but if you buy this CD with the advance knowledge and expectation that this is not the same old Scorpions of the 80's and 70's, you won't be disappointed.

What in the name of heavens where they thinking??!! Ok, they have the right change their music but really this is a bit extreme, there are some songs here that Madonna could have used for her albums. Of course you'll find one or another good track but all in all this album really sounds too popish.
Just when you thought that Pure Instinct really fits with the worst Scorpions' album gold medal, here comes Eye II Eye to take the medal away.

This is the low down on the CD. If you are a Die Hard Scorpions fan, you will like it. If you like only a particular decade of them, then you should probably skip this. I like their early stuff in the 70's such as Lonesome Crow to their 80's Love at First Sting to the 90's Crazy World. Now with the new millennium upon us, a new Scorpions is also upon us. Over their four decades of music, if you followed it and loved it, you will love this one too. Klaus sounds and sings the same way as he always did. The Scorpions harmony is still there. The guitars are still there. The only thing different is the addition of newer instruments and the change in the playing style of their music. This new album is similar to their last album Pure Instinct but in my opinion, it is a lot better. There are some very good songs with some OK ones. It's not a perfect album but for me, the only perfect Scorpions album are The best of Rocker and Ballads and Scorpions, the Mercury Years, their greatest hits albums. The songs: Obessession, 10 Light Years Away, Mind Like a Tree, Eye to Eye, Sky Writer, Yellow Butterfly, and Aleyah are all songs worth buying the CD for. If you are expecting rocking ballads, this is not one for you. Not that this album doesn't rock but most of the songs are more harmonized singing rather than "Rock you like a Hurricane" type stuff. Yes, they are different. But if you loved all their past music, there is no reason for you not to like this one. Scorpions music still provide the same basic themes of inspiration, love and peace. That is why their fans love them and I for one will buy anything they put out as long as they keep putting it out.

For those willing to experience something different, Eye II Eye is surely that. The 1999 release by the band from Germany is a departure from their heavy metal rock roots that they had been known for throughout the past three decades.

The obvious influence of the European techno sound has infiltrated this album. Electronic drums and synth machines have all but replaced the flanger affected guitars and heavy rock riffs.

The album has the look and feel of POP from U2. Even the band's new haircuts are modern.

So what does that mean for Scorpions fans? It really depends on one's tastes. Those expecting the raw excitement of Blackout or Love At First Sting will certainly be disappointed. There isn't that much metal left on this album. Only "Mind Like A Tree", "Yellow Butterfly", and "Aleyah" use heavy guitars, and even those are muted at some point in each of the songs.

If one is willing to let this effort stand on its own, there is some good music to be found. The three previously mentioned rockers are all pretty good, although only "Aleyah" is good enough to be a single.

"Mysterious" is the first single from Eye II Eye. It isn't a bad song, but it is a minute too long. This is an ongoing problem with the whole album; many songs are just too long. Six songs go on for over five minutes or nearly so.

The second cut,"To Be No. 1", is a techno tune. It has a nice bridge, but as a whole, it takes some getting used to.

"Obsession" is a sweet ballad that could have been the last track on any of the Scorpions' earlier works. Why they decided to place it as the third song is anybody's guess.

"Eye II Eye" is the sixth track off the album. Although it is not a rocker, it may be the most well written song here. The lyrics relate to losing one's father after all of those years and not wasting the chance to say "I love you" before it's too late. It is a meaningful song.

"10 Light Years Away" and "Skywriter" are good mid tempo songs that don't say all that much, but the latter is hampered by the dreaded attack of the backround vocalists near its end.

"What U Give U Get Back" sounds like a five minute version of the Beatles' "The End", but it grows on you. "A Moment In A Million Years" is sweet, but it was not mixed well and sounds incomplete. Neither of these songs are as good as "You And I" from the Scorpions' previous effort "Pure Instinct".

That leaves "Freshly Sqeezed", "Priscilla", and "Du Bist So Schmutzig". Well, maybe they should have left them off the album as well. They are all forgetable and are in the way of hearing "Aleyah" later on.

"Du Bist So Schmutzig" is a "Du Hast" wannabee that has angry lyrics, and "Freshly Sqeezed" is just boring.

"Priscilla" wastes a great pre-chorus bridge line "get ready to attack!" by following it up with a dorky chorus. Both the band and the producer, Peter Wolf, should have spotted that problem and forced a change in the chorus.

