Customer Reviews

Unbreakable

5 star:		(56)
4 star:		(38)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This album will not disappoint life long Scorps fans (such as myself) and it will (hopefully) draw in a lot of new, younger fans. However, I think it is important to listen to the CD more than once to truly appreciate the effort the guys put into creating this great collection of music.

First and foremost, let it be said that the MUSIC is flawless THROUGHOUT the CD. The compositions are pulsing, pounding, rhythmic (yet melodic) masterpieces. Absolutely CLASSIC Scorps guitar work with solid drumming from James Kottak and great bass-playing from Pawel Maciwoda and assorted "guest bassists". There isn't one negative thing I can say about the musical composition or actual playing. This music WILL make you move!

That being said .. after my first "listen" to the lyrics, I gave three songs an "A+" right away: "Maybe I Maybe You"; "Someday Is Now" and "Remember the Good Times". James Kottak does some of the writing on this CD and his lyrics add a lot to the mix. His off-beat style is perfect to keep the Scorps "up to date". Fans of the 1980's group "The Hooters" will recognize the name Eric Bazilian who contributes to "Remember the Good Times" which is one of the best Scorps tunes I've ever heard. (still love ya Eric!)

Initially, I thought the other songs ranged from "quite good" to "pretty good" .. until I listened to the CD a second time. Klaus' own backing harmonies are fantasic and songs that sounded a little "rhymie dimie" the first time around really grew on me almost immediately. "She Said" is a gorgeous ballad, "Love Em or Leave Em" has a great beat and great harmonies and "New Generation" is a foot stomper.

Overall, my whole impression of the CD DRAMATICALLY improved after my second "listen". I have now had the CD in my player for four days straight and I just keep it on "repeat". The Scorps really did deliver what they promised to their fans and I only hope they get enough radio airplay to encourage the "arena comeback" that they so richly deserve.

The Scorps are back with a real good, rockin' album. No, they will never make another Black Out or Love At First Sting, but this album is as good as we could expect, especially from a band that is trying to appeal to such a global market. I think that if they were trying to please only the USA fans, some of the songs would have been different. Like the Stones, The Who, etc, the band's best days are behind them; BUT, this new album is closer to what we love about the Scorpions than anything we've heard from them in 14 years.

The album's opening track, "New Generation", leaves no room for doubt that the Scorps can still rock. Immediately, we hear the symbiotic guitar work of Rudolf Schenker's heavy riffing with Matthias Jabs' six-string-sting lead, in what will be a new Scorpions classic. This sets the tone for the rest of the album. Here's my take on the rest of the songs:

"Love `Em of Leave `Em - straight ahead rocker, cool riffs, I bet it'll come off live real good.

"Deep And Dark" - one of the best songs on the album, heavy guitars, killer riffs, great chorus

"Borderline" - mid tempo rocker, good verse sections, really generic chorus, overall not bad

"Blood Too Hot" - Fast rocker, sounds like it was written to play live, still a little generic

"Maybe I, Maybe You" - starts off slow and sappy (with some random guy playing piano) but builds into an amazing triple meter ( a la Hendrix's "Manic Depression") rocking tune! They should have started this song differently but it ends up being another one of the best tracks.

"Someday Is Now" - Good fast rocker, another one that'll be good live

"My City, My Town" - Scorps give props to their hometown, mid tempo rocker

"Through My Eyes" - here's the song we've been waiting 14 years to hear, classic Scorpions chord progression and melody, vintage Klaus Meine harmonies, a little like "No One Like You", the best song on the album IMO

"Can You Feel It" - rock anthem style tune, very generic chorus but totally killer verse sections

"This Time" - mid tempo rocker written by Matthias Jabs, the 2nd best tune on the album IMO, very cool!

"She Said" - one more ballad, good melody and all but enough already!

"Remember the Good Times" - 60's style song structure (but heavy sound), sounds like they wrote in 5 minutes but it's still a fun song

Overall, the album is very good, with all the musicians really executing well. The sound is classic yet modern. The production is very good and the mixing is clear. My only real complaint is that Matthias' solos are mixed too low (listen to Blackout to hear proper lead guitar mixing). Scorpions fans will not be disappointed. The album is a refreshing departure from the Scorpions' musical direction of the past several years, and very refreshing "alternative" to the dull thud of most of the current "rock" bands.

