[.ca] Meatloaf:Bat Out Of Hell

From Amazon.com:
Bat Out of Hell is probably remembered most for its rock operetta about every teenage boy's plight, "Paradise by the Dashboard Light." Certainly the most dramatic piece on the album, it engaged Meat Loaf's testosterone-crazed tenor in an incremental game of sexual bargaining with the resistant, but willing, Ellen Foley. By employing exaggerated power chords, screaming vocals, over-the-top arrangements, and a sense of rock & roll as Broadway theater, Bat made Meat Loaf a star. Jim Steinman's contribution to the record is invaluable. His classically tinged piano give a certain lush quality to his collaborations with Meat Loaf, making songs such as the hit "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad" all the more emotional. Larger than life in every sense of the word, Bat Out of Hell sometimes sounds a bit dated, but has retained most of its appeal. This expanded, remastered version of the '78 smash includes an extended live version of the title track. --Steve Gdula

Jim Steinman - just bow your heads in prayer.:
Quite simple the best album in the world ever, this album is imposible to overrate. It is a true master piece and as an album i believe it beats even the Sex Pistols "Never Mind The Bollocks" album (released in the same year, damn to be alive in 1977) to the no 1 all time greatest album. 1) Bat out of Hell - seriously need i say more, kill for this song 2) You Took the Words Right out of my Mouth - almost on a par with Bat out of Hell, this is a great song, if you dont like it consider not listening to music as this will proberbly suit your tastes better. 3) Heaven Can Wait - The weakest song on the album. Its an okay song but by far the weakest, its neither an out right operatic number or a rocking out tune so it falls flat (although only by comparison with the other songs on this album. 4) All Revved Up with no Place to go - This is a good song, your basic streight foward Meat Loaf rocking song. 5) Two out of Three Aint Bad - Not bad although suffers similar problems to Heaven Can Wait. On the other hand is still better than 95% of other music around. 6) Paradise by the Dash Board Light - some people have descibed this as the master piece of the album, whilst this is not true (look at Bat out of Hell for a true classic) it is cetainly an amazing song - especially when you listen to the metaphrical ball game mid way through the song 7) For Cryin out Loud - it is songs like this that give Meat Loaf his reputation for big songs...it manages to combine opera, big band and sheer awsome rock ballad to produce one of the gems of this album. In summary (in case you cant pick up on the opinion of the piece) i seriosly cannot recommed this album higly enough, i actually feel bad that i havent bothered to wirte bad reviews of other albums simply to make this look good thorugh comparison. This record should be compulsory listening for anyone who claims to have anything in the way of musical taste of knowledge

Great album:
WOW! What an album. Bat out of hell soars above evry other album and laughs at them in their faces, simply because it has the right to do so. This is a fantastic album which made Meatloaf a legend and created some of the most memorable and recognised songs ever. It was Bat out of hell, You took the words right out of my mouth, Paradise by the dasboard light and Two out of three ain't bad which made an unlikely superstar out of Meatloaf. This album blew me away when I first heard it and altough a few of the songs may now sound a little dated, the magic from the first time I heard it is still their. Not one song on this album is a dissapointment which is why the album has lasted for over 27 years. This is the third best selling album ever and you must remember that people only buy good music. Bat out of hell was #36 in the US music charts in 1990, thirteen years after its release. It has sold over 35 million copies worldwide and continues to sell over 200,000 copies a year, today. Meatloaf uses his huge lungs to proppel his voice higher than anyone elses and he manages to hit all the high notes in style. You can feel and hear his emotion when he sings because he creates characters for each of his songs and being an actor he plays the characters roles very well. This album is vital to anyones music collection and if you haven't got a copy yet, it is well worth getting. This album is the proof that Meatloaf is, larger than life.

Great Stuff!!!:
Meat Loaf's "i would do anything for love, but i won't do that" is the best song ever!!! the effort he puts into his songs are really great!!! Great album!!!

