Michael Gravel Edmonton Writer

Journal

Mar
8
2007

Never Say Die!

I can't explain it. Every few years, as if I'm running some cracked, nonsensical subroutine, I go through a major Black Sabbath phase. I am deep in the throes of such a phase right now. I have no idea why, but Never Say Die!, Sabbath's 1978 bruiser, hasn't left my iPod playlist for the past two weeks. Master Of Reality has moved mountains and created tiny little gods who tell me that Sabbath saved rock and roll from ELP/Yes hell and the world hasn't been the same since Ozzy left the band1. I think I may be losing it. The whole thing just kinda takes over my life. I dream of the ridiculous cover photo/image on Sabotage. WHY? Is it not asinine enough to simply dismiss? I think this may be that moment that one can look back on and say, "Yep. That's when I lost touch. That's when I went over the edge screaming." I guess I'll be singing Sabbath Bloody Sabbath all the way to the bottom. See you there.

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[1] Don't get me wrong here. I also regularly go through a similar thing with Yes. Every eighteen months or so, I get the overwhelming urge to spin Tales From Topographic Oceans again and again.

4 Comments (Closed)

1

ann

for me, sabbath stands the test of time; yes — no.

2

Mike Gravel

Yeah, I hear ya. Sabbath still retains a high level of influence and overall coolness. Yes, not so much. I still dearly love early Yes, especially Fragile and Close to the Edge. “And You And I” from Edge is one of my all time favorite songs, actually. Great band in their day, but their sound is very dated.

3

Rosemary

I think everyone has at least one CD or vinyl that they use as their personal soundtrack that they can’t ignore and must compulsively listen to over and over. For me it’s the red album from The Beatles.

4

Mike Gravel

Rosemary,

I agree completely. Everyone has their immortal favorites that never get old. I think most of the Zeppelin catalog falls into that category for me. It just feels like I’m home when I listen to them. Closely tied to my youth, of course.

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