Ozzy Osbourne – Ordinary Man Album Review

Ozzy says farewell with stellar final studio album

Here at last is the album that metal fans around the world thought might never arrive. Following his much publicized health problems and the tour cancelations that followed, it seemed like a new album was the last thing on the Prince of Darkness’ mind. However a chance collaboration with a young rapper named Post Malone changed all that.

The result of that collaboration, the infectiously catchy `Take What You Want` , inspired Ozzy to start working on a whole album with the song’s producer, former California Breed guitarist Andrew Watt.

What they produced is a truly remarkable and indeed star studded affair of an album. With a core band featuring Watt on guitar, Duff McKagan on bass and Chad Smith on drums , it also boasts guest appearances from Slash and Tom Morrelo to Elton John.

The Album begins with a choir of voices before the scorching riff of `Straight To Hell` kicks in. It’s an upbeat punchy rocker and a perfect way to open the album. While Ozzy is leaning a little more heavily on the autotune this time his voice still sounds remarkably good for a man in his 70s.

The next track is the trippy, melodic `All My Life`. A cross of heavy riffs and Beatles melodies ending with a soaring guitar solo its a very strong song. With Ozzy singing “Heaven can take me, but no one can save me from hell again” you realize this album may be the most autobiographical one he has ever produced.

Starting with a single doomy drum beat, `Goodbye` starts off almost like a pastiche of `Iron Man` before quickly turning moody, slow-burn of song with Ozzy declaring “I’m leaving, believing, my work down here is done“. It picks up into a fast paced, feedback laden belter before resolving with a landslide drum roll from Chad Smith and Ozzy asking if its tea time yet.

Next is the classic ballad of the title track. While some might dismiss it as cheesy, `Ordinary Man` may be one of the most heartfelt and beautiful songs Ozzy has ever produced. Having Elton John duet with him makes it all the more special – legends of their calibre will never come again. Complete with a gorgeous guitar solo from Slash, it’s one of the highlights of the entire album.

 

`Under The Graveyard` is another highlight. A light and shade dance between the delicate melody and a thunderous riff, the lyrics see Ozzy examining the angles and demons of his self destructive past and mortality. `Eat Me` begins with a ghostly harmonica before the fuzzy guitars and bass kick in.

`Today Is The End` has the most Black Sabbath sounding riffs layered over melodic vocals. On the other hand, `Scary Little Green Men` is pure tongue in cheek at Halloween fun, complete with Ozzy as the Martian. A good, upbeat track to make sure the album doesn’t slow down too much.

`Holy For Tonight` finds Ozzy at his plaintive best, complete with female backing singers and tambourine. Wonderfully orchestrated with  a simple melody, Ozzy again confronts mortality head on. A superb song.

However the album ends on a riotous, defiant tone rather than a reflective one. `It’s A Raid` sees Ozzy and Post Malone singing together over fuzzy guitars, crashing drums and police sirens. While it certainly wont be one for the purists, it is good to know that Ozzy is still crossing genres to influence the next generation of musicians.

 

Knowing that Ordinary Man is the last studio album makes it easy to feel sad as the curtain comes down on an incomparable legacy in music. At the same it makes this album a truly special gift to be treasured.

Even amongst true musical icons, Ozzy has yet again set himself apart. How many legends are given the time and the chance to write the final chapter of a six decade career themselves? A truly wonderful end to  a story that won’t be forgotten for decades to come. The Prince of Darkness can rest easy. He is not and indeed has never been an ordinary man. He is still number one.