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Product Description
Review
If we are to assume that Meat Loaf, who doesn't author his own material, has some influence over the conceptual weave of his albums, then we must also assume that his writers were commissioned to write songs reflecting not only his personal malaise, but also his anger at the madness of the modern world.
However, this being Loaf – a born entertainer if ever there was one – any ostensibly serious intent is compromised by his unwillingness to nail his colours to the mast. You don't want to alienate your fans, after all. So all he's prepared to communicate is a sort of non-specific rage couched in generic metaphors about rainstorms, making him sound less like an apocalyptic preacher and more like a weatherman having a mental breakdown.
"These are my emotions," he thunders on All of Me, as if daring us to believe otherwise. While it's silly to get hung up on notions of integrity when dealing with Loaf – he is, after all, a distinctive interpreter who treats every song as though it's an epic mini-movie – it's simply not good enough to splutter "I cannot believe this stuff!" without bothering to explain what said stuff actually is.
Since his musical evolution, such as it is, stopped circa 1989, when fist-clenching stadium rock ruled supreme, perhaps he's still hacked off about the Iran/Contra crisis. It's impossible to tell. Even a cameo from Chuck D – yes, really – fails to elucidate.
Sonically, Loaf's latest largely ignores the faux-operatic power ballads for which he's best known in favour of bombastic rockers with ready-made choruses. But aside from the inherently – albeit fleetingly – amusing nature of its trademark excess, overall it lacks that knowing sense of humour which characterises his best work. Maybe the continuing absence of his erstwhile mentor, Jim Steinman, is to blame.
Unconvincing and overbearing, it's like being ambushed by the cast of a Broadway rock musical. A Broadway rock musical with a sort of, y'know, political message. And stuff.
--Paul Whitelaw
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CD Description
Meat Loaf describes Hell In A Handbasket as "the most personal record I've ever made. It's about how I feel the world's gone to hell in a handbasket. It's really the first record that I've ever put out about how I feel about life and how I feel about what's going on at the moment." Produced by Paul Crook, Hell In A Handbasket once again features some interesting collaborations and special guests. Public Enemy’s Chuck D contributes an original rap mixed into a cover of Tom Cochran’s "Mad Mad World". Entitled "The Good God’s a Woman And She Don’t Like Ugly", it’s every bit as interesting as the titles alludes to. Meat Loaf said, “Chuck D is the rapper’s rapper. He is the original, and every rapper that has come after him wants to be like him. For us to have him on this record is a major coup and I am so impressed with what he wrote!”
Lil Jon, another well-known rap artist who appeared in Celebrity Apprentice alongside Meat Loaf, appears on "Stand In the Storm", and no album would be complete without long time duet partner Patti Russo who features on two songs: "Our Love And Our Souls" and a version of The Mammas and The Pappas classic "California Dreamin".
Lil Jon, another well-known rap artist who appeared in Celebrity Apprentice alongside Meat Loaf, appears on "Stand In the Storm", and no album would be complete without long time duet partner Patti Russo who features on two songs: "Our Love And Our Souls" and a version of The Mammas and The Pappas classic "California Dreamin".
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:MP3 Download
Well, what a surprise. A new Meat Loaf album in, what, less than two years after the previous? And one which he rated so highly; you could almost have expected him to make 'Hang Cool...' his last to go out with a bang.
It could be said that this one is more for the fans. It's not as full-on or as hard-rocking. No swearing. There are more piano orientated songs, especially in the opener. There are some sax-led moments and even some fiddle. This kind of takes you back in time a bit to some of his earlier stuff.
Contrast the opening bars to the first song 'All of Me', to the right old din that brought 'Hang Cool...' into our shocked ears in its first few seconds. This new album is just a little bit more laid back, isn't it?
I like 'All of Me'. Meat is opening his soul to us and sharing with us his insecurities, anger and shame. Well, he says he is. But I can't make out what is the cause of his anger, insecurity and shame. I'm not clear on what he's raging about. Or is it clearer on 'The Giving Tree'? Shame about the strange knocking during the verse. 'Live or Die' isn't a bad rocker. Up to this point, we are treated to some rock of good quality which is stiring enough, even if the songs feel a bit dependant on a good chorus.
Then the unthinkable happens. The unforgiveable. No, I'm sorry, Meat, but I can't get over it. You have some rapping on your album. How in the name of Bat out of Hell could you have done it?
We stumble on. It can't happen again. Can it?
I quite like the cover version of 'California Dreaming. 'Party of One' is okay, if not a bit pedestrian, and it rocks along quite nicely. 'Another Day' is a stand-out. There is plenty of emotion throughout the album but this one does make your goose-bumps come up a bit.
There are several references to rain and stormy weather, starting with '40 Days'. Ok, I get the symbolism of rain, storms, and dark clouds. I do feel there's a bit too much of it, though. 'Stand in the Storm' starts off really well, and just when I'm really starting to enjoy it and put the whole rapping episode behind me, we get this bloody awful middle section which to me sounds like, well, rap.
So, by now, I'm really starting to lose interest. The attempt at building up the power with the big vocals on the pen-ultimate track is wearing thin.
This album could have been better without those blisteringly bad moments. This is now his worst album since 'Blind Before I Stop'. Thanks, but I'll stick with B.o.o.H 1,2 and 3 along with Bad Attitude, Welcome to the Neighbourhood and the first half of 'Couldn't Have Said it Better'.
