Ozzy Osbourne - No Rest for the Wicked (Exp)

Import exclusive two-disc set combines Ozzy's 1989 album No Rest For The Wicked with his 1986 ambum Ultimate Sin. Two standard jewel cases housed in a slip case. Sony/BMG. 2005. Album Description

Classic Ozzy

I had this cassette years ago when it came out. I had it and got rid of it. After listening to it on Amazon, the songs got me interested. I purchased the cd. It is Zakks first cd with Ozzy and a classic. The songs bring back good memories, and the songs are great. Personal favorites are "Miracle Man," "Tattoed Dancer," "Fire In The Sky," and "Hero." This cd is remastered with bonus songs "The Liar," and an unrealeased live performance of "Miracle Man." Glad I purchased this cd again. An Ozzy classic. Thank you Amazon. July 16, 2008

Man, this thing has clocked up some serious miles on my stereo

I'm not a huge Sabbath fan. Nor more than a casual Ozzy fan, so the fact that I've awarded this thing one of my rare five starts and played it to death over the years is a testament to just how good this thing is.

Starting off with Miracle Man, a humourous and perenially timely attack on sanctimonious preachers, this album promises metal on metal. And it delivers with Ozzy in scintillating form. The man at his most attacking in the aforementioned Miracle Man, at his most broken and plaintive in Fire In The Sky, at his most vicious and morally bankrupt in Devils Daughter and Tattooed Dancer and at his most autobiographical in Demon Alcohol.

And the focus of the whole thing is kind of intimidating. Sure, during the late 90's and the 00's we got used to the feeling that bands had hugely focussed on the minutiae of their albums but in the 80's that wasn't always the case and for a chemical commando like Ozzy you couldn't take it for granted that there would be such focus. But the whole organisation seems 100% behind this disc from the star production team of Keith Olsen and Roy Thomas Baker through to the band of expert veterans. Bob Daisley and Randy Castillo are certainly 'name' guys to have as your engine room and Zakk Wylde is at his manic best, basically forging his own legend with riffs that would withstand a nuclear blast and solos so biting they'd carve through battleship armour.

But hey, don't take my word for it - it's cheap enough so add it to your cart and crak it in the comfort of your own home! June 11, 2008

A Turning Point

The beginning of a new era begins for Ozzy Osbourne, with the addition of axe slinger Zakk Wylde (also of Black Label Society). And the difference is noticeable, from the outset. The sound of this album, beginning with "Miracle Man," is noticeably heavier, less grounded in 1980s stereotypes, and generally more...well, more METAL! Zakk's shredding ability carries "Devil's Daughter (Holy War)," where Ozzy's vocals seem a little weak, and his presence on "Crazy Babies" really makes the most of a fun, blues infused rockin' track. Throughout the album, Ozzy does things that are different from what he's done in the past (a good thing...some of the old was getting a bit stale). This album, while lacking the obvious hits of some previous efforts, marks a turning point in Ozzy's career and a breath of new life into his music.

On another note:

DO NOT BUY THE 2002 OZZY REMASTERS of his first two albums (Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman)! They are NOT the originals, and have been rerecorded by newer members of Ozzy's band, as a way to screw over the old members who are owed $$$ for the work they did. Seek out the 1995 remasters, instead. Reward the musicians who actually made the music! February 3, 2008

Wicked, wicked, wicked...

Ozzy's first record with guitarist Zakk Wylde is, without a doubt, a marked improvement over the unashamedly "hair metal" sounding, utterly disappointing "The Ultimate Sin", released only 2 years prior to this. Indeed, after scaring the hell out of everybody by jumping into the (according to the definition of a dear friend of mine...)"filthy glam metal" bandwagon (and not only musically, but visually too...oh boy, those clothes, that hair...the horror, the horror...), Ozzy decided to go back to its trademark skull-bashing, bone crunching brand of rock, and he found in Zakk a great foil to achieve this. Completing his recording lineup at the time were drummer Randy Castillo (finally given free reign to pound on his drums like there's no tomorrow, and even to contribute to the songwriting), longtime collaborator Bob Daisley on bass and John Sinclair on keyboards. Contrary to popular belief, bassist Geezer Butler was not involved in the process, but rather joined the band for the subsequent tour. Gone is the horrible, slick, smooth production of Ron Nevison. Legendary producer Roy Thomas Baker (known for his work with Queen) was originally tapped for the project, but after only a short time in the studio, he just couldn't see eye to eye with Ozzy on the direction of the album, and ultimately Keith Olsen stepped in.

