Reviews (page 10 of 15)
yfirkeyrt og dramatískt. hef samt gaman að þessu. 3,5.
Not bad
Over the top. Not my thing
Classic Meat Loaf. Some songs sound the same though...
Great album!
I liked how maximalist and audacious this was. I just don’t want theatre kids getting too big for their britches.
I forgot how funny, and varied, and memory inducing album this was.
Been listening to this album for years. Pure melodrama in the best possible way
love some rock opera
lost me 2 songs in, kinda sounds like queen but worse
I know - Everything on this album is that bombastic and always on the edge to too much - but I love it! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Like a crazy rock opera
Great album!
Hard to see the guy with tits in Fight Club 50 years earlier belting this out, but there it is. It’s like Jack Black if he got a record contract before comedy started. I feel like I’m listening to Rocky Horror Picture Show long cut. It’s good and maybe even great, but not for me.
High quality musicianship but a bit too theatrical for my taste.
Pas fan.
My mom used to play this album, but it has dawned on me that she only played side 2 as I had never heard the other 4 songs. The album has a Springsteen feel to the songwriting on that side that explodes into theatricality on side 2. Steinman is truly unique and, I guess, so is Meat Loaf. This album is a WILD swing and I kind of like the story of making the album and the attempt more than the songs (which kind of surprised me). It's a 3.5 for me, but going up to 4 for theater kids bringing it to Rock and Roll.
Adore this album. Every single song is great. The piano and vocal work is spectacular. 5/5
There was always a little snobbishness towards this album when I was growing up. Soft rock, overblown nonsense. But I’ve come to admire Meatloaf and the universe he creates. Fair play. Yes it’s not my cup of tea but I admire it and enjoyed its overblown soft rock universe on this listen.
++: Bat Out of Hell, All Revved Up with No Place to Go +: You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night), Heaven Can Wait, Two Out of Three Ain't Bad, Paradise by the Dashboard Light, For Crying Out Loud 7,7/10
I would give this negative stars if I could. One of the worst records ever
My Dad used to blast this record on weekend mornings. Listening again gives me that wonderful sense of nostalgia. With that said, it's not really my style. 2.57
We used to put Bat Out of Hell on the jukebox to get our money worth. Good times.
Kind of over the top and showy in an un-fun way
Favorite Track: Bat Out of Hell You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night) Paradise by the Dashboard Light
Was expecting something like motley crue and it was actually rock opera, theater kid, the black parade, rocky horrror picture show, phantom of the opera, jesus christ superstar vibes. 5/5.
Another easy 5 star album on this list. I personally only listened to this for the first time in full shortly before Meatloaf passed away. I was born ten years after it came out, but I sure missed out for the many years I could have listened to it before I finally did. I really only knew Meatload from I Would Do Anything For Love, which I thought was kind of a goofy song, so I had a non-serious expectation for Bat Out Of Hell. What an epic, outrageous, beautiful, hilarious, and fun album this is. It’s one of those albums that sucks you in and transports you into the story when you listen to it. While a few of the songs are great by themselves (particularly the title track and Paradise By The Dashboard Light), it’s undoubtedly an album best experienced front to back. Musically and even lyrically, in a weird way I think of it as a cousin album to Born To Run. It sounds similar at times and has the “teenage us against the world let’s get out of here” vibe to it. There’s more guitar here than Born To Run, expertly played by the great Todd Rundgren. Jim Steinman’s story on the album is a tremendous teenage rock opera, with all the themes of freedom, misguided invulnerability, sex, and romance. Everything about the album is good, but Meatloaf’s vocals are the star of the show. His range and the emotion in his voice is just tremendous, and is the perfect medium for Steinman’s story. Some of the notes he hits in the title track are especially wild. I think the vocals are as good as any rock album ever made. In terms of songs, Bat Out Of Hell, All Revved Up And No Place To Go, and Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad are all highlights. But Paradise By The Dashboard Light is the epic climax of the record, and it’s a great and pretty funny story in itself. One of the best of the 70’s and great rock operas of all time.
Bizarre but beautiful album
Finally listened to one of his albums all the way through; don’t really know many of his songs
2.25
It’s ok
I can't remember why I fell in love with Meat Loaf. I must have been about 16 or 17. It was a superb transition from heavy rock (AC/DC, metallica, black sabbath) to a gentler, more lyrics-based world. The songs have humour embedded deep inside them, they are flamoyant, unapologetic and extremely carefully written and produced. This is still up there, though some of the shine has gone in the last 20 years or so; some of the plastic arrangement makes them fall a little flat, e.g. on For Crying out Loud. Highlights: Paradise by the dashboard light (a song with a punchline; surprisingly has double the plays of Bat out of Hell on Spotify. I don't think the UK plays this song a lot at all) Two Out of Three Ain't Bad ... (Hot Summer Night)
Whoa And here I assumed a guy named Meat Loaf would be an absolute joke. I mean I knew his appearance in Rocky Horror was great, but I had no idea just how talented he was. This album felt grand, big, sprawling and exciting. It did what I love when albums do - started off hot and told us what he’s about, changed gears throughout, and finished strong. This was almost theatrical. Very cool stuff and hard to dislike much. He’s a joke no longer. He’s a legit and talented musician in my book. This checked every box for me and I’m absolutely here for it. Four stars. Standout Tracks: Bat Out of Hell, You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth, All Revved Up with No Place to Go, Paradise by the Dashboard Light, For Crying Out Loud
meh
my inner musical theatre kid loves this so much
I cannot stand this kind of music.
Very well written album with instantly recognizable tracks! I hesitate to give 5 stars simply because there are 3 eight minute+ songs on this album. It's a killer album, with one of the most iconic covers, but in general I feel like songs over 6 minutes tend to drag on toward the end.
I remember how dazzled we were when this came out. If you're from NYC, you were immediately drawn in by Phil Rizzuto's voice, but for everyone, this is just fun, over-the-top opera rock.
Childhood classic, every song 5/5
The only reason it's even getting a 2 is due to a certain degree of familiarity.
메탈일 줄 날고 긴장 했는데 뮤지컬이였노
Yeah a lot of good fun, maybe not one I would pick to listen too, but happy to
Story Time: 10-15 years ago, or whenever I was in high school, I used to drive a relatively old car to school that only had a cassette player and a radio. At the time I was into classic rock, and there was really only one rock station in my area, so I would listen to it as I drove to school. I don't know who ran that station, but who ever they were they LOVED Paradise By The Dashboard Light right when I would start my drive, because it felt like at least twice a week minimum I would hear it. I get that you can't really make more "classic rock" so there is a limit pool of songs and what not, but that song is 8 and a half minutes long, and my drive was only 10ish minutes. So if that song came on I would be stuck listening to it my whole ride. At first I didn't really have much of an opinion on the song, but I kind of liked the chorus. But as the year went on I slowly grew to hate and despise the song and Meat Loaf himself. The point of this story is I have a grudge against Meat Loaf. Ok, back to the album. First off, this album cover is waaaay too cool for how lame the music is. Grudge aside, Meat Loaf is a good singer, but the songs are a little too theatrical and campy for my taste. The ratio to piano ballads to rockers is also too high in my opinion. I still hate PBTDBL. If I didn't have a bias, this would be a 3. But I do have a bias, so it is a 2.
there is no reason for an album with this cover to have piano.
i've never really listened to meat loaf outside of random exposures on classic rock radio. i had always automatically put it into the bucket of 'classic rock that i don't like' despite not ever really having listened to his music or being exposed to it much beyond whenever a DJ would play him on the radio. i have to say, i was actually surprised that i enjoyed this album. even though it makes a lot of sense based on the songs that i know from meat loaf, the album is really springsteen adjacent. i wouldn't say it is directly inspired by springsteen, but it definitely sounds like it is cut from the same cloth. it doesn't help that two members of the e street band play on this record, which helps give it that springsteen-esque feel. i also really like todd rundgren's production on this one (shocker, i am a fan of todd rundgren's production in general). the songs here are fun and corny, but it kind of leans into it, something that always irked me, but i didn't mind once i listened to this with an open mind.
