Customer Reviews

Under Cover (Arg)

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(13)
1 star:		(19)

 

 

First of all the people saying ozzy is greedy and insulting him for putting out countless compilation albums have not paid much attention to recent Ozzy interviews. The reason ozzy did the cover songs for the box set to begin with was because he was sick of his fans being ripped off, you see Ozzy knows he has too many but the record label was gonna put out the box set either way. Ozzy decieded to put out some cover songs as something extra for the fans.

He didn't have the time to put the effort into make a new studio album so what he did was recorded some stuff while he was on the road at Ozzfest 2004. That might actualy be the downfall of this record actualy, Ozzy didn't have the proper time to do it right and after getting off stage every night was probably realy tired, it might come across as Ozzy not putting enough effort into the songs.

Now that this is done Ozzy should take a little break and then get back to doing what he does best, making some new orifinal music.

I wasn't sure what to think when I first bought this album, and actually at first didn't even recognise half the songs being only 19. I have since grown to love this album, and I feel that Ozzy's voice holds up fantastically. Some say it's cracking or failing, but I actually find the maturation or evolution of Ozzy's voice through his career an extra side to listening to any Ozzy album. And let's remember this man is almost 60, has an extremely rare genetic disease to battle, has metal plates in his chest and nearly died two years ago.

Yes, I too am desperate to hear a completely new, original album from him but we will just have to wait! The simple fact that he doesn't rush out a new original album proves that he is not interested in "cashing in" as he could probably record ten awful songs and release them and the album would still fly off the shelves - but he cares, and he cares a lot, and he won't do that.

To those that say this album is a cash-in, it was an addition to the box set and all Ozzy's idea for our benefit. The day Ozzy retires would be a terrible shame to all of us and to him as well, and hopefully it will never happen.

AND for those that talk of him 'divorcing Sharon' because of business decisions you really must think very little of Ozzy. He loves that woman and she loves him, and she's literally saved his life and his career!

Wow, listening to this conjures up visions of a drunken bar patron forcing his way onstage with a covers band and tipping them till they let him sing. How else to explain this flat sounding re-working of classic rock songs from such a seasoned vocalist like Ozzy? One needs only to the current Def Leppard "Yeah!" CD to realize just how lame Ozzy's "Under Cover" is.

Granted, this started life as 1/4 of a box set, where listening to it was an exercise in context. But to hear it as a stand alone document is a marker of declining greatness, and what one supposes is the inability of the Osbourne entourage to warn Ozzy that this really wasn't a very good idea. Ozzy's cover of "Women," a standard by John Lennon, is warbley wandering, a song in search of pitch and devoid of emotional impact. "Rocky Mountain Way" loses its uniqueness. Only on a mere three songs does Ozzy measure up to the material chosen here, and they are "Sympathy For The Devil" (he obviously relates to the subject matter), "Working Class Hero" (singer matches song) and "21'st Century Schizoid Man" (a natural counterpoint to "Iron Man"). Which means that "Under Cover" would have made a heck of a bonus EP for a full length original Ozzy CD. But as a stand alone? Strictly naptime.

No question about it. Ozzy was a force to reckon with in his day. He lived the rock and roll lifestyle to its fullest, and came close to cashing in his chips many times. Songs like "Crazy Train," "Flying High Again," "You Can't Kill Rock and Roll," and "I Don't Know" are definitive Ozzy Osbourne. (Man, I love those songs) He definitely earned the title of "Madman of Rock and Roll" in the 80's and into the early 90's.

So what's an aging Heavy Metal star to do in his later years? You've got to keep those paychecks rolling in. And while you still enjoy making music, singing about Crazy Trains, Barking at the Moon, and how you Can't Kill Rock and Roll begins to look a little goofy after you're well past the age of fifty.

Do you quietly fade away, enjoying your golden years, or do you release an album of odd cover tunes? Why Ozzy chose to put his legacy and reputation on the line with a tired sounding covers album, I don't know. "The Osbournes" made him out to be somewhat of lovable, crotchety, bumbling old man. This CD doesn't help.

As much as I love what Ozzy's done over his amazing three decade career, I think the time has come to call it a day. But for one reason or another his camp has decided to release an embarrasing collection of cover tunes that fall outside the music genre he's known for! Ugh! Why?

Now there are certain artists that have successfully gone outside of their normal musical styles -- Elvis, The Beatles, the Rolling Stones -- but they are the exceptions rather than the rule. There are so many more that crash and burn. This, my friends, is yet another sad flame out.

