jnoschese's Full Review: Bark at the Moon [Bonus Tracks] [Remaster] by Ozzy...
Being a sucker to buy just about everything Ozzy Osbourne and every other band I like, I own this album on the 1983 released LP, the 1995 CD Remastered version, and the 2002 "Remastered" version.
Bark at the Moon is Ozzy's 3rd solo studio album but 4th album in his solo career. This is the first album where Jake E. Lee is featured on guitar after Randy Rhoads' death in a tragic plane accident.
To Remaster or Not Remaster
If no one is familiar with the 2002 remastered versions, let me shed some light here. Because of legal issues with Ozzy and other band mates, Oz decided to remove drum and bass tracks on his first two releases they were featured on and rerecording the tracks with two people. While the tracks are played identical, there is a huge difference in the way this sounds.
1. The instruments sound wayyyy different.
2. The drums symbols sound like he's playing on the worst kit possible. There's no ring out of the high hat at all and just sounds like the Faith No More drummer has a two tons of bricks on it so it won't ring out at all.
3. Listening to the first two albums for over 20 years, I know the originals so well, its really annoying to hear them butchered.
With that said, Bark at the Moon is not effected, or is it.
While it doesn't seem overdubbed or replaced at all like the other two releases, it is missing some things...like keyboards. While all keyboards are not removed, 90% of them are. Is it better or worse? It's very hard to tell. The sound quality is superb, and this is what should have be done with the first two albums, however, removing all keyboards from the album, regardless of being out dated or not, is just wrong, I can hear there is a difference, I might not pick it up by listening to it straight through, but listening side by side you can definitely notice there are things missing.
Another thing I noticed, and while not huge, its noticeable, such as echoes over some words blurted out...one of those things where you sing them no matter what version you're listening to, well, the echoes are different too. Not huge, but noticeable.
About the album:
This isn't Oz's best work, but I do enjoy it. It has a lot of good tracks on it. My personal favorites are:
Bark At The Moon
You're No Different (2002 remaster is about 40 seconds longer due to it not fading out, it actually 'completes')
Now You See It
Rock N Roll Rebel
Waiting For Darkness
While the other tracks aren't bad, these are definitely the top tracks. The 2002 remastered version also contains a bonus track entitled "One Up the B Side." -- ehh..wasn't impressed but a nice touch for my $13 since I've now triplicated this album. Spiders In The Night is also a bonus track, but is already on the 1995 remasters, not sure about the original, its been awhile since I've spun vinyl.
Overall:
These 2002 remastered versions are more remixed rather than remastered. If you can still grab the 1995 versions, go for them, as they are as original as possible, with great sound quality. They don't quiet reach the 2002 sound quality, but then again, half the music isn't missing or altered either.
Personally, if the Ozzman didn't want the keyboards there in 1983, he should've laid off the booze and left them out in the first place. He could've at least titled it slightly different so you know what your buying.
You don't see Led Zeppelin adding dogs barking in Black Dog, or the sounds of money dropping down a staircase in No Quarter. He should've left well enough alone. Ashame. Grab the 1995 remaster if you can find it and don't own it.
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: Getting ready to go out
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