As Autumn continues onward, the air is getting colder, and the leaves are getting brighter before they fall. As we get closer & closer to Halloween itself, it seems that spirits from the distant past & most recent of times come back to either haunt the living, or remind them of special times now past. Last month, the spirit of Ozzy was hanging around, and I took at look at Blizzard Of Ozz & Ozzmosis. Two very different albums in many ways, and this month will be no different. To start October off, we reach the year 2001, and a seemingly invigorated Prince Of Darkness. Let’s not waste anymore time, and take a look at Down To Earth. BOO!
Background
Taken from part 3 of my overview:
“The 90s was definitely interesting for Ozzy. He got out a great album with No More Tears, and another great record financially with Ozzmosis, but it would be more divided among music critics and some fans. However, the business venture that would perhaps be the most successful thing would be the iconic Heavy Metal festival known as Ozzfest. Created by and managed by Sharon, and assisted by his son Jack, Ozzfest was an immediate hit. It not only was awesome among fans, but it also helped many up & coming metal bands with exposure. Not only that, but in the inagural show they got to play alongside a newly reformed Black Sabbath. It is through Ozzfest that the Blizzard of Ozz would get the energy to get out an album of completely new material in the 6 years since the last time.
Released on the 16th of October in 2001, Osbourne explained in an interview with Classic Rock Magazine that “The Ozzfest was doing well. I just wanted to be like the Grateful Dead and keep it going by touring, but the record company said they'd like a new Ozzy album”. Down To Earth is interesting in the fact that it is the only time that future Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo would ever perform on an Ozzy release, the first time that former Faith No More drummer Mike Bordin, and it would be the last time that we would hear Zakk Wylde until 2007, but that’s for a little later.
Down To Earth would chart pretty high across the world. For example, in the UK it would chart at no. 19 on the UK Albums Chart, no. 4 on the Billboard 200 here in the United States, and weirdly enough no. 1 on the Sverigetopplistan over in Sweden. It would also be certified Silver & Platinum in the UK & U.S. respectively. On top of that, the album’s 2 singles (Gets Me Through & Dreamer) would reach the top 10 of the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart here in America, and at no. 18 on the UK Singles Chart. Not bad if you ask me!”
Basic Description
Ozzy in the modern era.
The Blizzard Of Ozz’s reign will always be withing the 1970s & 80s, with a brief stop in the last great decade in the 1990s. That being said, his first release of the 2000s was a damn good spearhead into the new millennium. You had (at the time) newer recording & production technology which resulted in a fresher sound and feeling album, but the heart & soul of it was still very much old school Ozzy. A lot of the beats, rhythms, and vibes were distinctly the Prince Of Darkness, but with (again, at the time) more modern resources. The end result is a record that’s quite modern (For the very early 2000s), but still has some roots in the past, and it’s damn good because of that.
Best Track
Long before I ever listened to this album, Gets Me Through was the song that finally made things click for me when it came to Ozzy. Like I said when I talked about this album back in 2022, the track is incredibly emotional. This is one of those songs of his where Ozzy is singing about despite all the fame & infamy he has, he’s kind of an average joe & is broken on the inside, and while he would do this kind of song before & after, something about it feels more genuine in this tune than others. It really tugs at the heartstrings quite a bit, what with the sorrowful piano playing at the beginning, followed by intense guitar & bass and drums. As I said in the overview, it’s kinda weird to describe it, so give it a listen to see what you think!
Gets Me Through
However, we got a little bit of a bonus in 2021, as not only did it get re-released for it’s 20th birthday, but it also included not just an acoustic version of Dreamer & the single version of Gets Me Through, but the Japanese bonus track No Place for Angels. This definitely feels like the most modern song on the entire record: the instrumentation feels very contemporary for the very early 2000s, Ozzy is singing like his usual self but is altered in certain places, and the recording & production feels the most modern when compared to other songs. It’s definitely not as good as the tune mentioned above (Almost comes across like a demo to be honest), but it’s still something nice to hear, and it’s welcome to have a bonus track from Japan on a western release when such a thing is rare.
No Place for Angels
Worst Track
I kinda said this when I first look at the album, but some people might not like the more modern feel Down To Earth has when compared to prior releases. When I first listened to it, that feel was more obvious to me. Almost 3 years later, and I don’t think it’s as strong or obvious, but it is definitely there if your ears are observant enough. It doesn’t ruin the music for me, but it may for others that are picky with their vibes.
Other
If you’re curious about listening to this album, click on the link below:
Down To Earth
Overall Impression & Rating
Down To Earth was a breath of fresh air for anyone that wasn’t a fan of Ozzy’s 90s output. While the modern(ish) vibes may have been a roadblock for some listeners, it was a sign that the Prince Of Darkness was adapting to the times in the music industry, and the end result was early 2000s magic. With the album being celebrated a few shorts years back on it’s 20th anniversary, it’s legacy is still apparent for all to listen to, and with it being 25 years old next year, said legacy is etched in stone. Down To Earth is essential Ozzy Osbourne. Plain & Simple.
Down To Earth gets an 8.5 out of 10.
And that was my review for Ozzy’s first album of the new Millennium. Down To Earth, though ages after it was released, was the album that finally got me to become a fan of the Blizzard of Ozz, and I will stay one until the day I die. With the 20 year re-release back in 2021, fans who didn’t get to experience it the first time get to do so now. So, join me next week for an annual tradition of mine that’s getting close to a decade old, then after that I’m taking a break until the 31st. See you all on Monday!
No comments:
Post a Comment