Artist: Iron Maiden
Label: Columbia
Release Date: 5/30/00
|
|
Title: Brave New World Artist: Iron Maiden Label: Columbia Release Date: 5/30/00 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
|
3 | ||
|
5 | ||
|
5 | ||
|
|
Go to Reader Reviews | ||
Abyss's Review:
This is most likely a very much-anticipated album, it being the first studio effort since the reunion. A lot of pressure is put on a project like this, and it is interesting to listen to other people's opinions on what is important here. On the one hand, it seems fans look forward to something like this because they have delusions that the band will return to their most inspired work, but as we all know, the last albums with Bruce didn't even compare to the glory days, so the likelihood of this happening here is remote, to say the least.
I don't want to sound like I'm putting water on the flames here, but when Bruce left, Maiden wasn't the same band that put out Piece of Mind (obviously), so if you're looking for a return to that level of brilliance, you are just setting yourself up for disappointment. However, if you want a quality Maiden album that picks up where the band left off, you're in luck because that's what they've come up with. Now, I doubt this would crack the top five list of any Maiden fan, but it is exactly what I was hoping to get. I never expected this album to blow me away, I just wanted the band to sound vital and not embarrass themselves. You might think that this is just a case of pessimism, but I think it gives me a better foothold to be less biased in my review. There are Maiden fans out there that would like this album no matter what it sounded like, but I am not one of them. I expect a band, even a band I hold dear, to continue to work for my praise; I mean, Hell, I know people who defend Fear of the Dark for Christ's sake!
"If you want a quality Maiden album that picks up where the band left off, you're in luck because that's what they've come up with." The good news is that this is all any of us could hope for. Classic Maiden in songwriting and style, by which I mean there are those harmonic leads and belted-out vocals that seem to try and turn every song into an anthem throughout the album. And the songs are, for the most part, good. "The Wicker Man" starts off the disc with its rousing chorus, and a sound so retro that it almost sounds like it's patronizing the band's older work. This isn't meant to sound harsh at all because it's a pretty good song, and so are the rest of them. Even "Nomad," which I originally could not stand, is starting to grow on me.
The musicianship is just what you'd expect from this veteran act, and Bruce's vocals are up to par. But where this album seems to lose me a bit is that it sounds thin. I can't really put my finger on it, but I guess it has something to do with the fact that nothing on this album seems as headstrong as the high points of Mr. Dickinson's last solo album. I do feel this new Maiden offering is a better listen from start to finish, but the peaks of quality just aren't as sharp.
"The bottom line is it's a good album, and it's worth the money to buy it." So I guess the bottom line is it's a good album, and it's worth the money to buy it. Unfortunately, many might feel I'm scoring it too low, but Iron Maiden (as well as all veteran acts) has the pleasure (and liability) of being a colossus of the past metal scene, and while this compares easily (quality wise) with the metal field today, it does pale slightly in the shadow of the titan that is Iron Maiden's legacy.
Death's Review:
Brave New World is undoubtedly one of the best records I've heard in years. It's magnificent cover, classic production, expert musicianship and quality songwriting will likely secure Best Album of 2000 honors from many in the metal community. This, of course, is not surprising. It is a new Iron Maiden record. Rather, it's the fact that this may be one of Iron Maiden's better albums that's difficult to convey. Yes folks, it's true: Iron Maiden have returned to retake their glorious throne.
By now we've all heard "The Wicker Man." Good song. But I didn't like it the first time I heard it as much as I do now. A bit sing-songy in some of the sections, and borderline painful if Dickinson's layered backing vocals hadn't been so artfully executed and mastered. But the song is truly infectious, and packaged with such an almost punk-rock rawness and immediacy, that by the time you hear the classic Maiden sounding instrumental passages in the middle you realize that this 21st Century brave new world is going to work out just fine. If I had to place the origins of the song's overall feel, I'd have to put it on Number of the Beast.
"It will likely secure Best Album of 2000 honors from many in the metal community." "The Ghost of the Navigator" is a great song. Opening with a mellower passage sounding like something from Somewhere in Time, it immediately kicks in to a "Evil That Men Do" -kinda , Seventh Son trip. Very cool. At over six and three-quarter minutes, "The Ghost of the Navigtor" is an epic Maiden tale, and one of the best tracks on the record. Very deep, very intricate, very Maiden. Exactly what we've all been longing for.
I love "Brave New World." Everything about it is glorious. Bruce's singing is spectacular here. The melody, the feel, the vocals, the sparse guitar lead which follows it and the inspired soloing - this song has it all. Classic Maiden, like say, "Hallowed Be Thy Name," only more bold and confident, which should be a live staple for years to come.
