So lately my ever evolving and random music tastes have taken me back once again to the genre of Rock. This time its to someone who I've heard loads in the past, but having listened to 'Bat Out of Hell' on Zoe Ball's Radio 2 show last weekend I decided to delve into Meatloaf's back catalogue via Spotify.
Now, I do realise that I'm well into the territory of 'Dad Rock', but heck I'm a father of two now and my childhood and early musical listening took me through the best of the 80's, deal with it! Actually 'Bat Out of Hell' was released in 1977 but I vividly remember listening to 'Modern Girl' by Mr Loaf on 'The Hits Tape' in 1984 alongside 'Footloose', Gimmie All Your Loving', and 'Ghostbusters'. Such great music! Plus it was Band Aid year which preceded the legendary Live Aid in '85,... but forgive me, back to Meatloaf.
So, Rock has many types, sub-genres and off-shoots etc but for me the draw of Meatloaf is that powerful soaring raucous voice above the most over the top juggernaut of a classical rock orchestra ever assembled. Check out the chorus of 'Bat Out of Hell' or that bit at 09:10 to 09:18 right at the end where he screams his guts out, marvellous! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9WeTf67YLY
There is something extremely spine tingling about singers hitting that moment, that high point of passion, the pinnacle, the zenith of a song, especially live! Live that moment is collectively shared by hundreds sometimes thousands of people. Again, check out Freddie Mercury at Live Aid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRavEPU_AJQ
Although Mr Loaf may falter vocally in the live arena, his best bits have been captured very well in the aforementioned songs. Plus he's a fighter. Read his Wikepedia bio and see how he went to and fro from everything to nothing and back again. his autobiography may be worth a read too.
I must say I don't go for all of his music. It tends to get a bit schmaltzy during the ballads, but the rockers do what they say on the tin,... plus there's that song in the Rocky Horror Picture show!
So, lets hear it for Meatloaf and unashamed Dad rock. I willfully submit to loud bedroom stereos and air guitar in my boxers and socks while my children are still young enough to join the fun and not collapse in laughter and embarrassment!
