Scorpions

Virgin Killer (1976 RCA Records)

1. Pictured Life
2. Catch Your Train
3. In Your Park
4. Backstage Queen
5. Virgin Killer
6. Hell Cat
7. Crying Days
8. Polar Nights
9. Yellow Raven

Mike's Review
Here the band shows that they are clearly capable of producing heavy rockers, but they are still a number of years and albums away from perfecting the style that made them famous. Not that fame necessarily correlates to a band's skill, but the boys are beginning to tweak their sound on this one. The production is raw and fierce; the songs are hungry and vicious (which is always good to hear from a young rock band). The guitars are completely untamed and really dominate this album, which is particularly evident in driving songs like "Catch Your Train" and the title track. On "In Your Park," the band decides to slow things down just long enough, and the result is very enjoyable. I think the song sounds like a very early predecessor of the popular song eight years later, "Still Loving You." "Backstage Queen" comes the closest to sounding like commercial 70s rock, but is still very hard. Klaus Meine shows the beginnings of a strong metal vocalist, but hasn't entirely honed his pipes yet. Lead guitarist Ulrich Roth handles the lead singing on two of his own songs, "Hell Cat" and "Polar Nights." He isn't as good of a singer, and his vocals sound turned down in the mix compared to the other tracks, but he still pulls off a convincing rock 'n' roll rebel. The slow and mystical "Yellow Raven" isn't a bad song, but I would like to have heard this album of mostly metal scorchers end on a roaring note. Virgin Killer is for fans of the popular-era Scorpions who would like to hear them rocking even harder, and for headbangers in general.

Mike's Picks: Catch Your Train, In Your Park, Backstage Queen, Hell Cat

Mike's Rating

I would like to include some comments in regards to this album's cover(s). Being a young rock fan, I was initially only aware of the cover pictured above. When I heard there was an original, banned cover, I imagined it to be rather tantalizing. Well, when I finally saw this mysterious cover, I was turned off, to say the least. It's a picture of a very young girl, completely naked, with only her lower region barely covered by a cracked glass effect. Whoever came up with this cover really wasn't thinking, since I don't know who it's supposed to appeal to (besides pedophiles). I realize that the cover was intended to pertain to the album's title, but there was still no need for something this tasteless. I'm almost always opposed to censorship, and I almost always prefer original artwork, but I really can't blame anyone for spurning this album's original cover. It is available on the Japanese version, but don't track it down expecting a voluptuous model.

Animal Magnetism (1980 Mercury Records)

1. Make It Real
2. Don't Make No Promises (Your Body Can't Keep)
3. Hold Me Tight
4. Twentieth Century Man
5. Lady Starlight
6. Falling in Love
7. Only A Man
8. Zoo
9. Animal Magnetism

10. Hey You (bonus track on German version)

Derek's Review
This is the first Scorpions studio album I own besides compilations, so I can't really compare this work to much of their others besides the well known hits. This album has guitars all over it, provided by Matthias Jabs and Rudolf Schenker. Klaus Meine's voice is pushed to the forefront on songs like "Hold Me Tight," "Lady Starlight," and of course the classic "The Zoo." "Don't Make No Promises (Your Body Can't Keep)" is one of those great album tracks that only the hardcore fans will know and appreciate, as opposed to the casual fan who only knows radio material. One of the best songs here is "Lady Starlight." I can't say enough about this song with its gorgeous melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Add in the traditional emotional guitar solo and increase the song length past six minutes and what you have is a fan favorite. To their credit, the Scorps follow up this great song with another great rocker, "Falling In Love." Contrary to its ballad-esque title is a great upbeat rocking song with a catchy chorus and rhythm guitar part. I don't really need to say much about "The Zoo," because everyone knows "The Zoo" and loves "The Zoo." If you don't, get your head checked. "Animal Magnetism" is an odd, heavy, atmospheric track with lots of distortion. I'm not quite sure what to make of this track, but I guess it works as an album closer, because I really can't see it anywhere else on the album.

What the Scorps have done here is put together a well crafted disc of good, rocking songs, and while they certainly aren't at the top of their game here (they're only a few albums off), this is a definitely a step in the right direction. What we do get is a few great songs: "The Zoo," the experimental "Lady Starlight," and fan favorite "Make It Real."

Derek's Picks: The Zoo, Lady Starlight, Falling In Love

Derek's Rating