Scorpions – Animal Magnetism - Mott the Dog's Rock Music Reviews

614

5 Stars

*The cover of Animal Magnetism. This album cover caused more than the odd comment. I presume it would be condemned these day*s.

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The Scorpions were started in 1965 by Rudolph Schenker and have always been at the forefront of German rock music. Klaus Meine has been the lead singer on every Scorpions album and has one of the most distinctive voices in rock music, handling the ballads equally well as the all-out rockers.

At first, Rudolph’s brother Michael Schenker was the lead guitarist and focal point of the band, but those British ruffians UFO noticed his shining light, and they soon stole him away. Next on lead six-string was Uli Jon Roth, but then he got recalled to the planet of his origin, so since 1978, Matthias Jabs has made the position his own.

*Klaus Miene. A brilliant frontman with one of the most distinctive voices in rock.*

The Classic era of Scorpions is thought to be from 1978-1992, with the lineup completed by Francis Bucholz and Herman Rareball. Animal Magnetism was the Scorpions’ seventh album and the first to feature Matthias Jabs as sole lead guitarist.

They were known primarily as a hard/heavy rock band, but their well-crafted ballads also garnered them favorable recognition.

This album comes from the beginning of that period and shows off the band ready to take on the world.

The songwriting is pretty evenly shared out between the band, showing that they were all heading in the same direction. But this does not mean the songs sounded the same, far from it.

The big ballad and centerpiece of the album, ‘Lady Starlight’ is an emotional lament, and to this date, 2022 is the only Scorpions song to be recorded with strings and orchestral winds. Klaus Meine’s vocals are obviously heartfelt and probably from experience. Rudolph Schenker holds the musical reins on this one, whilst Matthias Jabs puts in a sensational solo to bring the song to its close.

*Rudolf Schenker, brother of Mad Micky, is a very good guitarist in his own rite but prefers bangin’*
*out the riffs to playing solos.*

The album opens up as it means to go on with a live wire rocker in the shape of ‘Make It Real’ with forceful lyrics, screaming guitars and thunderous rhythm section. The closing title track is influenced by Led Zeppelin, but then everybody has their influences; why not take from the best?

‘The Zoo’ is an early classic from the Scorpions that has probably been played at every Scorpions concert since this album was released. It is a storming rocker guaranteed to get the crowds going in live surroundings. The site of Rudolph Schenker windmilling his arm around rushing the front of the stage is one of the most symbolic sites of rock music.

The Scorpions are still going strong today. Mickey Dee, ex of Motorhead, has found a nice little job on the drum stool driving on the Scorpions from the back, although rumors of the band’s retirement are rife every year. They have released eighteen studio albums and countless live albums, compilations and DVDs. They have played over 5,000 concerts in over 80 different countries. Who knows what is next for them? With over 100 million sales behind them, they have a fantastic legacy now.