His first task was to "fix" the sound of the material already recorded, which to Ozzy lacked punch (especially on the drums), and then record some new, even punchier material. And he succeeded in both, creating an album that was closer to the wall of guitars approach of his first 2 solo albums. Some of the strongest cuts, placed in the first "half" of the album, were selected as singles: guitar heavy tracks "Breaking all the Rules" and "Crazy Babies" make little sense lyrically but are a great deal of fun; "Devil's Daughter" is another great tune that is fast and heavy and dumb, but great for headbanging and chockfull with great guitar; probably the weakest track is opener "Miracle Man", a direct attack to Jimmy Swaggart and other T.V evangelists who had often targeted Ozzy, making him the very definition of "evil" and using him as an scape goat, so it was only fitting that given such a brilliant opportunity, Ozz wouldn't pass up the chance to have a swing on him; but the resulting song, while quite explicit and effective lyrically, is fairly generic from the musical point of view.

The same can be said about some of the material of the latter half of the album: "Bloodbath in Paradise" and "Tattooed Dancer" are fast and hard hitting, sure, but a little too topical and typical. That's not to say that they're bad, but they aren't the best tunes in here; "Demon Alcohol" is better simply because it deals with a topic that Ozzy knows all too well, and therefore rings true to the listener. "Fire in the Sky" slows down the pace somewhat, and while it's not one of my favorite tracks, I must admit that is has an interesting structure and it is an interesting, if somewhat odd, departure from the tried and true. Finally, "Hero" was a "hidden" bonus track that appeared on the 95 remaster, and it is quite a nice addition to the set and a great closing tune.

This new 2002 remaster, however, graces us with 2 more cuts: "Liar" and a live version of "Miracle Man"; the latter has little interest, especially for those who have either the "Just Say Ozzy" and/or "Live and Loud" live sets, since the versions of that song included in those 2 releases are far better and have better sound, too. "Liar" is a real disappointment: the liner notes claim that it comes from the same recording sessions, but the sound is altogether different from the rest of the CD, which can be explained by one of two possibilities: it is either a demo, or one of the tracks from the "Roy Thomas Baker" sessions that wasn't remixed. It sounds tiny and lackluster in comparison with the rest of the material. And what the hell is the deal with that vocal melody, anyway? It keeps changing and changing and ultimately it never gets anywhere!! Its inclusion here is a mistake as it adds nothing to the original release, and it is justified purely as a marketing ploy to entice Ozzy fans into buying the album yet again.

Not the most essential Ozzy release (my actual rating for it would be 3 1/2 stars, but since I can't put that...), but in the end a satisfying one that put the Madman back on track and more importantly, I believe, set the groundwork for the next record, "No More Tears", a true rock masterpiece. Think of it as a blueprint of sorts: all the elements that would make NMT a classic are here, although not fully realized. Some of its songs may not have aged as well, but if you enjoy(ed) "No More Tears" hard hitting, take no prisoners sound, you'll probably like this one as well.

February 12, 2007

Ending the 80's on a high note

I love "No Rest For the Wicked" and believe it's one of Ozzy's most underrated albums (along with "Bark At the Moon").

Zack Wylde proved he was more than a worthy successor to Jake E. Lee, jamming with the master himself and laying down some deep tracks and outstanding guitar work.

My favorite cut here is "Miracle Man." A thinly veiled busting of disgraced TV preacher Jimmy Swaggart's stones, one line has never failed to make me snicker every time I hear it: "Now Jimmy he got busted with his pants down, repent ye wretched sinners, self righteous clown" (Swaggart was among the crop of TV preachers who pounced on Ozzy throughout the 80's, calling him everything but his mother's child). Ahh, revenge can be so sweet.

One tune that I was disappointed with was "Bloodbath In Paradise," which glorified Charles Manson. Then again, there was a trend in the 80's in glorifying murderers.

Ozzy always has a penchant for writing songs that everyday people can relate to, such as with "Demon Alcohol."

One fact that must be noted: The original album only contained 8 songs - from "Miracle Man" to "Demon Alcohol." "Hero" was a bonus track on the tape (it wasn't on the album or the then-new technology of cds).

In all, "No Rest..." is definitely worth the effort. Ozzy ended the decade on a high note and he only continued the momentum in the 90's. December 1, 2005

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