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Rating:
YEAR: 1986
BAND: NICKO MCBRAIN (drums), STEVE HARRIS (bass), DAVE MURRAY (guitar), ADRIAN SMITH (guitar), BRUCE DICKINSON (vocals)
..........ladies and gentlemen........THE IRON MAIDEN!!!!
When it comes to Iron Maiden, I can't help but get excited, just like a (normal) man when he looks at Arcuri's nudity. When a metalhead talks about these 5 guys (now 6 adorable grandpas), they go nuts!!!
This is an album by the "maiden" that I really like, it's well-crafted in sound and doesn't leave the listener disappointed. Some might say they took a step back from its rightful predecessor "Powerslave", and I will answer that it's not so. The album offers many and original experimentations, starting from the introduction of background keyboards. Moreover, the guitars and bass are equalized and filtered to achieve a clean and clear sound, almost record-breaking for those years!
Insert the CD into your stereo system, press the PLAY button....reading........
The first track, "Caught Somewhere in Time", after about 30 seconds of keyboard-guitar intro, kicks off with a stunning bass riff by Harris (I absolutely love his deep and thunderous sound) and continues without ever indulging in "same old", gradually blooming like a flower, maturing and not boring, then the chorus is fabulous (and who among you, "metal-guys" hasn't sung the chorus in the shower, eh?).
Next is "Wasted Years", in my opinion, the best song on the album. I can't help but crank up the stereo, it's sooo beautiful, I sing, or rather shout the chorus at the top of my lungs, while my parents worriedly call 911....
"Sea of Madness" is no less than the previous track, McBrain, with spurts of his magnificent double pedal, makes us headbang hard. The song's pace is quite fast, engaging, but once the song ends, we're met with "Heaven Can Wait", which, after a slow and a bit gloomy intro in full maiden style, continues powerfully, and McBrain does an impeccable job on this track as well, precise and fast, though the song isn't much to my liking apart from the magnificent final choir, very fitting, nice guitar solo too.
"The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner" also starts slow and then develops quickly, not much more to say. On the contrary, the beautiful "Stranger in a Strange Land" is well-made, well-crafted, with a lovely bass line, catchy and fine chorus.
Let's say that as a common flaw of the songs on this album, even "Deja Vu" starts slow and develops with power. The lyrics seem a bit banal and abstract to me, but the song, especially thanks to a great and inspired Nicko McBrain, never settles for mediocrity.
The last song "Alexander the Great" narrates the deeds of Alexander the Great, starting slow and very refined (almost like the fabulous "Hallowed Be Thy Name" of "The Number of the Beast"), and develops on a faster drum theme (which indeed reminds a lot of the old style). The keyboards make it evocative in some parts, but the singing is too narrative and thus a bit rhythmic and doesn't engage the listener. Yet later when Dickinson goes on standby, the song takes on a mood and charm, with keyboards acting as curtains opening on the stunning and melodic guitar solos.
In summary, it's an album that, like all those of Iron Maiden, has some recurring flaws, but I must say that the keyboards, chosen with Harris' good taste, are pleasant and original for this group, and the cleanliness further rewards it. The rating is well-deserved.
.........LONG LIVE THE EMPERORS OF THE NEW WAVE OF BRITISH HEAVY METAL!!..............
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
01 Caught Somewhere in Time (07:25)
If you had the time to lose,
An open mind and time to choose,
Would you care to take a look,
Or can you read me like a book?
Time is always on my side,
Time is always on my side.
Can I tempt you, come with me,
Be Devil may care, fulfill your dream,
If I said I'd take you there,
Would you go, would you be scared?
Time is always on my side,
Time is always on my side.
Don't be afraid, you're safe with me,
Safe as any soul can be ... honestly,
Just let yourself go.
Caught somewhere in time
Caught somewhere in time
Caught somewhere in time ... oh oh
Like a wolf in sheep's clothing,
You try to hide your deepest sins,
Of all the things that you've done wrong,
And I know where you belong.
Time is always on my side,
Time is always on my side.
Make you an offer you can't refuse,
You've only got your soul to lose...
Eternally...Just let yourself go!
Caught somewhere in time
Caught somewhere in time
Caught now in two minds!