What might have worked better? Sticking to music that suits his voice. And let's face it, Ozzy has a distinctive voice with a narrow range. Songs like "In My Life," "Go Now," and "For What it's Worth" are great for vocalists with the range to do them. From Ozzy, they are fingernails on a chalkboard.

What did work on the album? To some degree, Mountain's "Mississippi Queen," and King Crimson's "21st Century Schizoid Man."

I'm all for taking a risk -- but make it a calculated risk. My guess is that no one in the Osbourne camp is willing to admit that the emperor has no clothes.

Ok, so yeah, it's a cash in from his record company. Another one.

But I have to say, the production on his previously released cover songs seems to be markedly better.

His covers of Woman, In My Life, Working Class Hero and Go Now are extremely well done. His voice has held up well, despite what bitter metal heads say.

The DVD on the otherside is priceless as well, full of stories from the crazy Ozzy from the 70s and 80s.

It's a good CD, worth the 13 bucks or whatever.

Do beware that because this is a dual disc, it might not work on all your media players.

This album sounds like a sing song down the local Alcoholics Anonymous group. The first track sounds so bad its laughable. Why is Ozzy releasing such dia crap these days? From the Prince of Darkness we now have the Prince of nothingness. I think the money and fame have just got to their heads now, and hopefully the public will become bored of this ridiculous self-centred money grabbing family and retire them for good as soon as possible. If you are looking for a heavy metal album, forget this one.

I read a review on here from a person who stated why Ozzy released a box-set and all. The reviewer is right. Ozzy didn't want to release the box-set but the record label told him it was time and it was going to be released no matter what. If you people don't like Ozzy, or think he should retire, then don't purchase his cds or even listen to him. He is supposed to be going into the studio, giving a no-one guitarist a chance to play with Ozzy (wich is definitly a an honor) on a new album. You all know damn well, if he asked even a great guitar player from any band, they would gladly play on a new Ozzy record. He wants to bring someone new into the metal world. How could fans of metal music be dissing the architecht of metal himself? He made this music, and he does it best. He will die before he gives up metal. Peace out Keep Metal Alive!

to listen to this is actually painful! Ozzy's vox are very apperently shot to hell and there is no Zak wylde instead you get jerry cantrell I like his work in AIC but here it lacks and ozzy's (I mean sharon's song choices suck badly)with a few exceptions but ozzy has actually covered better songs before born to be wild/purple haze/changes with kelly and more but this in sad don't waste you money,time and ears.

I have to start by saying from the moment i heard Ozzy for the first time on MTV as a child, i bought EVERY release since, and every sabbath album and compilation. I love hearing covers, especially if they have their own sound to it... Basically, Ozzy didnt try to sound like anyone but himself playing songs from bands that meant a lot to him. In fact, I've heard Ozzy and sabbath covered at legnth and its great to see.

Its well documented that he's a huge beatles fan, so to hear him pay homage to them, and bands like the Stones and King Crimson are great. I wish he put this out before he lost an octave in his voice.

Highlights... Listen to Robert Randolph's guitar solos in Sympathy for the Devil. He is an amazing guitarist! I've seen him live several times and he's got incredible talent and soul.

Lowlights.. a lot, too much to mention. why did they leave off purple haze? zakk and geezer were awesome on that version. Stayin' Alive is another great cover with Dweezil Zappa.

Sharon Osbourne is making a mockery of Ozzy and turning him into her personal ATM machine.

If you have $15 burning a hole in your pocket, you might want to pick this up for a novelty. Otherwise, but this below everyting else Ozzy.

Honestly, It would be a waste of breath to sit here and insult others on the terms of bashing an artist for there ideas. I think this album was a bold move on Ozzy's part, Not very many artist would do a full album of covers. Sure it has been done before, and yeah bands have done covers before, but, my question is, What exactly makes a bad album? One sucks to one person would be a kick ass idea to another. I had the chance to listen to a few songs off this album, and i thought they where great. Granted most of these tracks where in his box set, so yeah you could say i ( and many others) already have this album, I think this album was a great move on his part, because he already did what he could do in the world of music. Both with the days of black sabbath and his solo years. All i am really trying to get at is, I would like to see some one try to do what Ozzy has done and last as long as he has. Not every thing has turned to gold, but what other artist these days can truly say, "Hey i had this successful bad back in the day, changed the face of rock & roll, and this solo thing i am doing, all 13 (or so) albums have gone platnium"? none that i can think of.