Mob Rules: Arguably the Best

[Zzzptm]

Along with a fair number of members here, I chose Mob Rules as the best of the Dio-era albums. Now it's time to justify that choice.

I'd start with saying that of all the tracks on the album, only "Country Girl" could be dropped for better material. The fact that my first copy of the record had a warp on side 2 that really messed up that song didn't help it out in my opinion. But coming as it does after the incredible flow and hardness of side one, it just messes things up. It breaks the mood and leaves me unimpressed.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Voodoo is the track which for an age left me cold, and Slipping Away had the feel of a filler written all over it (even though I actually like it). Voodoo has grown on me but is still the weakest track. I place this album 2nd behind Dehumanizer.

[Zzzptm]

For me, "Voodoo" took all that energy from the opener and turned it dark. Then it leads to "Sign of the Southern Cross" and gets even darker and richer in mood. I love the descent that runs the full gamut down into E5150's swirling darkness, which then bursts back out again in the title track. One of the best album sides, ever by anyone.

[Charger]

This is THE BEST album Black Sabbath has ever done period.

This is the most consistent album Sabbath has ever done period.

There isn't a single weak track on this period.

This album is as close to pure perfection than is humanly possible.

[Typhon]

This is THE BEST album Black Sabbath has ever done period.

This is the most consistent album Sabbath has ever done period.

There isn't a single weak track on this period.

This album is as close to pure perfection than is humanly possible.

Just for clarification, you like The Mob Rules? 

[Charger]

Just for clarification, you like The Mob Rules? 

I kinda sorta do yeah...

[Zzzptm]

OK, Charger, you're 100% in the "Don't touch it, it's perfect!" camp.

But consider - that closer, "Over and Over". It's good, really good, but it's missing the complete power and emotion of "Lonely Is the Word". It just is. I say that's a place to improve, along with "Country Girl." Honestly, it's "Falling Off the Edge of the World" that brings together side 2 of the album. Both "Slipping Away" and "Over and Over" are strong, but it's FOtEotW that really lifts that side up and over the top and makes for an album great in its totality. CG is not pulling its weight. If it had been "Stand Up and Shout" or "I Speed at Night" to kick off side 2, we'd have something much better.

[Typhon]

First off, this side 1 and side 2 stuff I can no longer relate to.  I have purchased cd's for so many years now and listen to them from start to finish.  So "sides" no longer exist for me.  That being said, I find H&H and TMR to be as close to the great 8 as one can get.  They are both spectacular as well as similar in arrangement.  Each begins with a high paced tune (NK, TUTN).  Nearly half way through each I find is there best song (H&H, SOTSC).  And each finish up with a ballad type song.  I think Country Girl is fine.  For me the weakest song on TMR is Over And Over.  The only tune I dislike on H&H is Wishing Well.  Very difficult for me to choose one over the other, but gun to my head, I would give the slightest of edges to The Mob Rules.

[Charger]

OK, Charger, you're 100% in the "Don't touch it, it's perfect!" camp.

But consider - that closer, "Over and Over". It's good, really good, but it's missing the complete power and emotion of "Lonely Is the Word". It just is. I say that's a place to improve, along with "Country Girl." Honestly, it's "Falling Off the Edge of the World" that brings together side 2 of the album. Both "Slipping Away" and "Over and Over" are strong, but it's FOtEotW that really lifts that side up and over the top and makes for an album great in its totality. CG is not pulling its weight. If it had been "Stand Up and Shout" or "I Speed at Night" to kick off side 2, we'd have something much better.

There's nothing wrong with Country Girl...in fact it's one of Tony's best riffs!   

[BOGBLAST]

You're right, nothing wrong with Country Girl. And I believe the weakest track is Over and Over. Now swap that with Lonely is the Word and you're talking perfection.

[Billy Underdog]

Being 14/15, playing the first GTA, cranking up Turn Up The Night was fucking great back when. This was also a time when i enjoyed semi-epics like Sign, also being into Stratovarius and Rhapsody and stuff like that (much due to the keyboard player in my band at the time). When i was still into this, MR was without a doubt the better of the first two.