Review: Scorpions "Sting in the Tail"

It is the end of an era. Everyone's favorite arachnids are back for one last album. Hard to believe, but after 40 years, the Scorpions have released what they are calling their swan song.

It is easy to raise expectations too high for what we know to be a final record. It is even easier to set the bar excessively high after they rolled out one of the best albums of their entire career on their last outing (read our rave review of "Humanity Hour 1" here). So I have given "Sting in the Tail" many more than the usual number of spins I give a record under review, hoping that I would like it more than I initially did.

But if I'm being honest, "Sting in the Tail" is less than a terrific album. It certainly has its share of highlights, and listening to Klaus Meine open the record singing, "I was born in a hurricane" damn near put a tear in my eye - to think that there will soon be a world with no new music from the Scorpions. But its eleven tracks - most of which are plodding rockers or nondescript ballads - left me somewhat disappointed.

Don't get me wrong: "Sting in the Tail" serves as a veritable tribute to rock and roll and does have its moments. The opener, "Raised On Rock" is a fantastic trademark rocker, and "No Limit" and "Turn You On" recall some of the finer moments of their late 80s heyday ("Crazy World" era). The Scorpions also show their more thoughtful side with a moving song of a soldier's plight ("The Good Die Young") and a chill-inducing closer ironically entitled, "The Best Is Yet To Come". The guys sound tremendous as always, with Klaus Meine's distinctive vocals being as rugged as they were on day one.

So the boys don't quite go out in a blaze of glory, but "Sting in the Tail" is a solid capstone to one of the finest careers in hard rock music. Cheers to the guys and thanks for four decades of great tunes.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 4, 5, 8, 11

Scorpions on MySpace. Official site.

Review: Scorpions "Unbreakable"

I was pleasantly surprised with the latest Scorpions release earlier this year, "Humanity Hour 1" (read why). Steve (from Heavy Metal Addiction) told me that I would also like "Unbreakable" (2004, Sanctuary Records). I finally found a used copy for cheap and got to check it out this week. Steve's recommendation was right on and while I still prefer "Humanity Hour 1", "Unbreakable" is a terrific record.

As on this year's release, the Scorpions sound older and wiser (I mean that in a good way!). The production on "Humanity" is superior to what I hear on "Unbreakable," but the Scorps sound strong and not dated. The record just got better and better as it progressed, and I found myself enjoying the latter half more than the beginning...the record is consistent and flows effortlessly. Ballads are scarce, and the rockers are anthems. The talents of these rock veterans are really shining in this new millennium, and I truly hope they are not finished making music yet. To me, they sound better than ever. For the fans of catchy melodies, just out the instantly likable tracks "Someday is Now" (7) and "My City, My Town" (8), "Can You Feel It" (10)

iPOD-worthy: 2, 3, 7, 8, 10-13

Check out "Deep and Dark":

Review: Scorpions "Humanity Hour 1"

I am stunned. Andrew at Melodicrock.com got me curious about this CD, which he gave a rave review to recently. In addition, it is on sale at Best Buy now (with a bonus track) for just $7.99. I'll put in a disclaimer here that no Scorpions CD has ever excited me beyond the hits compilations. For me, they've been a band that can occasionally come up with a good tune, but most of the other tracks on individual records just didn't do anything for me. Further, the juvenile cock rock lyrics that permeate most of their songs just don't make them worth listening to.

All that has changed with the 2007 release "Humanity Hour 1". The band sounds more wiser than older, and I am beside myself that they have pulled off such a 180. I was actually laughing out loud at how good this is, proud in a way of what these guys have done. Instantly evident in their maturity is the more intelligent and reflective lyrical content, and an amazingly good updated sound. You read about aging rockers "modernizing" their sound all the time, but it usually fails because they lose the essence of what their fans enjoy most about them (or the "modernizing" is an over-statement or sounds forced). Not so with "Humanity." The sound of the band is certainly more modern, but all that is good about the Scorpions, including their trademark sound, has somehow been retained and shines through.

The sonic quality on this CD is astounding, and these seasoned rockers sound tons better than their younger counterparts. An urgency and energy comes through in nearly every track. The production team of James Michael and Desmond Child work like a match made in heaven with the Scorpions. Most tracks have a heavier, driving guitar sound, augmented at key intervals with ringing acoustic guitars. Clever harmonies, superb lead guitar work, and great hooks abound. Highlights include the title track (and current single), "Hour 1," "The Game of Life," "The Future Never Dies," and "The Cross," all of which form a mini-concept album warning us about the cold advances of technology and the widespread adaptation of the "business model" dissolving the human spirit of individuals. Long time fans are rewarded with a straight-forward salute to rock and roll with "321," and those who enjoyed the ballad "Winds of Change" or "Send Me An Angel" will equally be turned on by "Your Last Song" and "You're Lovin' Me To Death." The only track that doesn't do much for me is "We Will Rise Again," although the title is foreshadowing of what the Scorpions have done with their career here.

The Scorpions are on tour, and you can track other news at their web site.

A video performance is available for the title track, "Humanity":