Released: 1986
Tracks: Caught Somewhere in Time; Wasted Years; Sea of Madness; Heaven Can Wait; Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner; Stranger in a Strange Land; Deja-Vu; Alexander the Great
Best track: Wasted Years, maybe Sea of Madness
Track to skip: absolutely none
OK, as I do with all these albums that I review, when I listen to a recording I always try to listen with as open of a mind as possible. Some albums that I ‘know’ I don’t like I’ll try to find good in them and some that I ‘love’ I’ll try my best to be objective. I have had some revelations about a good number of them and of course some albums are exactly how wonderful I think they are before putting on my Reviewer Hat (headphones, usually). So, here we come to Iron Maiden’s 6th studio album and one that I proclaim on the front page of this review site as to be my favorite album ever. Or, The Best, if you will. So, I listen to this album that I’ve heard a million times with an open mind and you know what? It’s STILL my favorite. I can still listen to this and get sometimes as much, but usually more, enjoyment out of it than I have since the first listen. Because these guys are such professionals and so talented, there’s always something new to discover about the music here. That’s true of any great album; the more you listen to it, the more you get out of it.
There are some interesting story lines that weave through this album. You have a loose concept of “time” and some different thoughts on various aspects of it. This album came after Maiden’s immense World Slavery Tour where they did more shows than any tour before or since and I’d be willing to bet more than most bands do for two tours. The tour lasted for 11 months straight, and that’s long enough to make anyone go a bit crazy and force them to think about the concept of time in ways that maybe they hadn’t before. There’s also the aspect of doing an album following a live one. Live albums are traditionally places to stop and take stock of where the band is, where they’re going and why they’re doing what they do. Different/new aspects usually come out during the album following a live one. In Somewhere in Time’s case, it’s the use of synthesizers. I don’t understand why people have such a big hissy fit about the use of synths on this album. I only notice that they’re there if I specifically listen for them. They’re not distracting, they’re not overbearing and they’re not cheesy at all. They’re only used as slight colorations and that’s all. For me as a music fan, the most important ‘story line’ on here is the true emergence of Adrian Smith. He’s written some great songs over the years (The Prisoner, Die With Your Boots On, 2 Minutes to Midnight), but he finally comes out and writes 3 songs all on his own for this album. And, not surprisingly, they are the best songs here: Wasted Years, Sea of Madness & Stranger in a Strange Land. The band knew this too as Wasted Years and Stranger were the two singles from the album. All throughout Maiden’s career I always look to Adrian’s songs (still do) and they’re ones that get my brain really going.
Somewhere in Time once again features the “classic” lineup of Smith, Harris, Dickinson, Murray & McBrain, with the amazing and excellent Martin Birch producing/engineering/mixing. Besides Adrian’s songs, his guitar playing is stellar on here. Specifically the song construction and solos for Sea of Madness & Stranger are just awesome. Everyone is naturally excellent, but I still also just get shivers listening to Nicko McBrain’s contributions. He definitely has the best right foot of any drummer I’ve ever heard. He does with one foot what many drummers can’t do with two. Listening to SIT on headphones brings out his drumming even more. Steve Harris, the reason I’m a musician, does not disappoint on here either. I like to play along with this CD because (besides its excellence) it’s also a tremendous workout. Honestly, most of his lines on here are pretty traditional, but they work perfectly for the songs. There are those time when he breaks out with the melodic stuff and it just floors me. He’s yet another reason why I love those solo spots in Sea of Madness and Stranger; what he does underneath Adrian’s solos are so fantastic and beautiful. I still get so much inspiration from those bits.
I have to list some things I love about this album: Nicko’s right foot on Caught Somewhere in Time; the whole song of Wasted Years…the music, the lyrics, the guitar solo, the catchiness, the smile it brings me; how Sea of Madness is a kick ass rocking song, but Adrian wrote in that perfect mellow section where he plays that beautiful solo; Bruce’s singing on Sea of Madness in particular; the guitar playing from both Murray and Smith on Heaven Can Wait; Steve Harris’ lyrics & music too…he wrote a great one here; that “kick into gear” guitar solo section of Long Distance Runner, so intense; again, the whole damn thing of Stranger in a Strange Land, esp. the guitar solo which is Adrian’s best in Iron Maiden; more great drumming from Nicko on Deja-Vu, and some excellent Murray guitar; the whole damn song of Alexander the Great…instant history lesson for millions of kids growing up; the melodies on this song are just stunning and especially that whole middle section kicks my ass.
OK, yes, I love every single second of this album and it’s PERFECT. The songs are great, the playing is great, the artwork is brain-explodingly detailed and wonderful and the production is perfect. I still say, and probably always will, that this is the best album ever. I can’t find fault in it. Now, I do understand that most people don’t like Iron Maiden and wouldn’t think this was anything special. I realize that. I know it’s not exactly ‘cool’ to love Iron Maiden and I also know that this album isn’t for everyone. However, it IS for me and a lot of people I know and it’s one of the few albums that will get a response of something like, “Somewhere in Time, wow, now *that’s* a great album”.
Rating: 99
Write a comment