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[Metallus Maximus]

Metallus Maximus � Maximus Archivus � Classic Album Of The Day Archive (Moderator: Hellboy)
Classic Album of the Day 11/19/08: Bruce Dickinson- Accident of Birth

[Venom]

Not Maiden quality, but it's very good.

yeah it was better than pretty much any Maiden record since Somewhere in Time....but who's counting....

 

 

[Klschmann]

Maiden are now a ghost of what they once were, the latest album stinks and a large part of the reason for that is that bruce no longer has it! Oh hold on, thats exactly what I just said    Hope its easier for you to understand now Ive windbagged it...

So, the fact that he merely co-wrote a few tunes means he no longer has it?

I'm smart enough to realize that Maiden these days is basically Harris with other along for the ride, so if you want to blame anyone for their direction, blame him.

I saw Maiden 5 times this summer, and live Bruce still has it.  Maybe not in a creative sense, I'll give you that, but vocally he's better than ever.

[Release]

Klsch, do you think his range has dropped on the last 2 albums?  I can't even listen to the new one because (to me) Bruce sounds like he's singing juuuuust outside of his range and he's straining too much.  Too operatic I guess?  I don't know if any of that makes sense.  His voice hasn't changed, I'm not getting at that, it just seems to be in a slightly higher register that what he used to do.  I know he's getting older but he seems to be singing a it higher than he used to which is odd since most singers go lower with age.  Do you know what I'm getting at? Just interested in your opinion.

[Klschmann]

Yep, I hear that.  I think a lot of it has to do with the lack of proper production or mixing or something techy with the way the vocals are actually recorded.  ESPECIALLY on A Matter of Life and Death.  I'm not a fan of the way his vocals sound on that album at all.  Too dry, too singing "over" the band and not with them.  It's just.....off.  Shirley sucks as a producer.

These days, it seems like Maiden is even more interested in getting work done as soon as possible, and I think the studio vocals have really suffered as a result.  They were OK on BNW, but I hear parts of Dod and AMOLAD that should have been done a lot better.

That's the main problem I think.  The other problem is that Steve is still writing for those super highs which I think he strains on.  Similar to Halford, his vocals have improved so much in the mid range that he should be singing that way more often.  Unlike Halford, he's not really singing to his strengths on the Maiden albums.

BUT, Aces High and Rime and Powerslave, all older tunes without excessive high notes, still sound great to me.

[Release]

OK, good, I was hoping you noticed that and I totally agree with everything you wrote. 

[anti nowhere punk]

I blamed bruce because I think his vocals suck now and his attitude toward the fans stinks!  It have been a band decision to play the whole album live, but it was him and him alone who took a sign from a fan saying play the old stuff, and tore it up!  The sheer arrogance of that shows he aint the fun loving guy who once kept me glued to the stage, hes now past his prime and I suspect getting grouchy because he knows it!

[Hellboy]

  This is Bruce at it's finest, thanks to ROY Z and his Tribe Of Gypsies, and of course Adrian Smith's comeback to the metal world. Darkside Of Aquarius is probably my fave track here, but the whole album is simply brilliant from beginning to end, a must have for Maiden fans!
Release, I can't believe you never heard this...  Get it NOW!!!

I was lucky to see Bruce touring for AOB, it was totally insane to see him working his magic in a small venue, something I honestly never expected to see!
Even got a shirt... 

[Klschmann]

I was lucky to see Bruce touring for AOB, it was totally insane to see him working his magic in a small venue, something I honestly never expected to see!
Even got a shirt... 

I was studying abroad that Fall and missed that tour.  Got a shirt though. 

He actually played Jaxx, which is a really small venue.  Apparantly, about 2 songs into the set some dude in the front was being an ass and got up in Bruce's face so he decked him.  Awesome.

If I took into consideration the personalities behind the bands I like I wouldn't listen to a thing.  What's he supposed to do during a tour for a new album that's been decided will be played in it;s entirety?  Bitch?  Maiden is clearly a large paycheck for him these days, so displaying a united front is probably what he felt was important.

His vocals don't suck now.  Please don't post crappy youtube crap to prove me otherwise.  Go and see them live.

[Pelata]

Good album...I like Chemical Wedding and even Skunkworks a little better...but Accident Of Birth rocks! 

[Hellboy]

It's the first time I hear someone liking Skunkworks better than Accident Of Birth... 
I like Skunkworks too, musically probably Bruce's most original effort but perhaps too ambitious for it's own good.
Not really what people expected or wanted to hear from him.

[Klschmann]

I like Skunkworks a lot too.  Actually, I like it more than Chemical Wedding as well.  Great, great melodic rock album.

[The True Fortress]

I like Skunkworks a lot too.  Actually, I like it more than Chemical Wedding as well.  Great, great melodic rock album.

What rock music isn't melodic? Just askin'. 

[Klschmann]

I like Skunkworks a lot too.  Actually, I like it more than Chemical Wedding as well.  Great, great melodic rock album.

What rock music isn't melodic? Just askin'. 

Well, umm, the unmelodic kind. 

I guess I meant sorta space rocky melodic.  Or something.

[Hellboy]

Space Rock, that's actually a good monicker to describe Skunkworks! 
I find that some parts sound very Soundgardenish for some reason...

[The True Fortress]

I like Skunkworks a lot too.  Actually, I like it more than Chemical Wedding as well.  Great, great melodic rock album.

What rock music isn't melodic? Just askin'. 

Well, umm, the unmelodic kind. 

I guess I meant sorta space rocky melodic.  Or something.