Humanity Hour 1

Scorpions

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 28, 2007)
• Original Release Date: May 15, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: New Door Records
• ASIN: B000TSIK14
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (108 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,998 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Humanity Hour I, the latest Scorpions outing, has some sort of concept at the heart of it, but you needn't worry about the plot-–suffice it to say that the venerable Teutonic rock quintet has delivered a collection of highly melodic and semi-energetic hard pop. The record's short on hard rockers, though what is here--the title cut, "You're Lovin' Me to Death," "321"--serve as noble attempts at updating the group's sound and keeping its reputation as a heavy metal band intact. But the collection as a whole mires in midtempo melancholy: at least half of the record is occupied by ballads or ballads in a rocker's pleather pants, rendering this record closer to Michael Bolton than Metallica. True, few hard pop acts have written as many ballads that have reached aural permanence ("No One Like You" and "Holiday") but this is also the band that wrote its share of raucous rockers ("Rock You Like a Hurricane," "Blackout," "The Zoo"), which are in short supply here. Humanity Hour I isn't necessarily a bad record for that trade but it may be a sign that Klaus Meine and Co. are aging gracefully and keenly aware that they're making music for people who prefer to sway--rather than bang--their heads. ––Jedd Beaudoin

Product Description

A stunning surprise package is boxed and tied and ready for unwrapping: Scorpions, Germany's most-successful international music export, are poised to "sting" once again and are planning a frontal attack on the musical artery of rock fans all over the globe with their new album Humanity-Hour 1. Thirty-five years after the release of their debut album Lonesome Crow, Scorpions believe they have reached a new creative high in their impressive career. And they plan to prove it with the release of album number 21. Even though they have already made music history with hits like "Wind Of Change", "Rock You Like A Hurricane" and "Send Me An Angel"- there is still nothing more exciting than a new challenge, than adding another milestone to the band's history.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SUBLIME, October 4, 2007

By	Kevin Dobbs "dragonboots" (Perth Western Australia) - See all my reviews

Well its definately the release of the year in this household. What a sublime set of intelligent well constructed classic rock tracks this release has. I can't stop playing it. And fear not the name Desmond Child either, because to these ears he has pushed the Scorps to their best effort in a long long time if not of all time.

"Hour 1" kicks off proceedings with military precission, a tytanic build up to a rip-snorter of a chorus that won't leave your head any time soon. A loose concept runs through this disc and this song is the scene-setter, warning us if we don't change our ways we will loose our humanity, 'try to stay down, you better run for cover underground' the final consequence when machines finally rule the world. Building off the pace set by the premier song we have the first of many highlights in "The Game Of Life". A subtle builder leading to another winning chorus, the passion in the vocals and guitar work is heart stopping. I love it. Just when you can't believe the song can get better it has a fantastic bridge and classy guitar solo to help your jaw drop further.

"We Were Born to Fly" launches off some aggressive (relatively speaking) guitar work to an atmospheric vocal. It contains a sublime couplet 'take another breath, just close your eyes let nature do the rest' and is another five star plus moment. Simple piano work leads us into "The Future Never Dies" before exploding soncially as it climbs the keys with lush orchestration abound. Beautiful lyrically and musically. It reminds me a little of Queen at their most glorious and most pompous, and I hear a little of "Winds Of Change" an ecclectic mix but a very succesful one. The gentle piano work returns to close us out in the coda.

"Your Loving Me to Death" and "321" are the most typical Scorpion numbers offered here but that is not a bad thing good solid rock songs. I feel the first is the better of the two. "Love Will Keep Us Alive" is the ultimate track on offer on this release and I swear that I will never tire of this great song. An acoustic and strings blend ballad, with sublime electric guitar work. I think this has to be my personal highlight amongst many shining stars. It is so perfect it nearly brings a tear to the eye everytime I hear it. The hard rock brigade may not be so forgiving of this but I can't help liking what I like.

"We Will Rise Again" builds off another wall of guitars and breaks through to another hum-dinger (is that a German word?) It hold court to a brilliant chorus and fine vintage vocals. It just gets stronger the further down the track listing you go. "Your Last Song" is textured melodic rock of the highest quality, lyrically either a romance ending or saying goodbye to the world.

"Love is War" is the winner of the best chorus award of the decade, "The Cross" winner of the most unexpected but successful collaboration nomination with Billy Corgan. I feel this one points a finger at the contradictions of religion and is perhaps the deepest offering lyrically, certainly another favourite moment. Closer "Humanity" returns us to familiar Scorpions territory and the military drums heard in Hour 1 are back. A strong closer with frenetic violins bringing things to a fantastic climax.

Phew if it sounds like I am gushing, then you would be right. Don't let trends dictate what you will listen too, this is a winner, a thorough bred amongst a field of contenders from the 70's and 80's who are quite happy to release second rate 'best ofs' and in the process not be creative anymore. Support the brave and buy a classic.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Pleasant Surprise. Outstanding., March 23, 2008

By	Steven Burns (-) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

I had no idea Scorpions had a new album. One day, listening to the radio I heard "Humanity" and that was it, I was hooked.
The rest of the songs are just as good, the whole album is emotionally charged and full of energy.
I ended up buying three copies, one for myself and the other two as presents.
I love the way the CD starts, the way it ends and everything in between.
If you ever liked Scorpions, you will like this album.

17 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oh Hell Yes!!!, August 29, 2007

By	Sinister Minister - See all my reviews

After the last CD by the scorps "Unbreakable" i was somewhat skeptical about the hype that surrounded this CD, such as this being the best since the mid-80s. But I have to agree for once withthe hype! This is an amazing collection of intelligent, at times aggressive music. The Scorpions prove once and for all that they can hold thier own riff wise with the likes of Rob Zombie and the like (Hour 1, 321) Its nice to see that some of the great masters of metal music are still willing to get up off thier butts and show the young punks how its done! Bands like Heaven and Hell, Judas Priest, and now the Scorpions. I'm not going to bore you with blow by blow discriptions, just go out buy the damn CD and let it blow you thru the wall!!!