Steve Harris
British Lion

This will be a short review, just a few lines. I'll explain why. Despite numerous listens (when one goes to university and has to take train journeys, there's no better company than music), I remain puzzled.

Sir Stephen Percy Harris, aka one of the world's best bassists. His first solo album has finally been released. As a fan accustomed to Iron Maiden (when Steve Harris is mentioned, a specific sound always comes to mind), I couldn't help but start with preconceived notions. But I must say that this album isn't so bad.

It definitely lacks the typical "aggressiveness" of Iron Maiden (especially early Iron Maiden). It definitely lacks a voice as incisive as Dickinson's (especially in tracks like "Us Against The World," one of the standout tracks of the album that requires a strong-character voice). But maybe it's being used to Dickinson's timbre that clouds the judgment. Or perhaps it's Richard Taylor who has the technique but doesn't assert himself as he should (or as I would like him to?).

Some tracks remind me of other songs, there's something already heard.

Overall, quite a successful album, but I expected more. When it comes to the members of Iron Maiden, my expectations are always very high. But I'm not completely disappointed, there's something good in British Lion: "Karma Killer," "Us Against The World" (as already mentioned), "These Are The Hands" are some of the album's dominant songs.

The bass is HIS bass, unmistakable.

But something is missing, it's missing grit. Maybe it's indeed the vocals that lack bite and conviction because, instrumentally speaking, there are no problems. Look at "Karma Killer" with a violent guitar, look at "The Chosen Ones" where Steve reigns supreme.

A flaw for "Judas," an inconsistent track. It's as if it short-circuits: suddenly the power went out, and we switched directly to acoustic without interludes. Disconcerting and superfluous.

Taylor's voice remains suitable for "The Lesson," the final ballad of the album. For the rest, it doesn't connect, doesn't hit, doesn't impact.

British Lion isn't to be discarded, I repeat, it's not bad. But it's missing something. It could have been much better. More captivating, more biting. I expected something heavier, more decisive, more determined.

Sorry for the lack of content, but I'm really very puzzled. And, as usual, I need to write.

Steve, you've stunned me.