SCORPIONS - Humanity - Hour 1

Posted: 09/10/07

Reviewed by: Dirt

Category: Contemporary/Alternative Hard Rock/Rock

Released: 08/28/07

Label URL: www.universalmusicgroup.com

Artist URL: www.the-scorpions.com

Some will claim that the Scorpions output in the 70s – specifically In Trance  (1976) and Virgin Killer (1976) – was their best.  Most will cite the pinnacle of the band’s career to be Love At First Sting (1984).  Certainly Lovedrive (1979) and Blackout (1982) were fine releases as well.  Savage Amusement (1989) marked a departure in style, presenting a synthesized guitar sound, while Crazy World (1990) was a bit more straightforward and the single “Tease Me, Please Me” was an example of the band’s continuing ability to pen arena rock anthems.  Of course, it also found the band delivering serious and meaningful ballads such as “Wind of Change” and “Send Me An Angel" ("Holiday" or "Still Loving You" may have set the stage though).    1993’s Face The Heat presented a modern approach to their rhythms on the single “Alien Nation.”  This song was the first we would see of the Scorpions trying to compete with contemporary heavy rock.  The traditional anthems were still present too in “Unholy Alliance” and “No Pain No Gain,” as well as the requisite meaningful ballad “Under The Same Sun.”  1996’s Pure Instinct caught the band in very mellow/80s pop territory and 1999’s Eye II Eye was a misguided experiment with techno and alternative.  Both of these releases found the band floundering and disappointing fans.  Unbreakable (2004), which was clearly influenced by “Alien Nation," found the band back on the metal track.

That brings us to the newly released Humanity - Hour 1, a concept record that, according to the label’s press release is “a mature concept album, with lyrics that are often provocative and deal with the dark sides of the world we live in.”  When I think of hard rock music, I really don’t think "mature" is necessarily what I’m looking for.  Granted, the members of the Scorpions aren't youngsters anymore, so writing new material with themes similar to “Big City Nights” or “Rock You Like A Hurricane” may seem too juvenile for them.  But, to me, hard rock represents eternal youth, so I would rather the band blow me away with new songs in band's classic style.  Frankly, I find mature songs like “Wind Of Change” to be a turnoff.  Humanity - Hour 1 presents a serious and dark and down vibe.  It is not a fist in the air metal excursion.  The singable 80s anthems are gone.  Here is a run-down of most of the tracks:

“Hour 1” – A modern metal, rhythmically heavy opener that may be more similar to Rob Zombie than classic Scorps.  (After writing this, I later learned the Zombie guitarist John 5 co-wrote the song).  It’s the most powerful and rocking tune on the record but may be surprising to anyone that has pigeonholed the band.  Though contemporary, “Hour 1” works for them and shows the band can deliver a heavy modern tune with a catchy chorus.

“The Game Of Life” - a melodic, chorus-driven mid-paced track with contemporary guitar sounds.  Though more reserved than the opener, this song works well too, as Klaus Meine’s vocals are still top-notch.

“The Future Never Dies” - a piano ballad which may be the mellowest track the Scorpions has ever released.  This may have worked for Queen, but the song is way too light for this band.

“You’re Lovin’ Me To Death” - The static guitar riff opening takes a song that has an 80s chorus and makes it contemporary for no good reason.

“321” - Rob Zombie and John 5 influences are back - here again it totally works – plus the chorus is so infectious that I can’t get it out of my head.

“Love Will Keep Us Alive” – a classy ballad that probably is the most traditional song on the record – a definite single.

“We Will Rise Again” – a track seemingly inspired by Evanescence or Lacuna Coil that’s too slow, too contemporary, and too drab.

“Your Last Song” – another ballad – bland and boring - if they keep this up, it will be their last song!

“Love Is War” – another ballad – ditto on the bland and boring

“The Cross” – a downtuned, mid-to-slow creeper that features Smashing Pumpkins’ leader Billy Corgan.  Ugh, can you say, "Alternative?"  Can you say, "Sellout?"  Chorus is good, the verses are drab and too slow.

“Humanity” – another ballad (though it has a transitional rhythmically heavy mid-section) and the first video – more of the same, unfortunately.

The Bloody Truth:  The Scorps are one of my favorite hard rock bands and 1985’s World Wide Live is one of my favorite live albums.  Unfortunately, the group is no longer comfortable in its own skin and because of that the band has lost its identity and is chasing trends.  It’s a shame too, because they worked for so many years developing an original sound.  While it may get boring writing songs about the same themes, I just don’t understand why the Scorps, like so many other bands, decide to become something other than what they are.  Apparently, the bitch-slap that they received from the fans on Eye II Eye wasn’t enough.  Didn’t the fans send a strong enough message for them to understand that fans do not want the band employing influences of today’s crappy music?  Guess not, because their decision to co-write with Desmond Child (who has sold out his 80s roots for contemporary glop - remember that alterna-garbage song he wrote for Vince Neil during that VH-1 Remaking special? He must be out to ruin the careers of established artists!), Eric Bazilian (the actor), and Marti Fredericksen (who co-wrote Aerosmith's "Jaded"), and others has substantially altered the sound of the band’s music.  Surprisingly, each song is written by either Klaus, Rudolf, or Matthias with the co-writers.  The band members did not write with each other!  What’s the problem here?  Is this not a band effort?  Since the songs sound cohesive on the record, I start to wonder if the co-writers had more to do with the songwriting than the individual members of the Scorpions.  Honestly, the outside songwriters names appear more consistently in the song credits than Klaus, Rudolf and Matthias.  Unbreakable was modern but it came off as an update of their style.  While Humanity - Hour 1 is not as alternative as Eye II Eye, it’s still in the same ballpark, so it's not clear why the band decided to go anywhere near that ill received territory, unless there is outside pressure (Universal Music?) to do so.  If not, then I question the band's judgement.

While I have harped on the negative, a few songs do work – “Hour 1” and “321” being the most rocking and “Love Will Keep Us Alive” being a strong ballad.  But so much of the record is slow, drab, and ballad driven.  Even my sister-in-law, who likes contemporary music, said, “Everything sounds the same.”  Klaus’ voice sounds as fine as it did in the 80s but he’s really not testing himself here.  The guitar style and tone is contemporary and ambient, and I just don’t get that.  Can Rudolf and Matthias, former metal/hard rock legends, really like what they’re playing?  It’s hard for me to believe that anyone that developed their craft during the 70s and 80s ,with the influences that they have, could dig playing like they were part of today’s alternative scene.  Humanity - Hour 1 certainly has a few moments, but just too few of them.  For me, the failure of this record is less about the songs being poorly written (because that really is not the case) and more about the fact that the Scorpions don’t sound good doing this type of music.  What they are doing is similar to your 50 year old mom wearing your 20 year-old sister's clothing.  They are simply chasing what’s hip rather than being who they are - the great hard rock band that they once were.