REVIEW: Ozzy Osbourne – Bark at the Moon (2002 Remixed version)

Happy Hallowe’en! AAHOOOOOOOH! Bark at the moon!

OZZY OSBOURNE – Bark at the Moon (2002 Sony, unadvertised remixed)

Much like Diary and Blizzard, when Bark At The Moon was reissued in 2002, it was also remixed. People who own my preferred edition of this beloved Ozzy classic have noticed the unadvertised remix. (There was no sticker on the cover indicating this album was remixed, and it was also ignored in press releases.  The liner notes claim this was mixed by Tony Bongiovi, like the original.) Why this was done is a mystery to me, I’ve never read anything about it. All I can say is that you’ll notice particularly on Jake E. Lee’s solos, the overall sonics, and some keyboard parts as well. The ending to some songs, and the beginnings of others are very different.  Maybe Ozzy thought the album sounded dated?  The remix seems as if they were trying for the drums and effects to sound “current”.  Which is silly, of course.  This year’s “current” is next year’s out of date, but classic will always be classic.

Either way, the original mix of Bark has been an underdog favourite for many years.  Ozzy seems to really want to bury the Jake years.  He only plays the title track live, none of the other songs. Granted, “Bark at the Moon” is clearly an outstanding track.  There are still some lesser-known classics here equally good as the album tracks on Diary or Blizzard. For example, “Rock ‘N’ Roll Rebel”. This riff monster sounds like the natural successor to some of the best moments on Diary. There are a ton of great songs here. “You’re No Different”, which is one of those great Ozz slow burners is another one. I’ve always liked “Slow Down” and of course “Waiting for Darkness”. Ozzy had gothed out his sound a lot more on this album and you’ll hear a lot more keyboards and even strings.

Ozzy was in a bad place back in ’83.  Still hurting from the death of Randy Rhoads, Ozzy was forced to audition players again, a process he hated.  Jake E. Lee (ex-Ruff Cutt) was selected, perhaps due to his ability to meld white hot riffs with neoclassical shredding.  Bassist Bob Daisley returned, as did drummer Tommy Aldridge, who had played on the last tour.  Don Airey returned for keyboard duties, creating a spooky atmosphere for the Ozzman to prowl.

And prowl he did.  This is a hard rocking album, probably harder than the two Rhoads discs.  It is also a dark sounding album.  Blizzard has a lot of musical joy on it; you can hear that these guys were stoked to be playing those songs.  Bark sounds a bit tired by comparison, a bit like a druggy haze.  “Now You See It (Now You Don’t)” is an example of a song that has all these qualities.  It has a hard, almost Sabbathy guitar riff, but is cloaked in darkness.

“Rock ‘N’ Roll Rebel” is the most upbeat song.  Who doesn’t like a song about rebellion in the name of rock and roll?  It also has obvious references to the TV preachers who were out to get Ozzy at the time, so the song is like a big middle finger from Ozzy.  “I’m a just a rock ‘n’ roll rebel, I’ll tell you no lies.  They say I worship the devil, they must be stupid or blind.”

Then you have the jokey weird ballad, “So Tired”.  At least that’s how I heard it then, and still hear it now.  The video seems to emphasize the jokey aspect.  Who doesn’t love to see Ozzy dressed up as monsters?  As far as the song goes, I have no idea what they were thinking at the time.  Maybe it was the drugs?  Another weird thing — even  thought I think the song is a joke, I love it!

As mentioned, since the remix changes the sound of the album and swaps out solos here and there, pick up one of the earlier CD editions. The 1995 remaster is pretty good; it contained the B-side “Spiders” (sometimes written as “Spiders In The Night”).  Unfortunately even though it’s a well sought rarity, it’s not one of Ozzy’s better songs. It’s an obvious B-side. Better (because it’s funnier) is “One Up The B-Side” which makes its CD debut on this edition. “The bent overture”. Heh.

Now that Ozzy and Sharon have seen the light and finally reissued the original mixes of Blizzard and Diary, one can always hope for a long term Ozzy reissue program. I’d like to see the original mix of Bark At The Moon made available again. I think it’s a shame that Ozzy seems to have disowned most of the Jake E. Lee era. Jake was and remains a great guitarist — check out his work on the incredible Badlands album.

4.5/5 stars (original)
3.5/5 stars (remix)

32 comments

  2. I don’t know much o’ Ozzy’s stuff – couple o’ songs and that’s about it. In terms of albums, this sounds like a good place to start …

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    1. Noooooooo! Always start with the Randy Rhoads albums!

      I recommend starting with the live Randy Rhoads tribute. Not only does it have amazing songs, performed and recorded perfectly, but it is the absolute APEX of Randy’s guitar playing. Absolutely flawless and stunning.

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  3. Apart from a couple of songs I could never get properly into this one. It’s pretty good. but has never blown me away. I think you’re observation that it’s a bit tired is spot on. I’ve got the original and remix but I can’t say I’ve listened to either enough lately to tell the difference!

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  6. This is such an underrated album. I remember when it came out, it only had eight tracks, Slow Down was missing, and it had a different running order. Rock n Roll Rebel was the opening track and the title came second.
    Anyway, I’m a little curious of the production here, I think it’s a little light. Max Norman, who produced both Blizzard Of Ozz and Diary Of A Madman, usually goes heavier than this. Maybe it’s a sign of the times, but this was released in 1983 and the big pop-metal trend hadn’t really become popular. Def Leppard’s Pyromania was yet to make an impact, so I’m a little dazzled over it. Still, it’s a great album and there really aren’t any bad songs on it. I think your review is pretty much spot on. So Tired is cheesier than cheese, but I can’t help loving it.
    And I also believe that Jake E Lee is the best guitarist Ozzy ever had, Randy Rhoads included.

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    1. I like Randy but it’s not like Jake is a slouch. He’s incredible. He has a bluesy feel, a heavy sound, and can wail the neoclassical licks. I like Zakk too but he has his own style that is less sophisticated than Jake’s.

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      2. Oh, I love Randy Rhoads, but Jake has always been my favourite. I agree, Zakk is more wild and as you said, not as sophisticated.

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      2. Also, Jimmy… show me any Randy Rhoads song that’s as hard to play as “Bark at the Moon”. Jake always nailed the trem picking live too, whereas if you listen to Tribute Randy even simplifies Crazy Train trem picking for the stage. Randy was the shit, a great player and fantastic writer, but Jake E. Lee is kickazz too, and probably my personal favorite Ozzy guitar player. Some of those Ultimate Sin riffs are fucking sick!

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  7. This record never really had a chance in 83 following up Randy Rhoads. But I listen more as time goes on its a good record…but I agree a little sleepy.

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