Classic Cuts by Kasey Ferguson:
You've waited. You've begged. You've pleaded. Have no fear Classic Cut is here! I think it's safe to say Bat Out Of Hell is the best album ever made by a man who took his stage name from a food product. I know what your thinking ...and Eminem doesn't count.... ( M & M, get it? ) If there is one word to describe the sound of Meat Loaf I think epic would be it. Three of the album's tracks run over eight minutes in length so I think it is particularly apt. But length aside epic would be the word. Meatloaf's (or would it be Meat Loaves?) over the top voice and Jim Steinman's orchestral like arrangements sound huge even by todays standards .... no small feat considering the album was released in 1977 ....thats right Bat Out Of Hell is over twenty five years old. It's hard to resist the grandiose title track "Bat Out Of Hell" or the bouncy "Paradise By The Dashboard Light"(how much fun is it to have All Star shortstop and commentator Phil Rizzuto commentating the dashboard escapades"?). The same is true for the ever popular half full ballad "Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad" and the other classics that compose this album. Bat Out Of Hell is just such an extravagant, ambitious album it's mind boggling. Meatloaf's voice is so powerful I envision a glass breaking everytime I hear him sing. I cannot think of any album that sounds as monsterous arrangement wise as Bat Out Of Hell. Not only was Meat Loaf much more fun that many of their competitors they were often much more musical. Bat Out Of Hell is a brilliant record from beginning to end brimming with artistic genius and incredible musicianship. Props must be given to Todd Rundgren for his stunning production aswell. Maybe not quite as influential as some of the other classic cuts, I believe Bat Out Of Hell is still quite an underrated album. Many may acknowledge it as a classic but there should be many more. Sometimes .... ok ...alot of times I just don't understand the music industry. Britney Spears gets props and not Meatloaf ....what's wrong with this picture. Oh well, I suppose we can all take comfort in the fact that Britney Spear's will never have an album featured in Classic Cuts ..... that I promise you.

A MUST HAVE:
This EPIC starts off with an instrumental opening that will sweep your feet of the vibrating floor. The motorcycle guitar at the first revs up and you can hear it REV, and it takes you for a hell of a ride! A really strong powerful voice enters after the instrumental ends. The best ten seconds of ROCK N ROLL history starts the next song. With sly humour from Mr. Jim Steinman (songwriter.) No bike in this one, but the imagery is perfect with the beautiful music and vocal arrangements, the lyrics are perfect. The next song, is a solo piano with a voice that goes soft, just to prove this man can sing loud and soft. Its truely a masterpiece, and is best heard live, but this is the original and sounds almost better live. Its a more toned down track, but its OK. Because, the next track is just as loud as the first track, and there is a screaming saxaphone. Some brilliant music here, and some more great vocals. With a voice that remains strong as ever. The next track, is more toned down, but has the guitar and the piano and the drum, a really sad song, a really liked song by listeners and non listeners of Meat. The voice truely never dies, and none of the tracks on this record has any voice enhancements whatsoever. This song, takes car sex to a whole new level. Starts with a date, with those classic guitars, although its best heard live, this is also another amazing track. Boy wants to do it, but the girl wants him to love her forever. Next track, A real orchestra here, and they are playing to their fullest. Super poetic like all of the songs, and one of Meat Loaf's best, what am I saying all the tracks on this record, are one of his best. Like all tracks, super vocals super just plain super everything. Don't have this record, buy it! Seven songs, but they total 46 minutes long. You shouldn't be disapointed to this record. This is one of a kind! I loved this record, why? Because I like this kind of music, and these kind of lyrics, and the voice is 1 in 1,000,000. It makes me feel gitty, and just want to rock my heart out!

• Bat out of Hell
• You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night)
• Heaven Can Wait
• All Revved Up With No Place to Go
• Two Out of Three Ain't Bad
• Paradise by the Dashboard Light
• For Crying out Loud