Savage Amusement
Occupation
- Vocals: Klaus Meine
- Rhythm Guitars: Rudolf Schenker
- Lead Guitar: Matthias Jabs
- Bass: Francis Buchholz
- Drums: Herman Rare Bell
Savage Amusement is the tenth studio album by German hard rock band Scorpions, released in 1988. The production of this album was characterized by strong conflicts between the band and the producer Dieter Dierks, whereupon the then expiring contract was not renewed with Dierks back and the band subsequently separated from Dierks.
- 4.1 criticism
- 4.2 sales
- 4.3 chart positions and awards
- 5.1 Live Video
Background
Production
After extensive touring, the band had completed in the past few years, they began in 1987 with work on another album. Initially planned band founder and guitarist Rudolf Schenker, the various songs for the planned Scorpions album wrote with his brother and former band member Michael Schenker to take some of the songs on the album. According to Schenker's statement producer Dierks refused, however, because he had no contract with Schenker's brother running and thus it additional costs would be incurred. The production drew out more and more what the band always justified with the approach of her former producer. Thus, finally, were not only professional but also personal differences between Dierks and the band, but the group was contractually obliged to produce yet another album with him. The publication of the plate has been moved several times, so that it finally came on the market almost exactly four years after their last studio album Love at First Sting.
Album Title
As Rudolf Schenker reported in the youth magazine Bravo in December 1987, there were numerous considerations for the title of this album with different cover ideas. For a long time it has been thought for example to Do not Stop At the Top, but this album's title was discarded because the band " not build a pedestal itself " wanted. Finally they agreed to Savage Amusement, which also the right Cover communicates.
Album Cover
The cover shows on a dark bluish background a woman wearing a black dress. With her left hand she covered her face, so you can only see the mouth and nose. Distinctive on the artwork to Savage Amusement however, is that instead of the right leg of the lady a scorpion's tail can be seen. Top left you see the typical band lettering, bottom right turn can be seen in red and clearly underline the title of the album.
Tour
In 1988, the band began a 12-month world tour, which led, inter alia, to Russia.
Title list
Single releases
The first single from the album was Rhtythm of Love with the songs We Let It Rock ... You Let It Roll and Love On the Run as a B-side. As a second single Believe In Love appeared along with the song Rhythm of Love and Love On the Run and Passion Rules the Game as the last single from the album along with the song Every Minute Every Day.
Reception
Criticism
The hi-fi audio magazine 's opinion of the work as follows: " The German hard rock professionals can also link with this disc to their worldwide success. Very good out of the rough reef monotony as always, the slow ballads, in which Klaus is my bright, penetrating voice soulful singing of love and desire. Otherwise: hard, pleasing, well-tried ".
The Stereoplay wrote: " Nearly three years after the World Wide Live and as a foretaste of their upcoming world tour, which will also lead to the Soviet Union, present the Scorpions Savage Amusement their twelfth album. In the very powerful entry title Do not Stop At The Top, the band from Hannover out that she is not willing to be satisfied with what had been achieved. The single release Rhythm Of Love squints with a catchy melody and braked by Beat Hit Parade quotations. Media Overkill criticized in the appropriate techno sound the flood of media and its sequelae such as cabling and satellite television. Also on the second disc half demonstrates Germany 's most popular hard rock export the entire range of his abilities. While Every Minute Every Day in the more deliberate rhythm comes out of the speakers, We Let It Rock sweeps in unmistakable Scorpions Drive from the speakers. Love On The Run is to couple with unbridled guitar riffs and drums thunder to the crown. The quiet rock ballad Believe In Love screwed the pulse then back to normal level.? Heavy heart, what more do you want " In the American All Music Guise to Rock said:" Even if the album compared to the previous releases might be a little polished may sound. including Savage Amusement is a fantastic demonstration of massive music and powerful vocals. "
Furthermore, Wolfgang Schaefer wrote in the journal Rockhard the following: " It's finally here: For five long years, the Scorpions have time left with the release of their " Love At First Sting " successor, the live DLP except times. Who has, however, then hoped any great musical changes, is likely to be probably a little disappointed. While pressing on one point or another something on the accelerator ( ' We Let It Rock ... You Let It Roll ', ' Love On The Run' ), on the whole, but it is based on proven ingredients which say: Good, powerful sound, just such a song material and high caliber musical performances. By Lee Aaron and Peter Baltes they even can to win two guest musicians, and created by ' Believe In Love ' potential successor to the mega-hits ' Still Loving You'. Although " Savage Amusement " anything but surprising or even become new, they can convince me more than "Love At First Sting ". " He forgave eight out of ten possible points.
Christof glue commented on the album 2009 in Metal Hammer Moreover, as follows: " Stylistically, like its predecessor, but produces no rough edges, the plate can be partially fallen, but after the two brilliant predecessors a bit of a disappointment. "
Sales
The album sold over 5 million copies worldwide.
Chart positions and awards
The album was number one in Europe placed in Germany, as well as the previously released live album, World Wide Live, # 4 on the charts. In Austria and the UK, it reached number 18, respectively, while it can accommodate 2 did best place in Sweden. In the U.S., Savage Amusement was awarded by the RIAA platinum. In Canada, it placed Although only 25th place, but was also provided there with platinum. Other awards won Album also in Germany ( gold) and the UK (silver).
Other song versions and live recordings
Appeared on her published in 1992 ballad remix album Still Loving You Belive In new versions of Love and Walking On the Edge. For their acoustic album Acoustica (2001), Rhythm of Love was presented acoustically. This version, however, is only to be found on the DVD or on the Japanese edition of the album. But since 2009 it is available on the download compilation Taken B-Side in Europe.
The third live album Live Bites of 1995 contains a live version of Rhythm of Love, the only pure live recording of a song from this album.
Live Video
In 1988, a 45-minute VHS appeared under the title To Russia with Love and Other Savage Amusements with concert footage of her Russia tour the album Savage Amusement. It contains the following songs: