Not so Savage Amusement
Scorpions were justifiably one of the biggest hard rock bands in the world throughout the seventies and eighties after a succession of solid albums. Since their massive hit 'Wind of Change' however they have never replicated that success and have been overshadowed by harder sounding bands despite maintaining a constant presence.
Opening track 'Hour 1' is very impressive, heavy, driven and sounding thoroughly contemporary it really seems as though Scorpions are back and meaning business. Matthias Jab's lead guitar sounds great and even the often maligned vocals of Klaus Meine hit the button. That the opening track is so strong makes the rest of the album a huge disappointment, it's not that it's bad but it's all too similar. Scorpions have always done big, mid paced ballads but never in such quantity in one place. Some are better than others but by the half way mark you're just willing them to do another fast song, which never quite comes.
'The Game of Life' has a big chorus but falls into the same trap as 'We Were Born to Fly', which starts well with some soaring guitars but soon breaks down into a standard rock ballad verse. 'Future' is reminiscent of Queen's 'Spread Your Wings' and you can't fault it as an example of a classic big rock ballad but in this context, following similar tempo songs detracts from the impact it could have had. 'Your Lovin Me To Death' nearly makes the tempo switch but not quite, it has a harder feel to it but fails to really let loose. '321' is better with a good heavy riff and a really memorable refrain that should make it a candidate for a single. By contrast songs like 'Love Will Keep Us Alive' sound like they could be Kelly Clarkson tracks!
Of most interest later on is 'The Cross' featuring guest vocals from Smashing Pumpkins Billy Corgan although his contribution is limited to a small section near the end. It's a step up in tempo though and Rudolf Schenker's rhythm guitar is impressive. The first single from the album 'Humanity' is the longest track on the album at five and a half minutes and is probably the obvious choice for a single. It sums up where Scorpions are at right now and features the usual hallmarks but with a more lavish feel of the production with the addition of strings.
Meine's vocals are as strong as they ever were but ultimately 'Humanity Hour1' reminds me why I stopped buying Scorpions albums at the end of the 80s, which is frustrating as they've shown on 'Hour 1' that they can still cut it when they put their mind to it. The addition of guest spots throughout their world tour for Schenker's younger brother (and former band member) Michael as well as early guitarist Uli John Roth should see them still able to pull in sizeable crowds. On this evidence though you can't help but feel that their time as a major force has passed.