I bought this album when it first came out. I was already an established Scorpions fan, having seen them live, and was most excited about their new album. It didn't disappoint. Nor did it enthrall. I wanted more from the Scorpions by this point (1980). But certainly I was pleased and held onto it for many years. Ultimately I tired of this kind of metal-lite, and when purging the LP collection in the mid 90s, I let this one go. About a decade later, nostalgia begins to creep in, and since I was buying new CDs for pennies on the dollar, let's throw this in the pile. Now I appreciate more the music on hand. And let's fast forward to a month ago, and I found a perfect mint LP copy (still in shrink) for all of $9. I didn't get punished for letting it go in this case - and it's in far better shape than my original would have been.
Time for a serious listen. The Scorps really missed an opportunity here from an underground perspective. They were adored by hardcore metal fans, even though they really weren't such a beast. If they were going lay down the gauntlet, Animal Magnetism should have been that album. Established band with street cred, and a heavy sound, this was their time. But instead they had other ambitions, which did pay off for them in the end. But with a different crowd. You're not going to get too far into a discussion about 80s power ballads without mention of the Scorpions. And it's the primary reason why their albums go for $9 today, while Judas Priest and Iron Maiden go for much more. But Animal Magnetism doesn't really have power ballads either. Their one attempt 'Lady Starlight' doesn't suck, so you know they hadn't mastered it yet lol. Mostly this is dog and butterfly, with an emphasis on the dog. And that's why the album works. And the final two tracks give the album its quality reputation in the underground. Or I should say, allowed them to keep their reputation. 'The Zoo' and the title track are heavy dirges that just pulverize the listener. It was the opposite of the fast pace I was looking for at the time, but both have proved to transcend time, and provides a fascinating 11 minute close to an otherwise normal metal album. And besides, 'The Zoo' has the most talk box outside of Frampton Comes Alive...
Ownership: LP: 198? Mercury. Single sleeve. Black label, so likely from 1985 or so. This version doesn't include the lyric inner. Purchased at a local brick and mortar store (2021). The LP will be around a long time - 42 years (and going) of nostalgia is hard to beat. The CD offers nothing extra, so it can go.
1980; 2005; 2015; 8/4/21; 12/26/21 (new entry)
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