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The band's 1973 album is where some of the drugged-out experimentation really kicked into high gear. It opens with what might be the best metal song ever written, then things get weird. But if anyone ever doubts Ozzy's vocal ability, just play the title track for them. "A National Acrobat" is still rather grounded, though the stomp they once carried bore a more stoned, glazed here, as the lyrics are also more abstract. His vocals are doubled in a way that shows where Ozzy's approach would go from here. While it is not as dark as what you normally expect from them up til this point, the boogie jam in this song is cool and trippy.
"Sabbra Cadabbra" is a more energetic boogie. The piano lines of Yes Keyboardist Rick Wakeman are more pronounced on this song. It is certainly more rocking than anything his band has ever done. Lyrically, "Killing Yourself to Live: is one of the band's deeper moments, and perhaps a testament to where their mental health was at during this phase. The chorus hits pretty powerfully. Bill Ward's drumming on this one is underrated. The effect on Toni's guitar tone, also not mentioned as much, shows that they are more than just wielders of power chords; his guitar solo on this one is also legendary.
Then comes "Who Are You" which works off the pulse of a weird organ sound, as Ozzy pleads and ponders how God is like Big Brother watching him. "Looking For Today" is also a little too happy and holds a great deal of the 60's jamming, with its more rock n' roll vibe. "Spiral Architect" at least goes into sorcerers of madness, though it feels pretty hopeful about this. The melodic vocal passage Ozzy emotes is the strength. This finds the band moving forward and not being limited by the expectations of the fans I will give it a 10.
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