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Animal Magnetism

Scorpions - Animal Magnetism Audio CD

A fair review of the Scorpions "Animal Magnetism" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Scorpions reviews here, or go back to the Scorpions tabs.

Band: Scorpions
Title: Animal Magnetism
Rating:

Release Date: 1990-10-25
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Make It Real 2: Don't Make No Promises (Your Body Can't Keep) 3: Hold Me Tight 4: Twentieth Century Man 5: Lady Starlight 6: Falling in Love 7: Only a Man 8: Zoo 9: Animal Magnetism

Not A Classic Scorps Album
The 2 eras are personified by their lead guitarists at the time. The scorpions have 2 phases in their careers. The Uli Roth era and the Mathias Jabs era. The early Roth days have them sounding more like a Hendrix/Zepellin hybrid while the Jabs era was when they became 80s metal icons. Released in 1980, this record clearly belongs in the 2nd camp. Jabs had just joined the band on the album Lovedrive, which came before this. On this one you can hear difficulties in the band gelling together. Lovedrive is head and shoulders above this album but the lead guitar duties on that album were shared by Jabs, rhythm guitarist Rudy Schenker and Rudy's brother, legendary guitarist Michael Schenker.

Animal Magnetism still managed to give the band some concert staples in The Zoo and Don't Make No Promises (Your Body Can't Keep). Make It Real is also one of the best songs that the band ever recorded. The rest of the album lags. The ballad, Lady Starlight, is the last saving grace of an otherwise lukewarm album. If you like the metal sound of the Scorpions in the 80s then get Blackout, Lovedrive, Love At First Sting or Crazy World. Any of those are sure to please. .

The best Scorpions Album ever
Right off the bat, for you Guitarists out there like myself, I am a HUGE Michael Schenker Fan, and loved what he did on Lovedrive, and have to admit that Matthias did a more than adequate job filling the Scorps need for a Melodic and emotive Guitarist like Michael. This is the second in the "Mach 2" version of this fine German Metal Band from Germany featuring the very talented lead guitar skills of Matthias Jabs. In my opinion, this is the best Scorpions Album of what myself and a lot of fans refer to as the "Triumvirate" of the best 3 albums [Lovedrive/Animal Magnetism/Blackout] of their entire career. Of course, it could be argued by a Scorpions Purist, that the earlier Ulrich Roth material was far edgier and Progressive sounding without a care in the World to pandering to commercial tastes, but I digress. . . Songwise, this is the strongest of the 3 albums mentioned above with the hard rock songs here just pummeling you like giant Ball Peen Hammer - if built by Porsche. This songwriting to me is the very essence of great Hard Rock craftsmanship. Memorable Guitar hooks that never leave you, pounding and tasty Bass and Drums with songs that straddle that very difficult balance (that almost EVERY Metal Band in the late 80's failed miserably at. . . ) between being memorable without being too Radio-Friendly, and great chops for a Musician like me to appreciate and be inspired by. Lady Starlight as a Ballad is a very sweet song that thankfully Klaus has the sensitivity to deliver without sounding like a "Metal Dude" that had to throw in a "soft song" to appease the record company and the Girls in the fan base. For those of you that appreciate a clean, punchy Mix as I do, the record sounds great with all the instruments balanced perfectly with no trace of muddiness in evidence - even more impressive considering the heavy Bass mix and energetic Kick-Drum from Herman! MUCH credit is due to Dieter Dierks as Producer, as he did a wonderful job polishing these already great songs and making everything sound as clear as a bell. To sum up, these songs are top-notch, the recording/mix will impress you, but most imoprtantly, this kind of simple but hooky Hard Rock sonwriting like this along with early Y&T, Montrose, UFO, etc. , is sadly a thing of the past. This is Scorpions in their finest hour. All you have to do now is buy the remastered CD and fire up your giant Pioneer speakers from the 70's and bliss out to the greatest era in hard rock history. Trust me.

average album
It features the same line-up as the previous album "Lovedrive" except it doesn't have Michael Schenker guest on a few songs. This is the Scorpions' 7th album, released in 1980. In the big picture this album is from their classic period, but it's only average. It simply has too much filler. For example the song "Fallig in Love" is so bland and forgettable and one of the purest forms of filler I've heard. Other forgettable songs are "Twentieth Century Man" and "Hold Me Tight". "Don't Make No Promises" is a carbon copy of "Another Piece of Meat", which was also the second song on "Lovedrive", except this one's completely bland.

But what about the good things? Well first of all, the production is great. Very warm big sound, with a lot of low-end from the bass and drums. Best songs are "Make it Real" (very catchy up tempo ballad), "The Zoo" (sexual bluesy verses with a majestic arena rock chorus), "Only A Man" (this song sounds very heavy when the band comes in, a great groove, very metal song actually), and the title track which also has a very metal, almost thrash riff. "Lady Starlight" is a bit of a hit and miss ballad. It sounds like a christmas song, but goes on a little too long. As for the lyrics, as always there's nothing substantial, as one would expect from the Scorpions. Mostly sex, just look at the cover.

"Blackout" and "Love at First Sting" are better albums from this period, as for "Lovedrive", it's just about as good as this one. This is from their heavy metal period. If you want their more classic rock sounding, with Hendrix type guitar albums, get the ones with Uli Jon Roth. I recommend "Virgin Killer" and "Taken by Force". If you want to start listening to this band, get those two or the two records that followed this one first.

The Memories Prevail!

Not only did it rock, but it was "radio-ready" without
sounding too bubbly (if ya catch my drift). When this album came out, most people were floored.
This album is a classic. If I could point out a strong point,
I would, however, this collection of songs in its entirety
IS a strong point.
Classic Scorps with hooks galore!
Don't miss this one!.

Another Solid Hit by The Scorpions
Although it doesn't carry as hard of an edge as 'Black Out' or even 'Love at First Sting', every song on this album is just a classic hit thanks to brilliant musicianship and the outstanding lead guitar work by Mathias Jabbs: simply one of the most underrated lead guitarists from that period who is just as impressive as Randy Rhoads in his style. Another solid hit by the Scorpions! Pretty much the leading hard rock band along with Def Leppard to come out of the 80s (as opposed to metal proper such as Priest and Maiden). Don't forget to get out your lighters and raise your hands as Scorpions is the model hard rock band for your power ballad with the hit 'Lady Starlight' which is just as moving as the later 'No One Like You' and 'Still Loving You. ' You can't go wrong with this album or any album by Scorpions except those following Love At First Sting which was their last good album. .

You can see a complete list of all Scorpions discography, or go back to the Scorpions tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.