November is Doom- Black Sabbath :"Paranoid"

The band's second album might be their most popular as it holds most of the live staples. They went back into the studio four months after the first album was released, and the creative momentum carried them to the sweet spot. "War Pigs" opens the album, which is the high-water mark for all four members. I feel that Geezer Butler's playing really cuts through on this album. The title track is one of their most defining moment. For 1970, the aggressive nature of the song is closer to how punk was defined than doom.

    Then things ebb back down for the trippy "Planet Caravan". Here Ozzy sang through a Leslie cabinet to capture the effect. Three songs in seems too soon for something this atmospheric, but it works. The riff to "Iron Man" is perhaps one of the most recognizable riffs ever. As a teenager, I liked this song more than I do now. One of those songs I have been listening to for at least 42 years. As a kid, it was hard for me to grasp that this was not about the Marvel character. The drumming on this song is pretty incredible once it gets going. Pretty much every doom song is a variation of "Electric Funeral." 

"Hand of Doom" finds more of the blues being brought in and layered under darker themes. Lyrically, it is clear this is a product of the 60s, a harsh swing from the post-hippie world. "Rat Salad" finds the jamming spirit of the first album carried over. "Fairies Wear Boots," we see an awareness of the psychosis from drug setting in. This album gets a 10, the most well known work, though not my favorite album due to the over exposure, yet it's hard to deny.  

 

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