Iron Maiden discography

Wow, talk about consistency! Fourteen albums, and none rate lower than 80.43. This is what makes Iron Maiden such a great band. I could end the discography review right now by simply recommending you buy their entire studio discography, but because I like to write, you're stuck with 14 (largely unnecessary) reviews. But I'll try to make them interesting, if not very informative (kind of like everything else posted here).

Powerslave (1984) - 94.86

I remember buying the LP (remember those?), tearing off the plastic wrap, and placing it on the record player for the first time. I was at a friend's house, and man, were we excited to hear the album. Everyone loved it (well, maybe not the women, but the guys certainly did). Powerslave floored me then and still does today. And a 13 1/2 minute metal song? You've got to be kidding! Killer album, both visually (what incredible cover art!) and musically. Recommendation: Buy immediately!

Favorite tracks: Aces High, 2 Minutes to Midnight, Powerslave, Rime of the Ancient Mariner

Piece of Mind (1983) - 91.90

The album kicks into high gear immediately with Where Eagles Dare, and doesn't back off until the last notes of To Tame A Land. Flight of Icarus was the big hit off the album, and it's a great song that brings back fun memories of my college days, but my favorite song is the aforementioned To Tame a Land. It's based on the book Dune, and I believe the band wanted to use the book title as the name of the song, but (Dune author) Frank Herbert refused. Recommendation: Buy immediately!

Favorite tracks: Where Eagles Dare, Revelations, Flight of Icarus, To Tame a Land

The Number of the Beast (1982) - 91.40

Ex-Samson vocalist Bruce Dickinson (a.k.a. Bruce Bruce) joins the band, replacing Paul Di'Anno. It's absolutely a classic album, but it's also just a little too inconsistent for me to rank at the top of the list. And although it appears that Dickinson didn't contribute to the album, in fact, he did, but wasn't credited due to contractual issues with Samson. Recommendation: Buy immediately!

Favorite tracks: The Number of the Beast, Run to the Hills, Hallowed be Thy Name

A Matter of Life and Death (2006) - 87.70

Their most recent studio album contains 10 tracks, nine of which are at least five minutes long. Lengthy tracks can be disastrous to an album's rating (see my first post, From the Beginning..., for an explanation), but this is Iron Maiden we're talking about. They know how to pull this off better than anyone. Only one quibble... why are we still waiting for a new studio album? It's been over three years since this was released! Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite track: For the Greater Good of God

Brave New World (2000) - 86.68

The first album recorded by the new and improved six-piece Iron Maiden (following the return of Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith, while keeping Janick Gers) is a solid return to the classic Iron Maiden sound. Nine of the ten songs were good to excellent, with only The Thin Line Between Love and Hate as the exception. Because of the song's length, its low rating bumped the album below A Matter of Life and Death. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite tracks: The Wicker Man, Ghost of the Navigator, Blood Brothers

Virtual XI (1998) - 85.47

The second album with Blaze Bayley on vocals received this rating on the strength of three long tracks (Angel and the Gambler, Clansman, and Don't Look to the Eyes of a Stranger), although ironically, the best track, Futureal, is the shortest. The rating is no fluke, though, as the remaining tracks are all good as well. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite tracks: Futureal, Don't Look to the Eyes of a Stranger

Killers (1981) - 84.66

Iron Maiden's second album is similar to the punk/metal sound of the first, but with more consistent song-writing. The first seven of the 11 songs are very good to excellent, but the quality drops a bit on the last four songs. This is the last album with Paul Di'Anno on vocals, who was fired due to his erratic behavior while touring. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite tracks: Wrathchild, Killers

Somewhere in Time (1986) - 84.30

A decent album in a vacuum, but relatively weak when compared to its predecessors The Number of the Beast, Piece of Mind and Powerslave. The songs are likable enough, but that's not very high praise considering the standards set by the previous albums. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite track: Caught Somewhere in Time

X Factor (1995) - 83.34

After Bruce Dickinson left the band in 1993 to pursue a solo career, Blaze Bayley was brought in as his replacement. Fans didn't react well to this album and the follow-up, Virtual XI, but if you can accept the style change in vocals, you'll find the songs are worthy of the band. The lack of a favorite track here is a bit misleading as all the songs are good; there are just none that stand out as spectacular. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite tracks: none

No Prayer for the Dying (1990) - 82.49

A personnel change as guitarist Adrian Smith left the band and was replaced by Janick Gers (who played guitar on Bruce Dickinson's solo album Tattooed Millionaire). The band moved away from the progressive elements on the two previous albums and returned to more traditional metal sound. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite tracks: Tailgunner, Run Silent Run Deep

Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988) - 81.74

The last album with the classic lineup of Harris, Dickinson, Murray, Smith and McBrain continues the progressive sound of Somewhere In Time, only not as well. The title track, however, is simply fantastic, and may contain the fastest solos and bass playing of any Iron Maiden track. Worth it for that track alone. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite track: Seventh Son of a Seventh Son

Fear of the Dark (1992) - 80.83

There are quite a few very good songs here (including the radio-friendly ballad Wasting Love), but two average songs (Judas Be My Guide and Weekend Warrior) severely affect the rating. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite track: Fear Is the Key

Iron Maiden (1980) - 80.50

Iron Maiden's first album is a mix of punk energy and metal riffs, which fit well with singer Paul Di'Anno's style, both vocally and visually. Song quality alternates between good and very good, with one great track (see below) and one not-so-good track (Charlotte the Harlot). Mascot Eddie the 'Edd ('Edd, as in Head... get it?) also makes his first official appearance, and has graced every album cover since. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite track: Remember Tomorrow

Dance of Death (2003) - 80.43

The band's "worst" album is still better than almost 1,300 other albums I've rated. All the songs are good, but only No More Lies really stands out. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite track: No More Lies