02 Wasted Years (05:07)
From the coast of gold, across the seven seas
I'm travellin' on, far and wide
But now it seems, I'm just a stranger to myself
And all the things I sometimes do, it isn't me but someone else
I close my eyes, and think of home
Another city goes by, in the night
Ain't it funny how it is, you never miss it 'til it's gone away
And my heart is lying there and will be 'til my dying day
Chorus:
So understand
Don't waste your time always searching for those wasted years
Face up... make your stand
And realise you're living in the golden years
Too much time on my hands, I got you on my mind
Can't ease this pain, so easily
When you can't find the words to say, it's hard to make it through another day
And it makes me wanna cry, and throw my hands up to the sky
[Repeat chorus x 2]
Face up... make your stand
And realise you're living in the golden years
04 Heaven Can Wait (07:21)
Can't understand what is happening to me,
This isn't real, this is only a dream,
But I never have felt, no I never have felt this way before,
I'm looking down on my body below,
I lie asleep in the midst of a dream,
Is it now could it be that the angel of death has come for me?
I can't believe that really my time has come,
I don't feel ready, there's so much left undone,
And it's my soul and I'm not gonna let it get away.
Chorus:
Heaven can wait,
Heaven can wait,
Heaven can wait,
Heaven can wait til another day.
[Repeat chorus]
I have a lust for the Earth below
And Hell itself is my only foe,
'Cause I've no fear of dying,
I'll go when I'm good and ready,
I snatch a glimpse of the light's eternal rays,
I see a tunnel, I stand amazed,
At all of the people standing there in front of me,
Into the paths of rightness I'll be led,
Is this the place where the living join the dead?
I wish I knew this was only just a nightmare.
[Chorus *2]
Take my hand, I'll lead you to the promised land,
Take my hand, I'll give you immortality,
Eternal youth, I'll take you to the other side,
To see the truth, the path for you is decided.
Oh Oh * lots.
My body tingles, I feel so strange,
I feel so tired, I feel so drained,
And I'm wondering if I'll ever be the same again,
Is this in limbo or in Heaven or Hell?
Maybe I'm going down there as well,
I can't accept my soul will drift forever.
I feel myself floating back down to Earth,
So could this be the hour of my rebirth?
Or have I died or will I wake from dreaming?
[Chorus]
05 The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (06:31)
(Harris)
Tough of the track,
With the wind,
And the rain that's beating down on your back.
Your heart's beating loud
And goes on getting louder
And goes on even more till the sound
Is ringing in your head,
With every step you tread,
And every breath you take,
Determination makes
You run,
Never stop,
Gotta win, gotta run till you drop,
Keep the pace,
Hold the race,
Your mind is getting clearer,
You're over halfway there but the miles
Just never seem to end
As if you're in a dream,
Not getting anywhere.
It seems so futile.
Chorus:
Run, on and on,
Run, on and on,
The loneliness of the long distance runner.
I've got to keep running the course,
I've got to keep running and win at all costs,
I've got to keep going, be strong,
Must be so determined and push myself on.
Run over stiles, across fields,
Turn to look at who's on your heels,
Way ahead of the field,
The line is getting nearer but do
You want the glory that goes,
You reach the final stretch,
Ideals are just a trace,
You feel like throwing the race,
It's all so futile.
Chorus:
Run, on and on,
Run, on and on,
The loneliness of the long distance runner.
07 Deja-Vu (04:56)
(Murray/Harris)
When you see familiar faces,
But you don't remember where they're from,
Could you be wrong?
When you've been particular places,
That you know you've never been before,
Can you be sure?
'Cause you know this has happened before,
And you know that this moment in time is for real,
And you know when you feel Deja vu.
Chorus:
Feel like I've been here before,
Feel like I've been here before.
Ever had a conversation,
That you realise you've had before,
Isn't it strange?
Have you ever talked to someone,
And you feel you know what's coming next?
It feels pre-arranged.
'Cause you know that you've heard it before,
And you feel that this moment in time is surreal,
'Cause you know when you feel deja-vu.
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Other reviews
By velvetunderground
Iron is like a sea, an ocean of sounds, of shivers, and the swimmer has no choice but to dive in and swim, swim, swim...
Alexander The Great, (just to name one)... a hard rock, dark, (grotesque) a crystal-clear tunnel, horrid... (fortunately pieces like this exist in music, in history, in life)
By juve in B
'Wasted Years' washes away any bitterness: a masterpiece written in collaboration by Adrian Smith.
'Alexander the Great' ... the best song on the album, unfortunately never played live.
By Kirk89
It’s like living in this futuristic world, and one has the sensation of not being able to get out.
Each label you see, even the most insignificant ones, makes you invent an event of history that has nothing to do with it or that has not yet occurred.
By pepozzo
The first track 'Caught Somewhere in Time' catapults us into a futuristic universe with keyboards and synthesized guitars.
'Wasted Years' is a concentrate of emotions, with choruses wonderfully sung by a Dickinson in top form.
By Adrian
"This is it. This is the thought I have matured after listening... they made 'Somewhere In Time'."
"One of the reasons why I consider this album the group’s most successful is precisely the eighth and final track: 'Alexander the Great.'"
