Helloween - Pink Bubbles Go Ape (1991)

Ah, the infamous "Pink Bubbles Go Ape". Reviewing albums (or movies) with bad reputations can be as daunting as reviewing ones with good.  And since I gave Helloween's previous "Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part II" just three stars, how can I go and justify giving this one the same rating?
I can see why a lot of people would have disliked the record at the time of its release, thanks in part to its title and cover (songs being called things like "Heavy Metal Hamsters" wouldn't have helped either), and also because the music veers from their established speed formula (apart from "Someone's Crying") to more steady hard rock. And the little opening, title ditty sounds like it would be more at home in a serious moment of "Play School."
But some of the music is quite good, like "Number One", "Goin' Home" and "The Chance", and I suggest the album would have been received better if it was the debut of an up and coming group.
So, in short, yes, a bit disappointing for fans of Helloween, but taken on its own, "Pink Bubbles Go Ape" is still quite a good listen.

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