Scorpions – Humanity: Hour 1
SCORPIONS
HUMANITY: HOUR 1
Released on May 14, 2007 (New Door Records/Universal)
Billboard Chart Position #63
Track List:
01. Hour 1
02. The Game Of Life
03. We Were Born To Fly
04. The Future Never Dies
05. You’re Lovin’ Me To Death
06. 321
07. Love Will Keep Us Alive
08. We Will Rise Again
09. Your Last Song
10. Love Is War
11. The Cross
12. Humanity
13. Cold (*limited edition only*)
14. Love Will Keep Us Alive (Radio Edit) (*limited edition only*)
15. Humanity (Radio Edit) (*limited edition only*)
Band Members:
Klaus Meine – lead vocals
Rudolf Schenker – rhythm guitar
Matthias Jabs – lead guitar
Pawel Maciwoda – bass
James Kottak – drums
Additional Musicians:
Billy Corgan – vocals (11)
John 5 – guitar (1)
Eric Bazilian – guitar (7)
Russ Irwin – piano (4)
Harry Sommerdahl – programming (7)
Jason Paige – backing vocals
Jeanette Olsson – backing vocals
James Michael – backing vocals
Desmond Child – backing vocals
Production:
Produced by James Michael and Desmond Child.
Review:
After hearing so many positive reviews regarding the latest Scorpions offering I decided to purchase the CD for myself and see what all the fuss was about. Now, after listening to Humanity Hour 1 several times, I am having trouble figuring out what everyone was raving about. With famed producer/songsmith Desmond Child at the helm I was expecting a hook-laden pop-metal album, instead what I got was a mature and somber version of these German legends.
I will admit that Humanity Hour 1 grows on you with each listen, but if you’re looking for scorchers such as “Blackout”, “Rock You Like A Hurricane”, “Tease Me Please Me” or even “The Zoo” you will be disappointed. I’ve always viewed the Scorpions as an anthemic metal band that knew how to infuse the perfect amounts of fun and sexual innuendo into their music, however those ingredients are missing this time around. The problem with this CD is that it doesn’t contain the signature Scorpions sound and is often too mellow, the second half in particular is a real letdown.
To my ears there are only four songs that really stand-out, “The Game Of Life”, “You’re Lovin’ Me To Death”, “321” and the ballad “Love Will Keep Us Alive”. The rest of the CD is simply average, nothing is horrible, yet nothing grabs you by the balls either.
I was almost certain that a Scorpions and Desmond Child collaboration would have resulted in some of the slickest music this band had released since Savage Amusement. But what I actually got were detuned guitars and a collection of adult contemporary songs. As a whole the disc does get better with each listen, but no matter how many times I spin Humanity it will never come close to their classic releases.
www.the-scorpions.com – www.humanityhour1.com
Reviewed by Skid for Sleaze Roxx, November 2007.
Buy The CD:
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