"Blood Brothers" is a bit strange sounding on first listen, very odd-sounding synthesized strings accentuate the verses. Like Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters" perhaps. But beneath the subtle veneer, "Blood Brothers" is a complex, interesting and inspired work, another that may come off larger than life with the right delivery in the live setting. When the track comes back heavy for the second verse, it instantly achieves a synchopated tightness born of extraordinary musical familiarity and compatibility. Clocking in at 7:14, it may be a bit lengthy, but not dramatically so.
"Great songs from a great band returning to form." "The Mercenary" is the kind of song that the die-hard Maiden fans, and maybe the older-era, Paul Dianno years fans will most enjoy. Very Killers album in feel. Bruce sounds cool. Totally metal, straightforward headbanging. Cool.
"Dream of Mirrors," at 9:21, is one of the best songs on the album. The production here is fantastic and lends to the overall sense of musical dynamics and lyrical drama. The song builds to a glorious sustained power that's worth the wait. The sped up chorus at the pre-solo is a bit forced sounding, however.
Everyone is probably psyched about "The Fallen Angel." In so many aspects, this song smokes. Steve Harris thunders away at the bass, the low end blazing from the speakers. The song is heavy, catchy, and Maiden. One could hear this as being a great X-Factor type of Blaze song, but Bruce, of course, sounds fabulous. Great sounding solos and accompanying riffs to boot. The juxtaposition of this, the shortest song on the record, with "Dream of Mirrors," the longest, also makes this one a refreshing headbanging feast.
"This is Iron Freakin' Maiden people, and you must listen heavily all summer long." At 9:01, "The Nomad" isn't exactly brief. The choppy, harmonic minor feel works well. This would fit in on side two of Piece of Mind, in my opinion. The gnome-metal vibe may turn off some, but Maiden always had a bit of that, didn't they?
"Out of the Silent Planet" has a bit of a strange feel, although like this entire record, repeated listens reveal obvious merit. The closer, "The Thin Line Between Love and Hate" takes a turn for the darker, and finishes up a great album strong. Sixty-seven minutes of Bruce Dickinson, Steve Harris, Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, Nicko McBrain and some other guy who has heretofore (sorry Janick) only played on lesser records. You really can't ask for a lot more than that. Great songs from a great band returning to form. Cover art by Derrick Riggs. This is Iron Freakin' Maiden people, and you must listen heavily all summer long. Enjoy.
Hel's Review:
I gotta tell you. There's a lot to like about this album. First off, there's the artwork on the cover of the case. Very cool scene of a futuristic London with scary Eddie face(s) in the sky. What more could you want? Fine, if that's not enough, let me tell you this: all of the music handed to us on this disc is great. It's likely to be everything you could think to ask for in a Maiden album.
They were always a band worth doing crazy things for. I remember many years ago, actually leaving work right in the middle with a "family emergency" because my friends showed up and said, "We just found out Maiden is playing Rochester in a couple hours. Let's go!" I was fired shortly thereafter, but it was a really sucky summer job, and it was well worth it. So, if you've got to go to great lengths to hear this album, be assured, it'll be worth it.
"It's likely to be everything you could think to ask for in a Maiden album." There are great moments scattered throughout this disc. The songs are varied and colorful. For a good, straightforward rocker, "The Fallen Angel" fits the bill. The song, "Blood Brothers," has an orchestral vibe that adds enormous depth, and stretches it far beyond any expected boundaries. "The Nomad" is epic, intense, and a combination of the styles just mentioned. The first time I listened to the whole album, my attention was caught several times. Interestingly enough, it was usually not by the vocals.
But make no mistake, Bruce is back with a vengeance. Not a step has been lost despite his absence. And his return makes me realize that Bruce's voice is an integral part of Maiden, and not necessarily simply because of his vocal prowess. The rest of the band is fantastic, and was having some degree of success without him. But many fans didn't consider it truly Iron Maiden without Bruce, because he was the frontman they identified the band with. Anyone else just wouldn't be the same.
"Bruce is back with a vengeance." And so it is. Bruce is back, and the band is better than ever perhaps. I can't think of a single note I don't like here. The musicianship is universally superb. Each and every song is eminently enjoyable. I've listened to this album a lot, and I've come to realize that even when I tried to listen to it with the harshest standards, it's a great album. You'll want to take the time to check this one out.
[- Metal Judgment Home -] [- Email Metal Judgment -]
©1999 Metal Judgment. All rights reserved.