Scorpions - Sting in the Tail

Release Date: March 19th, 2010
Label: Universal Music
Enterprises

TRACK LISTING

1.  Raised on Rock
2.  Sting in the Tail
3.  Slave Me
4.  The Good Die Young
      (feat. Tarja Turunen)
5.  No Limit
6.  Rock Zone
7.  Lorelei
8.  Turn You On
9.  Let's Rock
10.  SLY
11.  Spirit Of Rock
12.  The Best Is Yet to Come

Total playing time:  47:37

May 29, 2010

Reviewer: M.J.

Scorpions have decided bid farewell to the rock and metal world and with that adieu they release Sting in the Tail. The band that released Lonesome Crow back in 1972 has had a career that most could only wish to ever have. Sure there have been a lot of ups and downs as would be expected over such a long course but the highs have far outnumbered the lows. Scorpions are one of the most consistent and exciting live bands to grace the biggest or smallest stages of the world. The live setting is where fans love them the most and the band has always rewarded them with big anthems.

So back with their last studio album, Sting in the Tail, Scorpions treat us with a few more anthems. “Raised on Rock” takes its cues from the band’s major 80s hit, “Rock You Like a Hurricane”; championing the same message but with a less threatening sound (more rock, less metal). The “more rock, less metal” attitude is tattooed all over this record. The high energy start is positively pleasant to see from the band. It’s clever enough to hit on all the right touchstones in the band’s career. The momentum is maintained with the somewhat awkward but punchy title track. It works some of the band’s 70’s charm but the song fails to fully capitalize its potential. The arena rock anthem “Slave Me” is a classic Scorpions foot stomper whose lyrics gets the eyes rolling but it’s all good fun. The song is catchy and should work well in a live setting once the band hits the tour trail. “The Good Die Young” has more production value than it should and Klaus’ voice comes off strained and tired sounding on the verses. Tarja Turunen (ex-Nightwish) is relegated to singing backup vocals. That’s a disappointment because a duet would have been far more enjoyable and deserved.

The album has plenty of the big choruses the band is known for but many of the songs seem uncreative in the lyric department once again but I supposed I didn’t expect that to change on their swansong. You pretty much know what you are going to get with the very average and mediocre “No Limit”, “Rock Zone”, “Turn You On” and “Spirit of Rock”. A Scorpions record this would not be, if no ballad made an appearance. We have two full on ballads here, “Lorelei” and “Sly” plus the quasi ballad “The Best is Yet to Come” with its universal hand-holding appeal that recalls their message driven hit, “Wind of Change” from the 90s.

I’d like to say this is a glorious send-off but honestly, I feel it’s mostly a tired retread of past endeavors. We have heard it all before and probably better save for a couple songs. Everything is sweetly safe with not much to challenge the listener. Just like in real life aging scorpions, there’s just not much sting to be found in this Scorpions’ Tail.

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