If you're reading this review, you're probably aware of the lack of fanfare that surrounded 1988's No Rest For The Wicked. After Ozzy released the glam-metal twinged Ultimate Sin, many were weary the madman finally sold out and was simply going to continue this trend with No Rest For The Wicked. To make matters worse, albums like Guns 'N' Roses' Appetite For Destruction and Metallica's And Justice For All were released, and Ozzy's more laid back style of metal just had to take a back seat. This is quite a shame because No Rest For The Wicked is not only Ozzy's best album since Diary Of A Madman, but also a clear example of how the best isn't always the most popular.

As with Diary of A Madman, No Rest For The Wicked almost flawlessly intermixes interesting lyrical writing with heavy guitar riffs and melodies. In Fact, NRFTW contains some of Ozzy's best lyrical material. Miracle Man is about those televangelists plaguing the television airwaves in the late eighties, Bloodbath in Paradise is about the exploits of Charles Manson, and Tattooed Dancer is about Ozzy's love for a somewhat screwy girlfriend. All these songs are backed up by thunderous guitar riffs, and some pretty mean solos courtesy of Ozzy's then-new guitarist Zakk Wylde.

Here's a rundown of each song:

Miracle Man - This was obviously supposed to be Ozzy's "ode" to Jimmy Swaggart as the lyrics are about televangelists that proclaim their holiness on television and then go out and do things that would not exactly be considered "holy" by most. Even the main guitar riff is very playful and sardonic in tone. Zakk Wylde's solo is also quite good, though pales in comparison to some of his work on later songs.

Devil's Daughter - A more fast-paced track about getting revenge on a less than reliable girlfriend. Devil's Daughter features some of Ozzy's most aggressive vocals yet ("Well, I know where you live. I know you live alone. I'll pay a visit in your darkest hour." ), and some solid guitar work backing them up. Towards the middle, we are treated to what sounds like some babies being tormented behind a somewhat eerie synthesizer backdrop before going into a rocking guitar solo and set of riffs backing it up.
Great track.

Crazy Babies - A guilty favorite of mine. Crazy Babies is a midtempo rocker with a heavy (if somewhat unoriginal) riff and some very catchy lyrics (about women who walk on the wild side). Towards the middle, the song slows down a bit, showing some crazy guitar riffs before going into a rocking (if rather simple) solo. Easily one of the album's best, if a little on the wacky side.

Breaking All The Rules - Truthfully, I never did care much for this track. It's sort of reminiscent of Queen's One Vision in terms of melody (and that's not a good thing as far as Ozzy songs go), and it just seems out of place on the album. The lyrics, directed at people who take things too seriously, are nice though.

Bloodbath In Paradise - That's more like it. Bloodbath In Paradise is an evil yet interesting track about the exploits of Charles Manson (Ozzy even sarcastically refers to him as "Charlie" in the lyrics). This is probably the most technical song on NRFTW, as several different guitar riffs are played with before going into a short but sweet solo with a haunting synthesizer closing it and Ozzy's vocals returning for the final verse. Great track.

Fire In The Sky - Another underlooked classic. Fire In the Sky features some of Ozzy's most well written lyrics, obviously about the rise and fall of some sort of historical figure. The chorus is one of the album's most powerful yet, and is eventually preceded by possibly the most evil sounding solo to date in an Ozzy song. Now if only Ozzy cut out the somewhat pointless "synth chanting."

Tattooed Dancer - Now here's an odd track. Tattooed Dancer is about a bizarre girlfriend and Ozzy saying, "I don't care what you think of me for having such a girlfriend." I like the chanting during some parts of the track, and the overall tune (made to sound somewhat vaudeville-like) is very catchy. Although it pales in comparison with the previous two tracks, it's definitely worth a listen.

Demon Alcohol - I never did care for this track. As with Breaking All The Rules, it just seems out of place on the album. And the lyrics, about alcohol addiction, are also pretty boring. Not a bad song by any means but nothing really great either.

Hero (Bonus Track) - It's a shame this was never an official song on No Rest For The Wicked since this would have probably been a much better closing than Demon Alcohol. Hero is a ballady track about somebody trying to decide which is better: fame or a close friend. Ozzy's singing is surprisingly passionate on this song, and Zakk Wylde's guitar work is also quite impressive.

When all is said and done, No Rest For The Wicked is a great album. If you're one of too many Ozzy fans that never picked it up, you owe it to yourself to do so. It's not only Ozzy's most underrated album, but also one of his best IMO.

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Driving