Review: Ozzy Osbourne’s ‘Ordinary Man’
Cover photo of Ozzy Osbourne (center) from Flickr. Osbourne released his first album in 10 years in February.
Daniel Peters
Arts & Entertainment Staff Writer
This article was written before the suspension of in-person classes and closure of housing for most students due to the coronavirus
The Prince of Darkness has returned one final time.
On Feb. 21, the music world changed forever when the legendary metal icon Ozzy Osbourne released his first album in 10 years.
He was accompanied by Slash and Duff McKagan of Guns N Roses, Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, Elton John, Charlie Puth and Post Malone.
The album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Top 200, and was No. 1 on the rock charts.
The album kicks off with a famous Ozzy phrase, ‘Alright now,’ in the song “Straight to Hell.”
This was also the second single released in support of this album, and it seems like it should be buried in the album instead of being the opening track.
The second track, “All My Life,” is one of the more reflective songs on this album, and dare I say, one of the best.
It has a driving and anthemic chorus that is ready to be chanted along with during his live shows. He talks about his younger self being disappointed in how he is now, knowing what he has done in his life. It is a very deep track and one of the best on the album.
The title and fourth track of the album, “Ordinary Man,” has a very extraordinary guest vocalist: Sir Elton John.
This is another track that reflects on Ozzy’s life, but it chooses to peer at it from the perspective of fame and what has affected him.
He is afraid of dying ordinary, but whether you are a fan of metal or not, Ozzy has always been more than ordinary.
Whether hearing of him biting the head off of a bat or watching his family grow up on their TV show, he will never be ordinary to us.
The fifth track “Under the Graveyard” takes a piece from the Post Malone song, “Take What You Want” and makes it his own creation.
It is by far the best song on this album, and was the first single released back in November. It is one of the most ballad-like songs on the album that sounds like it belongs on one of his older albums.
This song showed us that Ozzy was back and ready to make more music.
The tenth and final track on the album, “It’s A Raid,” features Post Malone again.
This is the hardest hitting song from start to finish. It is a constant punk metal fusion, almost as a tribute or homage to Motorhead.
The track proves that Post Malone isn’t just a one genre pony, and it gets my hopes up that he may make a rock album.
While the two play off each other, Ozzy is easily able to take over and show that he truly is back and will forever be known as the Prince of Darkness.
Who knows – this may be a passing of the torch from the older generation to the newest one.
Overall, I would give this album a 4.5/5.
All of the songs have replay value and I greatly enjoy the addition of “Take What You Want” at the end of the album as a thank you to Post Malone.
This was his first ever album where he was fully sober. Knowing his past, this is a huge accomplishment.
I am glad that Ozzy made this album, because it seems like he is at peace with everything that has happened in his life and is ready for the next chapter.
He was deep in his reflection and it shows that he gave this album everything he has. We should be forever grateful for Ozzy Osbourne.
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