Customer Reviews

Original Sin

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I had been looking for this CD almost for over 10 years (even had it on top of my Amazon wish list for quite a while...), it seemed impossible to get.
It all started when Celine Dion covered IT'S ALL COMING BACK TO ME NOW and i started researching which album by Bonnie Tyler or Meatloaf was holding this nugget.
It turned out neither did, it was appearing on Pandora's Box one and only release up to now.
Until a few months ago my boyfriend surprised me and had it sent out to me. The cd is everything I had expected it to be: a pure Jim Steinman masterpiece.
One may mistake this CD for a greatest hits collection: you will find in here the original versions of songs that became later on hits by other famous artists, while here they are delivered by some four superb little-known vocalists.
Original Sin (later recorded by Taylor Dayne and Meatloaf) sounds much better here, IT JUST WON'T QUIT (another Meatloaf cover) has a more savage feeling, GOOD GIRLS GO TO HEAVEN BUT BAD GIRLS GO EVERYWHERE (Meatloaf again!) is definitely a smash from the female's point of view.
You also get the IT'S ALL COMING BACK TO ME NOW original - let me tell you, Celine's vocal are still the best, but the orchestration knows no defeat on this CD, this mid-song guitar riff should have been kept with her version as well...
And then there is still one more song that could very much be the next BIG Jim Steinman's hit.
SAFE SEX is one of those epic ballads he only comes up with.
It has all it takes to be a chart topper, but strangely enough none of the greatest vocalist of our time seem to have discovered this gem yet.
A&R people, get yourself a copy of this and submit the song to Celine Dion, Lara Fabian, Tina Arena...I'd even say risk it and submit it to Christina Aguilera, she's got that vocal energy needed in a Steinman's song.
Whoever gets it first is sure to hit # 1...

Since this albums release, there have been four songs covered (that I know of) by other artists. I have yet to see another artist do any of the songs as well as Pandora's Box. Original Sin has been covered by both MeatLoaf and Taylor Dayne. Taylor Dayne's version comes closer to Pandora's Box in raw energy, but even she doesn't quite get it. Nothing against MeatLoaf, but his intensity is no where near what the song deserves. Good Girls Go To Heaven was also covered by MeatLoaf. While his was very good in it's own style, Pandora's Box gave me a new appreciation for the song. While I don't hate Celine Dion nearly as much as it seems other reveiwers do for It's All Coming Back To Me, even she seems to lack the passion of Pandora's Box. There are also many other Jim Steinman songs and interludes that you just can not find on other albums. I have yet to see a group match the pure passion displayed by Pandora's Box. If you like Jim Steinman, you must get this album. You won't regret it.

From the beginning of "The Invocation" you are transported into the world of Jim Steinman. If you like your music on a grand scale, you can't do much better than this record. There are a few pieces of spoken word which we know JIm Steinman likes to include but this doesn't detract too much from the record, besides which the songs more than make up for this. The make up of the band includes four female singers who handle all the songs, each one has at least one where they perform the lead vocals while the others provide backup vocals. On the record you will here the original version of "It's All Coming Back To Me Now" which I believe is far superior to Celine Dion's watered down version. The record also contains "Original Sin" which has been covered by Meat Loaf, the original song benefits from a female singer who infuses such passion into the song, something which Meat Loaf can't quite manage. Another song which has also been covered by Meat Loaf "It Just Wont Quit" is on the album. If you have heard Meat Loaf's version you will enjoy the original even more. Simply put if you like your music on a grand scale with songs that benefit from tremendous vocalists you should check this album out.

There IS such a thing as too much Jim Steinman. But that, I suppose, is what he strives for every time he records an album. Before I go any further, I warn listeners that they will be entirely exhausted after listening to this album...mentally and physically. For a select few, your hearts might not be able to take it. Watch out.

This recording is brilliant. Hardly ground-breaking, but excrutiatingly enjoyable.