3.45 as a global score? Really??? How many boomers just simply nostalgic for the huge commercial success of this cheesefest, overblown rock-opera in 1977 are using this app? In all seriousness, parts of *Bat Out Of Hell* are still somewhat listenable today, I guess, at least if you can enjoy camp with your tongue firmly planted in your cheek. But the manner in which the "rock" songs in this record--using all the ropes once used by Springsteen and the E-Street band--alternate with full-blown saccharine "ballads" neither rhymes nor reasons. Worse, the whole quickly become unsurprising, boring and mundane. Which takes the cake when you try so hard to be 'over-the-top'. I mean, just listen to "Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad" and please prove to me this is not the most formulaic slow-rock cut that has ever been written. I have no beef with the silly lyrics and overall concept for this project, they go with the territory here. But musically speaking, this is just self-indulgent, derivative drivel pandering to the lowest common denominator. Alice Cooper's schlock shock-rock was ten times more interesting. *Destroyer*-era Kiss went to the same sorts of turf (rockers + ballads), yet with a far livelier (and decidedly off-kilter) energy, thanks to Bob Ezrin's spacious production values. The one on *Bat Out Of Hell* feels decidedly paper-thin in comparison, in spite of the piling-up of instruments, arrangements and orchestrations. I can have fun listening to those sorts of extravagant, "bad-taste", hard-rock burritos. But this one here leaves me totally cold. Probably because it is only a Broadway farce parading as "rock", and that as such, it has absolutely nothing essential to offer to the latter genre. One last thing: I always thought hit single "I'd Anything For Love" was part of this record, but it turns out it's part of its sequel, released in the early nineties... So I won't even have *one* truly famous track somehow showing the sort of cultural long-term impact Meat Loaf has had. I give up. As an album artist, the man has absolutely nothing to offer me. And he didn't even write those songs himself anyway... 1/5 for the purposes of this list of "essential" albums. And 6/10 for more general purposes (5+1). Number of albums left to review: 78 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 397 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 230 Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 296 (including this one)
Nice classic album. Paradise By The Dashboard Light remains a classic forever.
Wijs album. Een beetje 'foute' dadrock, maar dat is niet per se slecht. Paradise By the Dashboard Light wordt nu wel belachelijk veel gedraaid in cafés en op trouwfeesten, maar 't blijft wel een banger. Bat Out Of Hell, Two Out of Three Ain't Bad etc... zijn ook allemaal geen slechte nummers. 3.7
It was ok ngl
I somehow missed hearing this album or any of its songs over the past four decades and I can honestly say I don't think I missed anything. It wasn't really my jam, but I applaud the audacity of Jim and Meatloaf taking the piss all the way to the bank. Not a Todd Rundgren fan either, but I'll give it a 3 for the cheeseball production. No favorites. I'm glad to move on to the next one.
Cheesy and over the top but undoubtedly fun. He can really belt out a tune
The worst bait and switch album cover ever. The older I get the better this record is though.
Judging by the cover and title, I expected a spectacle along the lines of "Epic Monster Truck Death Wrestling". What I got was "The ballad of 'Epic Monster Truck Death Wrestling' - The musical, on ice".
Surprisingly good. I had heard snippets of songs like bat out of hell before but usually just the chorus I didn't know that many of Meatloaf's songs had an orchestral backing. There were some things that I didn't like though, some of the songs had a quality that bordered on stage musical. And there were one or two that felt a few minutes longer than they could have been. Overall a high 3 I think.
Amazing opening track. I love the piano on it. I also love that the opening song is the title track and 10 minutes long. I respect the hell out of that. It goes hard.
This record is incredible. I was not expecting it to be as rad as it was. It is completely over the top. It's kind of outrageous how over the top this record is, but its also so perfectly executed that its hard to not like it. It really does feel like the inspiration of the Dracula Puppet Musical in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Every song is a journey and every song is perfectly thought out and placed correctly in this album. The title track is a 10 minute epic with different waves and motions. Heaven Can Wait is somber and building. All Revved Up is so great with the saxaphone. Two out of Three is pretty cheesy, but again, its kind of perfect. I just love the thoughtfulness in making this ridiculous campy album. I'm stoked I listened to it today.
Terrible and pathetic.
87% Fav: Bat Out of Hell, Heaven Can Wait, For Crying Out Loud Least: N/A Must-Hear? Yes
Meat Loaf opted for the maximum length of songs and added flourishes where they were not necessary. It does give it a charm.
An iconic album. Probably the best album of that decade. Don't know how anyone could not like this. Deserves its place in albums that must be listened to
Cheesy as hell but a total bona fide classic and the man had the pipes to back it up! 5 all the way
An all time classic. Meat Loaf may have been the only person who could pull off this OTT mix of rock, opera and pure cheese.
I unabashedly love this album. Yes it's cheesy, but it knows that and leans into it hard. There's a quality and uniqueness to Steinman's songs, that when you hear one you just know that he wrote it, regardless of who sings it. Add Meatloaf's voice and presence, and magic happens.
I’m very surprised this album is not higher in the global rating stats as personally I think it is one of the most famous and recognisable albums of the last 50 years. Judging by the sales a lot of people would agree with me so why it has a global rating of ‘only’ 3.44 is a mystery. Maybe those embarking on this 1001 album journey are a more discerning lot than the general music buying public and not swayed by popularism. For my take on the album, its arrival on my list is quite opportune as I’ve been playing the album recently. This is as a result of the YouTube algorithm throwing up to me the iconic performance of Paradise By The Dashboard Light on the Old Grey Whistle Test in 1978. I watched that live trans fixed and it was that which opened up the whole album to me. A great collection of songs in their own right but as a whole made up a great story with lyrics everyone seemed to be able to relate to. And so they did. Just about everyone in my friendship group had a copy and the music on the album was everywhere. I’ve never considered the album to be anywhere near my top 50 or even top 100 favourite albums of all time. But I come back to the point I tried to make at the beginning that this is one of only a few albums which stands out regardless of the music on it. It was an album you simply just to have in your collection and to educate yourself with because it was topic of conversation everywhere and you just had to hold some sort of opinion on it. On that I cannot really remember at the time anyone having a bad word to say on it. I will always like the album but to the modern ears of the present generation I can understand why without the hype of the 1970’s this is just another album liked by their mums and dads. To me it’s more than an iconic musical album. I would liken it more to a piece of art which touches at your emotions even without hearing a note of music. The series of words Bat Out of Hell and Meatloaf conjure up images in their own right even without the music. This is an album you should hear before you die and probably have. 5/5 18/8/24
It's a banger album. Couple of slow tracks to mellow it out but overall great
Reject insincerity. Embrace cornball.
Too much, done too ridiculously. But yeah of course I had a fucking blast listening to it.
Bombastic in all the best ways. Meat Loaf's voice sells the cheese of the opera perfectly. Composition wise, it could've done a little more at times but that doesn't stop this from being one helluva ride 9/10
Classic album that deserves the accolades it’s received over its lifetime.
So tempted to give this a 5 as Bat Out Of Hell is one of my favourite songs of all time, but the rest of the album just doesn’t quite live up to it. I liked parts of some of the other songs, but none came together as perfectly as the title track does. Also, the bells in You Took The Words Right Out of My Mouth make it sound like a Christmas song.
