My first impressions on album no. 13:
- Wildest Dreams is a terrible opener. Brings new meaning to the word formulaic.
- Rainmaker isn't much better...at least there is better guitar work and a less obvious chorus here.
- No More Lies kicks ass. Sure, the chorus is repetitive, but this is fueled by the same drive that has led to many a Maiden classic. And the solo section is great.
- Montsegur has one of the best riffs on the album, reminding me of the Powerslave days a bit.
- Dance Of Death has grown on me since first hearing it...I still find it overlong, but this has a good buildup to it and I like the guitar work a lot.
- Gates Of Tomorrow took me for surprise with its intro, and it was great being able to clearly hear three guitars in the verses for once...too bad it isn't repeated. The remainder of it is average.
- New Frontier shows why Nicko doesn't get too many writing credits...the song sounds anything but new. And the bass is a bit too high up on this one...normally not a problem, but here it gets distracting.
- Paschendale: Epic Maiden is the best Maiden. Bruce delivers his finest performance of the album here, and Kevin's production succeeds in making the song sound gigantic. Great instrumental break, the riffs and chorus strike a chord with the listener, and I love the quite breaks.
- Face In The Sand is another one of my favorites, despite its odd-for-Maiden rhythm...and for once the intro actually builds tension rather than just sounding slapped on. Bruce also sounds at the top of his game here.
- Age Of Innocence: I'll keep things brief here: Great riff, terrible chorus.
- Journeyman: I have nothing against the idea of Maiden doing an all-acoustic song, but I found this to be boring to an uncomfortable extreme. And the strings sound processed and hollow.
Thanks.
