The Ozzman Cometh

Album Review

Theoretically, a greatest-hits collection should be an easy job for someone like Ozzy Osbourne, whose career always thrived on singles. However, this is not the case, as Ozzman Cometh proves. While the compilation does boast some of his biggest hits, including "Crazy Train," "Goodbye to Romance," and "Shot in the Dark," some of his most memorable songs, such as "I Don't Know," "Flying High Again," and "Miracle Man," are surprisingly missing. Instead of extra tracks from his 15-year career, listeners aren't even given definitive Ozzy — the album is unfortunately overshadowed with Black Sabbath basement tapes, including "Fairies Wear Boots" and "War Pigs." Although Osbourne never failed to put Sabbath hits into his live shows and albums, the idea that re-recorded material from his former band replaces some of his best songs is a little depressing. The album also includes one new track, "Back on Earth," which continues the musical setting similar to Ozzmosis (where Osbourne counts on synthesizers instead of guitars). Despite its flaws, however, Ozzman Cometh certainly delivers a good collection of hits, making it and Tribute the only necessary Ozzy albums for casual fans. [The 2002 reissue excludes the four-track bonus disc that was included with the original printing of the album.]