One of the few things I have to complain about is the order of some songs. Clearly, this is a materpiece which needs to be sequenced in a theatrical fashion. This isn't just a bunch of songs that "made" the album (I'd still love to hear the songs that didn't, if there were any!)...this is an entirely preconceived notion that Steinman understood from the very beginning. This is the rock opera of rock operas. But this isn't Dennis DeYoung and Styx announcing that Kilroy was here or that the Paradise Theater is about to be destroyed. No, no...this is much more inward. I absolutely guarantee you that at least one of the songs on Original Sin will speak for you. Not TO you...FOR you. Steinman has an uncanny talent for writing exactly what we feel. And he does so several times over on this record.

We've all heard Celine Dion's take on "It's All Coming Back to Me Now", and yes, she had the bigger hit with it. But you haven't heard it sung with the emotionally plaintive conviction that Jim intended it for. You get to here. The vocals on that track are almost overbearing - we fear the singer will actually keel over in the middle of the song (rumor has it, she actually did). Chalk another one up for Steinman.

Then there's "Good Girls Go to Heaven". Stellar vocals by Deliria Wilde (stellar name too) and a catchy, likeable beat. Probably the poppiest tune of the set.

"Safe Sex" is arguably the greatest power ballad ever written for its heart-wrenching lyrics and soul-stirring delivery. Gina Taylor is an extremely talented vocalist and she BECAME this song. It's nothing about the act of intercourse and everything about the emotional perils of love. Every young person needs to pay attention to this song. Trust me...it's like listening to yourself think. Absolutely brilliant Steinman piece.

Alas, the weaker tracks are only the ones Jim didn't write...a cover of The Doors' 20th Century Fox comes to mind. Steinman's own spoken-word interludes are fabulously eccentric.

So even if Steinman didn't have a particular plot in mind with which to string these chef d'oeuvres together, I would have preferred that "Prey Lewd", a jaw-dropping mini piano concerto featuring snippets of all the songs on the album, be at the beginning, before "The Invocation", even. Just a little thing. It would have made the album even more of a drama and would have set the mood perfectly.

Original Sin is not for the weak of heart, but I do suggest that if you're attempting to keep a lid on your (hormonal) emotions, this album is a nice outlet. Oh and if you're a teenager like I am, you may end up a little love-wiser than before. To hear someone singing the thoughts you've thought only to yourself, and in such a melodramatic, hyperbolic fashion, well it's a great solace.

Original Sin is a must for any fan of Steinman's music, because it contains tracks that we've heard covered, but whose originals rock harder. (I can't believe I just wrote that, but it's true.) If you're a fan of Jim's musical Tanz der Vampire (not the Crawford-infected Broadway version) this also gives insight into the genesis of that show.

The title track is now my favorite Steinman song, and my theme as I search for a dissertation topic. It is THE reason to own this recording.

"Good Girls go to Heaven" and "It Just Won't Quit" have been covered by Meat Loaf, but are better here. I think they mellowed by the time Meat sang them.

"It's all Coming Back to Me Now" is a song I detest when Celine Dion sings it, but this recording has redeemed the song and converted me.

Go ahead and skip the covers of non-Steinman stuff on this album, "Twentieth Century Fox" and "Little Red Book." They accomplish nothing.

And last but not least, I worship Roy Bittan on piano, from his work on Steinman albums alone. Listen to "Pray Lewd" (say it aloud to get the joke) and you will understand why.

WARNING-I am a certified Steinmaniac. Consequently, you are venturing into heavily biased territory. To my own credit, I do concede the Man has misstepped occassionally (e.g. Streisand's passionless treatment of "Left In the Dark" and Meat's own lethargic treatment of the same song (although Jim had nothing to do with that other than contributing a brilliant song).

AS EDITED FOR AIRPLAY-More than likely, a quest for the gilded music of Jim Steinman brought you here. If so, I recommend that you immediately buy this CD. You won't be disappointed. Lest Amazon suddenly share my opinion and raise its price, you will pay much less.

