Hell in a Handbasket

Personnel: Patti Russo (vocals, background vocals); Paul Crook (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, keyboards, synthesizer); Randy Flowers (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, background vocals); David Luther (saxophone, background vocals); Justin Avery (piano, organ, keyboards, synthesizer, background vocals); Danny Miranda (upright bass, electric bass); John Miceli (drums, percussion).
Audio Mixer: Chris Lord-Alge.
Recording information: Lightning Sound Studios, Hidden Hills, CA; NRK Studios, Northridge, CA; Sound Check Studio, New York, NY; Stagg Street Studios, Los Angeles, CA; The Record Shop, Nashville, TN; The Village Recorder, Santa Monica, CA.
Photographer: P.R. Brown.
Released in 2011, Meat Loaf's 12th studio album, Hell in a Handbasket, somewhat reduces the bombast of his previous efforts. The record, which the singer regards as his most personal album to date, was produced by guitarist Paul Crook (with some input by Rob Cavallo), and apart from the first single "All of Me" and the heavy "40 Days," the songs feature an earthier rock sound (just like its predecessor, Hang Cool Teddy Bear, the album does not include any songs by Meat Loaf's former collaborator Jim Steinman). Rapper Chuck D guests on a cover of Tom Cochrane's "Mad Mad World," while Patti Russo appears on "Our Love and Our Souls" and a cover of the Mamas & the Papas' "California Dreamin'." "Stand in the Storm" features guest appearances by rapper Lil Jon, Sugar Ray singer Mark McGrath, country singer John Rich (on the Australian and German versions of the album), and country singer Trace Adkins (on the North American and European versions). ~ Christian Genzel