It could be said that this one is more for the fans. It's not as full-on or as hard-rocking. No swearing. There are more piano orientated songs, especially in the opener. There are some sax-led moments and even some fiddle. This kind of takes you back in time a bit to some of his earlier stuff.
Contrast the opening bars to the first song 'All of Me', to the right old din that brought 'Hang Cool...' into our shocked ears in its first few seconds. This new album is just a little bit more laid back, isn't it?
I like 'All of Me'. Meat is opening his soul to us and sharing with us his insecurities, anger and shame. Well, he says he is. But I can't make out what is the cause of his anger, insecurity and shame. I'm not clear on what he's raging about. Or is it clearer on 'The Giving Tree'? Shame about the strange knocking during the verse. 'Live or Die' isn't a bad rocker. Up to this point, we are treated to some rock of good quality which is stiring enough, even if the songs feel a bit dependant on a good chorus.
Then the unthinkable happens. The unforgiveable. No, I'm sorry, Meat, but I can't get over it. You have some rapping on your album. How in the name of Bat out of Hell could you have done it?
We stumble on. It can't happen again. Can it?
I quite like the cover version of 'California Dreaming. 'Party of One' is okay, if not a bit pedestrian, and it rocks along quite nicely. 'Another Day' is a stand-out. There is plenty of emotion throughout the album but this one does make your goose-bumps come up a bit.
There are several references to rain and stormy weather, starting with '40 Days'. Ok, I get the symbolism of rain, storms, and dark clouds. I do feel there's a bit too much of it, though. 'Stand in the Storm' starts off really well, and just when I'm really starting to enjoy it and put the whole rapping episode behind me, we get this bloody awful middle section which to me sounds like, well, rap.
So, by now, I'm really starting to lose interest. The attempt at building up the power with the big vocals on the pen-ultimate track is wearing thin.
This album could have been better without those blisteringly bad moments. This is now his worst album since 'Blind Before I Stop'. Thanks, but I'll stick with B.o.o.H 1,2 and 3 along with Bad Attitude, Welcome to the Neighbourhood and the first half of 'Couldn't Have Said it Better'.
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have just listened to this album for the first time, and whilst it is different to Meat's normal style, it is so brimming with emotion it is incredible. California Dreamin' as a cover is incredible.
If you are wanting to get this thinking it will be Bat out of Hell all over again, then stop and consider, and perhaps listn to some excerpts first.
However if you are a Meatloaf fan and want to move on to the next level this has some incredible tracks, that have more emotion than I have heard in such a long time. Listening to interviews where meat says he may well hit the odd flat note but it is the lyrics and the emotion that counts could not be more right.
In a world of dumb plastic bands singing their oh so commercial music this is different, this is from the heart.
Update
I have been listening to this album for a week, and it is growing on me every day, there is in all honesty not one duff track.
If you are wanting to get this thinking it will be Bat out of Hell all over again, then stop and consider, and perhaps listn to some excerpts first.
However if you are a Meatloaf fan and want to move on to the next level this has some incredible tracks, that have more emotion than I have heard in such a long time. Listening to interviews where meat says he may well hit the odd flat note but it is the lyrics and the emotion that counts could not be more right.
In a world of dumb plastic bands singing their oh so commercial music this is different, this is from the heart.
Update
I have been listening to this album for a week, and it is growing on me every day, there is in all honesty not one duff track.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I was no fan of Hang Cool Teddy Bear and while this is (in my view) an improvement it still lacks something. There are some important messages here from the artist, but the balance is that it lacks the power ballads for which he is so famous. There is a rap element (which I hated I am afraid) which felt out of place in a cd that felt good natured in intent but average in delivery. I listened to this a few times and then listened to one of the greatest hits albums and felt confident that no track from this would ever make a future greatest hits. Shame, I am a fan and so much wanted to acclaim this as a massive return to form. It's not.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
To Personal for Some?
Meat Loaf describes this as 'the most personal album I've ever made' and I really believe that.
Why? Read more
Why? Read more
Published 6 days ago by Dominic I. Fellows
3.5 star - The world's gone to what?!
It's fair to say the last great Meat Loaf album was Bat out of hell III. I don't think he'll ever beat it. The last album Hang cool teddy bear shocked me to begin with! Read more
Published 20 days ago by Matt182
hell in a handbasket
not his best by any means, rather disappointing really. The whole downloading experience was straightforward though. Would do this again but would listen to all tracks first
Published 1 month ago by MsM
A real grower
I rather enjoy this album. For me at first listen I was not convinced but its a real grower. I find overtones of some of the early albums, bad attitude, lost and found and such. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Dubh
Typical (new-style) Meat Loaf
First of all, let me say that this review is coming from a die-hard Meat Loaf fan. I have most of his albums and have seen him live numerous times. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Albatross
disapointing
After delaying buying 'hang cool teddy bear' and 'couldn't have said it better' and being blown away by the quality of both these, I decided to buy 'hell in a handbasket... Read more
Published 1 month ago by N. Kemp
hell in a basket
Hell in a basket is an excellant cd all songs easy listening with clear vocals and well organised music on all tracks.
Published 1 month ago by harry towers
Meatloaf
This was a gift for a good friend who loves Meatloaf.I have heard this album and it is up to usual as expected from Meatloaf.
Published 1 month ago by R. Pearson
Meat Loaf
This is not the Meat Loaf of old but then again the man himself is getting older and being a fan i will buy his music has long as he makes it.
Published 1 month ago by Johanna Farrington
Music by Meatloaf - Always great!
As always, a good offering by Meatloaf, although not one of his best. Age has clearly tempered his style. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Sorodi
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