British Lion 2013 Tour

"A bit of criticism" ??? Some comments are just completly over the top.
Anyway, Adrian obviously dislike the production of last album, and Steve being present during the whole recording process. I don't think he would quit the band for that, mainly because he knows what kind of heights he can reach without Maiden.
 
harrisdevot said:
"A bit of criticism" ??? Some comments are just completly over the top.
Click to expand...

You should see the way GN'R fans talk about anyone who's ever been in the band. This is quite tame by comparison.

I do feel like Steve has been smothering Adrian and to a lesser extent Bruce (though I don't think it's being done too extremely). I disagree that Steve's output has been lower quality since '93, but I wish he'd lessen his grip on the band. He's had a hand in writing pretty much every song lately bar New Frontier.

I don't see Adrian leaving any time soon, but I wouldn't be shocked if he did. And quite frankly, I wouldn't blame him.
 
Zare said:
I wouldn't judge Steve for tampering with Adrian's material before I hear Adrian's demo material.
Click to expand...

Totally agree with this. Smith never complained about that aspect of things, and Steve (I don't know in which documentary, but it was an official one, not an interview with a journalist) stated recently that Adrian couldn't finish songs on his own. I doubt he would say that if it wasn't true. But again, I do consider WTWWB by far the best song in the last album and I'm not impressed at all by the Smith-Harris collaboration : only two the exceptions in my mind : Brighter than a TS, and Lord of Light, true masterpieces. Adrian's guitar melodies in the last album are really weak most of the time (and horrible and weak is also the terrible intro of the Alchemist, which Gers wrote I suppose). Steve wrote the vocal melodies, and they save most of the songs.
 
Calling guitar melodies of Starblind, Mother of Mercy, Coming Home and Isle of Avalon weak is simply absurd. Adrian's stuff dominate The Final Frontier and that's one of the big reasons why it's one of the best albums the band has ever put up. Have you noticed that more Adrian gets into the writing process, the more atmospheric albums get ? (i.e. Somewhere in Time and The Final Frontier)

With the exceptions of Ghost of the Navigator, Brave New World, Rainmaker and The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg (all of which had a guitarist in its credits), all my favorite Reunion songs are Harris-Smith or Harris-Smith-Dickinson collaborations. The Wicker Man, Paschendale, These Colours Don't Run, Brighter Than a Thousand Suns, The Longest Day, Lord of Light, Mother of Mercy, Coming Home, Isle of Avalon, Starblind.
 
harrisdevot said:
Adrian's guitar melodies in the last album are really weak most of the time
Click to expand...
:huh:

I think I know what you refer to - Steve said that the others bring ideas but could not come up with complete songs. However, by saying this he did not refer to Adrian, even though you wish to interpret it that way.
 
Forostar said:
That sounds reasonable indeed.
Click to expand...

Yeap it's kid of reasonable, but from the other hand there are interviews, Kevin's diaries, tour playlists, personal projects and mostly the feeling which combined with the long term sticking with the band, make some conclusions quite obvious.

Anyway I told what I had to say, I don't think Harris is playing a fair game to Adrian & co. He's not that bad either, but definitely some people are not happy with him and we all know why. And who are the happy people?? Nicko first, the loyal one, nearly zero contributions in 30 years. And then is Dave, who don't even play guitar at home. Janick must be somewhere between the happy and less happy, doesn't give a toss in the end.

harrisdevot said:
Totally agree with this. Smith never complained about that aspect of things, and Steve (I don't know in which documentary, but it was an official one, not an interview with a journalist) stated recently that Adrian couldn't finish songs on his own.
Click to expand...

Maiden members don't easily give that kind of information outside, at least when in Maiden. And yes, I'm not surprised by this very well known Harris' attitude I-gave-a-hand-to-poor-Adrian, nor that it was in an official release and I seriously doubt if the other way around (Adrian give a hand to Steve) would ever made it. Especially in the official release.
 
If
Ariana said:
:huh:

I think I know what you refer to - Steve said that the others bring ideas but could not come up with complete songs. However, by saying this he did not refer to Adrian, even though you wish to interpret it that way.
Click to expand...

Yes, that's how I remember it. I think the documentary cut to Adrian afterwards, which had everyone jumping to conclusions.
 
mckindog said:
There appears to be a lot of strong conclusions in this thread based on a slender list of observations.
Click to expand...

I think is is an excellent point, and: if there are disputes within Maiden, they are doing a very good job of acting in a professional manner despite it. Honestly, I don't see any reason for concern over the internal status or longevity (aside from the fact that the members of the band are aging) of the band. Especially compared to other, far more public disputes within bands of the genre (obviously a historical example would be the whole Metallica/Megadeth thing), such as the ongoing Queensrÿche conflict. If there's an issue threatening the future of the band, they'll let the fans know when it is the right time to do so. And I don't find it necessary to speculate on an issue or to take sides of individual band members in a fight that we don't know is even ongoing. Or to speculate on a conflict that probably doesn't exist. Such speculations are counterproductive to mature discussion among fans and are do not fit in with the normal intellectual level of this forum.