My only points of reference for Meat Loaf prior to this were Bat Out Of Hell (the song) and his role in Fight Club. The man’s got range. After to listening to this my only points of reference will still be Bat Out Of Hell (the song) and his performance in Fight Club. The rest of the album doesn’t have much going for it. 2 would be harsh though. Simpsons: Yes
Haven't listened to a lot of Meat Loaf before. Bat Out of He'll is a great song. Also really like You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth. Rest of the album didn't stand out as much, but still enjoyed it. A generous 4.
Bat Out of hell is a brilliant tune, especially when driving. The rest of the album is good but not quite at the same level, but overall, I still very much enjoyed it.
Bat Out of Hell is an incredible opening to an album. The Intro to You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth was cringe as anything but the song itself was alright I didn't mind Heaven Can Wait or All Revved Up with No Place to Go but they didn't grab me. I don't actually think I've ever heard Two Out of Three Ain't Bad before listening to this album which is incredible because I reference it rather a lot. I really liked it, a little cheesy but I'll allow it. Paradise By the Dashboard Lights was mostly great, the woman's lyrics in the Let Me Sleep On It section felt a bit ham-fisted but I guess the juxtaposition and the fact it took me out of it kind of worked maybe? Don't know if that's what they were going for though. Weak ending. When that orchestra kicked in in For Crying Out Loud I digged it a lot. Wagnerian rock is a perfect description of this album, I'll give Steinman that, although I doubt Wagner would have been a fan of Steinman with a surname like that. Its a 3 but a high one
BANGER
Complete turd. This is music for people who don’t like music.
I was expecting something a little more hard core with the album cover and album name, but this shit is Glee version of metal. I think Bruce Springsteen could do a more metal album if he tried. I do appreciate the piano throughout the album. Piano is not very hardcore though.
This is always fun to listen to. The last song is too long but the rest is very cool.
5/5. Even listening to it so many times already, each listen just brings a different song to the light. It's a banger after banger, even the slow ballads are some catchy and well-written. Sure, dramatic vocals, but they match the vibe. It is a musical, not a coherent one but they are so exaggerated and extra that makes this album such a treat to listen to. Hard to really dislike this one. You're no fun if you can't enjoy at least one song on here. Best Song: Bat Out Of Hell, Paradise By The Dashboard Light, Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad
I know Meat Loaf but never took the time to listen a whole album. What a great experience. It's the perfect combination for my love for rock music and classical opera - Wagnerian rock is just great!
Jim Steinman is a hell of a composer, and Meat Loaf is a hell of a vocalist. I liked every song here, but I loved the hits. it was nice to experience the album in its entirety, I know next to nothing in this genre (rock opera? ballads?) but it was pretty enjoyable, true to form, however, some of the song lengths are too much, but your mileage may vary.
So I'm biased against this album from the get go. Bat Out of Hell II was a massive hit in 1993 and the songs were inescapable but I hated them so... sorry Mr Loaf. However, I did my best to go in with fresh ears and... it's a fine album. Very well done. Good production. Good songwriting. Good pacing and flow as an album. It's also very much not my thing. "Rock Opera." Yeah, it's showtunes. I mean, call it whatever you need to call it and kudos if you convinced some jock meatheads to expand their horizons a bit but it's showtunes. I listened to the whole thing and ultimately, I'm glad I did. Not necessarily because I liked it but because the songs *are* good and I am trying to expand my own horizons a bit. That being said, I'm glad it was a tight and snappy 45 minutes and not a double album.
Gorgeous Cheese.
Love the slight silliness of it all - although the songs are pretty long
I don’t much care for the socio-political human he became, but I don’t know how you don’t love Meat Loaf.
BALLADS OF BATS!!!! This is a musical written and for a straight guy.
i started listening to this and it just was not my vibe. but i can appreciate the artistry
stunning album
Cerramos la semana con un artista del que creo no haber escuchado nunca nada y sólo ubicar de nombre. La primera canción arranca con toda una épica que se mantiene a través de todo el disco. La poderosísima voz de Meat Loaf es ideal para levantar ánimos. Sin mucho más para decir, cierro hasta el lunes.
Incredible rock opera. Forgot how much I liked this album on my first listen
I didn't much care for this back in the 70s and 80s. But id only heard the big hits. Getting the chance to hear the whole album let me know I was right to not have listened to it.
The words “rock” and “opera” in the same sentence evoke in me a feeling reminiscent of dread mixed with mild nausea. Drausea? I’m aware this is one of the best-selling albums of all time and thus deserves a place on this list. It’s not something I’ll listen to willingly again, but it was fine and over quickly enough. The vibes were good, I’ll give it that.
Rock opera. I do love paradise by the dashboard light. The album was fun and bombastic. Wouldn’t listen to the whole thing again
This would absolutely kill in the 80s, the mix of soul, metal and gospel(?) makes it very interesting to listen to. Power ballad-y at times. Definitely not my favorite but not bad by any means. Favorite song: All Revved Up with No Place to Go (once it settles in to itself)
Eh. This 90s teenager preferred the second one.
First half is a corny take on of Bruce Springsteen style of songwriting - where most of it is actually ok - but the second half descends into high cheesiness. It’s cute the see the ambition and uniqueness - the level of earnestness is what endears me at least - but Iaps my cringe button a bit too much.
Wasn't sure what to expect here but what a delight! So many different types of sounds and songs. Some were ballads, some were weird spoken word, and some were just straight bangers. Listened to it 4-5 times through without even realizing. This prompts me to listen to more Meat Loaf!
That cover and Album name is certainly a choice for this music... Anyhow, it's fine, if not rather exhausting.
This is one of my favorite CDs of all time, it's just a killer. Let's start with the big man - Mr. Loaf is like a 9/10 on just range alone (check the note he hits on "shine" at the end of "Heaven Can Wait" tho). But when you combine his projection, his presence, his emotion, and a pile of bone-crushing backing vocals ("Paradise.." is the one that's known for it, but "Took The Words Right Out of My Mouth" is the ace in that regard) he's an easy 11/10. The title track is the most exciting 10-minute song in the entirety of recorded rock music. It just never - lets - up. And it's got amazing guitar work to go with it - this isn't really a guitar album, but some of the licks on the title track give the other 70s shredders a run for their money. There's basically no weak points throughout. The production is incredible, all the composition is amazing, it's funny, and just loaded with bleeding-heart emotional moments. That's the essence of rock music right there. The coda, "For Crying Out Loud", is probably the standout in that regard, it's just chilling. But the humor is important too. This is really a very theatrical CD - it's a massively over-the-top paean to middle-American teenagers with nothing to do. And it does all of those things flawlessly.
Powerful, theatrical, tuneful. I'm old enough that Meat has been a figure of awe since this came out. What a nice bloke, too. I'm glad he lived long enough to get involved in the stage show of this, which is also hugely enjoyable. Respect to Jim Steinman for just doing what he did best.
Now THAT’S more like it.
Five stars for the opening bars alone
I enjoyed listening to this album, especially when it comes to the slower songs, Heaven Can Wait and For Crying Out Loud. But also the titletrack is fantastic!!
I have a distinct memory riding in the truck with my dad, going thru cassettes to play while driving out to go hunting, and seeing this. Don’t remember the music though, just the title and album art.. Anyway, this is dripping with excess but is pretty decent if you don’t take it too seriously. 3.5/5 not exactly my cup of tea but it was a good listen, some nice funny moments throughout helped too
Schmaltzy as fuck. Five stars.
I was first introduced to this record when I was 8 or 9 and my big sister got it for Hanukkah. The cover looked wild and I was shocked, *shocked*, that my parents would condone something with the word "Hell" in the title. Jews don't have hell, but it still seemed wrong, especially for the holiday. A year or two before that I was first introduced to Meat Loaf as a celebrity in a Cracked magazine centerfold he shared with Leif Garret ("Meet Leif! Meat Loaf!"). Then again a few years after that Hanukkah, watching Rocky Horror at the late night picture show. None of any of these encounters prepared me for this record. I don't love piano-driven rock generally (sorry, Little Richard!) and these tunes and arrangements are schlocky but I bet would be great fun to sing along to at a dueling piano bar. I can also imagine this album is a teenage touchstone for many. But what's most interesting to me here is Ellen Foley, making her debut here as Meat's singing partner on Paradise By The Dashboard Light. She did a lot more singing and some acting and eventually went on to have a recurring role on Night Court, but the most improbable but verifiably true bit another is that Mick Jones of the Clash wrote Should I Stay Or Should I Go? about her.
