Scorpions – Crazy World

Other than being the only Scorpions album to reach the top of the charts in their native country, "Crazy World" is the first in a decade not to be produced by Dieter Dierks, whose penchant for slick, sanitized studio recordings was incompatible with the band's freshly accomplished, meaningful input. Featuring decidedly workmanlike production, broadly appealing songwriting and a satisfyingly guitar-savvy approach, the customary energetic rockers and sublime slower numbers contained within impress as effluent and sophisticated, with the empowering "Wind of Change" and dreamy "Send Me An Angel" boasting the requisite style, immediacy, majesty and sentiment of classic arena rock whilst being entirely transcendent and ubiquitous (which the latter composition became). Despite the common assertion that hard-rock reached its artistic and commercial nadir with relative upstarts Guns N' Roses' "Appetite For Destruction", some veteran European bands followed their US counterparts in changing their profile, disposition and sound as per the increasingly anti-rock international zeitgeist. Scorpions, taking their cue from the all-purpose lyrics and majestic sweep of the inspirational American rock anthem, i.e. universal references, irresistible sing-a-long choruses and indelible hooks, dispensed with the edgy, distinctly macho hedonism, eroticism and mystical aura that had defined them, instead opting to emphasize emotive themes and melodies. Thankfully, it was a conversion that paid dividends, resulting in the German rock outfit's most intimate, radio-friendly material to date.

Serving up a crowd-pleasing platter of gloriously overdriven, masterfully executed melodic rock with a renewed sense of focus and instrumental muscularity, Scorpions had not quite jumped the shark as others of their ilk did in an attempt to remain relevant, preferring to target the sensitivity to soaring balladry of mainstream audiences whilst proving that the grit, heaviness and enthusiasm of their "Blackout" period had not waned entirely. "Crazy World" may not be reminiscent of the aggressive, full power metallic outings of their imperial phase, but it is a real treat for those who favour more tempered rock atmospheres over bombastic glossiness, though not to the point of sacrificing the dependable factors, namely piercing vocals, sharp rhythms and even sharper riffs.

RATING: 4.5/5

WOW...The Winds of Change. Why can't American bands write this professional music, instead of sounding like PARTY ANIMALS in every song. The Germans have the EURO-CLASS style of writing with panache & poise while my own country of America has to many bands that write songs about partying all night. This band just has the magnetic draw of song power & desire to be the best. It shows. I love these guys.......