Album Review

As my first blog post on my new illustration-focused website, and because I love rock and roll, I am starting with an album review by my favorite rock band of all time. By viewer request, I’m deep diving Scorpions’ second studio album, “Fly to the Rainbow,” from 1974. This album holds a special place in my heart, most likely because of the “heart” in these songs. Klaus Meine’s voice on this album is so fresh and sweet, so clear, yet in other songs his voice is gritty, wailing, and powerful. Both are fine, fine things.

Right out of the starting gate, “Speedy’s Coming” speeds full force, with amazing drums and wailing guitars. Scorpions make it perfectly clear that they are rock and roll from the get-go on this, their second album, clearly steering towards a new sound that contrasts with the sixties-sounding rock of “Lonesome Crow.” “Speedy’s Coming” is fast and loud and knocks my pants off. Who’s Speedy? Who knows? In my head, he’s Klaus. And don’t you love it when bands reference other musicians in their lyrics? This one mentions three: Alice Cooper, Ringo Starr, and David Bowie. 

Lyrics:
Speedy's coming
You live in his heart

Well, Speedy lives in my heart. And if you want to hear (and see) this masterpiece, featuring the Scorpions guys still in their twenties, watch the live TV version from 1977 on Scorpions YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vy7mBEpBpOY. 

“They Need a Million” opens with very beautiful flamenco guitar by Uli Jon Roth. Flamenco guitar in a rock song? Does that even work? Why yes, yes it does, if you are as masterful as Scorpions are and have Uli in your band. Klaus starts off as the singer of this song and you hear the first reference to rainbows on the album. Then the song switches up, and speeds up, with electric guitars wailing and guitarist Rudolph Schenker singing—and he does a fine job. This song, whose lyrics are about people chasing wealth was written at a time for the Scorpions when they were very much chasing wealth and success, likely with every fiber of their being. 

“Drifting Sun” is an Uli Roth song from start to finish. He wrote it, played guitar on it, and sang it, with some Klaus backing vocals, and just when you think you have a grip on this song—a new section appears with a new lead singer, Rudy again. And while Uli and Rudy don’t have Klaus’ vocal talents, (I mean, really, who does?) their voices for each of their sections are perfect. This song is an amazing first class guitar-rock song. Shine on all night long, “Drifting Sun.”

Up next is a slower groove of a song, “Fly People Fly.” This one was written by Klaus and Rudy’s little brother Michael Schenker (before he was abducted by that UFO). Maybe just to mess with our heads, it contains the lyrics “fly to the rainbow,” not to be confused with the last song on the album “Fly To the Rainbow.” I say “not to be confused” but I can’t help but think people have confused these two songs for years. 

“This is My Song” is my second favorite song on this album (I shouldn’t pick favorites because my favorites change, but here I am doing it). It’s energetic and catchy, and contains my new personal motto “Forever freedom, forever love.” I’m currently working to paint those word onto my yellow Converse sneakers. I love the lyrics of this song from start to finish, they are beautiful, hopeful, and encouraging. 

Lyrics:
I sing this song 'bout the world of love
And hope you hear what I say
Forever freedom, forever love
Forever love every day

And now we come to my favorite song on this album, “Far Away.” For reasons unknown, this song just seemed to click into my heart like that last puzzle piece, on my very first listen. Maybe it’s the Wendy Darling in me that wants to fly away with the Peter Pan that Klaus is offering? Does anyone else get a Peter Pan vibe with this song?

Lyrics:
Take your hand and you take my hand
Let's try to learn to fly
Hear what I say, hear what I say
Dream and close your eyes

Maybe I love it because it appeals to my urge to escape the bad things in this world, to just run away to where things are better. And with the recent wars and political strife, and deaths of some people I cared about, that appeal to “fly away” is even stronger? Maybe I love it for the purity of Klaus’ voice, or maybe it’s how the melody seems to shift up a step (maybe a half step) after each phrase, then up another step, then another? Maybe it’s the catchy rhythm that always snatches me up and lifts my soul? OK, maybe I can explain it. It’s all of those things. 

There are only 7 songs on this album, which at first can make a person wonder if it’s worth the investment, but the last song, the title song, “Fly to the Rainbow” is over 9 minutes long (that’s 2 or 3 songs right there and remember, vinyl albums were, and still are, limited by space on that spinning circle). And it’s a great song. 

It starts out with the melodic acoustic guitar strumming of Uli, with beautiful lyrics like:

Somewhere in the sky where the moon the stars shine bright,

Where the sun is shining in the night.
I am in disgrace, yet I see a smiling face,
And I hope you let me share your place.

Then the song shifts in rhythm and tone to a faster pace, with drums, electric guitar, the works, and a repeating chorus. And another shift, where the song morphs down into a darker tone, and Uli sing-speaks as the instruments and his words slow jam us all the way to the end of the song and of the album. Listen to this before bed, then turn out the light and go to sleep.

I know that most people who rate the ‘70s albums choose “In Trance” and “Taken by Force” as their top two, but while “Taken …” is my favorite in that decade, “Fly …” is my second favorite. How would you rank the ‘70s studio albums? Please leave your rankings in the comments. And check out a live recording of the band singing songs from this album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlAoWv_WVL4&t=1667s