No More Tears is, without doubt, one of Ozzy Osbourne’s greatest albums, but is the 2002 reissue of this 1991 masterpiece worthy of consideration?
Yes, and no!
The bonus tracks are most certainly value-added propositions for Ozzy fans but the mastering is a little loud. Annoyingly, the album sounds fantastic from the perspective of everything being where it should be in the mix and the soundstage, but to fully appreciate it, I find that I have to turn the volume down. Doesn’t that defeat the purpose, you may ask? Ozzy is, after all, meant to be played loud. The problem is I like turning the volume up myself. Look, I’ve heard far worse mastering efforts and as far as hard rock goes, this isn’t too bad with the softer more ballad-style songs being simply gorgeous, but when you get that wall of sound, the band in fine form, and Ozzy on the top, it can be a little too congested for the senses.
In playing both the CD reissue that I’m fortunate to own, and the Apple Music stream, an Apple Digital Master, the Apple Music stream trumps the CD counterpart; on the surface, at least. It has more finesse, a greater sense of presence, and a more well-defined low end. The differences aren’t subtle either; so much so that I compared the findings on different systems and came to the same conclusion; the Apple Music stream, while loud, isn’t as harsh and has a more analogue-styled tonality. Yet, there is more clarity, especially in the treble range, on the CD making No More Tears a little bit of a Jekyll & Hyde-inspired experience as I do not doubt that some of you will thoroughly enjoy the CD representation of the album. It’s important to note that unless you compare the versions, as I have, you’ll most likely find either the CD or streaming version to be to your tastes but if you prefer a bass-focused analogue-styled sound, go with Apple Music. Similarly, if you’re after tonal accuracy, clarity, and more reach in the treble region then the CD is your best bet. As for me, I remain unsure as I can appreciate both versions for their individual characteristics, but the CD can be a little fatiguing by comparison. However, as with the volume, I also know how to shift the tone controls to my liking so the CD at least gives me those options and when dialled in it is thoroughly enjoyable.
The CD design differs from that of the original releases and in a way it is disappointing that the rear cover art, with a close-up of Ozzy’s wings, isn’t replicated on this reissue. The picture disc is an improvement, however, when compared to the original text-only CD design. The liner notes are fully featured with lyrics and a write-up from Phil Alexander; Editor-In-Chief, Kerrang! Magazine. Considering how many modern releases lack these fundamental elements, it’s great to see them included here.
Mr. Tinkertrain is a creepy way to start any album, but what a wonderful opening it is. That killer guitar riff is fat and ready to rock. I can even excuse Zakk Wylde’s extensive use of the whammy bar as it suits the song perfectly. Plus, that rhythmic beat in the final minute is superb; although, I do detest the abrupt ending of the song.
I Don’t Want To Change The World is catchy, especially in the chorus, and the shift between a more shallow soundstage during the chorus to a beefier rhythm during the verses is an interesting style. A great song, but it’s a little campy, don’t you think?
Mama, I’m Coming Home is a masterpiece. Yes, I love power ballads and for those of you who think they’re weak, not only was this an Ozzy classic but Lemmy; yes that Lemmy, penned the song. Two musical masters came together and created one of the very best power ballads of the 90s. In fact, Lemmy stated in his incredible autobiography, White Line Fever, that he made more money out of writing the four songs that appeared on No More Tears than he did in the prior fifteen years of Motörhead.
Desire picks up the metal pace for those of you not interested in ballads. It is a roaring riff-driven tune that, while not a standout, is perfectly suited for Ozzy and the album. The only negative comment that I have is that I don’t like the musical shift in the chorus as it sounds a little too dry, predictable, and takes the listener out of the exceptional hard rock metal-infused pace of the rest of the song.
No More Tears as the title song is epic, but it is also a song that I love to hate, or is it hate to love? Either way, it’s a great heavy metal tune but after you’ve heard it countless times, it gets a little monotonous. Plus, and perhaps it is just me, but I would have loved to have heard No More Tears recorded with a slightly faster tempo. Yes, that would have completely changed the tone of the song, but I can’t help but sense that the tape machine was tracking a little slower than ideal on the day they recorded No More Tears. A minor subjective quibble that in no way should take away from the song.
S.I.N. has an absolutely magical opening. It's one of the best songs that Ozzy has ever recorded and is severely underrated.
Hellraiser will envelop you in sound and that bass tracking is simply amazing. While one would assume that such a bass-focused tune, when recorded by Ozzy, would be perfect for Kilmister, I have to say that I’ve always been disappointed in Motörhead's version. I was expecting Lemmy's interpretation to be heavier.
Time After Time is a solid song. It’s nothing to write home about, but a little filler here and there, at this level of musicality, is more than acceptable.
Zombie Stomp is brilliant. A true sonic masterpiece. I consider it to be Ozzy’s Pink Floyd-styled song; if Floyd was a metal band of course.
A.V.H. has a gorgeous acoustic-style guitar intro before the big guns come out. It isn’t the best song on the album, and I’d suggest that it isn’t one of Ozzy’s best as it is musically all over the place, but as a B-side, it performs its role admirably.
Road To Nowhere was the original closer before the 2002 reissue and is an absolutely perfect song for that role as it has the ballad-styled approach that will appeal to many as well as some serious metal riffs that will remind hardcore metal-heads of all the songs in Ozzy’s back catalogue that will appeal to them. It is, for lack of a better term, the best of both worlds.
Don’t Believe Me (Bonus Track) is an absolute favourite of mine. While an original vinyl copy would be welcome in my collection, not having this track on the vinyl counterpart would result in it being missed. It’s one of the best songs on the 2002 No More Tears reissue and while you don’t have to believe me, I suggest you put the song on, turn the volume up, and rock out!
Party With The Animals (Bonus Track) isn’t bad, but it is a classic bonus track; nobody would have missed it if it was never released. That said, it doesn’t deter me from playing the album again or staying within Ozzy’s back catalogue of music.
Overall, No More Tears is a sensational album with a broad styling that will appeal to all music lovers of the rock and roll genre. It is arguably a little more mellow than some of Ozzy’s other releases, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing as Ozzy is more than capable of bridging the divide.