VOLUME FOUR

Well the boys took the crazy train(plane) to LA, California to record this one. I don't know if it's the production or what, but both Ward and Butler aren't as prominant as usual. Overall this doesn't seem to be as dynamic as the previous albums, it seems to be lacking passion in my opinion. A turn off for me is the song "Changes" that brings to mind Ozzy's solo career, and i get the same feelings when he shouts "All right" during the song "Cornucopia". Still there are four killer tracks in "Wheels Of Confusion" , "Supernaut" , "Snowblind" and "Under The Sun".

"Wheels Of Confusion" opens with some bluesy guitar.This is kind of a slower paced relaxing tune. It picks up a notch 2 1/2 minutes in. A change 5 1/2 minutes in as some aggressive guitar from Iommi comes in to end it. "Tomorrows Dream" was released as a single, the first since "Paranoid". Some sludge in this one as Iommi delivers lots of low end guitar. "Changes" really annoys me big time. I can't even listen to it. I know, I know, it's just me. "FX" is a waste of space, as we hear these odd sounds with no real melody. Experimental you could say.

"Supernaut" is more like it ! Lots of energy is in this one. "Snowblind" like "Changes" has some mellotron in it. This is such a good, heavy, mid-paced tune. "Cornucopia" opens rather darkly and heavily. This mood comes and goes. Average song in my opinion. "Laguna Sunrise" is an instrumental with acoustic guitar and strings. The title is a reference to Laguna Beach, in California of course. "St.Vitus Dance" has a bit of a sixties vibe to it instrumentally. It's more upbeat. I like it. " Under The Sun" is another song I really like. Check out Ward 2 minutes in leading the way as Iommi follows him with guns firing. Nice.

3.5 stars. A good record that pales somewhat when compared to their three earlier albums.