THE ENDLESS "STEINMAN" VERSION-"Original Sin" includes the generally superior original versions of songs that have turned up (and will turn up) on the CD's of other artists. These songs include "Original Sin" (Taylor Dayne, Meat Loaf), "It's All Coming Back" (Celine Dion) and "Good Girls Go To Heaven" and "It Just Won't Quit" (Meat Loaf, again). As I understand it, the marvelously sly and melodic "Safe Sex" is slated to appear on the upcoming Karine Hannah debut. Having said that, I cast my lot with the crowd who prefer the Celine Dion rendering of "It's All Coming Back", she is a superior singer; although I do see the point of the Elaine Caswell crowd.

Other than intermittent spoken-word utterances from the Maestro himself, Pandora's Box features only female lead vocalists. In support of these talented singers, Steinman rounds up the "usual suspects"; Todd Rundgren, Rory Dodd, and Eric Troyer as backing vocalists and the excellent Roy Bittan (whose work on "Pray Lewd" is magnificent) on piano. Speaking of "Pray Lewd", I agree with another reviewer. I'm not sure why, given it's title, it wasn't placed at the beginning of the CD. It would have been an excellent foreshadowing of what was to come. While the production values seem slightly better on Bat Out of Hell & Bad for Good, they are still brilliantly, recklessly over-the-top.

I also agree with the consensus of the other reviewer's that the weakest tracks are the covers ("Twentieth-Century Fox" and "My Little Red Book"), but the interperations are still interesting. Arguably, there's a plot of ground in Paris with a headstone that bears the name of Morrison that is being tilled from below over the "Twentieth-Century Fox" cover.

In my option, the Everest, K2, and a third peak (like the Third Tenor, I'm too ignorant to be aware of it's name) of this Himalayic Collection are Original Sin, Safe Sex and It' All Coming Back to Me Now, with Pray Lewd and The Future Ain't What it Used to Be (with it's excellent Harley choir opening and acapella ending) within a snowball's throw of the others. As you can tell, I recommend that you buy it.

Steinman's best work ever, period. He poured his heart, soul, and his own money (he exceeded his studio budget a good 15 times over) into this, his dream project that, to borrow a line by a Stein-fan, spoke to everyone in the universe yet heard by almost no one in it. Pandora's Box, the band, is simply Steinman's best studio musicians (he used a lot of the same personelle on most of his projects from Bonnie Tyler to the Sisters of Mercy), including himself on Keyboards, fronted by four half-goth/half-sultry/all power female vocalists who make Debbie Gibson and Tiffany run for cover to the nearest mall. They are, Ellen Foley (of Bat out of Hell fame), Deliria Wilde (who actually sings lead on a whopping 0 songs but backs up almost all of them), Elaine Caswell (who shows Celine Dion how It's All Coming Back to me Now should REALLY be done) and my personal favorite, Gina Taylor (Let's just say she sings ten times better than Tina Turner and sounds like she would've smacked Ike against the wall long before Tina got the guts) The record also features the how-can-she-sing-that-deep Laura Theodore and the angelic-voiced/rumored to be ugly Holly Sherwood. The music: Nothing short of utterly fantastic. Steinman uses every trick he has in the studio to make Original Sin the most unforgettable listening experience you'll ever hear, and his lyrics (especially on Safe Sex and The Future Ain't what it Used to Be) are chilling, thought-provoking, and he's always just so right on the money. The only slightly weak spot is the cover of My Little Red Book, which seems like it strayed onto the wrong album completley. Steinman didn't need to put this on there. The title track is one of the most powerful rockers ever, it blows Meat Loaf's future cover of it away, all four girls take turns at singing it (joined by Laura for the intro and ending) and they all converge into the final chorus that is garunteed to blow any speaker when played loud enough. It's All Coming Back to Me Now (sound familiar?) is far and away superior to the toned-down Celine Dion version, even though Elaine Caswell isn't as technically skilled (who is?). It Just Won't Quit and Good Girls Go to Heaven aren't inferior to the Meat Loaf versions, merely different. Pray Lewd is a simply mind-blowing piano interlude. The Future Ain't What is Used to Be closes the album masterfully, and the monologues are funny, well-placed, and simply insane at times. The album even includes a Door's cover, a good version of Twentieth Century Fox. Sadly, this album never was a hit. Maybe it was released at the wrong time, maybe people just aren't ready for music this perfect and lyrics this poetic. But if you're reading this, you're obviously interested in Steinman's work, and let me tell you this is his undisputed masterpeice, the Rossetta Stone, the lost treasure of his catalogue. Do the words Must Buy mean anything to you?