Despite knowing about him for decades (and knowing that he was in the Rocky Horror Picture Show), I don't think I've really listened all that much to Meat Loaf, and certainly not to a full album. It's impressive how few of the songs on this album are radio-friendly (due to length), given how this is clearly his most popular album. I feel like this is what you'd get as a mashup of Jack Black and Billy Joel, and it's fun to listen to (although I also can see the comparisons to Bruce Springsteen, especially since that's a lot more contemporary than Jack Black, and several E-Street Band members played on the album). It's interesting that the Brits, Aussies and Canadians embraced Meat Loaf and this album long before the US did; maybe it was just too puzzlingly campy and unserious for US music executives, I guess? I also really like it that the album was based on some songs from a Peter Pan-inspired musical written by Jim Steinman, and then years later a musical came out of the Bat-from-hell series of records--the circle is complete!
got this for hanukah when I was 13. I think my parents got it for me because we were watching SNL together and Meat Loaf was on and I must have enjoyed it. I did like this album a lot, still do, but never got into Meat Loaf other than this album, and Rocky Horror, of course!
So over the top it's amazing. Maximum bombast and drama with guitars and piano. And the vocals!
I burned out on this album early on, I used to have to play Two Out Of Three and Paradise in the clubs when I was a young lad. I don't know, the album was certainly huge, but to me it seemed like pretty much the same stuff repackaged into 7 songs. I was all set to give it 3 stars and the wife came into my office and adamantly said "Give Meatloaf 5 stars!" She's been singing and dancing around the house to it all morning. I'll compromise. :-D
I've never been all that big on Meat Loaf (the dish or the musician), but there are some stone-cold classics on here. These rock ballads with a great vocalist are the sort of music that just never gets made anymore, and I think that's too bad.
Grandiose in the best possible way, crescendo after crescendo of wonderfully hammy, fully committed rock and roll. Great arrangements and performances throughout, with over-the-top singing on top of a Wall Of Sound, nodding to Phil Spector and Bruce Springsteen. It reminds me of a friend who played in a Scottish Meat Loaf tribute act, whose singer was Pete, hence - "Pete Loaf". They went down a storm in Miners' Welfare Clubs and the like, with Pete stamping across the tiny stage, emoting like hell.
Okay, this is so fun. Recognized the E Street Band playing immediately. As a former theater kid who loves camp, I'm into this. RIP dude.
I respect the theater kid kitsch, but I was really disappointed by the songwriting on this album in comparison to Bat Out of Hell II which was my only previous exposure to Meat Loaf.
Cringy, raunchy, goofy, corny. Its an impressive, amazing disaster.
the debut album from meat loaf with heavy involvement from composer and frequent collaborator jim steinman. as anything steinman was involved with, the songs are grandiose and larger than life. the album is a rock opera of sorts about teenage rebellion and trying to get laid. it’s kind of hokey at times but a fun listen… and it’s one of the top selling albums of all time, so there’s that. highlights: “bat out of hell” “heaven can wait” “two out of three ain’t bad”
It's way OTT and super naff but have to admire it in a way
46 min of the best god damn music you have ever heard in your life. It's perfect
Definitely not what I was expecting to get out of a Meatloaf album. It was a really over the top and fun album, and it really does feel grand when you are listening to it. I especially loved the title track of the album, and it really sort of prepares you for the theatrics of the rest of the album.
I love how dramatic and soap opera feeling this is. I had only listened to Paradise by the Dashboard Light before so I was pleasantly surprised to hear how good the rest of the other songs were.
One of my favorite albums. Each song is like a story, a dramatic performance. Love it.
Unbearable.
Klare 5 Sterne. Meat Loaf in seinem Debut, jedes Lied Rock pur. 5/5
Bat Out Of Hell was nothing like what i was expecting. From the album art, i just assumed it was likely gonna be a heavy or power metal album and while this album does have some metal elements, it isn't a metal album by nature. It was really good though. It switched between many different styles like the (kinda) power metal sounding songs like bat Out Of Hell to Tearjerker ballads like Heaven Can Wait and even a more rock and roll style with Paradise By The Dashboard Light. All of these styles were great, as were the vocals and lyrics. This one is definitely a really good one. Best Song: Heaven Can Wait Worst Song: All Revved Up with No Place to Go
I'm unsure how to feel about piano rock. I thought I liked it, not only because Elton John's hits are very deceiving for the rest of his studio output, but also because Billy Joel's output is shockingly good, or at least the album The Stranger is. I feel this album only adds to the mystery, as Meatloaf has his share of hits that I quite like, this album containing one of them: Paradise by the Dashboard Light, and I like his additions to Rocky Horror Picture Show well enough. However, I always cringed a bit when encounter the schmaltzier side of piano rock, and this album is full of that. Predictable, self-righteous chord progressions, a booming voice to make everything sound more important than it truly is, and throw in perhaps the most misleading album cover ever for good measure. Yet, I found myself liking the schmaltziest track, For Crying Out Loud, only second to Paradise, and that only adds to the befuddlement. The whole album feels too cheesy for my blood, but when it truly digs into it, with the orchestral sweeps and the climactic finish, it works pretty well, and it allows the ending of this album, all nearly twenty minutes of it, to be oddly pleasurable. Perhaps not totally my thing, but I can appreciate it in the same way I like some blatantly terrible 80s songs. Just, God forbid, do not listen if you can't stand bravado and showmanship in a musical artist. This album is 80% that, 10% music, 10% weird sex stuff.
Perfectly OTT. He was outstanding live. RIP Meat.
I have no idea what I just listened to
The most gloriously campy, deliciously melodramatic album. Give me all the piano glisses!!! These hearty ballads are just so much fun
Go big or go home. Everything is a huge ballad. I prefer the songs on their own rather than all in a row.
This is so not the kind of music I like, but it’s so cheesy and Meatloaf was in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Fight Club, so it gets a pass.
Full of bombastic piano ballads and unselfconcious vocals straight from deep in the heart and belly. Bat out of hell is an album that knows exactly what it wants to be, and doesn't care what anyone else says about it. A welcome addition to any car journey, party, dentist appointment mentioned or funeral.
5 stars
Cannot help but find this quite silly overall, like a parody version of a hit rock opera hiding under heavy metal aesthetics… in fairness, I’m sure it’s very iconic and influential in the world of rock operas, so I’m sure its originality within the genre contributes to that feeling, but I’m just not sold on how operatic it seems to think it is… harmless but didn’t do it for me.
Perhaps exactly as much epicosity as I desire! <3 Jim Steinman
Always been taken by the background of this album? Very much has the air of a musical theatre album... written entirely by Steinman and preformed by Mr. Loaf... i think the real benefit that this album has is having Todd Rundgren producing it... it really is a convergence of a number of people at the height of their power which is impressive to me... that being said I have always found the music to be a bit too corny and never quite able to reach the heights it sets out to reach.
It could have just been a big Springsteen/Who rip off. But the combination of Steinman's musical theater 'kitchen sink' attitude to composition, and Meatloaf's willingness to treat this with arch wit and a wicked sense of humour elevate the whole thing far beyond that.