Now, back to the original topic of the thread. I like but do not love the British Lion album. I would be interested in seeing the band in a small setting. Unfortunately, I live in America, so there is approximately zero chance of that happening.
 
425 said:
if there are disputes within Maiden, they are doing a very good job of acting in a professional manner despite it.
Click to expand...

That's true. Also it's true that comparing to other bands, Maiden is a healthy case.

425 said:
Or to speculate on a conflict that probably doesn't exist. Such speculations are counterproductive to mature discussion among fans and are do not fit in with the normal intellectual level of this forum.
Click to expand...

There is no conflict per ce, nor it has been even hinted such a thing. Whatever is happening is underground and silent, so yes there is some speculation, how else it could be?
Now about the counterproductive & intellectual level, I'll only say that I don't agree and end it there.
 
The Flash said:
Calling guitar melodies of Starblind, Mother of Mercy, Coming Home and Isle of Avalon weak is simply absurd. Adrian's stuff dominate The Final Frontier and that's one of the big reasons why it's one of the best albums the band has ever put up. Have you noticed that more Adrian gets into the writing process, the more atmospheric albums get ? (i.e. Somewhere in Time and The Final Frontier).
Click to expand...

Your self confidence is outstanding. Happy you, who lives in a world where contrary opinions are absurd and where you can trace in a few words the line beetween good and wrong. Being a Maiden fan for more than 30 years, I feel myself the right to give an opinion about what I like and dislike, and I repeat that in my opinion the mentionned riffs are weak, in Maiden standards obviously. And did you notice that Harris has written the majority of SIT and that the three Smith songs (which I actually like) are not generally considered (I try to be carefull, in the hope to avoid another poor judgment on my intellectual level) the most interesting and creative ? And again, did you notice that Harris, who obviously wrote the basslines of these songs, (which, in the case of SiaSL and SoM, vastly contribute to the atmosphere you like so much) did not get a credit for that ? Sometimes, the fact simply don't support your opinions.
 
Calling something weak is an opinion (yours) and calling your opinion absurd is also an opinion. (mine) That has nothing to do with self confidence, if you want me to say "Starblind, Mother of Mercy, Coming Home and Isle of Avalon's melodies are not weak." then fine, you can have it. But it's no different than being absurd, because it's absurd to me, me, who is writing the post. I'm not talking about generalities and frankly I don't give a damn about generalities. If I like a song that
everybody else hates, it's a good song. Because it's my personal interpretation of music and music is a personal experience.

Your interpretation of praises to other people in the band as insults or understatements about Steve Harris is disturbing. Someone gives Adrian his props, you take it as an understatement to Steve. Where did I deny Steve's importance to the band ? Nowhere. If it wasn't for Steve this band wouldn't have existed and wouldn't become the band we all love. But apples and oranges. For me it's folly to deny that Steve's creative sense has slowed down since Reunion, he's shinining as an arranger. I'm sorry but Steve's material started to sound the same. E minor, E minor, E minor to eternity. The songs he solely writes are incredibly repetitive. (e.g. No More Lies and For the Greater Good of God)

About atmospheric feel in Somewhere in Time, Adrian writes the song that leaves a big spot for atmosphere to be build up. The composition lets the song to be atmospheric. Steve is a fantastic bassist and naturally comes up with a great bassline to fill the atmospheric spot. But giving him the chance to build up an atmospheric bassline is due to Adrian's composition in the first place. Stranger in a Strange Land and Sea of Madness' middle sections are slow and guitar melodies simply scream for an atmospheric bassline. Like I've said, Steve doesn't disappoint.

And about Adrian's melodies on TFF, I consider Starblind to be the greatest song ever written, so don't expect me to diss Adrian's stuff on the album. These four are my favorites on the album.
 
Keep it civil, please.

Harrisdevot, Flash's statement about your opinion being absurd is no stronger than your statement about Adrian's guitar melodies being weak. Take as you give, please.
 
You should all be aware that Harris has been leading this insanely successful band for almost 40 (!) years. The current line-up has been working together for 14 years, most consistent line-up ever. You try working with five people for 14 years and not have any disputes about how things should be done. Fortunately for us, all main creative forces of the band (Harris, Smith, Dickinson) know if they go ego-tripping now, the band is doomed.
 
Well said Zare

I think the time for ego-tripping is long gone. If we ever saw some of that it might have been some cracks in the surface around Somewhere In Time with Bruce and then the Seventh Son - No Prayer era which saw some disputes and different members pulling in different directions. The most "ego-like" album must be the The X-Factor which is basically all Steve.
 
SixesAlltheway said:
The most "ego-like" album must be the The X-Factor which is basically all Steve.
Click to expand...
Not at all. Blaze and especially Janick contributed a lot. And there's even a song without a Harris credit.
Ariana said:
:huh:
I think I know what you refer to - Steve said that the others bring ideas but could not come up with complete songs. However, by saying this he did not refer to Adrian
Click to expand...
Exactly my thoughts.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top