OK, against my better judgement, i'm gonna throw in my $00.02
1. Youtube.
There is deffinatly a more determined effort these days to rid youtube of stuff not posted by Meat.
I don't believe that Meat IS Red Pony, rather Red Pony is someone who works for Meat's management and does the youtube stuff as part of their job.
In that case they are not really going to care who owns the vids, just that they are deleted.
Plus, if it's a job issue, the more vids pulled down the better.
"Look Mr Loaf, we've pulled down 9425210581025175 unofficially posted vids off youtube in the last 19 mins.How did you ever manage without us?".
I for one, find it strange though that they have been able to removed vids of a tribute band that they hold no copyright over.
2. Hang Cool Teddy Bear.
This is a biggie.
It's a different sound, and you can't expect everyone who loves the sound they are used too to fall head over heels for something different.
A couple of tracks are slowly growing on me, but I will say one thing for sure, if this was not an album by Meat Loaf I would have given up on it long ago.
As far as i'm concerned, Meat has given me enough listening pleasure to be allowed a little lean room.
Everyone will have their opinion about this album.
Some will love, some will not, and neither party is right.
In personal taste there is no such thing as "right" (unless you're talking about Westlife, because they're a load of shite.FACT!).
And just because some people are not crazy about the album (myself included) it is no reason for Meat not to try new things.
Just don't expect the people who don't like the new stuff to write odes of joy and sonnets of praise over something they don't like.
Perhaps there are people out there who hate Bat with a passion who go round humming Los Angeloser to themselves.
There is an old sicillian proverb (that I quoted recently in relation to the album, funny enough) that sums up exactly how I feel about the album and who loves or hates it.
Whoever forsakes the old ways for the new
knows what he is losing but not what he will find.
Meat
may gain new fans with this new sound, but one thing is for sure, and that he
will have many long time fans who don't like the new material.
3. QVC
Didn't see too much of the footage, just a couple of clips on youtube, and i've got to say the sound wasn't the best.
Why?
Maybe because these songs are not designed for a tonned down version?
Perhaps QVC isn't as well equipt as Wembley for live performances?
Do In agree with Meat going on QVC in the first place.
Hell yes.
If it's a market to tap, then have a bloody good go and see what happens.
4. It's all over over there.
A strange announcement.
I would have thought there would be a tour to promote the album so it was very surprising to hear he had no plans.
But Meat sounded very vauge.
He has
no plans.
We
might not come back.
That could all change in a heartbeat.
Even if not, touring is hard on the body, as Meat has shown in recent years, and you can hardly blame him for not wanting to go on the road for too long.
I said in a thread not so long ago that artists would still do what they do even if they were no longer paid for it, and if Meat's trade off to this obsession we call art is to do smaller tours in his homeland, then good luck to him.
5. WWE
Saw the short youtube clips of this.
Perhaps what I saw was way out of context, but Meat seemed to be begging and very very needy.
"Look, look, look at me".
That segment (again, I may have seen it out of context) made Meat look desperate for attention, BUT..........
Then the slam.
I thought that was pretty damn funny, and it went some way to get the bad taste left in the mouth by watching Meat put in such a cringing performance until then.
But perhaps that was the set up for the big moment.
Anyway, i've already said much more than I intended too, so i'll try and sum up quickly.
Although Meat may have done some things of late that have not been to your particular taste, that is no real reason to lose the faith and not like him anymore.
I've not been held in rapture by this album, and as a fan I feel no obligation to be, but i'm also willing to stick with Meat because of the joy of the past, and the hope that any future work might be more to my taste.
I really hope that this is not Meat's album.
Not because I really really really really really want Meat to go back into the studio, more because I don't want the last album Meat records to be something that doesn't talk to my soul without effort and second chances.
Then a last triumphant tour to say farewell, and all will be well with the world.
If Meat does come back with something, I'll still be here, and if he doesn't, there's enough in his long career to be content with.
Hope this is just adios and not goodbye, but in the meantime, never stop rocking
Neil