I'll give you a piece of my mind... (Piece Of Mind - Iron Maiden)

Member Name: cyberstoat

Product:	Piece Of Mind - Iron Maiden
Date:	20/01/01 (114 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Revelations. Still Life.

Disadvantages: All that 'Dune' hokum.

I would personally rate this as being the Iron Maiden album that is the most easily accessible for newcomers to the band. It holds their sound firmly, and establishes a feel that stayed with the band until 'No Prayer For The Dying' in the 1990s.

'Piece of Mind' is generally rated to contain some of the all-time great Iron Maiden tracks. It also contains some of their absolute worst work, so as an example of the range and ability of the band, it comes highly recommended by moi.

The songs:

Where Eagles Dare: It seems that, somewhere down the line, every member of Iron Maiden gets a solo. So it was inevitable that Nicko McBrain would get a drum-centred song. While the general feel of the song is typical Iron Maiden riffology, the frenetic hammering of those skins adds a delicious headache element. Interesting, and often an electrifying song live.

Revelations: A rarity, in that it is a track penned solely by Bruce Dickinson. Bruce is noted for a certain fascination with mythology, and this is nothing more than a homage to whatever obscure philosophies and legends he was reading at the time. 'Dune' sprins heavily to mind here and later. But it's still a marvellous track musically and lyrically. One of the all-time best Iron Maiden songs.

Flight Of Icarus: Bruce got mythological again. This time, with Adrian Smith music, so it's a really catchy tune. Good for moshing too, by all accounts.

Die With Your Boots On: When Bruce, Adrian, and Steve Harris get together, they really make a good song. A lot of 'Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son' is due to this threesome. Lyrically it's nothing special: the words mean less than the sound, and as a rare chance to hear backing vocals from the band, it's worth it. Grrrrreeeaattt...

The Trooper: ALMOST straightforward rock music here, musically speaking. A fairly typical Steve Harris sound on this one, and another one o
f the Iron Maiden show stoppers.

Still Life: Dave Murray doesn't write enough if this is an example of his work. A nice slow/fast mix of rather unusual riffs and wailing. Not one for live playing, but possibly the most inventive track on the album. An acquired taste, but I like it. So sue me.

Quest For Fire: Oh, Steve. Steve, Steve, Steve. Were you tired? It's filler, isn't it? An extra three and a half minutes of time to balance the album up to a good length. And maybe make the whole 'Dune' and 'Primitive Culture' theme fit to the album. I can't say anything else about this song. It should be consigned to the bargain basement along with songs like 'The Lonliness Of The Long Distance Runner.'

Sun And Steel: OK, so after Steve had a stab at the theme track, Bruce and Adrian had a go. Now, it's catchier thanks to Adrian, but it's still shudderingly bad. Ignore it.

To Tame A Land: Based on 'Dune' and really complex, this is one of the epic tracks Iron Maiden have become known for. Variable speeds, good solos, and a tendency to let Bruce get REALLY confusing on his diction. Nice, but...well... they really need to get more fresh air sometimes.

As far as Iron Maiden go, this is a little 'middle of the road' but it's good stuff. It bridges the gap between the punkish early days and the complex brilliance of the late eighties beautifully.

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