Iron Maiden Somewhere In Time Ranked
Continuing what I consider the peak perfect stretch of Iron Maiden, this album hits hard with crazy harmonies and a very 80's futuristic production style that endears it to many a Maiden fan. |
| 8 | Iron Maiden
Sea Of Madness
I know this is a very popular one for people to bring up as the underrated underdog type song, and again this album is perfect just like Powerslave so I think every track here rules, but one songs gotta be my least fav. Highlights are a cool solo section and an awesome main riff where the difference in what the guitars plays creates a super cool layered effect. There is just something lacking in the song to draw me in as much as the others though, but so intangible I can't quite place my finger on it despite pondering it for decades. |
| 7 | The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner
The intro is so damn cool and this song has some borderline thrashy guitar. Bruce and Steve are the heroes here, as the bassline gives required energy and the vocal parts are amazing and convincing. The part that I have to dock are the interludes, some of the more stock-feeling ones in the classic discog where it feels like they were thrown in for sake of having them. |
| 6 | Heaven Can Wait
While a bit overlong, the strength of this one is the atmosphere. The band shifts many moods and its all so good. Vocal part admittedly is a bit weak with it being tough to parse and get a grip on, and chorus is a bit repetitive. Instrumentally though entire track rules. The solos are fantastic with extended times and the interludes/bridges in between are enough to lift whole track. I especially love the interlude after second solo before last verse; almost has some of that Killers-era vibes. |
| 5 | Deja Vu
No Solos no problem. This track is pure energy and the harmonized lead lines are iconic. If I had to pick an "underrated" track it would be this one for sure. Every part of this track rules band is in top form. |
| 4 | Stranger In A Strange Land
I'll be honest this track has a similar thing as Sea of Madness where I don't get quite drawn in as much as others. Although I think the lyrics/vocal track is much stronger here. However the solo here IS FUCKING AMAZING. I love Adrian extended solos because he is more of a compositional player than a improviser and it makes these extended ones hit majestic highs. Wonderful wonderful track overall. |
| 3 | Alexander The Great
I'll re-iterate what I said when discussing Rime of the Ancient Mariner where I don't ascribe value implicitly due to length or complexity. With that out of the way, the guitar on here blows me away. Highlights being when the main riff kicks in, the crazy af interlude and the solos with the 6/4 measure every 4 bars. As a performing unit the band really is unstoppable here. The cons? Song is a bit indulgent and lyrically its a bit devoid of personality to really propel it higher (excepting the last verses especially anything after the ON AND ON part). |
| 2 | Caught Somewhere In Time
Perhaps the best opener the band ever did, it perfectly sets tone for album and shows off its production style. This track is fucking relentless. Just nonstop energy once it fully kicks off and each member has memorable aspects. Bruce's vocal ohhs after main sections are killer, steves bass in the interludes, and Dave and Adrian's solos are sublime. This is top tier Maiden and it would be easy to go on and just sound like a fanboi, so I'll leave it at that. |
| 1 | Wasted Years
The greatest Rocker "tm" track the band ever did and Adrian's best . The opening riff is iconic and Bruce's vocal parts are magnificent with some of their most emotionally affect lyrics put to tape. The track is simple but this works to its authenticity and gets any nonsense out of the way. The build up to solo is fantastic with Adrian playing every note in its perfect place. Those ending notes as last chorus starts is an all time highlight of Maiden's entire discog. Theres a reason this one deserves so many spots on most of their tours. Going out on a limb here and saying along with Hallowed and Powerslave, this will end in top 5 Maiden tracks of all time. |
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