Twas alright
did not really link with me tbh very great moments tho but overall didnt cathced me that much 2.5/5.0
"Bat Out of Hell" is the debut album by American rock singer Meat Loaf and composer Jim Steinman. The album was developed from a musical, "Nevermind," a futuristic rock version of Peter Pan. It was recorded in 1975-1976 at various studios. Todd Rungren was the producer and a host of musicians contributed including Rungren, Roy Brittan and Max Weinberg of the E Street Band, members of Rungren's band Utopia and Edgar Winter on the sax. The album became one of the biggest selling albums of all-time and peaked on the US charts at #14 and on the UK charts at #9. A heavy guitar and sprawling piano open the album with the self-titled "Bat Out of Hell." It picks up the pace with the drums and slows down as Meat Loaf's vocals come in. Big production, maybe even over the top. Loaf sings and tells the long-winded story of a motorcycle crash. Organ and horns highlight "You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth." The beginning of this song sounds very E Street like and why wouldn't it with Brittan and Weinberg in the band. An interesting start to the song as a guy and girl are talking and she'll offer anything to the guy (wolve). The main character was about to say he loves her but she took the words.....and that she is Ellen Foley. Not the last time we'd hear from her. The first song I remember hearing from this album is "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad." A piano and acoustic ballad. I admit; I kinda liked this song. Some ridiculous but memorable lyrics ("I'm crying icicles instead tears) as he just can't now love the girl that he once did. A nice string ending. Little did they know, karaoke and juke box machines were about to get a work out for the next 40 years after the release of "Paradise by the Dashboard Light." The song has three parts and goes from rock guitar with heavy piano to funk and back again. Ellen Foley is back. Baseball announcer Phil Rizzuto makes an appearance. The boy makes a promise to always love the girl to get "parsdise by the dashboard light." He now regrets it and prays for the end of time. That about sums it up. This is one of the albums where certain songs got played a lot on the radio and in bars for a long period of time, I frankly got sick of the songs (a la classic rock radio). That settled down about twenty years ago and really since then the only time I can remember hearing them was a few years ago when Meat Loaf passed away. I'm not gonna run out and buy this album but it was a fun listen once through. Sure, big production, lots of instruments and dramatic, loud vocals. It is like listening to a musical. I don't know if there is a historical comp for this album. No, I haven't listen to "Bat Out of Hell II" or "III." I'm not going to recommend or not recommend this album. I'd imagined everyone has memories of these songs. So, if you want to relive those, listen to it and you don't, don't.
3 out of 5 ain't bad (nor is it particularly good).
actually banging
This album is bumpy. Its' highs are 10/10 knocked out the park home runs. 'BOOH' and 'Paradise...' are the clear examples of that. There is a fair share of filler, some of which feels a little cringe, but mostly makes sense in the context of the rest of the album. This is my mums favourite album ever, and she generally has disastrous taste, but this is one that I'm happy to say she has got right!
I was today years old when I discovered that Bat Out of Hell is based on a sci-fi rock opera version of Peter Pan, albeit with more songs about sex and motorbikes, and not so many about one handed pirates and crocodiles with alarm clocks. This album is a blast though, with Meat Loafs reliably humongous operatic vocals and Jim Steinman’s over the top score. Highlight is surprisingly filthy song using baseball as a metaphor for risky teenage sex in a car.
This is great, very theatrical and solid, rock record. High quality compositions and a great voice. I was not so familiar with Meat Loaf before listening to this, and that was a pleasant listen.
4 out of 5 ain't bad
Good rock album that’s very upbeat and energetic. Wasn’t crazy for it, but I do think it was a good listen. Thought the songs were a bit longer than I would have liked. All of this I wrote before hearing the final song of the album, and holy shit what a bombastic and moving ending. Really one of the greatest last songs of an album I’ve heard in quite a while. Standouts: Bat Out of Hell, You Took The Words Right Out of My Mouth, Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad, and For Crying Out Loud.
His name was Robert Paulson.
The highs of this album are as high as any, however some of the slower, quieter moments stop it from being perfect for me. Maybe the greatest opener of any album ever.
not a fan, but i do appreciate the work. honestly, besides the openers to each side, i did not care much about the rest. rock opera is something that is hard for me to grasp, but its not the fault of the genre; just not my thing. i wouldnt listen to this again, but was good to experience once. 3 personal favs: bat out of hell, paradise by the dashboard light
2,5
Crazy piano riffs, all the melodrama but in a fun, musical-theater way.
Not normally a style I would listen to but holy shit Meatloaf can sing. Five stars
Meh
Classic
Always enjoyed this album. I'm an odd one and like the sequel better, but I grew up during that time lol
Hur kan en person som slayade så hårt i Rocky horror picture show leverera ett sånt här album??
ska ljuga det var fire. Brast nästan ut i skratt flera gånger (hans sista high note i första låten, andra låtens asmr-från-helvetet-intro och även hela resten av låten KLAPPANDET PÅ SLUTET PAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAG, tredje låten när kören kommer in och bara oooohhhh jag bara neeeeeeeejjjjj och STRÅKET pahaha, saxsolot i låt fyra och när han börjar sjunga ÖVER det åh herre hjärtanes, hur innerliga och DRAMATISKA vissa delar är och hur mycket det bara inte funkar typ slutet på låt sju med BOMBASTIC stråk asså näääääeee💀💀, SJÄTTE LÅTEN HJÄLP HJÄLP HJÄLP när voice overn kommer och är sportkommentator när han ska ha sex och där är STÖN I BAKGRUNDEN jag ville kanske dö. Och mamma vad jag mådde dåligt när kvinnan kom och det blev en duett??? tonartshöjningen efteråt var droppen ta mig härifrån) Aldrig lyssnat på meat loaf förr och ser nu att det var väldigt klokt. Alltså är alltihopa ett epic prank och han ett troll eller är det meningen att det ska vara bra? På ett sätt väckte det ändå känslor - förfäran, illamående och framförallt pinsamhet. Skäms å hans vägnar vad tänkte han. Min broders heartbreak låter så innerligt på ett komiskt sätt. Har han blivit heartbroken av en oompa loompa eller för det är så mega goofy Sämsta låt: all revved up with no place to go varför sjunger han om att ingen vill ligga med honom😭😭😭😭 ”all revved up with no place to go, oh baby I’m a hunter in the dark of forest, I’ve been stalking you and tracking you down” är inte en okej rad😭 aldrig mer meat loaf för min del ska typ faktiskt bli vegetarian efter detta
Ojämnt album. Tre låtar var känslomässiga bergochdalbanor som överraskade: Bat out of hell, Paradiset by the dashboard light och For crying out loud. Sjukt rolig lyssning, typ musikal. Resten var tråkiga, smäktande låtar som var som alla 80-talsballader nånsin. Får en fyra för att vissa var så bra!!
Daamn fett bra album asså Bästa låtar: Bat out of hell, Paradise by the dashboard light
Do you ever think about how almost immediately after Meat Loaf died Andrew WK re-emerged to take the throne of making piano heavy operatic rock that is horny on an almost spiritual level while also being a weird libertarian? Nature always finds a way. Five stars
So much in the con column: rock opera, piano based rock, pompous but slight themes, kitsch without camp, show tunes with 0 sense of fun, slow ass over composed songs that last for ever, nothing musically interesting, it's very long So little in the pro column: impressive vocals, sometimes it fleetingly sounds like some better (if only slightly) 70s band (Bruce, Elton, Queen), the cover would be great for a thrash band, the odd raging sax solo
So glad we got this, I hadn’t heard it before but maybe once. I liked Bat Out of Hell quite a bit and many of the others had moments of excitement too. Mixed with moments of sad boy rock with the pianos and wailing. I’ve never been a huge meatloaf fan but it was a good time.
