Artist : Meat Loaf (that's two words, not one)Title : Hang Cool Teddy Bear
CD Release Date : 11 May 2010
Genre : Rock & Roll, Baby!
Overall Rating : 9*/10
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The latest album from Meat Loaf, and an excellent effort. 12 tracks of good, old-fashioned Rock & Roll. The liner notes say it's a concept album, based loosely on a story by Kilian Kerwin. I don't see it, but what-evuh.
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There are no songs written by Jim Steinman, but don't worry. The lyrics more than hold their own. There's even one penned by Bon Jovi. Jack Black joins in on vocals on one of the tracks. It's not as bad as most people say, but it's not the high point of the CD either. Stevie Vai guests on a couple of the tracks. Patti Russo is dynamic as always.
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If you like Meat Loaf's Dead Ringer and Bad Attitude albums, you'll love Hang Cool Teddy Bear. The arrangements aren't as lavish as Steinmanic numbers, so the emphasis is more on good old Rock & Roll - the kind Springsteen used to put out before he decided he was a folk singer. Mr. Loaf's voice holds up quite well for a 62-year-old, thank you very much.
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Complete track listing (my favorites in pink) :
01. Peace On Earth
02. Living On The Outside
03. Los Angeloser
04. If I Can't Have You
05. Love Is Not Real
06. Like A Rose
07. Did You Ever Love Somebody
08. Song Of Madness
09. Running Away From Me
10. Let's Be In Love
11. If It Rains
12. Elvis In Vegas
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It's nice to see an artist putting out an album that's good from start to finish, instead on one decent track and 11 chunks of filler. Meat Loaf did the first three tracks at his recent concert here in Phoenix. Buy this album. Play it. Over and over again. Sing along with him on Los Angeloser. 9 Stars.
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