Iron Maiden's debut actually predicts their future better than the followup, Killers. 'Remember Tomorrow', 'Transylvania', 'Iron Maiden', and especially 'Phantom of the Opera' are overtly proggy, while 'Strange World' is a fine ballad. The opening 'Prowler' has a strange psychedelic aura about it, though with Di'Anno singing, you're always closer to punk than psych. One track that I've always had near the top - but is widely panned by fans - is 'Charlotte the Harlot'. Despite the rather dumb subject matter, the track features some nice mood changes, and the blistering dual guitar solos coming out of the last break, is some the most pointed and fierce of their entire career. The US version adds 'Sanctuary', a mid-level song that foreshadows Killers. The only track I can do without is 'Running Free'. Iron Maiden were/are huge English soccer fans, and they had a tendency to slip in a "football styled" anthem every once in awhile.
Anyway, brilliant album. You already knew that... presumably.
Ownership: LP: 1980 Harvest (USA). Single sleeve.
CD: 1988 Capitol. Commodity jewel case release.
MC: 198? Capitol. Good 25 cent find at a garage sale (2024).
This came out when I was 15, so it's likely my Mom took me to the record shop to buy (and it is this exact copy). Just makes me laugh when I think about it. Incidentally, she's still alive and kicking strong. 81 and as feisty as ever. Lives independently in an apartment about 10 minutes from our home here in Colorado. She'd lived in Texas for 51 years straight, so it was quite a change for her. I remind her that she's responsible for my dementia in music. We just crack up. If Mom had it her way, I'd be singing church hymns instead. On another side note, the cover of Eddie here looked like one of our neighbors back in Texas (she is (was?) my Mom's age actually...). I digress...
1980; 4/28/20 (new entry)
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