OZZY OSBOURNE: No More Tears

Crazy to think that the Ozzman’s “No More Tears” album turned 30 years young this past September. In saying that comes the reissue both on a digital format (bonus tracks and demos) and vinyl.

I scooped this one up on vinyl when Amazon added it as preorder back in July.

I will go on record and say that “No More Tears” is my favourite Ozzy solo album followed closely by ’83’s “Bark At The Moon”.

What about the Rhoads albums you ask. Fair enough.

“Bark At The Moon” was the second ever solo Ozzy album I  got after receiving the double live “Speak of the Devil” which I got for Xmas ’82.

The two Randy Rhoads records came after BATM. Don’t get me wrong though as I love that era of Oz but its just where my entry into the world of Ozzman happened and that was with Jake E Lee on the six string.

“No More Tours Tour” was when I caught Ozzy live and not only was he plugging this release in the summer of ’92 but it was announced at the time that this was his final tour.

If it had all played out and Ozzy had walked away , what an album to have gone out on!

But as we know that didn’t happen as Ozzy came back in ’95 in which he called that tour “Retirement Sucks”.

Getting a little ahead here…

Back to 91 and Ozzy drops this album and the band and Ozzy step up huge…

Can you say Mr Tinkertrain?

“Mr Tinkertrain” is a stellar opener as the one thing that stands out to me is Zakk Wylde’s playing on it especially come solo time as his lead work is bonkers. What a solo…

The rocker tracks which make up this record are brilliant. “I Don’t Want To Change The World”, “A.V.H”, “Zombie Stomp”, “Hellraiser” and the title track all sizzle as Zakk along with Randy Castillio and Bob Daisley drive the bus forward musically while Oz tosses down some great lead vocals.

Two of the tracks to my ears have always been what I would consider two of the best tracks that Ozzy has cranked out are “Desire” and “S.I.N”.

“Desire” I feel is Wylde’s best playing put down to tape. That solo that Zakk cranks out of that Gibson is through the roof while “S.I.N”  just takes your head off once the the band kicks in. Plus the choruses to these two tunes are catchy as heck.

Special mention to Zakk on that outro solo on “S.I.N” which is bat shit crazy good.

WOW…

Even though I’m tired of hearing “Mama I’m Coming Home” on local crap radio it’s still a good track as is “Road To Nowhere” which closes out the album.

Glad to own this one on vinyl now as its amazing that at the start of the 90’s Ozzy was already at this game called rock n roll for over 20 years but capturing lightening in the bottle along with a killer band paid dividends in the end as 30 years down on the line its still a must own.

 

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