The X Factor Vs. Senjutsu

[Kalata]

I’m going to pick X Factor, because it pushed Maiden’s sound further forward than any album since then. It’s badly flawed for all the reasons we know, but it is a really important album in Maiden’s musical journey.

So true, but the quality of the songs is the most important.

Whereas Senjutsu is a fine album indeed, but it’s just another reunion era album to me. It’s the sixth of six, and the formula is starting to wear thin for me by now.

While I can't see it or want it to be that drastic, it's probably needed in some way. How can they freshen it up? Better production, more shorter (can't see it now, tbh) and energetic songs (energetic because of Simon, but Steve, Adrian and Bruce will have the say, so I'm not sure, new energy now... too comfort?), longer songs but with much shorter intros (maybe, you know for something different to say, although I can't imagine Steve's songs), more classic style with harmonies (please)...? It's their style for half of the discography. If they want a double album again, just add more songs instead, like two more shorter rockers like Stratego, Steve can still write them. Bruce and Adrian's songs usually bring the balance, Janick too. Steve will write a few songs on his own again, most likely long. They should have fresh ideas, like for every album. If you want 3-4 big and long songs, then add 3-4 shorter rockers, not just 2 at most.

 

[Blood On The World´s Hand]

Erm... are you taking the mickey mate put together the best ten songs from reunion era and it might give TXF a run for his money... might.

 

[Christopher Baines]

Both right down the bottom of the list for me with SJ just edging it. But then agsin SJ doesnt have a song as good as TSOTC on it

 

[Helmuth Von Moltke]

How can they freshen it up? Better production, more shorter and energetic songs, longer songs but with much shorter intros, more classic style with harmonies...? It's their style for half of the discography.

so the biggest hope is Simon changes the energy and offers an injection of fresh air in the studio.

next hope is that in the last few years, Adrian, Steve and Bruce have spent more time on side projects / solo career than at any stage in the reunion era. So the hope is again for new energy.

finally, just a bit of self awareness and the possibility that ‘Steve-ising’ almost everything, & interspersing these long songs with Smith/Dickinson songs of variable quality, just doesn’t do it for them anymore.

It’s likely their last album, I’d really hope for a proper last hurrah with different energy this time. But I’m a friendly critic of Souls and Senjutsu, I think each has songs of incredibly quality plus mediocre padding. Others may be happy with another double album in that format. I’m hoping for something different…

 

[runsilentrundeep]

TXF for me, the album saw me through a dark time. It’s one of my favourite maiden albums

Despite its flaws, it has a pretty unique vibe - if only it had better production

 

[Fozzie]

Senjutsu for me, one of their better recent albums and with Hell on Earth as the closer it wins out no problem.

TXF has a couple of good tracks on it but it`s just is a period of Maiden i couldn`t get in to.

 

[Abas]

The X Factor walked so that Senjutsu could run - and I say that as a huge Senjutsu enjoyer

 

[FearOfTheLark]

TXF for me, the album saw me through a dark time. It’s one of my favourite maiden albums

Despite its flaws, it has a pretty unique vibe - if only it had better production

The production or lack of is my issue with it. Shame because it's a very unique album

 

[dickinson1978]

TXF for me, the album saw me through a dark time. It’s one of my favourite maiden albums

Despite its flaws, it has a pretty unique vibe - if only it had better production

There is on youtube a few different mix. Im not a fan of the remasters or remix. I like how x factor sounds for x factor not for the resto of the albums

 

[chaosapiant]

It's a toss up to me, as they're both in my top 5. Senjutsu is a very strong album and has The Parchment, which is a top 5 Maiden song for me. Probably my second favorite actually. But the X Factor, the whole album, is just a vibe. It's so dark that if it was a horse it'd be a dark horse. And the song writing is stellar.

In my parallel universe fantasy, there's a version of the X Factor that include the three dropped tracks, and also is the last album Martin Birch produced instead of Fear of the Dark. Imagine an X Factor produced by Birch. Still dark, but sharper and heavier and Birch would know exactly what to do to get the best performance out of Blaze.