Good ol' Meatloaf, maybe the worst artist name of all time? Jury's still out. I don't know much Meat Loft music; the one song I knew for sure ("I Would Do Anything For Love"), isn't on here. The title track is great, and I respect that so many of these are long tracks. Sometimes they meander into really melodramatic territory that I'm just not really into, but I respect the unique nature of his music. He seems like an odd guy, nothing wrong with that. Not quite classic rock because he's doing a lot of devastated piano balladry. It's a decent album, though I won't return to much. Favorite tracks: Bat Out of Hell, You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth. Album art: Though I may not know the man's music, I sure as hell know and love his album covers. Look at this motorcycle blasting off from a cemetery in the depths of hell. Incredible imagery, you'd expect the music to sound more like Dio or Iron Maiden or something. 3/5
The birth album of a Rockstar!
Fantastic album that stands the test of time. It's so much more than Dashboard and is a great, easy, and fun listen. 9/10.
inherit death like a birthright
This album sends me right back to Junior High School dances. I have listened to the whole album only a couple of times. Only one song matters to me on this album.
I expected/wanted to like this more than I ultimately did.
This album is kinda weird , lots of juxtaposition lol.
I've only heard of one of the songs from this album, and although the rest weren't too amazing, it was a pretty decent listen. Very nice guitar towards the middle of one of the songs towards the end of the album but I didn't notice which one it was.
Do you want rock anthems? Good! Bat Out Of Hell explodes with energy and emotion. It's a masterpiece that delivers an unforgettable musical experience. The powerful vocals, theatrical compositions, and vivid storytelling create an epic listening journey from start to finish. There's passion and intensity, making it a timeless and dynamic essential rock album.
If you ask me, Meatloaf is best served lightly spiced with some aromats let nutmeg, clove, fennel seeds. Served with caramelised fennel and a blackberry sauce. It’s really quite marvellous! Theres no 2 ways about it! 4.3
When Elton John got a bit of American testosterone and even more theatrical bombast.
The man who created and defined his own genre, the rock opera. I don’t think I would listen to this regularly but the impact he had on music was great.
His name is Robert Paulson But really why am I enjoying the shit out of this? When I was growing up, i had BooH II on CD, and wasn’t expecting much from its predecessor but this is a pleasant surprise. It’s the perfect intersection of Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Alice Cooper, and the few redeemable qualities of Billy Joel, with an outsider musical theater kid mixed in. And it’s a toe tapping good time.
Kantta myöten naurettavan teatraalinen ja överijuustoinen. Nimikappaleesta ihan tykkäsin. Ja myönnetään, kyllähän siinä jotain Bruce-kaikuja kuulee. 2.5?
Well, it's become a classic, hasn't it?
Heard before Saved 1/7 Top track: Bat Out of Hell
Bat out of hell Paradise by the dashboard light Longs morceaux, ça tue !
Did I just listen to rock-piano?
It is all big and epic and fun, but it is so much so that it starts to border on overboard. Doesn't really feel personal or authentic enough to become great
Rock, Piano, Oper, was will man mehr?
Meistverkauft? Ging an mir vorbei, gefällig.
Gives me Rocky Horror Picture Shows energy. I loved it.
Was i expecting rock opera over the top production and performance? Yes. Did i expect to enjoy it as much as I did? No Fun, ridiculous album
I already knew I loved this album honestly. So glad it is on the list. It's very fun. He was a great vocalist, and this album shows off his singing skills for sure. Very nostalgic album for me. Enjoyed it!
Not a single skip, an absolutely incredible achievement in camp by (as far as we know) straight men.
A master of the art of rock/metal as you'd expect. Ended as a terrible person but still.would.be remembered for his music mainly. This album was the first one I saw of his as a kid in my step dad's CDs. I mean there is a reason Jack black had him in the Kickapoo song amount with Dio for tenacious d movie/band.
Love this. I haven't listened to the whole album in such a long time. Amazing voice, great theatrical rock.
Theatrically Pop/Rock
Teen opera! Over the top just as it was meant to be. Over the top just like its subject matter: teen hormones. Several very good songs crowned by one of the biggest hits of all time. And casting Meatloaf in the part was perfect to give it the required excessive gravitas.
Outrageous album. The cover by the great Richard Corben promises insane heavy metal. The album delivers showtunes. It’s still amazing, and it’s the (even hornier) cousin of Springsteen’s Born To Run.
A+
Theatre kid music (mildly complimentary)
Favourite tracks: bat out of hell; you took the words right out of my mouth; all revved up with no place to go; two out of three ain't bad
Amazing!! Rock opera at its finest!
Ja wat een album man. Het gaat alle kanten op. Uiteraard Bat out of Hell en Paradise by the Dashboard Light echt briljant. Maar ik vind For Crying Out Loud ook zo mooi. RIP grote dikke man
It’s just not my favored aesthetic at all. If you’re into maximum unsubtle, good for you.
Gee willickers, this album makes me emote for all the right reasons. As a kid, my dad would constantly sing Bat Out Of Hell on karaoke on every holiday. When I first met my absolute dweeb of love Rach, we were getting to know each other on a night out when Paradise By The Dashboard Light came on and we both knew every single word and had a whale of a time. This album is just phenomenal, and I’ve yet to find any other artists who write music that sounds close to Meatloaf’s operatic rock. If you ever get the chance to see the stage show, I’d highly recommend it.
A very fun rock and roll album with some high theatrics. I will say that i wish the whole concept was more fleshed out, as the album carries its themes of love and heartbreak and teenage rebellion in a very surface-level manner, and i also don't care much for the whole Springsteen impersonation, i feel like i'd much rather listen to Born to Run if i was looking for these smirky love anthems, but yeah these compositions are pretty good from a musical standpoint and there are a lot of remarkable moments.
I thought it was good! Didn't love the length of a few of the songs, but I was overall impressed!
Didn’t really care for anything but the major hits. Hard to separate his political views at the end of his life from the art, sadly.
I kept waiting for something. Like for it to get better… for some grunge or some screaming. For a “bat out of hell”, he’s very mild. Maybe because I only know him from Rocky Horror Picture show, but I was underwhelmed. My grandma loves him though.
not sure what exactly i was expecting from Meat Loaf, but man, can that dude compose a song. its loud, its bombastic, but every single instrument and decision he makes has it all coming together. its a super gorgeous album, from front to back. not every song can be an incredible epic... but Meat Loaf really puts that assumption to the test.
10/10, I’ve only really known Meat Loaf from RHPS (and Fight Club), so it was very interesting hearing a solo album of his that delivers the same heat as the movie’s soundtrack
Classic Meat Loaf
Fine. Not quite my thing. Big theater kid energy. In high school or college I remember always seeing many copies of this album looking through bins of used LPs & CDs, and for a brief moment I considered making it “my thing” to always purchase every copy of this album I encountered to see how many I would accumulate over a lifetime.
Very enjoyable, very bombastic rock. Maybe not my favorite, and not one I’ve spent a lot of time with, but definitely in the anthemic 70s Springsteen vein. Good times!
This album never goes below a 4, and spends some time at 5, but I think it all comes out to a very solid four stars. There’s not much to say about this that hasn’t been said so many times already. It’s great, and I’ve always loved Paradise By The Dashboard Light (I remember the first time I heard it.) I passed on buying this vinyl recently, and listening now, I kind of regret it.
It's got some fun moments in it. Good for a listen. I don't know mood I need to be in to go back for this one, but it does exist. Will I listen to again: 10%
Bat Out of Hell is Epic, dramatic music. Not really my thing.
I don’t get the hype.
1977 feels way too early for this. This is 80's arena/prog/concept definitely. It's A Night At The Opera turned up a notch. I can understand how influential this was on the sound of rock, or at the very least portentous. It's also interesting that it was so popular in the era of rock stars as songwriters when the entire album is written by a single person, who is credited on the album cover. I wish it was more acceptable to just have a writer.
