Black Sabbath - Paranoid

Alright, ibuprofen administered. I've got my rum and coke. Let's see what the heartiest of minions got me. Oh, there's an envelope on top with "readme.txt" scribbled on it. Hilarious.

Welcome to the box. We each got you a little something we think you'll enjoy. Seeing as you tirelessly imagine our existence, even when you're grumpy, we thought it apropos to base our choices on our perceived functions in this interesting universe you've created for yourself. As for me, i gave Compy the following instructions: 

He doesn't have very many truly classic albums. Preferably rock/metal, but anything as long as it's a true classic. 

I'll be as surprised as you are by what he actually picked, but i have little doubt it will be thoroughly enjoyable. 

Sincerely,

Sandra 

A classic album from a classy lady. Yes, i suppose that is fitting. Well, here we go. 

Ooooh. The second Black Sabbath album, Paranoid. No argument here, it certainly is a classic album. There's tons of stories about it, but my favorite two are that the execs said "guys, your suggested title is ridiculous, but that song Paranoid is a real potential hit, so let's call the album Paranoid," and that they were really nervous about putting Planet Caravan on it, but famously had so little material that there wasn't much choice. Also, Ozzy didn't know what a Leslie speaker was, i think he called it "a refrigerator with a knob on" or something similarly ridiculous. Paranoid turned out to be a massive hit, and they all agreed to never do singles again just to keep the randos from annoying their actual fans at their shows. 

The other awesome thing is that this is basically a jam album. Iommi kept coming up with riff after riff, Geezer and Ward would just groove under it, Ozzy would come up with melodies and Geezer would write some wordy words. Literally making it up as they went along with only working class anger/depression to guide them. 

And the stories, my word the stories. War mongers are the real Satan. Date night in outer space. A time traveller to the future who gets so mad that no one will heed his warnings that he creates the armageddom he witnessed. Nuclear war as their response to the hippie flowers in your San Fransiscan hair. The Vietnam/heroin problem i'm sure i've mentioned somewhere before. A drum solo just because they had to chew up all those endless 45 minute sets at their early gigs. Cap the whole thing off with Ozzy's encounter with some skinheads, and this is the absolute heaviest thing imaginable for 1970, let alone here at the end of 2020. 

It is Heavy Metal. It's Doom. It's literally saying "look at the world, no really look at it, it's horrible. It sucks. We haaaaaate it." 

Just an amazing album, the concept being not really knowing or noticing the difference between paranoia and depression, but definitely feeling both when you look at the harsh realities of England and America's politico-economic systems. 

Is it even a record collection if you don't have a copy of Paranoid? I submit that it is not, and now i don't have to worry about it at all. Thanks, Sandra. You were right, Compy has pretty good taste. If the other 3 are half as good i'll be ecstatic.

Gladys' record