Ozzy Osbourne, Ordinary Man | Album Review

Metal icon Ozzy Osbourne makes quite an intriguing comeback on his 12^th studio album, and first in a decade, Ordinary Man.

Ordinary Man marks the 12^th studio album by metal icon Ozzy Osbourne.  Ordinary Man is quite a big deal, considering ‘The Prince of Darkness’ hadn’t released original music (as a solo artist) since his 2010 album, Scream.  There was renewed interest in Osborne’s music following a terrific collaboration with Post Malone on “Take What You Want” from the rapper’s 2019 LP, Hollywood’s Bleeding, which is also reprised as the closing track on Ordinary Man. Sure, Osbourne is past his prime, but man, does he sound reinvigorated throughout Ordinary Man at the ripe young age of 71.

“Straight to Hell”

Your dance be dead so we must celebrate / I’ll make you scream; I’ll make you defecate.” My God! ✓ “Straight to Hell” kicks off Ordinary Man hellishly. Musically, aside from a brief, semi-celestial intro, the hellish tone arrives early on with hard-rocking, heavy guitars leading the charge.  Additionally, there are pummeling drums, and energetic, ‘infernal’ vocals from Ozzy Osbourne.  This 3:45 number is consistently intense. Lyrically, there’s some ‘shock’ from Ozzy, such as, “Enjoy the ride, I’ll plant my bitter seed / You’ll kill yourself and I will watch you bleed.” Damning by all means.  That said, it’s the chorus where Ozzy is taking us “Straight to Hell tonight,” repeatedly for that matter. “Straight to Hell” doesn’t supplant Osbourne’s many classics, but it definitely rocks.

After taking us “Straight to Hell,” ✓ “All My Life” trades a darker minor key for a happier, more optimistic major key.  The Prince of Darkness continues to deliver a solid, energetic vocal.  His upper register sounds particular potent here, particularly with the vocal production.  Even though the darkness isn’t as pronounced musically, “All My Life” is still dynamic – quite epic and heavy on the chorus.  The guitars are ripe, the drums punch, and Ordinary Man is off to a HELL of a start.

✓ “Goodbye” soon returns Ozzy to a darker script – “Right now I wanna die.” As usual, all things black are exaggerated and pessimistic to the nth degree whether it’s “dark memories,” “half-empty,” or the fact there’s “No future… Replace me, now I’m gone.” Of course, the goodbye can’t be mentioned without the ‘s-word’: “No reward for suicide / The pain of life can still be felt / Mother Mary, Jesus Christ / I wish you heard me cryin’ out for help.” Wow… As much of a bummer the pessimism is, “Goodbyes” is another great record.

“Ordinary Man”

“Yes, I’ve been a bad guy, been higher than the blue sky / And the truth is, I don’t wanna die an ordinary man.” ✓ “Ordinary Man”, the third single from Ordinary Man, is quite an elite pop/rock record. As the aforementioned excerpt from the chorus suggests, Ozzy Osbourne reflects on his life. Specifically, he focuses on fame, regrets and mistakes, and being in a better place now that he’s older and wiser.  “I was unprepared for fame then everybody knew my name,” he sings on the first verse, continuing, “No more lonely nights, it’s all for you.” Featured guest Elton John also reflects on the rock star life, singing with strength on the second verse: “Many times, I lost control, they tried to kill my rock ‘n’ roll / Just remember, I’m still here for you.”

Vocally, and lyrically, both Osbourne and John sound fantastic.  The chorus, in particular, soars.  Beyond the vocals and songwriting, the production (Andrew Watt and Tom Herbert) – the music itself – is superb.  Between the final two chorus, there’s an idiomatic guitar solo (Slash), that hearkens back to the 70s/80s.  Maybe more impressively, there are STRINGS, as well as a CHOIR! These amplify the sound and the overall impact of the title track, making it a truly epic affair.

“Under the Graveyard”  

Following the epic title track is tough.  Luckily, ✓ “Under the Graveyard” is another elite cut from Ordinary Man.  It also happened to be the promo single. “Under the Graveyard” is a hard-rocking joint that is well-rounded overall without featuring anything mind-boggling from ‘The Prince of Darkness.’  Lyrically, there is ample darkness and pessimism, beginning on the first verse. “Today, I woke up and I hate myself,” he sings, continuing, “Death doesn’t answer when I cry for help.” Dark, but perhaps not “Suicide Solution” level dark. The second verse is disturbing, with lyrics such as “Ashes to ashes, watch me disappear / Closer to home because the end is near.” The best part is the chorus, which is big and epic as one expects from Ozzy:

“Under the graveyard
We’re all rotting bones
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Everything you are
Can’t take it when you go
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
I ain’t livin’ this lie no more…
It’s cold in the graveyard
We all die alone.”

