Somewhere in Time

Iron Maiden - Somewhere in Time

Somewhere in Time
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Music CD Cover

Artist: Iron Maiden
Edition: Music CD
Format: Enhanced, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
CD Release Date: 2002-03-26
Music Label: Sanctuary Records
Soundtracks:
  1. Caught Somewhere in Time
  2. Wasted Years
  3. Sea of Madness
  4. Heaven Can Wait
  5. The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner
  6. Stranger in a Strange Land
  7. Déjà Vu
  8. Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C.)

Free Music Notes for Somewhere in Time

Free Music Review: marks the beginning of the end...
Hit: 5 Stars

As others note here, this album seems like an experiment for IM. There are synth guitars (and synth bass) here and there, and sometimes the guitars get sort of "lost" in all the sound they're producing--that is, at times the guitars seem quite a bit more "distant" than they did on previous albums. This album, as I said, marks the "beginning of the end" of IM because it would lead to what I believe their high-point (Seventh Son) and subsequent dismissal of Adrian Smith (the better of the two guitarists) for Jannick Gers, who I saw live in 1991 and about made me want to puke he was so bad. "No Prayer for the Dying," the album after Adrian's departure, was the last draw and I quit liking IM after that point.

After about 10 years of smooth jazz, I decided it was time to rediscover my roots, and I went back to the first IM album I ever heard or owned: Somewhere in Time (incidentally, I bought it for no other reason than being attracted to the album cover art--I had never heard them before). Seriously, I think this album is worth picking up. It is fair to their older style and also a caustic segue into Seventh Son. Some argue whether this is a concept album or not (the concept being time travel), and I would say "maybe." If it is a concept album, "Sea of Madness" and "Long Distance Runner" are out of place. The others all could be considered "time-travel relevant." Perhaps this mild coherence between songs led to the full-blown and subsequent concept album "Seventh Son" (in which the concept is death/duying/religion/spiritual stuff)--which is bookended by a 20 second creepy acoustic-vocal inclusio.

The goods: Sometimes very raw (Title track), fast and heavy (Long Distance Runner), well-crafted (Alexander the Great) and sometimes written with a live crowd in mind (Heaven Can Wait), and other times subdued (Stranger in a Strange Land). I'm NOT with most fans, in that I DON'T care too much for "Sea of Madness" (bass-line sort of flat), and "Deja Vu" (just doesn't sit well with me - I can't explain why). However, the guitar solos on ALL the tracks are worth it--especially Adrian's solos. This album, like its predecessor "Powerslave," is all Adrian. The high-points of the album are his two solos from "Wasted Years" and "Stranger in a Strange Land," although the two guitar solo banter in "Caught Somewhere in Time" raises eyebrows even after 20 years. In my honest opinion, this is also the coolest Eddie of all their albums, and the most unique. Perhaps in the wake of Robocop and Terminator, this Eddie may seem a bit passe, but the artwork is magnificent. Eddie as a cyborg robot! Whodathunkit?

This one is at the top of my IM list; the others that I would pick up are (at least) Seventh Son of a Seventh Son and Live After Death. With these three albums, you've got the high-point of the career of one of Britain's best metal bands.

The lowdown:

1. Caught Somewhere in Time: 4/5
2. Wasted Years: 5/5
3. Sea of Madness: 3/5
4. Heaven Can Wait: 4/5
5. Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner: 5/5
6. Stranger in a Strange Land: 5/5
7. Deja Vu: 4/5
8. Alexander the Great: 5/5

And from the B-sides of this era:
1. Reach Out: 5/5 - if Maiden had written this one themselves, it would have been a huge hit. I believe that's Adrian Smith on lead vocals, with Bruce singing back-up.
2. Juanita: 5/5 - The Charlotte the Harlot theme continues (post-22 Acacia Avenue) with this track. The rhythm guitar is reminiscent of the Powerslave era, and is low and heavy. The lyrics can be somewhat dirty, but it's worth it to hear Bruce's shrieking laughter near the end of the song. You'll know why when you hear it.
3. Sherriff of Huddersfield: 2/5 - If the song didn't include Bruce's strange dialogue with himself while the music is playing, this would be a great track. As it stands, it's very, very strange (vocally), but the musicianship is great.
4. That Girl: 3/5 - Has a neat guitar intro, but the song lacks that charecteristic Maiden-esque drive that charecterizes most of their songs. The lyrics are not something Maiden would have written on their own, as I believe this is a cover track like most of the B-sides off of Somewhere in Time.
5. Total Eclipse: 3/5 - this track is a left-over from the "Number of the Beast" days. Nothing special.
6. Remember Tomorrow (live): 5/5 - Would you like to hear how Bruce sounds singing an under-rated Paul Di'Anno classic? This is it! Very fun song which was sung by IM's best vocalist. They don't play this one anymore, so if you can find a copy of it, grab it.

UP THE IRONS!

Somewhere in Time Poster

Maiden at their spaciest hour. Slip-sleeve version with enhanced CD-rom features. - 1998

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