ALBUM REVIEW

MEAT LOAF

“Welcome to the Neighborhood”

MCA

* *

On the heels of an improbable, 15-years-after comeback with his last release, “Bat Out of Hell II,” Meat Loaf tries to keep success from once more becoming an object in his rearview mirror. Rock’s Opera Man comes through with hyper-romantic bombast in an over-the-top style so wrongheaded and so easily caricatured that it’s actually kind of impressive.

Bloated power balladry that’s mere careerism for Bryan Adams or Jon Bon Jovi becomes a true calling with Meat Loaf. For what it’s worth, there’s nobody else like him. Also, a Sammy Hagar-assisted rocker, “Amnesty Is Granted,” cranks nicely.

Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (e x cellent).