Meat LoafHang Cool Teddy Bear
Mercury Records/Roadrunner Records
Available worldwide, in stores and digitally.
Common wisdom has it that Meat Loaf is only worth listening to when Wagnerian piano-pounder Jim Steinman is behind the music and lyrics. It is true, the majority of the Texan rock giant's well known songs were penned by Steinman, and even other hits like 1995's Diane Warren ballad 'I'd Lie For You (And That's The Truth)' noticeably ape his style.
As it's title indicates, with his new album 'Hang Cool Teddy Bear', Meat aims to throw the rulebook out of the window. Produced by Green Day, Goo Goo Dolls and Switchfoot collaborator Rob Cavallo, the album simultaneously disposes of the cliches that have riddled Meat Loaf's career, all the while playing to his strengths as an unparalleled interpreter of hard rock.
'Hang Cool Teddy Bear' is based around Killian Kirwin's short story of the same name (excerpts of which can be read here) and concerns the plight of a young soldier dying on the battlefield. The jaw-droppingly energetic opener 'Peace On Earth' sets the mood, and the songs that follow are visions and dreams of the young man's life as it could be if he survives. Meat Loaf's voice, which hit a low ebb on tour 3 years ago is back in full force displaying a gutsy confidence missing since at least 1993's 'Bat Out Of Hell 2'.
The album is pleasingly eclectic, taking in the southern-rock shuffle of 'Los Angeloser', the Sabbath-like 'Song Of Madness' and the heartfelt 'Did You Ever Love Somebody'. In any one else's hands a song like this would be at best forgettable fluff. Fortunately Meat's method approach to singing loads the song with enough emotion to be genuinely affecting.
There is a raucous, fun-loving vibe to the album despite it's heavy subject matter. Meat brings in his on-screen son, 'Tenacious D: Pick Of Destiny' co-star Jack Black to jam on the funky and foul-mouthed 'Like A Rose'. Meanwhile the chorus of the tongue-in-cheek Sunset Strip romp 'California Isn't Big Enough' simply has to be heard to be believed.
Numerous guests appear throughout including Justin Hawkins, Steve Vai, Brian May and Hugh Laurie (yes, that Hugh Laurie) but thankfully they're contributing to the overall sound rather than being blatantly showcased.
The album ends with the terrific 'Elvis In Vegas' - a nostalgic anthem that will be loved by anyone who remembers the excitement of sneaking out of the house as a teenager to catch their first gig. Like all of 'Hang Cool Teddy Bear', it's sung with thrilling conviction and enthusiasm that would take a conserted effort to not be swept up in.
It's difficult not to gush about 'Hang Cool Teddy Bear'. Simply put, it's fantastic. At 62 years old, Meat Loaf has produced an album equal to, yet so different from his earliest and most recognized work. Don't let this one pass you by.
Meat Loaf's tour begins in the US in July. Visit www.meatloaf.net for dates.
Visit www.hangcoolteddybear.com to learn more and download the free bonus track 'Prize Fight Lover'.
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