Music review: Ozzy Osbourne – 鈥極rdinary Man鈥�
On his first solo album since 2010鈥檚 鈥淪cream,鈥� Ozzy Osbourne continues to dwell into the darkness that has served him so well over his legendary career.
Considering his recent health setbacks, Osbourne鈥檚 new material carries a large emphasis on mortality and living a life of purpose.
The 71-year-old rocker still sounds strong as he packs a substantial punch along with the help of Guns N鈥� Roses bassist Duff McKagan and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith.
The opener finds Osbourne returning to his early Black Sabbath roots with a nod to 鈥淪weet Leaf鈥� from 1971鈥檚 鈥淢aster of Reality.鈥� Conveying an unrelenting energy through an ominous warning that details the destruction of drug addiction, 鈥淪traight to Hell鈥� features a guest appearance by Guns N鈥� Roses guitarist Slash.
The power ballad 鈥淎ll My Life鈥� follows with a hefty dose of self-reflection as Osbourne looks to make amends for actions from his past as he declares, 鈥淗eaven can take me/But no one can save me from hell again.鈥�
On 鈥淕oodbye,鈥� Osbourne takes stock in the totality of his career and his musical contributions as he sings, 鈥淭he crowd is still waiting/I took my final bow.鈥� In light of his recent tour cancellations, it鈥檚 not that surprising of an announcement that possibly it鈥檚 time to retire from a life on the road.
The title track spotlights a duet with Elton John on a sweeping ballad that outlines the unpreparedness of becoming a rock star and the uncertainty of wondering what legacy will be left behind. The track features lush orchestration and another solo by Slash.
鈥淭oday Is the End鈥� possesses a Metallica vibe as it serves as a searing social commentary on the way we spend more time focused on criminals as opposed to their victims.
Things get chaotic in a hurry on 鈥淚t鈥檚 a Raid.鈥� This rowdy punk-influenced track finds Post Malone joining Osbourne for a profanity-laced tirade that seems more suitable for a Wasted Youth or Anti-Flag album.
鈥淭ake What You Want鈥� closes the set in a curious manner with Osbourne, Malone and Travis Scott collaborating on the track that also appears on Malone鈥檚 third studio album. It鈥檚 a decent song that just feels out of place on an Osbourne offering that showcases some of his best solo work in a long time and reminds Osbourne fans that ordinary is something he could never be.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.