I agree that TXF could have been a tad shorter and there are a couple of weaker tracks on there (as with most Maiden albums), but the quality of the good stuff still lends it to being one of their strongest albums IMO.
I think this is largely the problem with how Blaze was recieved. People had expectations, and when the choice of vocalist was of a different style to peoples expectations, the guy never had a real chance no matter what they did. They even came up with their best album in many many years, and people still didn't give it the time of day. A real shame that fans couldn't take it for what it was.
Honestly, I can't see TXF being a better album with any of the mentioned power metal style singers on it (Doogie White was another finalist of consideration I believe). Blaze's dark and brooding performance perfectly matches the mood of the album, which I would say was the largest contributer as to why he was chosen, being a Brit probably just helped.
Okay I listened to the two Blaze albums again - twice each. For me to get into them, I have to treat that era of Maiden as a completely different band - if that makes any sense. The music is top-notch, the vocals are good, but not great. If the band had been called "Blaze is Burning" or something other than I.M., with the same exact songs, I'd have bought it and thought it was quite good. A negative IMO is that Blaze has the all-too-often ability to sound mono-tone, especially in his low and mid-low range, which would be my feeling even if he hadn't followed Bruce. On the positive side, he does sound ballzy, which I admire.
The albums are very listenable, with a few songs that are just plain excellent, but over-all these records on the whole are not my faves. "Seventh Son" and "Piece of Mind" still reign as my faves, with "Dance of Death" as a very close 3rd.
As an aside, and this is something I remember thinking upon my first listens many years ago, it's not just Blaze's vox that affect my opinion of the two albums he sang on. I'm a bassist and I am a huge fan of Steve's playing and most of his writing, but Steve was playing alot more in the way of chords and busy-busy parts in soft and heavy spots, which sounds cool when isolated, but can "clutter" pieces, especially in a two guitar band with a third guitar, guitar synth or keys in the background laying down pads or simple rhythms, as is the case with many of the songs on X-Factor. There was a bit of said clutter in this era.
Overall, very good stuff. I certainly have no difficulty recommending them.
Mac - HEDDA
) but they have also prompted you to give AMOLAD another go. Great album!
