Been on a Maiden "kick" lately....and have been delving into all of their releases. I've noticed a few things:
- the X Factor seemingly appears to improve with time. At first, way back in 1995, I didn't dig it at all. I thought some of it was cool, but the rest just plodded along slowly, barely reaching the finish line. It was too bloated. And this is the music, not Blaze's vocals I'm referring to.
Anyway, over the years, the greatness of the songs has made itself evident. It's a dark, brooding version of Maiden, but the melody and craftnesmanship is still there. I highly recommend that "Blaze era" haters give this one another go.
- Virtual XI has a few GREAT tunes, but some rather dull, drab tunes, as well. The good tunes have really aged well, while the drab & dull have 'grown on me' a bit. Overall, a decent record - not classic - but decent.
- Fear of the Dark has not aged well, at all. And that's not a good thing as it wasn't very good in 1992, either. Too much of the album is simply B-side quality filler, as I see it. And Bruce's vocals are very strained here. It's the least "Maiden sounding" of all of their albums, as I see it. There are some good tracks, of course, but not much that's worthy of inclusion in the esteemed Maiden catalogue.
- No Prayer for the Dying. I was really disappointed with this upon it's release. I wanted more in the way of "7th Son" and the prog-experimental element that had risen to Maiden's forefront. To me, "No Prayer" was a lame - and failed - attempt at reproducing "Killers". Of course, over the years, the album's individuality has become apparent. Some of these songs are great (the first 4 and Mother Russia) and the rest is godawful.
Actually, the 5 best songs from "Prayer" and "Fear" would have made for one really solid record.
Tailgunner Be Quick
Holy Smoke Wasting Love
Afraid to Shoot No Prayer
Public Enema Childhood's End
Mother Russia Fear Of the Dark
Do you prefer the tandem of "No Prayer" and "Fear" or the Blaze tandem of "X" and "XI"?
- the X Factor seemingly appears to improve with time. At first, way back in 1995, I didn't dig it at all. I thought some of it was cool, but the rest just plodded along slowly, barely reaching the finish line. It was too bloated. And this is the music, not Blaze's vocals I'm referring to.
Anyway, over the years, the greatness of the songs has made itself evident. It's a dark, brooding version of Maiden, but the melody and craftnesmanship is still there. I highly recommend that "Blaze era" haters give this one another go.
- Virtual XI has a few GREAT tunes, but some rather dull, drab tunes, as well. The good tunes have really aged well, while the drab & dull have 'grown on me' a bit. Overall, a decent record - not classic - but decent.
- Fear of the Dark has not aged well, at all. And that's not a good thing as it wasn't very good in 1992, either. Too much of the album is simply B-side quality filler, as I see it. And Bruce's vocals are very strained here. It's the least "Maiden sounding" of all of their albums, as I see it. There are some good tracks, of course, but not much that's worthy of inclusion in the esteemed Maiden catalogue.
- No Prayer for the Dying. I was really disappointed with this upon it's release. I wanted more in the way of "7th Son" and the prog-experimental element that had risen to Maiden's forefront. To me, "No Prayer" was a lame - and failed - attempt at reproducing "Killers". Of course, over the years, the album's individuality has become apparent. Some of these songs are great (the first 4 and Mother Russia) and the rest is godawful.
Actually, the 5 best songs from "Prayer" and "Fear" would have made for one really solid record.
Tailgunner Be Quick
Holy Smoke Wasting Love
Afraid to Shoot No Prayer
Public Enema Childhood's End
Mother Russia Fear Of the Dark
Do you prefer the tandem of "No Prayer" and "Fear" or the Blaze tandem of "X" and "XI"?