It should be noted that the Scorpions have lost the services of their longtime producer, Dieter Dierks, since they changed labels from Mercury records.

What we have in Eye II Eye is a blend of the old Klaus Meine and Rudolf Schenker song writing with the new influence of techno pop and Peter Wolf's production. This is a classic oil and water mixture.

Although there are hits to be had, this album does not come close to measuring up to the standards that the Scorpions have set for their works. A move back to the tired cliche's of Face The Heat are not needed, but a 180 degree move away from hard rock riffs and guitars certainly has done more harm than good. Evolution rather than revolution is what was needed.

Like it or not, the best Scorpions music was produced in the 1980's. The band should remember to have one foot firmly planted in that decade's music - even as they enter a new century one decade removed from that time.

Overall Rating: 3 Stars out of 5

This is an excellent Scorpions album, just not the same Scorpions album silly fans have been wanting since 1982. The band stretches their sound thematicly and musically to make an album unlike any they have ever made. It is also a better album than any since Blackout or perhaps LAFS. The ballad "Eye II Eye" is heartfelt and genuine while the rock tunes cover new ground and for the first time the Germans sing in their native tounge, which real fans wouldn't want to miss. I don't hand out 5 stars often, but this is a great disc.

I first want to congratulate the Scorpions for putting out what I consider their most provocative and exciting album to date. This album is indeed nothing like their albums of the 80's--it,s even better! The musical talents of all of the guys, including their new drummer James Kottak really shine on this great album. As always the song writing is fantastic and often quite poignant. This album has a lot to offer everybody, great rockers like Mysterious, Mind Like A Tree, Aleyah and Priscilla; beautiful ballads like Obsession, Eye to Eye, and A Moment in A Million Years; the new sound on songs like Skywriter, Yellow Butterfly, Freshly Squeezed, and To Be #1 are still amazing to me. There is honestly not a bad song on this entire album. It's a shame it won't get the airplay it deserves.

I, like so many of you out there, was somewhat confused by the "new" sound of the Scorpions on EYE TO EYE. As I continued to play the CD,though, something magical happened--I began to recognize the genius of these compositions. Sure, the hard-rock, bang your head types may not be able to hear this. Anyone that takes the time to explore the depth of these compositions will surely treasure this copulation of well written music and lyrics.

Back in 1976 or so a friend of mine found a tape that was so worn from being played so much you could not read it. At that time in life ther was no music around that even sounded close to what we where hearing. We did not know whow or what it was all we could do is listen on over and over and over. We did not know whow it was till we got our hands on virgin killer. I am a true scorps fan for life. I will listen to every thing these cats have to play and evjoy every bit of it till the day I die. So I say why not? Come out whith albums that put us true scorp fans back on our heals and make us truly listen to the whole picture of things to realy appreciate these guys. As I did so many years ago I say thank you scorps for giving us somthing to listen to that works the mind. And for all you out there that think these guys are a has been band. Go catch them Live and then tell me they are used up. They dont have to try to impress any one they already have. This album is just another great piece of work from one of the only life long rock bands. Enjoy these guys while you still have the chance because there is not many bands of this caliper left out there.

People, who "claim" to be fans of Scorpions, but don't like this album simply don't understand the music. These people probably just want a song they could head bang too, but some of us want a song that is unique, interesting, musically appealing, and thoughtful. Most of the songs on this album are just that.
This is what we call maturing. It doesn't mean they don't know how to rock anymore; it simply means that they've chosen to experiment a little on this album. And, in my opinion and I'm sure many other real Scorpions fans would agree, the band was very successful with this album.
Mysterious is a great opening track. Kinda reminds me of recent U2 (although the track may be slightly too long).
Obsession is a decent ballad.
10 Light Years Away is a great, melodious rock song.
Mind Like a Tree is good for all you who want to head bang to an impersonation of Disturbed.
Eye To Eye, What You Give Back, and Skywriter are all very original, great-written songs.
And then the last 3 songs are very good as well, ending off the album nicely.
This album has a certain thing that is difficult to achieve on a lot of albums: continuity. There is a certain uniform feeling that is existant throughout the entire album and it sorta binds all the songs together so that they go hand in hand with one another. This continuity is an important thing for an album to have in order for me to deem it successful.
Thanks for reading.