Label: Polygram Records (US)
Style: Hard Rock
Country: Hanover, West Germany
Time: 79:35
Format: Flac Tracks 16/44,1 kHz
Size: 555 Mb
Charts: GER # 12, CAN #76, SWE #37, UK #23, US #52. France, Germany & US: Gold.
The second effort from the now 'classic' lineup of Meine, Schenker, Jabs, Bucholz, and Rarebell, "Animal Magnetism", clearly exhibits the formula of songwriting that would propel the group from mainly a Japanese and European based group to a worldwide attraction. Razor-sharp riffs; mixed with an up-tempo rhythm dominate most of the popular tracks on this album, such as 'Make It Real', 'Hey You' and 'Don't Make No Promises (Your Body Can't Keep)'. It was this type of musical structure that would lead the band into it largest commercial success, as seen by the album sales of 'Blackout' and 'Love at First Sting' in the US market. But for all the formula based hits, it is the slow tempo grinders, such as 'Hold Me Tight', 'Animal Magnetism', and the penultimate anthem about New York City, 'The Zoo', that give this album it's lasting charm.
While it is apparent that the addition of Mattias Jabs to the lineup significantly changed the sound of the group, from it's early Krautrock offering (Lonesome Crow); or neo-classical and Hendrix fueled lead guitarist Uli Jon Roth (Fly to the Rainbow), to enhance the riff first formula that was first offered up on the classic 'In Trance' release 5 years prior. That being said, whatever the band may have lost in intricate solo efforts, they compensated qute well with compulsive, catchy riffs, pounding rhythms, and stellar vocals (since Uli was not around to sabotage any more tracks by signing lead). 'Falling In Love', and 'Only a Man' are two examples of the new sound that would dominate future Scorpions' albums. Another classic cliche' of future albums, the power ballad, is heard here in the forlorn, yet beautiful, 'Lady Starlight'.
Perhaps two of the band's more underrated efforts play out on side one of this vinyl pressing, 'Twentieth Century Man' and 'Hold Me Tight'. Both are mid tempo rumblers, with Bucholz nearly taking lead; on the bass, no less!; on 'Twentieth', while Klaus gives a vocal definition of angst and frustraion within a decaying relationship on 'Hold Me Tight' when he belts out the chorus, "ALL RIGHT, have it your way!!!" It is this style that dominates most of the vibe of 'Magnetism', slow and brooding, like a stalking lion that is waiting for a chance to pounce on an unsuspecting victim. And it is fitting that the most popular cut on this album is entitled 'The Zoo', since it is within the chorus of this song that the pent up agression of the entire album is released in a fury, a climax rarely matched by any other Scorpions' (or any other band's) album, which allows the feline to feast. Even Klaus' smug laughter at the end of the title track suggests that the listener is merely an appetizer to the group's total appetite.
Now, decades later, and with the most successful era of the band not yet realized during this album, it is easy to see why 'Animal Magnetism' could be considered a marginal part of the Scorpions' catalogue. But don't take this album lightly, for any true Scorp's fan will tell you it has all the elements of future commercial success, along with some essential Scorpions venom.
(metal-archives.com/reviews/Scorpions/Animal_Magnetism/35059/) Review by ArchfiendNocturnal. May 5th, 2013
01. Make It Real (03:52)
02. Don't Make No Promises (Your Body Can't Keep) (02:59)
03. Hold Me Tight (04:00)
04. Twentieth Century Man (03:04)
05. Lady Starlight (06:17)
06. Falling In Love (04:11)
07. Only A Man (03:36)
08. The Zoo (05:34)
09. Animal Magnetism (06:00)
10. The Zoo (Acoustic Live) (Bonus Track) (05:48)
11. Dust In The Wind (Kansas cover) (Acoustic Live) (Bonus Track) (03:50)
12. Lady Starlight (with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra) (Bonus Track) (05:22)
13. Moment Of Glory (with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra) (Bonus Track) (05:07)
14. Still Loving You (with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra) (Bonus Track) (07:28)
15. Sun In My Hand (Bonus Track) (04:20)
16. Obsession (Bonus Track) (04:09)
17. Blackout (Bonus Track) (03:50)
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