(Rated this album with 10 out of 10) Reviewed by
the_wickerman
from Some Place
If you've seen my Wish List, you know that I've really been wanting this album. Well, I now have it, and I am quite pleased. My friend Chris said that this is Maiden's most underrated album, and I definitely agree. Ah, 1986, what a year it was. Reagan was in the White House, "Top Gun" was drawing in the big bucks in the box office, and some of metal's greatest bands were putting out one masterpiece after another. Yes, there were many great albums that came out in that year ("Master of Puppets", "Reign in Blood", "Among the Living", "Peace Sells..."), but I believe that this album here beats them all. This album just has a feel to it, I can't explain it. I don't know if it's an "80's feel" or a "futuristic feel" or what, but it's just amazing. Before you roll your eyes and call me stupid, I know it's because of the synth. While many may have been turned off by it, I think it adds something. I'm not sure what, but it does. I love every song on here, but I think the one that stands out the most would have to be "Wasted Years". This was one of the first Maiden songs I ever heard, and I instantly fell in love with it. I knew this was a band that I had to know more about. Bruce Dickinson's vocals shine more than ever on this one. He may not be a very big guy (about 5'6", around 140 pounds, I'd guess), but he has more power and emotion in his voice than a man twice his size. Then, there's the music. Don't be fooled into thinking that because this is a slightly slower, more melodic album than previous releases, it's any less technical. The songs are all very long, and the music is as complex and dazzling as ever. Dave Murray and Adrian Smith prove once again that they are two of the greatest guitarists on the planet, cranking out solos that Dave Mustaine couldn't do on his best day. Steve Harris does a remarkable job of keeping up with the guitar (but not just following it, he's doing his own thing), and Nicko's drumming is at its peak. Top that off with some really cool, thought provoking lyrics and an awesome album cover, and you've got what is simply one of the greatest albums ever made. I think this album is way better than "7th Son" or "Number of the Beast" (although those are both great albums), and almost as good as "Powerslave" and "Brave New World". The only complaint I could make about this album is that "Caught Somewhere in Time" and "The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner" get a bit repetitive on the choruses, but that's probably being too picky. Everything else about the album is perfect. I don't see how anyone can call themselves an Iron Maiden fan if they don't like this album. It is truly a work of art.
