At one time (the eighties, to be exact) the Scorpions were the finest metal band in all of the world. They had an air of class about them and a shimmering, titanium polish and metal bite that was undeniable - or, as they'd put it, a "sting." The vocals of Klaus Meine were unmistakably a trademark sound and even the twin guitars of Rudolf Schenker and Matthias Jabs (such good metal guitar names, you know?) had instantly recognizable tone. No other band could travel the world and command such numbers and always put on a show that kicked butt.
I remember seeing my first Scorpions show less than six months after I had "come home" as a prodigal son and changed my listening habits. In my pursuit of holiness, big hits like "Rock You Like A Hurricane," with their profane lyrics of "...the (insert name for female dog here) is hungry, give her inches..." It just didn't bode well with my new lifestyle. I stopped buying their albums prior to Love At First Sting. But after leaving their 1983 show an old friend of mine caught up with me and said, "Didn't that kick (insert label for donkey)?" To which I had to reply, "Yes" (At that time, it was still slightly uncomfortable in a naive sort of way to hear people cuss when conversing with me). The Scorpions simply dominated every stage they touched.
But time hasn't been friendly to their genre. Numerous albums later, though, they are back with that sting. I must say that Unbreakable is the only "buttrock" album I've actually liked since the day hair metal died in the nineties (prog metallers Dream Theater don't count). Judging by strength of songs alone, this album ranks right up there with Blackout. It doesn't have the classic sound of Animal Magnetism (with hypnotic rockers like "The Zoo") or "Lovedrive," but more the commercial side, post-Blackout. Anthems like "Deep And Dark" and "Borderline" will grow on the ears, sinking that layered vocal hook into the memory. In fact, if someone at the label's radio promotions department is listening, "Deep And Dark" could be the Scorpions comeback hit a la Bon Jovi's "It's My Life." Befitting the genre, the obligatory magic ballad is here, too. "Maybe I Maybe You" is a sultry tune Frank Sinatra would be proud of, only he doesn't have that sweet German accent. They come back to this sound with the "Wind of Change" sounding, "She Said." The popular power ballad (you know, where the band kicks in with all their metal glory sometime after the second chorus) isn't forgotten here, either. "Through My Eyes" tips the scales once that wall of high-end guitar comes crashing in on cue. There's an interesting feel-good anthem at album's end, too. "Remember The Good Times" conjures up memories of JFK, Jimi, Janis, and even the free sex of the summer of '67 (did they have to bring that up?). As much as it dates the band, this song should be on classic rock radio.
I figured I'd hate this album, as most old heroes from the eighties just shouldn't be taken seriously anymore. At least not until they succeed in penning great songs again. Upon first listen these tunes didn't really register. But a dozen spins puts a different perspective on music sometimes, and now I can't seem to get this thing out of my car. It really kicks that donkey's behind, ya know?
Similar sounding releases
2001Bon JoviOne Wild Night
2000Michael SweetTruth
1999GuardianSunday Best
2003EdenFan The Flame
2005Dream TheaterOctavarium
1998StirBroken Tongues
