You Can't Kill Rock N Roll - Ozzy Osbourne's "Down to Earth"

The stomp of "Get's Me Through" kicks off Ozzy's 2001 album. Lyrically, it's pretty convincing as he apraises his reputation. Post the classic "Diary" line-up, this one featuring Wylde, Bordin, and Trujillo might be the strongest. "Facing Hell" packs an impressive punch. Three songs in feels a little soon for a ballad, but it worked on "Bark at the Moon" and "Dreamer" work for what Ozzy is doing. "No Easy Way Out" finds his vocals really well-produced. The chorus loses some momentum, but overall, it is a solid song that represents what he does well. 

The first song that feels somewhat like filler to me is "That I Never Had". Perhaps a different guitar mix might give it more urgency and make it click for me, but it does not feel like it is on the level of the first three songs. "Junkie' works and feels like some inward glances are going on lyrically. "Running Out of Time" works, it's not a ballad, but a Beatles-influenced rock song with creepy undertones that his voice flows well over.

"Black Illusion" is darker and heavier, making it more than likely the best song on the album. "Alive" is pretty crushing for an Ozzy song, though there are some more melodic moments in the verse. "Can You Hear Them" closes the album with a thunderous metal tension. Even the melodic breakdown in the middle of the song works really well. I will give this album a 10; it might be his most underrated solo work.

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