Okay so this album leans into the kitsch and cheese and it just works. It's over-the-top in a very musical theatre way (unsurprising it came from a musical) that I normally don't like but again... it just works. It's stupid and Meat Loaf was the punchline for a lot of jokes but god damn is this fun.
Creative, unique, but not as amazingly good as “Bat out of Hell 2”.
Paradise by the Dashboard Light, All revved up with no place to go, for crying out loud
Classic album. Paradise by the dashboard light is an all time song. Ty meat
Was borderline 5 here but ultimately went with the 4. I think i just have rose tinted glasses due to my dad always blasting these songs in the jukebox while we would play pool in my basement. But honestly there’s a lot of hits on this album, they just don’t really work together as an album IMO. They all work better on their own but don’t really flow into each other. Like i literally saved every song on the album, but i don’t think it’s worthy of a 5 as an album. Idk why Meat Loaf gets meme’d to death bc they got some pretty good songs. ez 4
surprised at how much i enjoyed this. over the top/operatic at times, but i can see why this made the list
Paradise on the dashboard lights has to be everyones favourite Kareoke song! Amazing. A lot of filler on this album though and it only has 7 very long tracks!! Favourite song: Bat out of hell is a great song. Least favourite: Most of the rest of the album Album artwork: Fantastic cover
I usually just appreciate the art of the album and avoid personal tastes, but this one I just don’t like. Heard lots of the tracks here and there, not big on rock opera, sounds like bootleg Elton.
This one isn’t for me - I’m not so much into the rock opera/theatrical rock genre. Tried to like it, but didn’t at all.
I thought I would love this album again, and was somehow disappointed. Either I have matured or the album has de-matured. Mildly interested in the album, that's all. 2 stars. (Wait, that's low, surely three? No, not feeling it, not even Paradise by the Dashboard light) Ok. 3 stars, after an argument with myself.
I like bombast-rock and he is the one
fun but I won't listen to it often
Bat out of Hell I’ve never listened to this, I’ve not even heard the full 9 minute version of the title track, but I find Jim Steinman really interesting and have a real soft spot for his songs, so I was really keen to give this a listen. Bat out of Hell, I’ve never really noticed the Springsteen-ness of this song before, both musically and thematically - teenage boredom and excitement and urge to go somewhere more exciting and bigger. Great track no matter how many times you hear it. You Took the Words Right out of My Mouth - have always loved this song. Corker, even with the saliva-ry spoken word intro. Heaven Can Wait is a bit of a lull, probably the weakest track. All Revved Up is great, love the steady beat all the way through, and the musical sense of pent up frustration. Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad ain’t bad at all, it threatens to turn into Bat out of Hell in parts but has a satisfying melody and a good lyric. Paradise by the Dashboard Light is a belter, over the top of course, but a great story song, banging in the car listening to the baseball, tell me you love me, erm maybe tomorrow? Great title too. For Crying Out Loud is a suitably cinematic ending, plaintive and melancholy, erupting into a histrionic middle section before, falling back down. It is very theatrical but it manages keep the right side of the line, it could easily descend into anodyne Rock Musical territory, or end up like Queen, but there’s a charm to it that that pulls it through and separates it from all that. It’s also thematically really good, it’s very evocative of teenage romantic ideas and fantasy, love, lust, boredom, escape etc. I can’t work out whether there’s a knowingness to all the bombast and over the topness, or a genuine earnest innocence to it, or maybe it’s the combination of the earnestness and tenderness of the words with the bombast of the music that makes it a winner. Either way I don’t think it actually matters, it’s such a fun and entertaining listen. Easy 4 stars, even toying with 5. Will definitely listen again. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I refuse to listen to this. I know all the famous tracks already
I've rarely listened to Meat Loaf, but I usually like it when I do. There are great songs on the album. I also like to think of Meat Loaf's appearances in various films. He was great in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" as Eddie and really great in "Fight Club" as Bob Paulson and as The Lizard in "51st State". 4/5
First song was good then it was a rock opera and no pinball wizard
This album has always felt like an American Opera to me. Classic. Meatloaf died too young!
STUNNING. The song BOOH has a special place in my heart, starting from when my brother and I were living at home after uni and he would play me the song to get me pumped when I was feeling sad or sluggish. Our friendship group then latched onto it as a bit of an anthem. It also reminds me of scout camp as our leader was a biker and when we played it in the minibus he would get emotional . It's such an epic and fun song. Spectacular intricacies. So many phases. The rest of the album was a joy. Similarly entertaining and epic. I loved it.
Oh it's just glorious. What a magnificent, wonderful album. Gets me so pumped. Obvs Bat out of hell is the ultimate banger. But Paradise by the Dashboard Light is just great. The whole thing is great. I love watching youtube vids of meatloaf, he was so epic. The whole thing paints such a great image. LOVE IT
I wanted to give credit where it's due even if rock opera is something I passionately don't care about (put nicely) but by the time All Revved Up played... "if I'll never hear a sliding rock'n'roll piano again, it'll be too soon" is what I wrote yesterday. THIS RIGHT HERE WAS WAY TOO SOON! The whole thing? Just awful. My deepest condolences to the people from the Meat Loaf Karaoke place I learned about in the reviews.
It's time for another one of the best-selling albums of all time! Here we have Bat Out of Hell by Meat Loaf. Given the name of the album (and maybe the artist) and the album cover, you'd think this was something super heavy and dark. While this album does have rock elements to it, it's fairly soulful as well. Like, most of these songs could be classified as ballads. Anyways, despite being misled by that, the album's pretty good. I like Mr. Loaf's vocals. They're very good. The writing is mostly solid. The instrumentals are great. I like the disparity between the hard rock and piano ballad parts of songs. Is this album pretty cheesy? Yeah. Do I care? No. While this isn't my favorite album, not by a long shot, it's still a great album that absolutely deserves to be on this list. High 4/5.
3.5
My first owned album! Bat out of Hell comes out first like a bat out of hell. Eagerly awaiting Paradise by the Dashboard Light. More ballads than I remembered, but still rock opera-sounding.
Classic
One of pop music’s greatest operas.
Great
Não sei bem como descrever o Meat Loaf, de repente lembro-me de uma comparação caricata, ele é quase como o Elton John do Rock. Isto advém da quantidade de Piano que vem nestas cantigas. É quase um Power Metal mais leve e mais solene. A voz do senhor Meat Loaf é muito boa e canta bastante bem durante todo o álbum. Achei curiosa a tirada mais teatral das músicas, especialmente com a abertura da segunda música. O álbum começa de rompante com a primeira música, rápida intensa coberta por um piano. E continua um álbum agradável de se ouvir, termina com uma balada relativamente interessante. Algumas músicas são demasiado longas sem grande motivo. É um álbum que é visivelmente bom, mas não é o meu género, demasiada pompa, tenho uma preferência por coisas mais agressivas. Nota:7/10 25/05/2024
Strong Intro, thematic swelling big. Probably counted them out due to name. Glam rock? Hair metal? Almost showtune type ballads. Up beat songs, lots of hope? Strange songs, some very oldschool rock elements Very showtuney Not much for me but glad to listen 0:-5/5
Birth of ballad rock. This was wild stuff for it’s time.
i wasn't really paying attention because i was doing school stuff but i had a good time. not my thing i think but it sounded fun. pretty insane vibe comin from this thing. rip the rock opera
Freak Out Of Hell by Freak Loaf
Slick, self indulgent, grandiose, epic and super catchy. And that’s just the first song. Unfortunately, the rest of the album doesn’t quite reach the standard of the title track, but it’s still good fun. Maybe a couple more listens would elevate this to a four, but it’s not quite there
I was hoping to enjoy this at least ironically if nothing else, but other than the couple of songs that are well-known already, it’s pretty garbage. The good songs really lift it up from a bad rating. And you realize the good songs really aren’t as good as you thought when you have to listen to a whole album of this.