Unfortunately I'm old enough to have bought Fly To The Rainbow as an original vinyl issue, but am lucky enough to have enjoyed Scorpions from their inception. While my favorite period for the band started with "Taken By Force" and carried through to "Animal Magnetism", this band has always delivered quality material.

"Unbreakable" is no exception. Strong songs with impeccable musicianship and top shelf vocals (Klaus hasn't lost a thing) make this record a must for Scorpion fans who've enjoyed material from their 80s releases forward. Those into the Uli John Roth era stuff or indulging lead guitar work of "Lovedrive" will probably not like it as much.

On "Unbreakable" The Scorps are playing to the environment of today's music scene with concise songs, that feature strong choruses and minimal lead guitar work. Thankfully they stop there and don't try to hard to sound like many of today's artists because quite frankly, these senior citizens blow away ninety percent of what's available to today's kids.

Send a message to the record industry morons that this is worth shelling out cash for by buying this record.

I was pleasantly surprised when I first heard this cd. There are plenty of catchy songs. My favs are New G, Deep & Dark, Blood Too Hot, Through My Eyes, She Said, and Remember the GT. At first I would have given this cd 4.5 or 5 stars but after a while I got tired of some of the songs. I put this album among the Scorps top ten though. It is better than anything they have done since LAFS. I'm glad to hear the Scorps are still going strong! This cd is worth getting.

I have to admit I was hesitant buying this record. I don't want another CD jewel case to collect dust by another once great rock band that has overstayed their welcome. In other words, I don't want a record full of ripped off blues material originally performed 60 years ago because they sold their soul for one last run by dancing with a boy band and have no creativity left or because the band's front man is shot vocally and can't do rock anymore. What I do want is an album by a band that not only once was great but are still great. The Scorpions are that band.

I've read bands from different periods of music history say their new record was "back to what the fans wanted: A classic sounding record" but not delivered once the record was heard. The Scorpions promised this to their fans and truly have delivered. Klaus Meine sounds incredible as does the whole band throughout the record. Opening with a great rock track that takes me back to times where the rock was hard and all was right with the world and filling all tracks in between with more rip roaring metal loveliness, I am truly pleased I picked up this record. It truly is good to hear a band that is a real rock band releasing an album that is a real rock album. There is no attempt to be "cool" and follow the current trends and fads. How about rewarding these guys and playing it on the radio? No, that's reserved to the depressed and those who aren't entirely sure what race they are a member of.

I'm known for my anal retentive reviews that go track by track but what can I really say about a record like this? Every song rocks! Some have stronger hooks than others and not every song is one I will play over and over again but there are a lot of tracks like that. Honestly, if you consider yourself a Scorpions fan or ever have, pick this one up. You'll be happy to hear they have not gone south on metal avenue just yet. Well over 30 years after their debut, the Scorpions are still standing and still rocking harder than anyone. These guys were rocking before I was born and with this record, I'm convinced they'll be rocking after I'm gone. The Scorpions truly are Unbreakable!

I don't usually review anything at all on Amazon, but the other guy's ill-founded commentary on this album has sparked me into it. It sounds as if 'a music fan from NH' wasn't looking for a Scorpions album at all.

With 'Unbreakable,' you've got a good amount of straight-ahead rockers with catchy riffs (and in some cases, lyrics), and a handful of ballads that honestly aren't bad. I've heard far worse, and not many better.

The guitars are just about as powerful as it gets for the method used to record this. Did I mention that 'a music fan from NH' must have missed the enhanced CD content, which not only shows the Scorpions in the studio, but explains how the CD itself was recorded? Must have slipped my mind. The entire band was together creating these songs, with just some headphones to keep track. It's very close to live Scorpions, and in that, I think it captures some of that particular magic.

I wasn't aware Sanctuary isn't considered a major label, seeing as they have some of the top bands of all time on their release lists.

And this is a hard rock, back to basics CD. As basic as it gets. Here you have an 'unbreakable' band just picking up the instruments, stepping up to the microphone and creating music.

To summarize: it doesn't give me a headache. It's pleasant to listen to, the enhanced content is interesting, and it's the Scorpions. The. Scorpions. This album alone is going to tide me over until the new Megadeth one comes out.

THE BAND: Klaus Meine (vocals), Rudolf Schenker (guitars), Matthias Jabs (guitars, voicebox), Pawel Maciwoda (bass), James Kottak (drums & percussion).

