REVIEW: The Scorpions, Eye II Eye (Koch)
- Chris Candreva
What a difference three years can make.
As recently as, 1996's Pure Instinct, The Scorpions were still using the sound that had served them well since their days of Love At First Sting. I love that album. With everyone else jumping on the grunge bandwagon, it was refreshing to hear a band stick to its roots. Using bagpipes to open the record didn't hurt either.
On Eye To Eye, the Scorpions are branching out, merging their trademark sound with some techno and dance influences. I will admit, it was disconcerting for this long time Scorps fan when I first heard the single "Mysterious". The first few times through, I wasn't sure what to make of the album. I had to listen to it a few more times, just to be sure.
Eventually, I realized this was a good sign in and of itself.
It's a different album, but it's fun. "Mysterious" is a kicking rock number with a beat you can dance to and lyrics that don't make you want to slit your wrists. Wild, mysterious women -- now THAT'S rock and roll. "To Be No. 1", the European single and video, is a lighthearted song about a second banana who aspires to be top dog. While the character is nameless, references to 'Got no Monica to go to' give a hint as to who's being talked about.
Not ones ever to keep one type of music on an album, The Scorpions give us a light ballad in "10 Light Years Away", and what might have once been called Adult Contemporary in "Obsession". (It might be called that -- except for the guitar kick midway through.)
This album is different. Different from what's generally being done now, and different from what the Scorpions have done before. Die-hard Scorps fans may need some time to get used to it, and may want to start with the already mentioned "Mysterious", and "Mind Like A Tree". This album is good for anyone though who like a little more than three chords and a scream in their rock and roll.
