Scorpions

Keir · Post by **Keir** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 10:36 pm

I missed the discussion in the Introduction thread, so I thought I'd bring it up here where it kind of belongs.

While I prefer the Uli-era Scorpions, I also love the first album and everything up to and including Love at First Sting. I like the newer material too, I just don't love it. In fact, I will actually go so far as to say that they are my favorite band of all time. It's hard for me to pick a favorite album between In Trance, Virgin Killers and Taken By Force, but I usually go with Taken By Force. Of the later albums, Blackout is a clear winner for me.

Nightlock · Post by **Nightlock** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 10:45 pm

Love at First Sting and Lovedrive for me, Coast to Coast is one of the greatest instrumentals ever!

omegaman · Post by **omegaman** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 10:45 pm

Taken By Force is the only Scorpions album that I've heard in its entirety. What was the story behind that cover art, anyway? I know it was deemed controversial for some reason, but I'm not sure why. Anyway, great album. Someone in Iron Maiden must have been crazy about Sails of Charon, eh?

Nightlock · Post by **Nightlock** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 10:46 pm

Yeah speaking of which cover art wise Scorpions are phenomenal! I adore all those early photo manipulations.

omegaman · Post by **omegaman** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 10:48 pm

Yes, but why did the original cover art need to be changed? Anyone knows?

(I'm referring to Taken By Force)

Mr Nuke · Post by **Mr Nuke** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 11:34 pm

I tend to prefer Uli-era too. However, the band kept releasing some good stuff after, and I still wonder which 80's big groups have released an album better that may surpass Love at First Sting. Most FM rock is pure shit yet SCORPIONS managed to get a few perfect songs being known by all, be it ballads.

Well, tracks like In Trance beat anything they did in the 80's, though. Their music was very subtle at the time, something they lost later.

The Erlking · Post by **The Erlking** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 2:47 am

They made many tunes in the 80s that are totally classic for me and have a special place in my heart but usually if I listen to scorpions it's something from Uli-era (which I prefer). Taken By Force is my favourite of course.

convent guilt · Post by **convent guilt** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 5:09 am

Greatest band ever in my humble opinion. Everything up to and including 'Love at first sting' is welcome to take over my stereo any time.

I look at them very much the same way as Judas Priest (the second greatest band of all time) - their '70s LPs were much darker, emotional and more interesting musically, yet the commercial '80s LPs are still ridiculously addictive and hold a surprising amount of depth.

Scorps were also the masters of the power-ballad, for better or for worse.

And yeah, for such seemingly uncontrovertial Germans they sure had a knack for coming up with racy (but brilliant) covers.

Not sure about the 'Taken by force' cover, I'll investigate...

sagrotan · Post by **sagrotan** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 7:32 am

as the one who actived the little discussion in the intro thread I will enter this one accurately when home from work and having more time.. a short one on the covers right now - I am not sure why there are different versions of Taken by Force, but wasn't it just the japanese version that had the graveyard on it? there has also been an modified versions of In Trance with the little bit of looking out breast retouched and, as I remember correctly, Animal Magnetism and Lovedrive (not quite sure about the last two).

omegaman · Post by **omegaman** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 8:40 am

Ok, this is what I gathered from the net:

The original cover for Taken By Force was indeed the one with the graveyard, but for some reason it was changed for US and Europe markets, while staying unchanged in Japan. Apparently, someone thought that the alternate version with the names of the bandmembers written out on the front cover would be more marketable. Whatever. If someone knows more about this, do tell.

Levi · Post by **Levi** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 9:40 am

I very much enjoy their 70's records. Lost interest after Love at First Sting. They just lost that special touch they once had, like someone else mentioned.

ION BRITTON · Post by **ION BRITTON** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:06 am

The Uli Roth period is godly with "In trance" being my favorite LP followed by "Taken by force". And, well, you may shoot me for this but i like them a lot even until "Face the heat".

omen of hate · Post by **omen of hate** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:36 am

I'll be very original : the Uli Roth era !! The "Tokyo Tapes" double-lp is fantastic, one of the best live album ever recorded imo, "Virgin Killers" is my favorite album. I lost interest in SCORPIONS just after "Black out" album.

Fucking Åmål · Post by **Fucking Åmål** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:48 am

I like only the World Wide Live everything else i have heard from Scorpions doesn't seem to interest me.

ION BRITTON · Post by **ION BRITTON** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:51 am

Fucking Åmål wrote:I like only the World Wide Live everything else i have heard from Scorpions doesn't seem to interest me.

Too much Wallop and Tyrant has its consequences. Be careful, Vag.