Bat Out of Hell II Back Into Hell Deluxe Edition

by

Meat Loaf

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That point may very well be different for everyone. But this album will help you find it. Lost? Depressed? Suicidal? Searching? Confused? Anything other than feeling alive and at peace? That may sound like an antidepressant commercial, but I'm just prepping you for one of the greatest albums ever made - as Meat Loaf is certainly no more subtle.

This album, every time I put it on, gives me a wake-up call. Meat Loaf/Jim Steinman's music is so emotional, so human, so real, artistic, accessible - this album is where everything came together (again!) and reminded a few million people why music is so important in one's life. I think the most important purpose about music is that it makes a person feel. It moves you. And very few things out there are more intense than this. Warning: this album is not for the casual fan of bland music. Not everyone deserves these songs. But if you think you are human, you may just pass the test.

I'm not going to waste any more than this lone sentance to utter what a shame it is that some call this music cheesy, campy, pompous, etc. - give us a break. This album is one of the best ever made. There's so much to say, it's probably doing more justice to analyze minimally here. Even nostalgic people from the first Bat Out of Hell era love this album - and THAT's a rare thing indeed, to have an album that easily rivals another classic from its own lineage-and by the same fans.

These songs address life. There's not a weak spot on the album, and not a wasted minute. I saw an interview once where Meat was asked to respond to the criticism of his songs being so long. With impeccable retort, he reasoned that none of these songs are as long as life itself. How dare anyone scorn repitition, given that probably any of these offenders' own music choices contain drum loops or samples repeated 500 times? Bat II is in your face, passionately dramatic, and far more gutwrenchingly moving than even any movie could ever hope to accomplish. If you are questioning why so many people consider Rock and Roll a religion, this album will make you believe. Listen to "Everything Louder than Everything Else:" It's loud, in your face, anthemic, - it's the only thing that matters when you're in that moment. The bagpipes at the end are awesome. The instrumental composition "Back into Hell" is highly impressive and thematic with the album as a whole.

When I'm left questioning my purpose on the planet, I take this album for a spin - 10 years later it's just as fresh - I go through the cathartic "Life is a Lemon and I Want My Money Back" (one of the greatest songs ever), into the divine "Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through," on to the confession stage with "It Just Won't Quit," and on and on until the only less-than-perfect song "Lost Boys and Golden Girls" concludes this emotional roller coaster of almost 80 minutes. It's the best 12-step program there is. The songs are diverse, rocking, musical, ... perfect. Oh, and the opening ditty "I'd do Anything for Love" doesn't hurt the record either. What better alternative to the uninspired, lackluster 'alternative' music of the nineties. If lightening can strike 3 times with the upcoming Bat 3, then our Savior of Rock and Roll is alive and well. We survived disco (ok i wasn't even born yet), grunge, techno, boy bands, rap, .... and good music always wins out. There is nothing bad about this album and everything good about it. I own a diverse cd collection of almost a thousand cd's, and Bat 2 has earned a solid permanent position in my top 10. If you find Jim Steinman's songwriting to be too over-the-top, than you, my friend, need a cleansing of the soul. Yowsah.

In all seriousness: Bat out of Hell II: Back into Hell is one of the best (and cheapest) ways of therapy out there. I could write a doctoral thesis on the power of each song, but find it out for yourself. A review shouldn't give away the ending, but rather it should motivate you to investigate. Not all commercial success sellers are crap. Indeed, this album is the antithesis.

BAT OUT OF HELL is one of the greatest rock albums of all time. This is because it captures the true spirit of rock and roll in a way very few can. Vocalist Meat Loaf, writer Jim Steinmann and producer Todd Rudgren threw caution and tradition to the wind and broke every "rule" and convention of rock music and created something otherworldly and surreal, as well as some damn fine rock music.

BAT OUT OF HELL II could have been titled BAT OUT OF HELL x2, as it is twice as excessive and twice as overblown as the original album, though, unfortunately, it has half the soul.

Steinmann, after surviving on royalties from brain dead hits he wrote for Bonnie Tyler and Air Supply offers up largely trite and banal songs which manage to also be outrageous and pretentious, often at the same time.

There's some good stuff here, though. The opening number ("I'd Do Anything for Love") is an underrated masterpiece, as well as being the only song on the album that should go on as long as it does. The very next song is a terrific rocker, but goes on for nearly twice as long as it should.

Most of the album is fun and enjoyable camp, but Steinmann really needs to know when to put on the brakes. Meat Loaf's follow up, WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD, is a far better album, which showcases his voice more effectively with songs that have more meaningful and interesting lyrics, and stripped down, less overblown arrangements. It would be great to see Meat Loaf's vocal chords turned loose on songwriting along the lines of Pete Townshend or Robbie Robertson.

BAT OUT OF HELL II is a fine album, don't get me wrong. But it is beneath what both Steinmann and Meat Loaf are obviously capable of creating. Perhaps someday the unlikely pairing will produce something more like the original masterpiece, but, considering Meat Loaf's failing health in recent years, it doesn't look promising.