Musically, “Under the Graveyard” keeps Osbourne in his comfort zone without sounding like a total anachronism. Vocally, he remains potent.  Once more watt, alongside Happy Perez handle production duties.

Is there a bad song on Ordinary Man? Doesn’t seem like. “Eat Me” certainly isn’t a weak link, following two of the very best.  The music continues to be on-point, with ultra-aggressive, jagged guitars (those riffs man), an anchoring bass, and those drums (!!!).  But Ozzy is fully invested as well, even as he seems to be, um, self-sacrificing for the sake of ‘nutrition’: “I’m on the menu, you won’t get indigestion / I even come with dessert.”  I’m no cannibal, but I certainly don’t mind feasting on this straightforward rock bop.

“Today is the End”

After so many great songs before it, ✓ “Today is the End” manages to solidify its place among the most elite.  “Today is the End” benefits from its chilling harmonic progression and colorful chromatic moments.  Chilling, dark, eerie, and unsettling to an extent, “Today is the End” is pretty mesmerizing from the onset.  The accolades only grow with commanding vocals from Ozzy Osbourne, and maybe even more notably, the ‘woke’ lyricism.  The chorus is among the crowning achievements of Ordinary Man, seeming to reference school shootings:

“The sun is black, the sky is red
And it feels like today is the end
The kids are running as fast as they can
Could it be that today is the end?”

“Scary Little Green Men” isn’t nearly as serious as “Today is the End,” or at least, it doesn’t seem to be so. As the title suggests, Ozzy Osbourne references aliens/Martians/extraterrestrial beings. Even if there’s more substance on “Today is the End,” Ozzy still sounds fully invested – “They want us, they need us / They might just try to eat us.” “Scary Little Green Men” does reference ‘the end,’ but “Holy for Tonight” like “Today is the End,” takes it more seriously.  Sort of like the aforementioned “Ordinary Man,” “Holy for Tonight” finds Ozzy referencing the ‘dash’ in his life, as well as spirituality and preparing for his last breath.  There are some truly lovely and epic musical moments, including choral vocals, strings, and capturing that big, vintage 70s pop/rock power ballad sound.

“It’s a Raid” 

“It’s a Raid” was the final advance single from Ordinary Man.  It’s definitely raucous – wild AF.  The guitars are devastating, while the drums sound as if they’re going to pummel the shit out of you – just keeping it 100.

“It’s a Raid” marks the first of two consecutive songs that feature Post Malone.  Both artists are quite profane, initiated with Malone’s f-bomb on the second verse. Of course, the f-bomb is the swear of choice and it’s used pretty fucking prevalently… just saying. And for good measure, Ozzy states at the end, “Fuck you all.” “It’s a raid” is… something else!

“I feel you crumble in my arms down to your heart of stone / You bled me dry just like the tears you never show / Why don’t you take what you want from me?” Closer ✓ “Take What You Want,” again, reprised from Hollywood’s Bleeding, pairs Post Malone with Ozzy Osbourne and Travis Scott.  Can you say vibes?  Osbourne sounds particularly awesome here, singing the aforementioned chorus at the beginning and following Travis Scott’s verse (verse two).  Of course, Post sings the first verse and his own version of the incredibly catchy chorus following his verse.  Not only does it rank among the crème de la crème of Hollywood’s Bleeding, but it holds its own on Ordinary Man as well.

Final Thoughts 

No one will ever characterize Ozzy Osbourne an ‘ordinary man’ – he’s certainly an extraordinary man.  On the long-awaited Ordinary Man, Ozzy never misses the mark, even if you could argue “Scary Little Green Men” isn’t nearly as ‘woke’ as the cuts exploring the inevitable end.  The 71-year old icon sounds terrific throughout his 12^th studio album and while his best days have passed, he’s still pretty LIT to say the least.  There are more than enough moments on Ordinary Man to please Ozzy fans and rock/heavy metal enthusiasts alike.

✓ Gems: “Straight to Hell,” “All My Life,” “Goodbye,” “Ordinary Man,” “Under the Graveyard,” “Today is the End” & “Take What You Want”

Ozzy Osbourne • Ordinary Man • Epic • Release: 2.21.20

Photo Credit: Epic