I absolutely love this CD - I had been a J.S. fan for years and had not heard of it until about 3 years ago and after a bit of searching I found it here on Amazon. It was a bit pricey at the time but I had to have it. And then it stayed in my CD player for at least 6 months!!!

ORIGINAL SIN {covered by both Meatloaf & Taylor Dayne} - any covers you may have heard are NOTHING compared to this version. There are not enough adjectives to describe it.

That can be said for the rest of the tracks but ESPECIALLY the song - THE FUTURE AIN'T WHAT IT USED TO BE - Melodic, operatic, grand in scope and focus, sheer perfection, and it leaves you haunted long after you've heard it. I'm getting chills as I type this just thinking about that song.

You owe it to yourself to buy this CD ASAP. Just hit "one click" and then prepare to be blown away!!!

This one could be the best album ever without some things: 1) The two cover songs (by The Doors and Burt Bacharach/Hal David) are good but in the wrong place on this album. 2) The spoken monologue Want Ad is funny but not something I would listen to a million times - completely unlike the other monologue I've Been Dreaming Up a Storm Lately which is a real masterpiece. 3) The a cappella ending of The Future Ain't What It Used to Be doesn't sound good (don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of a cappella music). But the rest is magnificent. All the singers are great and the album features some of Jim's best songs ever. My favorite song is probably It's All Coming Back to Me Now which is much better than the version Celine Dion made later. Meat Loaf recorded excellent versions of Good Girls and It Just Won't Quit but his Original Sin sounds like nothing compared to the original.

It's a shame that this album didn't do anything in this country. Of all of the Steinman albums (there weren't many), this might be the best one although Bat Out of Hell II may be better. (although you could disqualify it because several songs on BOOHII originally started on Original Sin). Yes, there are some clunkers like 20th Century Fox and My Little Red Book. But, guess what, Steinman did not write these songs. The songs that he did write are arguably his best ever. Original Sin, Safe Sex, It Just Won't Quit, It's All Coming Back to Me Now, and Good Girls Go to Heaven are the best ones. The Future Ain't What It Used to Be is OK, but not as good as the ones mentioned above. I don't care what anybody says--Celine Dion still did a better job with It's All Coming Back to Me Now than Elaine Caswell although it wasn't due to lack of effort by Ms. Caswell. It's just that Celine has the better technical voice and, go ahead and rag me all you want, but I'm a big Celine fan, so I'm going to be a little biased. However, It's All Coming Back to Me Now by Pandora's Box is still one of the album's main highlights. Original Sin, It Just Won't Quit, and Good Girls Go to Heaven would all be re-done by Meat Loaf with the last 2 appearing on BOOHII; however, as much as I like Meat, Pandora's Box's versions are all the superior ones. Yes, there are the obligatory spoken pieces by Steinman which I usually skip, but the instrumental tracks are really good with the highlight being the jaw-dropping piano piece, Pray Lewd.

All in all, a tremendous album that any fan of Steinman must own. Truly, one of the greatest unknown albums of all-time. It's that good, people!