THE DISC: (2004) 13 tracks clocking in at approximately 56 minutes. Included with the disc is a 14-page heavy duty paper booklet containing song titles/credits/times, song lyrics, several black & white band photos, and thank you's. The disc is enhanced for your PC - featuring 3 short snippets you can click on for a photo gallery, video message from band members, and Scorpions biography. Recorded at Peppermint Park Studios, Hannover, Germany. Label - Sanctuary Records.

COMMENTS: If you've been following the Scorpions since the late 70's as I have, you probably passed at first on "Unbreakable" thinking it was another average (or worse) release. You'd be correct in your thinking that the Scorpions of old were long gone - with good reason... the 1990's were not kind to the band - going from bad to worse with "Face The Heat" (1993), "Pure Instinct" (1996), and the danceable "Eye II Eye" (1999). However, "Unbreakable", with its shiny metallic cover, was a pleasant surprise. A solid return to form for the Scorpions of old. I liken this Scorpions revival to that of Kiss' comeback after the dismal "Unmasked" and "Music From The Elder" and then unleashing the very heavy "Creatures Of The Night" (1982). "Unbreakable" features an ageless Klause Meine on vocals. He still sounds fresh after 30+ years (there's no hint of vocal chord damage/surgery from the early 80's). Schenker and Jabs can still rip it up on guitar. Per the the video message from the enhanced portion of the disc, this was recorded 'live' in the studio with everyone playing together. Some heavy songs here... with a fantastic opening 1-2 punch ("New Generation" and "Love 'Em Or Leave 'Em") that I haven't heard since "Blackout" (the songs "Blackout" and "Can't Live Without You"). Heavy - with melody. "New Genreration" is my absolute favorite song of theirs over the past decade. It tells an uplifting yet dark story of wartime with the leaders looking to the youth for answers... all in George Orwell-esque fashion (it really sets the tone for the entire album). Other rocking highlights include "Blood Too Hot", "Someday Is Now", "Borderline" and "Can You Feel It". The Scorpions tone it down on 3 softer songs with "Through My Eyes", "She Said", and a piano ballad "Maybe I Maybe You" (with the band joining in for a great ending)... all being well-crafted light FM songs destined for heavy use in elevators and dentist's offices. Easily, this is the Scorpions best studio album since "Savage Amusement" (1988) and "Crazy World" (1990). Many of the songs here would fit in nicely with their 80's material. This album blew me away because I was totally NOT expecting it to rock my socks off. A modern classic by some old-school rockers (4.5 stars).

A longtime fan of the Scorpions who considers their truest artistic successes to be the albums "Animal Magnetism" and "Blackout," I am having a very, very good time listening to "Unbreakable." As other reviewers note, it flat-out rocks. Scorpions sound like they're done aping Def Leppard ("Savage Amusement"), Guns N Roses ("Wind of Change") and Metallica (the embarrassing Berlin Philharmonic experiment) and have decided to just be the Scorpions. The opening sound of "New Generation," "Unbreakable's" first track, instantly takes the listener back to "World Wide Live's" breakout effect and from there on out it's a true Scorpions rock record. The guitars are right-on, the vocals are pure Klaus, and production is the tightest I've heard on a Scorpions release. In the end it might be considered their best since "Love at First Sting," although in today's hip-hop and pop-post-grunge radio world it probably won't sell a third as many copies. Too bad, because the Scorpions just don't get better than this. Excellent.

How any one can call this a stinking pile IS NOT and I repeat IS NOT a true Scorpions fan.The Scorpions for years have put out great rock and roll music,music that is better than half the crap that is played on a radio.So when you listen to this album sit back and enjoy now,then go back and listen to their other albums and enjoy that too.The Scorpions are who they are and that is the GREATEST band that has ever played.

Okay, I will not say that this album is as good as Blackout, but no bands can really meet their pinnacle standards a second time. This is a fantastic album. I am the first to admit that I'd written the Scorpions off after the last few efforts. Eye II Eye was horrific in my opinion, and it had been a long time, at least since Crazy World, since they had put out something worth listening to. Yes, I'm a fan of old Scorps. When I saw this on the shelf I was hesitant to say the least. After I heard it in my friend's car, I had to buy it. It is absolutely terrific. The songs are melodic, heavy, catchy, sexy, and emotionally charged. Just like the band always was in the old days. The only song on this album I don't care for is Borderline and it's not that bad either. I cannot convey as much as I'd like how surprised I was by this album. It is absolutely to the standards they used to hold themselves to. Even die-hard old Scorpions fans like me will love this. Pick it up, you will be glad you did!!