3.5 Now I get why he’s in Rocky Horror. Pretty great.
It‘s special and well made music.. But to my ear every song seems to have the same structure :/
This is just such an entertaining album. It’s just so theatric that it never ceases to be great. Im done
3.2/5
I loved this album throughout the whole thing. The theatrics are incredibly fun and it was definitely a joy to listen to. "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" is an all-timer.
This is such a fun and theatrical album! I loved it!!
rock opera album sung by great vocallist
Not for me, sounded like a rock opera
Hell yeah dude!
It was okay. The cover looked way more hardcore than it actually was tho. It was cool how the lyrics actually told stories
Say what you will, but cocaine made some very entertaining music 'back in the day'
Was Meatloaf flawed? Yes. Is this album flawed, yes? Is it a hell of a ride, absolutely. 4.5
What an incredible album. I don't think anyone can say this album is bad. It's quite the epic. It's theatrical, it's heavy, it's got killer vocals, the musicians are playing at top tier. The only thing that I can maybe complain about is that the lyrics are very cheesy. But it is part of the album's charm. It is fitting. Every song on this album is memorable.
Better with ketchup
Could have sworn he sang half of these in Rocky Horror Picture Show
It’s times like this I wonder what if there was a rapper named Tuna Casserole
Rock Ballad style from the late 70's. I can appreciate Meatloaf more after listening. One of the best selling albums of all time, Nearly a 4 for me
Overblown operatic rock. Haven't heard it in 40 years so an extra point for the nostalgic feels.
Surprisingly really liked this.
Cool album art. I like that it opens with the crazy piano. I thought the song writing was really inspired.
Algjör fkn píanórokksnilld frá upphafi til enda. Jim Steinman var algjör snillingur í sinni uppskrift og Meat Loaf snillingur í að ná að syngja öll orðin á réttum stað. Og ekki má gleyma Ellen Foley sem er algjör bomba í Paradise..
Quite possibly the best rock opera ever.
My first thought was "Knock off Springsteen musical" and then I read the wikipedia and found out that it was adapted from a musical, produced and performed by several dudes who overlapped with the E Street Band, and was contemporaneously compared to the boss as well. I will never get over the glory of "Meat Loaf" as a stage name.
Perfect for what it is. Where would Glee be without it?
Er zijn weinig dingen waarbij mijn nekharen zo overeind gaan staan als bij het aanhoren Meat Loaf. De enige reden dat ik blij ben met dit album is omdat ik nog een hele reeks albums moet inhalen. Scheelt weer luistertijd, want dit album mag van mij direct een vette 1 krijgen. Bleh theatrale irritante musicalstemmetjes. Koen nodig me alsjeblieft niet uit voor je PBTDL feestje :p
Ik toen ik zag dat dit album op het menu stond: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/obituaries/2022/01/21/TELEMMGLPICT000283412535_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqBoAHBNnsOk47ZzuFbgUwCt_dQaCFRv4gzXWA0yvVKWM.jpeg?imwidth=480 Ik toen ik het een cijfer mocht geven: https://media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com/image/upload/t_fit-1500w,f_auto,q_auto:best/newscms/2016_24/1583366/160617-meat_loaf-0359.jpg
Oke, guilty. Ik ben een sucker voor Paradise By The Dashboard Light. Nu ligt dit album natuurlijk natuurlijk nooit op mijn platenspeler als ik alleen thuis ben. Maar geef mij de controle over de muziek op een (huis)feestje en de verleiding om PBTDL erop te gooien is er altijd. Het dansbare, het musicalgehalte, de energie, die kop van Meat Loaf. Het perfecte ingredient voor een zweterig fuifje. Maar Meat Loaf (RIP) is natuurlijk meer dan PBTDL. Of nouja, is dat wel zo? Nee rest van het album boeit me eigenlijk niet zo. Overigens ook shout out naar de rol van Meat Loaf in Fight Club. Die scene met die borsten is legendary. Extra sterretje 5/10 Highlights Paradise You took the words right out of my mouth
This meat loaf doesn’t need ketchup to be good
Yep, that's definitely Meat Loaf
Nostalgia bop, brings me back to driving to school with my mom.
My wife said I can’t make a flight club reference, but I may give it five stars anyway
Its Meat Loaf... I like it. Bombastic.
Inigualable, Bat Out of Hell es pop grandioso, rock épico, alarde operístico, contenido gótico e incluso ridículo en su sobredimensión de la pasión adolescente. Y todo interpretado por un personaje, Meat Loaf, afectado por una inacabable grandilocuencia. Algo que no le impide conectar emocionalmente con el núcleo de cada canción y así dotar de verdadera angustia al tema "Two out of Three Ain't Bad" o de humor burlón a "Paradise by the Dashboard Light". Estilísticamente enlaza con el musical Rocky Horror Picture Show, película en la que participó y empujó a Meat Loaf al éxito nacional. A parte de los temas citados, me gusta el tema que abre y da título al disco: "Bat Out of Hell".
Outstanding album
Truely one of a kind. An epic triumphant rock opera the likes of which are unmatched. Werewolves, endless sexual induendo. Guitar solos and timeless vocals. Also, his name was Robert paulson
Gotta love grandiose 70s rock operas with loads of piano.
Epic album with a hell of a crooner.
Ewwwww
3.5
it was cool
A classic
I don't care if it's showtunes. I still love it
More theatrical/musical than rock to me ear, and not really my kind of sound.
Mmm. I'm still not a Meat Loaf fan. I knew more of these than I expected, and they brought back some funny memories of karaoke, but it's too overdramatic for me.
It was fine, don't think it really deserves to be on the list but I enjoyed it. Felt like a bruce springsteen knock off for a couple songs, overall enjoyable listen but nothing too much to take from it.
When I see a cover like this, I expect something hard as fuck. I wanted a sick ass metal album so badly. But folks, looks can be very deceiving. This is very far from what I wanted, and I’m not exactly thrilled. I see this fucking album everywhere. I’ve caught like six dozen copies of this album on CD in the same antique mall. Why do so many people own this? I get it’s sold a ton, but it feels inescapable. And apparently people enjoy this a lot. I’m all for artists expressing themselves in very out there and bombastic ways. I wouldn’t be such a fan of Bowie if that wasn’t the case. But there is a line I draw. And this album lies right on that line. It just goes too far with the theatrics. And attempts to be ten thousand things at once. If Thick as a Brick was made by a bunch of gay theater camp kids, this is what it would sound like. Funnily enough this was adapted from a musical that never got made, and then was subsequently turned back into a musical after the success of the album. And from a production standpoint, I’ll admit that there are some impressive moments of grandiose, where everything actually sort of comes together. But in all other moments, this is a cluttered mess of half-baked concepts that hurt to try and dissect. Basically just a listen in scope, downsizing and not trying to be something more than the sum of your parts. Also the mixing kind of sounds like shit at some parts. When that guitar first comes in on the opening track, I was like “what the hell am I listening to?” This is wildly successful, and to each their own I guess. Because this just wasn’t it for me. Rating: 5/10
Listened to it years ago
Non stop hits. Great album and great storyteller
The music was great, and the album cover looks sick
Not my cup of tea.
In a lot of respects, it's easy to see how this album is one of the top selling albums of all time even to this day. Meat Loaf's vocals set him in the upper echelon of rock singers, and these are on full display with Bat Out Of Hell. While I personally prefer a more traditional song structure as opposed to the longer, storytelling style of the songs in this rock opera, there's still some iconic hooks in some of these songs that make for a good singalong. I also appreciate the campiness and "subtlety" of a brick to the face in the themes that recur throughout. Even if this isn't an album I'm likely to revisit as some of the others I've heard on this project so far, I enjoyed it still and it holds an important place in history. 7/10
Very cheesy. I like it. Very much.
Love it
I loved this before starting this. Absolutely gold.