Hang Cool Teddy Bear: Deluxe Edition [Import]

Meat Loaf | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 20, 2010)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• ASIN: B0038YY0SS
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,890,130 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars hang cool teddy bear, May 11, 2010

By 

fred2010 "fred2010" (georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hang Cool Teddy Bear (Audio CD)

First of all, if you're already a Meat Loaf fan you will enjoy this record and there is no point in reading further. I am targeting this review toward those who are rock fans in general and why they should give this album a chance.

The album starts out with a bang. "Peace on Earth" is a hard rocking tune about a soldier fighting someone else's war. "But don't think that I would not take one hundred thousand lives to see my mother's eyes" is a very powerful line in the song and sums it up quite nicely: just a man trying to survive so he can get back home. The second track is titled "Living on the Outside". Folks, this song is just plain fun as it lightens the mood and is an excellent contrast to the opening track. "Living on the Outside" will get you slapping the dashboard and bobbing your head with the beat -- "you and me, living like the only sinners left". Meat Loaf sounds like he's having fun, and it is contagious.

The 3rd track, "Los Angeloser", presents a shift in sound, but it too provides a fun and catchy sound. Hearing this song prior to the album's release, I simply thought it was okay, but hearing it within the context of the entire album made it much more enjoyable. It fits quite nicely with the first two tracks, and, to sum up the first three tracks of the album in as few words as possible, let me just say this: 3 out of 3 ain't bad.

To avoid a song by song breakdown, let me say the reason I rate this 4 out of 5 stars instead of 5 out of 5 is the middle of the album seems to bog down. A couple of the songs sound basically the same. Of all the songs on this album, there are only a couple that I don't care for (although they may grow on me over time): "Love is not Real", "Did You Ever Love Somebody" and "Let's Be in Love" -- I could have really done without those three songs. "Like a Rose" (with Jack Black")" and "Song of Madness" were decent, but by the time those songs played I had begun to lose interest. I am going to give this album another listen, excluding the 3 songs mentioned above, and I expect "Like a Rose" and "Song of Madness" will be much more enjoyable.

The album ends with "If It Rains" and "Elvis In Vegas" -- two excellent songs, and they stand in excellent contrast to the first two songs on the album.

In closing, let me say this: as a Meat Loaf fan, I am very proud of this album. Meat Loaf delivers one hell of an effort that has something for all his fans, and I expect will capture some new fans in the process. This is not an album that attempts to rehash old material or to copy old successes -- the Loaf delivered folks.

"I saw 7 horses running, I had a front row seat at the end of time."

Thank you Meat Loaf, and best of luck with this record.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A rock and roll tour de force, May 14, 2010

By 

C. Burton (Sheffield, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hang Cool Teddy Bear (Audio CD)

I so agree with those who have said, even if you've not been a Meat Loaf fan so far, get this album! It is simply a masterpiece of rock and roll and storytelling wrapped up in one amazing package.

If you are a Meat fan, to fully appreciate what this album holds and offers you need imo to be prepared to put what he has done before to one side, not to forget them, but so as not to cloud your ability to open your mind and really listen. Many of the lyrics may seem at first glance simple, but there is a wealth of meaning in them if you allow Meat to connect you with them. This is everything Meat can bring as an actor who sings, not simply performing a series of complex and cleverly worded lyrics, full of metaphor and simile that hits you in the eyes .. but all the depth and meaning you expect in a Meat Loaf album is there if you listen and let the emotions connect.

If you shrink from rock and roll language as some apparently do, go get the "safe" version .. but to me it would be like drinking grape juice instead of wine :) But there's a safe version for younger and more tender ears.

This is not an album with a series of tracks .. it's an epic show, a musical, with each song building the story. To lose one track, one note would be to weaken and lose the story and meaning. To me it is simply the best thing Meat has done. Not to be compared to any other album, because this is bigger than what one might usually expect from a concept album. This is simply in a new class of its own. His finest hour (and a bit) .. so far :)

Leave behind the words so often used to describe Meat as a performer. Operatic It's not .. no, it's the pure and unfettered rock Meat has in his vision .. It's not bombast either .. nothing of pretension here, this is raw, but never rough, honesty. Treasure all your Meat albums .. but come prepared for a new adventure and a new thrill-ride! This is not only unfettered rock . it's unfettered Meat ... and the ride is amazing .. the adventure huge.

All I can say, is embark on an adventure you won't regret!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Meat Loaf at his Best, May 14, 2010

By 

Mark Snider "Mark S." (Crossville, AL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hang Cool Teddy Bear (Audio CD)

Hang Cool Teddy Bear is not just an album, it is a rock and roll experience. This is the first album in a long time that I can truly get lost in. This thing takes on a 66 minute journey in which you can block out the world and forget about your problems and just enjoy some amazing rock music. Now let me get this out of the way, this is not Bat Out of Hell. Bat was and is an amazing album that will live on longer than any of us every will and nothing will ever diminish its significance on the music world. So, Hang Cool Teddy Bear is not Bat Out of Hell, and I feel no need to compare the two. However, Hang Cool Teddy Bear is without a doubt Meat Loaf's BEST work to date. As you listen to these songs you realize that Meat has truly bore his heart and soul into this album. This is not just a record, it is a Meat Loaf record where Meat was truly allowed to let his creative side take control. This is not a rock opera like Meat is famous for making this is true unadulterated rock and roll. All of the tracks are amazing from the opening "bang" in Peace on Earth to Elvis in Vegas, this album is of the best I have ever heard. So if you are a Meat Loaf fan you will love this album. If your not a Meat fan you should still pick this album up because it is one of the best rock and roll records in years and it is Meat Loaf like you have never heard before.

Mark S.