Album Review: Black Sabbath - Paranoid (1970)

I love Black Sabbath more than I let on, even to myself.  After all, they practically pioneered the heavy metal genre, and of course, without them Ozzy Osbourne wouldn't have the successful solo career that he has enjoyed, and certainly not the mainstream television celebrity status without them.  They took blues music and made it considerably less blue and more angry and motivated.  And of course, more enjoyable and palatable.  Their second album from 1970, Paranoid, is without a doubt their magnum opus and contains some of their more iconic tracks, from "War Pigs" to the trippy "Planet Caravan", and of course, the famous, "Iron Man."  "Paranoid" is the best known track from this record, but despite being a great song it certainly isn't the greatest. I would reserve that honor for either "War Pigs" or "Electric Funeral."  And I love the novelty of such tracks such as "Iron Man" "Planet Caravan" and the drumming masterpiece, "Rat Salad."  Everybody who loves heavy metal owes a debt of gratitude to this band, and to this album.  I for one, am sure as hell grateful.  A-