Iron Maiden – The Final Frontier
4 Stars! That’s all I can say.
Ok, fine, I will write a bit more.
The new album is about 80 minutes long with only 10 songs on it.
Half the albums songs range from 8-11 minutes in length.
What’s always been great about Maiden are their heavy guitars, great vocals from the great Bruce Dickinson, and of course outstanding lyrics.
Each epic song takes you on a journey, that after the song is over, all you have to say is WOW!
I found myself reading the lyrics to each song while listening to the album. Sorta like I did when I was a kid listening to my music. But instead of being a loser sitting in my room, I am now sitting on the LIRR on the way home from the daily bump and grind.
The first single is “El Dorado”, which the band played on its recent US tour. I knew from what I heard from El Dorado, that the rest of the album will be one of the bands best. I think I am right.
My favorite songs on The Final Frontier are “The Talisman”, “The Man Who Would Be King”, “When The Wild Wind Blows” and “Isle of Avalon”.
Some sample “deep” lyrics from the amazing song writing team of Bassist Steve Harris and Guitarist Adrian Smith (the other members co-wrote with these two guys on a couple of the tracks), however Harris and Smith are the main songwriters of the band. You can even say that Steve Harris is the main guy in the band. He even co-produced this masterpiece.
From “The Talisman”
When I stand and look
About the port
And contemplate my life, will I
Ever see my countrymen again?
As the captain calls us on the deck
I take my things and walk
To the harbourside, I glance back
One last time
From “When The Wild Wind Blows”
He sees the picture on the wall, it’s falling down upside down
He sees a teardrop from his wife roll down her face, saying grace
Remember times they had, they flash right through his mind left behind
of a lifetime spent together long ago will be gone
From “El Dorado”
Greed, lust, and envy pry
It’s the same old same old way
The smoke and mirrors
Visions that you see are just like me
I’m a clever banker’s face
With just a little out of place
I know someone just like you know someone just like me
Hope you all give this album a chance. You will love it.