On September the 18th 1970 was released one of those absolutely essential albums for the world of music we all listen to. Certainly the merit is not of the cover above...What is this stuff? Oh well, I always complain about the covers, you know...
Back to us: there are albums that have made history and have influenced generations and generations of musicians. Well, if you listen to a random heavy metal playlist, know that a large percentage of the songs derive somehow from these four British musicians and therefore also from this album (along with the eponymous debut).
Paranoid is the second album by Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward and, as already mentioned, it is a record that would fit on a hypothetical blackboard that explains the genesis of Rock. You know Jack Black in School of rock? Here you are...
The record has immortal masterpieces and starts with what is perhaps my absolute favorite Sabbath song: War pigs. Bill Ward shows us what a unique style drummer he is and with the awkward but beautiful voice of Ozzy in the foreground.
This is perhaps followed by the most famous song of the band, Paranoid, which cats also know. The title track was composed and recorded quickly and furiously but it turned out to be the iconic song of the English band (when they say that if you have a good idea you don't need to work too hard, I always take this piece as an example). This is followed by a sort of ballad, that Planet Caravan (which will be resumed many years to come also by Pantera) which, however, Sabbath refused to make it sound like a love song, which had little to do with their style, inserting some lyrics decidedly different from the canonical ones. Then one of the simplest but most iconic riffs at the same time, obviously by that genius Tony Iommi: it's Iron man, the band's workhorse still today. How beautiful are Geezer Butler's bass textures: during Iommi's solos, his textures are sometimes almost more beautiful than just himself (don't want Tony).
The B side of the record is, let's say, less famous than the first part of the record but no less qualitative: the bizarre and pleasantly disturbing Electric funeral is in my opinion one of the (many) highest points of the record, then a long Hand of doom with a beautiful lyrics that talks about the use of drugs that soldiers returned from Vietnam made to escape the chilling memories of the war that just passed before their eyes. Here Ozzy sings to us really well.
This is followed by the short and, at times Jazz Rat salad, where Bill Ward's style still predominates (it is practically his drum solo, in the second half) and the record ends with a magnificent Fairies wear boots, a piece that would never be missing in one of mine. ideal greatest hits by Black Sabbath. If you listen to the ending, does it remind you of anything? Exactly, For whom the bell tolls by Metallica, another group that owes a lot to Sabbath.
Paranoid is a practically perfect record and must be owned at all costs in your collection.
Top tracks: War pigs, Iron Man, Fairies wear boots.
Tracklist:
1) War Pigs/Luke's Wall
2) Paranoid
3) Planet Caravan
4) Iron Man
5) Electric Funeral
6) Hand Of Doom
7) Rat Salad
8) Jack The Stripper/Fairies Wear Boots
Ozzy Osbourne – vocals
Tony Iommi – guitar
Geezer Butler – bass
Bill Ward – drums
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