Artist - Tony Iommi
Album - Fused
Label - Sanctuary Records
Reviewer - Rev. Shakes Spear
Faster Pussycat meets Soundgarden?
Legendary Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi’s ‘Fused’ offers sweet, classic 70’s sludge-metal with tired, 80’s lyricism.
I love everything about this album musically. Fuck, it’s Tony Iommi, man! He’s the king of the moody, plodding riff-rock, and he knows how to write great music. ‘Fused’ is Iommi’s third solo release and he’s accompanied by Glenn Hughes, who delivers great bass playing (that works nicely with Iommi’s guitar work, Kenny Aronoff’s masterful drumming and Bob Marlette’s keyboards) as well as providing powerful, passionate, radio-friendly vocals.
What I don’t love is the simplistic lyricism. But, then again, without a lyric sheet, you’d hardly notice the juvenile (or maybe ‘universal’) themes and lack of creative metaphor. The music and voice work perfectly together to make very catchy, immediately-familiar songs with sing-along, arena-rockin’ choruses.
So, while Hughes is legendary for his vocal stylings - his career spans over 30 years and is known world-wide for his work with Deep Purple, as well as his critically acclaimed solo efforts – it’s surprising that the lyrics aren’t more personal or ‘deep’, if you will. He seems to have a message, but it’s the same, tired themes we’ve heard from any mediocre rock band over the last 20 years: ‘Stay strong through the struggles of Life.’ So what?
All songs are credited as Iommi, Hughes, and producer Marlette, so maybe they can all take the blame for the lyrics…who knows? One thing I do know is this: after a couple of spins, you’ll find yourself humming along – whether you like it or not.
The music of ‘Resolution Song’ sounds like the best Soundgarden you’ve heard in 15 years (which of course, was ‘Loud Love’) - but without the good, ironic poetry, of course. And then, as an added bonus, we get a little Ozzy-style ‘Crazy Train’-ish “I-yi yi-yi’s”. Good stuff.
‘Wasted Again’ is a slow-burner that works itself up into a frenzy of incredible scream-singing that rivals any of today’s metal-heads (or yesterday’s for that matter as Taime Downe comes to mind during a lot of the songs). Not bad for a guy in his 50’s.
‘The Spell’ takes you back to the spooky farm-castle on the front of 1970’s ‘Black Sabbath’ album cover. The great, haunting lead-in just makes you ache for some lush Ozzy vocals, but no – it’s Glenn Hughes – who again is a great, talent with a powerful voice…but it still doesn’t quite feel right in a few places.
So, even with the complaints with the lyrics and the lack of the ‘expected’ Ozzy vocals, this is a great album. It’s always nice to hear Iommi’s downer-blues style and it’s refreshing to hear him collaborating with some of the best in the business.
Listen to ‘Fused’ and then look for the band to hit the road after the 2005 Ozzfest.
