Ahhh Meat Loaf. Ya know there’s more to him than the three ‘Bat Out of Hell’ records. Although those rightfully take most of the recognition. They have after all sold about 50 million copies between the three of them. But there are eight albums that have some very strong material on them that don’t hold the ‘Bat Out of Hell’ moniker. This is a list of the top five best non ‘Bat Out of Hell’ albums from Meat Loaf.
Hell in A Handbasket
What’s really interesting about Meat Loaf is that he didn’t achieve a constant streamline of international success until after the second Bat out of Hell album, which was released in 1993. So, Meat didn’t really have the international consistent success until the second half of his career. And this is where four out of five of the best non Bat albums reside. First off is 2012’s ‘Hell in A Handbasket’. It’s the final album before Meat Loaf’s stroke that fortunately didn’t take his life. But it did take his voice. And this is the final document of Meat Loaf with his whole voice. This album sees Meat Loaf stripped down and raw. With the longest song on the album clocking in at 5:20. Well, as stripped down as Meat Loaf can get anyway. It’s a moody, modern piece of rock that’s exceptionally darker than any other release of his. But just because it’s Meat Loaf stripped down doesn’t mean it’s not good. ‘Live or Die’ is a great hard rocking riff. With a basic streamlined drum beat and hint of the classic Bat back round vocals. His cover of Tom Cochrane’s ‘Mad Mad World’ really fits the mood of the album. And of course, it’s not Meat Loaf without a Patti Russo duet. This time around it’s a cover of ‘California Dreamin’. And honestly they do a really nice, original twist on the track. ‘Stand in the Storm’ is great track with a little rap/rock rage featuring Lil Jon, Mark McGrath and Trace Adkins. The album finishes strong with the excellent power ballad ‘Fall from Grace’.
Dead Ringer
The follow up to the original ‘Bat out of Hell’ was one of the most anticipated albums of the early 80’s. Taking some songs from Steinman, the Loaf put together a pretty decent record, despite band infighting and a lot of drugs. And it’s the only pre-‘Bat Out of Hell II’ album on the list. ‘Peel Out’ is an excellent album opener and ‘More Than You Deserve’ is a class A ballad. ‘I’ll Kill You If You Don’t Come Back’ is high octane piano rock track that really resembles the first ‘Bat Out of Hell’ album. The strongest track is the title track featuring Cher. The song is more Meat Loaf than Meat Loaf. Unfortunately this song wasn’t performed enough in my opinion. He should have thrown it in the set and kept it there after ‘Bat Out of Hell II’. The album finishes with the epic ‘Everything is Permitted’. A tender and sexy ballad that perfect for you and you’re significant other.
Welcome to the Neighborhood
‘Dead Ringer’ is the follow up to the original Bat. ‘Welcome to the Neighborhood’ is the follow up to the second Bat. And unlike ‘Dead Ringer’ it kept Meat Loaf’s mainstream success afloat. And it’s not hard to see why from the opening moments of ‘Where the Rubber Meets the Road’. It’s hard to believe that this album isn’t an official Jim Steinman collaboration. Because all the elements are there. ‘I’d Lie for You (And That’s the Truth)’ could easily be on the second Bat album. And then it moves into ‘Original Sin’ and ‘Runnin’ for the Red Light’. Those are two of the best Meat Loaf songs in his entire category. If ‘Runnin’ for the Red Light’ doesn’t get you going, get your soul checked. The reason this album isn’t first on the list is because it’s just a pinch heavy on the ballads. There’s just one too many. Although some are gold such as ‘Not A Dry Eye in the House’ and ‘If This is the Last Kiss (Let’s Make it Last All Night)’. The latter being an excellent mid-tempo rocker ballad. But the highlight on the album is the collaborative Sammy Hagar track ‘Amnesty is Granted’. A song that didn’t make Van Halen’s 1991 ‘For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge’. It’s also the final song in the history of the RIAA to become a single simply by popular demand. A bill which gave control of radio play to corporations was a few weeks away from taking effect. ‘Amnesty’ became a concert staple for the years to come. Thanks for the gift Sammy.
Couldn’t Have Said it Better
When I first heard this album I couldn’t believe that it wasn’t a Jim Steinman. It really shows that Meat Loaf can surround himself with excellent artists and come up with a signature sounding album. Meat also once stated that he believes this is his strongest non-Bat album. Another thing that shocked me about this album was the seemingly lack of promotion. I remember seeing it in 2003 by chance and wondering why I had never heard anything about it. It looked good so I got it and it was amazing. The opening title track is so undeniably excellent Meat Loaf that it almost carries the whole album. And the ballads are also incredible. ‘Did I Say That?’ and ‘Why Isn’t That Enough?’ are track that can be listened to over and over. The former being a real rocker ballad. And the energy that’s created in the beginning of the album, whether it be rocker or ballad, is held up for the entire time. ‘Man of Steel’ is one of the strongest and most memorable of the ballads. A real sing along while on a solo road trip kind of chorus. ‘Testify’ is a real fun one that get those hands up in the air. ‘Do it!’ is a very different kind of track for Meat. But still just as awesome. A short, aggressive track that features many modern studio amenities. Then the album finishes in epic fashion with ‘Forever Young/Mercury Blues’. Really an amazing album that’s still fresh to this day.
Hang Cool Teddy Bear
There is perhaps no other non-Bat album that’s bigger, more epic and grand in scale than ‘Hang Cool Teddy Bear’. With a small orchestra on certain tracks and the list of collaborators ranging from the unreal Steve Vai to The Darkness and the insanely talented Hugh Laurie on piano. It’s a concept album about a young man from Midland Texas who runs away to Los Angeles to live out his dreams. Now, that’s not exactly the most original concept. But when it’s ‘Loafed’ it just becomes this whole different kind of monster. And it is a monster of an album. Opening with ‘Peace on Earth’. It just hits you right in the face with epicness. Then ‘Living On the Outside’ comes in with grand scale awesome. A perfect follow up to the opening track. And it really feels like it could be on the first Bat album. ‘Los Angeloser’ brings the epicness down a little. But it never sacrifices fun. And the music video is actually quite good. ‘If I Can’t Have You’ starts the ballads off with a classic Meat duet. Then the insanely tasty ‘Love Is Not Real/Next Time You Stab Me In the Back’ comes next. What an amazing collaboration. That classic Justin Hawkins riff with Steve Vai providing the leads. ‘Like a Rose’ shows the more risque side of Meat Loaf. Another great rocker with some pretty provocative lyrics for the Loaf. ‘Song of Madness’ may be the heaviest song Meat Loaf has ever done. An excellent Steve Vai track. And it just reeks of his guitar style. ‘Did You Ever Love Somebody’ shows how Meat Loaf can still sound like himself, yet adapt to certain trends at the time. ‘California Isn’t Big Enough (Hey There Girl)’ displays a sense of humor and a simple, catchy chorus that will have you singing along guaranteed. What’s great is how the verse is so simple and small. Then it opens into this massive Bat style chorus. The album closes with the simple, yet big ‘Elvis In Vegas’. Excellent piano melodies in the beginning will make you wonder if Steinman is actually there. He’s not, it’s Hugh Laurie being a bad ass. Then midway the song shifts into rocker mode in the catchiest way possible before going back to the chorus. Just an amazing Meat Loaf album.
So there it is folks. Those are my strongest Non-‘Bat Out of Hell’ albums from Meat Loaf. Opinions? Agree? Disagree? Write your thoughts in the comments section.
