Artist: Ozzy Osbourne

Album: “Black Rain”

Label: Epic

Release: May 22, 2007

Availability: CD, iTunes and Ruckus

On his first studio album in six years, Ozzy Osbourne tells us what we already knew with the first two tracks on this album: “Not Going Away” and “I Don’t Wanna Stop.” The tracks here don’t break any new ground for Ozzy, but he’s one performer who can afford to get by solely on his legacy.

On his first album recorded sober, Ozzy’s starting to wear out a bit. His voice isn’t quite what it used to be – he’s singing a bit lower, and you can hear some cracks and straining in it. The music is as much the same as always, with Black Label Society founder Zakk Wylde once again providing excellent guitar work. However, there’s no change in style here from Ozzy’s earliest successful material – it’s all heavy tracks and power ballads.

The lyrics are fairly weak, as well. When he’s not singing a ballad, Ozzy is either singing about himself or cynically decrying society. There’s no doubt that Ozzy’s sincere, but there’s no real depth or feeling to the lyrics – they seem to exist just to serve the instruments.

The standout track is “The Almighty Dollar” – a seven-minute track that features Ozzy’s best delivery combined with multiple solos by Wylde. This song echoes the long rockers from Ozzy’s “No More Tears” heyday, reminding us why we liked him in the first place.

Overall, this isn’t a bad album – it’s competently performed, and a decent listen. Ozzy’s not washed up, but he’s only going through the motions here.