Customer Reviews

Hang Cool Teddy Bear (2CD)(Explicit)

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I've been an avid Meat Loaf fan for nearly 20 years and I've never thought a Bat Out Of Hell album can be surpassed, but Hang Cool Teddy Bear has done it and Meat Loaf has nailed it. I'll refrain from comparing BOOH with HCTB as the first is Jim Steinman's songs and 33 years have passed since then. So, I feel it's impossible to compare the two. By the way I've nothing wrong with any Bats. What makes HCTB unique is the excellent music with their many twists, unexpected sounds, great lyrics and the story behind the album. This is an important reason why I can't stop listening it. The songs sound as if each of them was a single album, however, after a complex song there is always one which is more digestable than the previous ... The sound quality is excellent too, so if you like rock music HCTB is essential to buy.
Thank you Meat Loaf! Rock 'n' Roll dreams STILL come through!

Attila, Budapest, Hungary

Hang Cool Teddy Bear is a well constructed Rock 'N' Roll CD. We rock fans have to really dig deep to get half the energy Meat put into this album. If all the great musicians out there were working this hard, we would be able to recover the rock that is so needed right now. I think Stone Temple Pilots and Tom Petty are going to give us another boost that we need. Long live ROCK!!!

Hang Cool Teddy Bear for the avid Meat Loaf fan is a must have. I'm here to tell you, that one listen to this album is simply not enough...and if you dismiss this album after one listen, I believe you will be missing out on true greatness. This album is untouchable by other artists in it's genre the way music is created today...laxidasical, without purpose and very self centered for their own self gain.

Hang Cool Teddy Bear takes you back to an album full of story and purpose. Brilliantly intertwining story, with vocal and instrumentation. You don't know what to listen to first, demanding a replay to see the layers of this album.

Vocally ~ Meat Loaf's organic sound is absolute. He uses his vocal strengths to draw you in to the story. To give an impressive vocal in each song, says a ton about the maturity and experience that Meat Loaf brings in Hang Cool Teddy Bear. Songs such as "If I Can't Have You" and "Did You Ever Love Somebody" will leave goosebumps on your arms. I challenge you to listen to these vocals and see what Meat is really giving you in these two pieces.

Story ~ The story is conceptual and without giving away my interpretation, after Los Angeloser the songs talk back to one another. You will need to purchase this album to figure out the mystery yourself. I'm not giving it away for FREE!

Instrumentation ~ John Micelli on drums absolutely stellar, love the hardness in "Song of Madness" and his patience with "Did You Ever Love Somebody" is simply exquisite which allows for the climax of that song to happen. And if guitars are your preference, Hang Cool Teddy Bear is loaded up. Highlighting: "Peace On Earth" and "Song Of Madness".

A note for the casual Meat Loaf fan: you may note previous Meat works would include bombastic operatic sound with lifelong answers to common problems. This album is not meant to replace those treasures or extend to a story from those treasures. This album is a page turner for a legendary performer.

Hang Cool Teddy Bear has a worth far more than the valued price on this very website. It's up to you to find the treasure yourself!!!! I highly recommend Hang Cool Teddy Bear for the open minded Rock and Roll appreciative fan.

Thanks for listening,
Suzanne

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.

I just hafta say, I don't care if you are not a fan of "the Meat", BUY THIS ALBUM!!! You thought the Bat out of Hell series kicked royally major boo-tay? This is every bit as good, if not better, than any of the Bats. And this is coming from a music fan that absolutely loves the Bat albums. This, like another reviewer states, proves Meat doesn't necessarily need Steinman to put out an epic album. There isn't a bad song on the album. Plus, we get Steve Vai and Brian May again. OOOH! And we get House!!!! Hugh Laurie is on the album. How kickin' is that? Two guitar gods, a doctor, and Jack Frickin' Black? Abso-fudgin'-lutely sick I tell yeah! This flat out rocks. This is only the fourth Meat Loaf album I own. Need I mention the other three??? I mean, really??? I cannot honestly compare this to the other "non-Bat out of Hell" stuff, but if it is even half as good as this, Ima have to pick it up. But, yeah, this could even be Bat 4 if it wanted to. It's that kind of good. Sit back, rock out, and crank the stereo loud enough to make the neighbors call the cops! LOL
The second disc is pretty sick as well. The only song I didn't really dig was "Anything for Love." Just didn't like the slowed down tempo of it. But that is this humble audiophile being a little petty maybe. Other than that, get the lighter ready!!

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.

I absolutely LOVE this album. His vocals are impeccable and he really pours his heart and soul into it! I have a copy of everyformat and I cherish them. Its a different take for Meat, but then at the same time its what I'd expect from Meat, to be different. Can not wait to catch some shows!

Hang Cool Teddy Bear ROCKS... Meat Loaf ROCKS!!!! As a long time fan....I LOVE the new CD. I ordered two CDs cause I know I will wear one out..I couldn't wait for them to come in the mail so I down-loaded the MP3 also. Thank You Meat Loaf for another awesome album. From start to finish.. the guitar riffs, the drums, the special guests.. OMG!!! I have it running on my laptop as I'm typing! If you like Rock n Roll you will like this CD... I recommend this to everyone. I have the deluxe edition with highlights from the Casa De Carne tour... Can't wait to see your tour Meat... come to TX :) -- Don't you ever stop ROCKIN! Thanks! Megan

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!

Caryl

Let me start by saying that I'm a hardcore, die hard Meat Loaf fan. I've been a fan since early 1978 when I saw him on SNL. I have all of his studio albums, and all of this officially released live recordings, as well as quite a few bootlegs. I also have every album ever released by Jim Steinman, Ellen Foley, & Karla DeVito. Bat Out Of Hell (1977) is probably my favorite album of all time.

I've been looking forward to this new album for years, eagerly counting down the months, weeks, & days until it's release. It was released in Europe nearly a month ago, and I've been reading nothing but rave reviews from critics and fans alike.

What are those people hearing that I'm not? I've only listened to it twice, but this album just isn't grabbing hold of me. Meat isn't singing, he's shouting, and worse yet...talking through the songs. The quality of the song writing isn't that great either.

I know Meat was having major problems with his voice on the last tour, maybe that's why there is very little actual singing on this record. To say I'm disappointed would be a major understatement. This is easily my least favorite Meat Loaf album of all time. Maybe it'll grow on me, but I doubt it as I have no great desire to listen to it again.