Retro Reviews: Black Sabbath Vol 4

 

    I decided to launch a new series to imagine myself as a critic at the end of the 60s and start of the 70s, and to rectify certain reviews from Rolling Stone magazine and Creem. This not meant to be contrarian, but to offer a more balanced perspective. This is in tribute to John Michael Osbourne. Rest In Peace, sir.  All the albums reviewed are indeed classic albums. 

Black Sabbath: Vol 4 (1972)

*** ¾

Producers: Black Sabbath, Patrick Meehan

Musicians: Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward

Songs and Music: Wheels of Confusion / The Straightener, Tomorrow’s Drean, Changes, FX, Supernaut, Snowblind, Cornucopia, Laguna Sunrise, St. Vitus Dance, Under The Sun

Reviewed by Matthew Anthony Allair

    Sabbath’s fourth album has dropped - and in some ways - this is a real evolution. This album doesn’t exactly fall back on cliches, but tests out and explores some interesting ideas. Many of my critical peers have been highly negative about this band, to the point of it being boring at this point. Why they tend to bag on them is a mystery for me. Any act that tried to emulate and move forward from what the band Cream had established, tends to catch people’s ire, but this band doesn’t sounds like Cream and is trying to. Part of the reason as to why the hostility exists is due to the impression that Sabbath is too simplistic in their approach, the problem with that impression and comparison is the fact that Cream were three soloists on any given song. I don’t hear so much simplicity as focus when I hear this band, they trim out the embellishments.

    Yet Sabbath is very able to switch things up on various songs, and keep what they do interesting. It won’t be for everyone, but then again, they aren’t trying to appeal to everyone – they are trying to connect to those whom matter. I suspect they have been following what Zeppelin has been doing as there’s more range of this album, and risks, as well as two instrumentals. The bass work and drumming by Butler and Ward is excellent throughout and Iommi’s guitar work is often incendiary.

    With ‘Wheels of Confusion” the album opens with a bluesy feel before shifting into a driving rhythm and a real swing feel from Bill Ward. Ozzy’s vocal are melodic and strong, some clever switch ups before it shifts to ‘The Straightener’, good leads and chordal work. “Tomorrow’s Dream’ is another heavy number that is the single. But appearances can be deceptive when it comes to this band. ‘Changes’ will probably be a surprise as it’s a nice piano ballad, good piano work from Iommi and an eerie String mellotron. ‘FX’ is a brief odd, guitar sounds and percussion experiment.

     ‘Supernaut’ is a soon to be classic, driving number with a surprising middle breakdown. Some people complain that Ozzy can sound monotone, but he is perfectly capable of delivering some strong melodies. ‘Snowblind’ is another number with some good contrasts. ‘Cornucopia’ musically one of the darker numbers.

    ‘Laguna Sunrise’ is a semi acoustic number with an orchestral backing -, the acoustic lead is a nice addition. Rumor has it that Rick Wakeman was somehow involved on it., the track reminds me of Neil Young dalliances with Jack Nitzsche from a few years earlier. ‘St. Vitus Dance’ is the closest thing to a rave up rocker. The opening riff on ‘Under The Sun’ reminds me of the "Mars theme" from Holst; The Planets before the shift into a solid faster groove. King Crimson had dabbled in a similar reference on their second album In The Wake of Poseidon. The very closing section feels very orchestral.

    This album feels like an answer to the skeptics of Sabbath that argue they lack any range. They do a good job of proving the doubters wrong. Geezer’s Lyrics are always interesting, Tony’s work still can surprise, Bill’s drumming should never be underestimated, and Ozzy’s delivery as a singer has not diminished. Recommended,

Next Up, Part 2: Sabbath Bloody Sabbath