Search - Meat Loaf :: Hang Cool Teddy Bear

Hang cool teddy bear

fred2010 | georgia | 05/12/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"First of all, if you're already a Meat Loaf fan you will enjoy this record and there is no point in reading further. I am targeting this review toward those who are rock fans in general and why they should give this album a chance.



The album starts out with a bang. "Peace on Earth" is a hard rocking tune about a soldier fighting someone else's war. "But don't think that I would not take one hundred thousand lives to see my mother's eyes" is a very powerful line in the song and sums it up quite nicely: just a man trying to survive so he can get back home. The second track is titled "Living on the Outside". Folks, this song is just plain fun as it lightens the mood and is an excellent contrast to the opening track. "Living on the Outside" will get you slapping the dashboard and bobbing your head with the beat -- "you and me, living like the only sinners left". Meat Loaf sounds like he's having fun, and it is contagious.



The 3rd track, "Los Angeloser", presents a shift in sound, but it too provides a fun and catchy sound. Hearing this song prior to the album's release, I simply thought it was okay, but hearing it within the context of the entire album made it much more enjoyable. It fits quite nicely with the first two tracks, and, to sum up the first three tracks of the album in as few words as possible, let me just say this: 3 out of 3 ain't bad.



To avoid a song by song breakdown, let me say the reason I rate this 4 out of 5 stars instead of 5 out of 5 is the middle of the album seems to bog down. A couple of the songs sound basically the same. Of all the songs on this album, there are only a couple that I don't care for (although they may grow on me over time): "Love is not Real", "Did You Ever Love Somebody" and "Let's Be in Love" -- I could have really done without those three songs. "Like a Rose" (with Jack Black")" and "Song of Madness" were decent, but by the time those songs played I had begun to lose interest. I am going to give this album another listen, excluding the 3 songs mentioned above, and I expect "Like a Rose" and "Song of Madness" will be much more enjoyable.



The album ends with "If It Rains" and "Elvis In Vegas" -- two excellent songs, and they stand in excellent contrast to the first two songs on the album.



In closing, let me say this: as a Meat Loaf fan, I am very proud of this album. Meat Loaf delivers one hell of an effort that has something for all his fans, and I expect will capture some new fans in the process. This is not an album that attempts to rehash old material or to copy old successes -- the Loaf delivered folks.



"I saw 7 horses running, I had a front row seat at the end of time."



Thank you Meat Loaf, and best of luck with this record."

Hang Cool Teddy Bear

Tim | Arkansas, USA | 05/11/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an interesting album..



There are the "large" songs in typical Meat Loaf fashion..and there are some good departures from the "norm" of a Meat Loaf album; every artist should try new approaches to the next album, which Meat Loaf has done very well; the album is packed with an "A-List" of contributors, in both writing and performance of the songs.



Many of the "professional" reviews I read on the internet today have been critical of Hang Cool Teddy Bear; I'm not sure Meat Loaf has ever really put out albums targeted at the mainstream audiences, so I take their reviews with a grain of salt; I've listened to this album all day, and I say "well done".



Returning are the Neverland Express and Patti Russo. Also found contributing to the album are: Jon Bon Jovi, Brian May, Steve Via, Jack Black, Hugh Laurie(from TV's House), Pearl Aday (Meat Loaf's daughter)and Kara DioGuardi (American Idol Judge).



My only wish, was that it had contained a recording of Meat Loaf's cover of Gimme Shelter..though I am enjoying the cover of Roadhouse Blues found on the Special Edition!



Pick up a copy and enjoy."

Meat Loaf at his Best

Mark Snider | Crossville, AL | 05/14/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hang Cool Teddy Bear is not just an album, it is a rock and roll experience. This is the first album in a long time that I can truly get lost in. This thing takes on a 66 minute journey in which you can block out the world and forget about your problems and just enjoy some amazing rock music. Now let me get this out of the way, this is not Bat Out of Hell. Bat was and is an amazing album that will live on longer than any of us every will and nothing will ever diminish its significance on the music world. So, Hang Cool Teddy Bear is not Bat Out of Hell, and I feel no need to compare the two. However, Hang Cool Teddy Bear is without a doubt Meat Loaf's BEST work to date. As you listen to these songs you realize that Meat has truly bore his heart and soul into this album. This is not just a record, it is a Meat Loaf record where Meat was truly allowed to let his creative side take control. This is not a rock opera like Meat is famous for making this is true unadulterated rock and roll. All of the tracks are amazing from the opening "bang" in Peace on Earth to Elvis in Vegas, this album is of the best I have ever heard. So if you are a Meat Loaf fan you will love this album. If your not a Meat fan you should still pick this album up because it is one of the best rock and roll records in years and it is Meat Loaf like you have never heard before.



Mark S."