REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: bruce dickinson

BRUCE DICKINSON – Tattooed Millionaire

This is Bruce’s first solo album, which he recorded whilst he was still a member of Iron Maiden (he left leave in ’93). I think the idea was to record a rock album in the classic sense, avoiding areas that he was familiar with. I think this is my favourite of his solo releases as he was just being himself. Ironically, future Maiden guitarist Jannick Gers, was recruited on guitar.

It’s all quite one paced groove-wise with Bruce’s humour present throughout the record. Check out the intro to Dive Dive Dive with his mention of Seaman Stains. Tattooed Millionaire was a hit single and I would say it’s the most commercial sounding track on the album. A lot of his vocals have a more gravelly tone to them I guess to separate more from Maiden. There is a decent cover of Mott The Hoople’s All The Young Dudes, but it’s the close out track No Lies which is my favourite on the album. I really like the up-tempo groove and the melody and hook are great.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

BRUCE DICKINSON – Skunkworks

Looking back, it was a really brave decision leaving Iron Maiden to go solo when he did. Grunge was in full flow and Metal was not flavour of the month.

Trivia time folks!!! Bruce was actually going to have this as the debut album by the band Skunkworks, but the label refused to release it under anything else other than his own name.

Skunkworks actually reflects the time it was recorded very well as it is very alternative sounding in a rocky way if that makes sense. This version is a 2017 remaster on double 180g vinyl and it sounds great, clear, and loud. The band that played on this release are mainly unknowns apart from ex Gun guitarist Alex Dickson.

Things start off nicely with the Space Race and into the single Back From the Edge, which sees Dickinson showing great variation in his vocal. Faith is a more straight ahead rocker. Solar Confinement is a really cool song with a cool chorus guitar, and then into the Nirvana-esque Dreamstate which is a very weak song. Then I Will Not Accept The Truth, also Nirvana-ish but with more balls. Inside The Machine which starts Side 3, is also giving a nod in Seattle’s direction but with more melody. Next track is Headswitch which is one of album’s best tracks with more than a hint of Soundgarden about it. Meltdown follows and then into Side 4 with slow paced Octavia. Then we have the rockier Innerspace, and finally Strange Death in Paradise which builds quite well and is a strong album closer.

Unfortunately Bruce has such a strong presence as a metal vocalist it’s very difficult for that voice to be used in anything else without sounding out of place. Not a bad album but…6/10 from The Grooveman.