(1995)
Steve, Dave, Blaze, Janick and Nicko
2. Lord of the Flies (Harris/Gers)
3. Man on the Edge (Bayley/Gers)
4. Fortunes of War (Harris)
5. Look for the Truth (Bayley/Gers/Harris)
6. The Aftermath (Harris/Bayley/Gers)
7. Judgement of Heaven (Harris)
8. Blood on the World's Hands (Harris)
9. The Edge of Darkness (Harris/Bayley/Gers)
10. 2 A.M. (Bayley/Gers/Harris)
11. The Unbeliever (Harris/Gers)
When I first got into Maiden (i.e, when I first heard 2 Minutes to Midnight) it was based partly on Bruce's voice. Since then, Bruce has become my number one favourite singer ever. As of this writing, I own almost half of his solo catalogue, and every Maiden album he is in (the exception being Brave New World, of which I only have a burnt cd copy at the moment). I aspire to be as good a singer as Bruce. I know I'll never be that good, but I'll give it my best shot.
So... you maybe wonder why I am going on and on about how great Bruce is in a review for an album where he isn't even present. This is so that the guys who constantly shit all over Blaze actually realise that while I like Blaze and his contribution to Maiden a hell of a lot, I will always prefer Bruce. Point is, even though I'm a huge Bruce fan, The X Factor is a briliant album. A masterpiece, in fact. I rank it third out of Maiden's entire catalogue.
See, when I first got into maiden, I had absolutely no idea that there were any other singers 'cept for Bruce. So, upon hearing the news, I was not happy. "No Bruce? It was be shit!" How wrong I was. When I actually heard some Blaze material, I was shocked. It was excellent. It seems then, that all the Maiden fans I had spoken to who had told me to avoid the two Blaze albums had been wrong. Whether it was just bitterness on account of the no Bruce-factor, or just personal opinion (I think b little bit of both, personally), I dpn't know. But it doesn't really matter, because I found out for myself that Blaze can sing, and he can do it well. Hey, had Bruce not left the band, we wouldn't have got quality albums like Accident of Birth or The Chemical Wedding now, would we?
But anyway. This is a review of The X Factor, and so far I've not really reviewed a single song from it. Best get down to it, then.
The X Factor was a change for Maiden. Blaze Bayley was the new vocalist; here was a man that did not at all have the same vocal range of Bruce Dickinson. Not a problem. I salute Steve that he choose a different style of singer, instead of just getting a Bruce clone. But the change wasn't just in the vocal department. Maiden had matured. Gone was the at times happy song-writing that had been present in all the albums (although perhaps more prominently in the last two). Here, the songs often began slowly, building up to their chorus' and climax's, and the lyrics had come a long way as well. There were no more fantasy epics, in their place was stories of terrible wars, religious atrocities and dead men walking. Even the cover had matured.
What better way then, than to kick of this new album than with the customary Harris epic? Sign of the Cross is the only song besides Rime of the Ancient Mariner that clocks in over the ten minute mark. The monks chanting set the tone for the album perfectly, introducing us to this new, darker, more mature Iron Maiden. Steve's song-writing has obviously benefitted from the change of style, as this epic opener nearly washes the floor with anything he's written since Sevenenth Son of a Seventh Son (but don't take that as an attack against his material in between those two albums - the point was to show just how good SOTC is). By far the best (although not my favourite) on the album.
Following this magnificant composition are two songs that are more up-tempo that the rest of the album. Lord of the Flies boasts an flat-out amazing chorus, as well as a great solo by Jan. Something should also be said of Janick's contribution to the album, in that he co-wrote a lot of the songs here, and generally showed the world just what an exceptional songwriter and guitarist he is, and if he didn't do it in Fear of the Dark, firmly steps out from under Adrian's shadow, and is just as good as H or Davey or even their best days. Next up is Man on the Edge, Blaze's first contibution to the album. His lyrics, based on the film Falling Down (hence the chorus) starring Michael Douglass, are very good, and show Blaze's strength: writing about social issues and despair. This was the set opener for the X Factour, but it's a relief the band chose not to open the album with it.
Fortunes of War is another Steve solo song. It could be cited as being relatively weak, given that doesn't really go anywhere; the only real up-temp part of the song is the guitar solos, but even after they are over, the pace returns to normal. Still, the lyrics are very powerful, even if the song could have done without the chorus being repeated thirty-odd times. It does remains a very nice slow and melodic song though. Next is Look for the Truth, the second song which Blaze wrote the lyrics for. You can really tell which songs he's written, because of the themes - particually of one man alone brooding over his thoughts and existence - he brings. The ending instrumental section if the song is very welcome to, especially with Blaze's "oooohinhs" over the top in some places.
A very strong song next, one of the best on the album easily. The lyrics are probably the strongest on the whole album, and are written by Blaze... although I suspect Steve had some kind of hand, as they once again deal with the horrors of war. The single solo by Jan is again top quality, and I feel I must again stress that anyone who believes his playing is sloppy really needs to listen to this album really carefully, with a good pair of headphones.
Another solo Steve song next, Judgement of Heaven. The lyrics are considerably more up-beat than teh rest of the albun, concerning one man questioning hiw his life has unfolded, and asking us some important questions as well. It is quite a religious orientated song, but this is okay, since it's a good topic for songs, and Daves's solo is outstanding. The only complaint I have is that Steve maybe wrote this song with Bruce is mind, as Blaze seems to struggle at parts, particually the chorus and following "yeah yeahs". Nicko is really bashing away in this song as well.
Yet more Steve, this time Blood on the World's Hands. I really do get a large feeling that this a a song Steve again wrote with Bruce in mind, but I think Blaze pulls it off perfectly. And Steve's bass intro is simply outstanding, and just goes to show how talented the man is. It's a song about the sorry state of the world, and all the shit that happens and where the blame should ultimately fall.
We're getting towards the end of the album now, but there's still some excelelnt material. First of all is The Edge of Darkness, a song about Apocalypse Now!. It's an awesome song, and perhaps I am a little biased due to my love of the subject matter (did you hear there's apparantly a five hour version?! Fuck!). The helicopter samples at the beginning are very nice as well.
Next is my personal favourite song of the album, 2 A.M. The lyrics of a guy questioning his life and if there's any point to it all, the soft guitar melody that comes in, and emotion Blaze puts into the chorus, Jan's solo: everything about the song is wonderful.
Bringing the album to an end is the Steve/Jan colaboration, The Unbeliever. A great song that sits at the end of teh album, and needs to be listened to a lot to fully appreciate. But when it clicks, you'll love it.
All in all then, The X Factor is phenomenal. All the band members give their all, and it shows. The production isn't what it should be, but it's by no means bad. It may take time to grow on you (in some people's case, it's taken years), but it'll all click at some point. But if you're lucky like me, you'll love it from day one, and it'll soon rise to a high spot in all of Maiden's albums. Under-rated, and perfect.