Two songs of a similar formula: Rainmaker versus Stratego - Which one do you like better?

Which short rocker do you prefer?

  • Rainmaker

    Votes: 25 67.6%
  • Stratego

    Votes: 12 32.4%

  • Total voters
    37

Dick Brucinson

The TRUE Dick Brucinson
Always found there's a lot of a same formula Stratego and Rainmaker are sharing. And both tracks are short rockers with the 2nd slot of their mother albums in common. Which one of the songs do you prefer?
 
I love both songs, can't really decide. Essential classics from Janick and Dave. I could say Rainmaker (it was a Top 10 contender for me), but that would be kind of unfair to Stratego, also prominent and very close song. Great singles and some of the best short rockers imo. Melodic greatness.
 
That is a tricky one, but I just love Rainmaker. It is so perfectly placed on the album and the melodies are excellent. As I posted on the song chat the other day, thank you to the person who requested it on Planet Rock the other day!

That being said the post-chorus is Stratego is one of my favourite Maiden moments ever. ‘Pray for me I’m almost there’. It just hits the spot.
 
Actually really fond of Stratego. Nice little no-frills song of a sort I didn't expect on Senjutsu. I get why they're being compared although I find the mood of each completely different
 
They're both great tracks, but I never find myself getting the urge to listen to Rainmaker. Very solid and unique-sounding song for their catalogue, IMO. Stratego I have singled out a few times, mainly for that little drum breakdown that builds into the last chorus, so I'd give that the edge.
 
That being said the post-chorus is Stratego is one of my favourite Maiden moments ever. ‘Pray for me I’m almost there’. It just hits the spot.
The pre/choruses of both songs are pure gold.
Actually really fond of Stratego. Nice little no-frills song of a sort I didn't expect on Senjutsu. I get why they're being compared although I find the mood of each completely different
Stratego was a really great surprise from the album. I think it has a DOD vibe, I guess that's why it's being compared with it.
In fact Gers/Harris collaboration album, in my not even that bold opinion, would be stronger than a regular Maiden album.
I love their collaborations, but a Maiden album needs the diversity of all great songwriters. Adrian(!) and Bruce are also a great combo.
 
Oh, and one other thing both songs have in common: They sounded both horrible when played live. And this was basically up to Bruce. Live he never came even close to the integrity of the studio vocals.
 
Rainmaker is one of the best reunion era rockers. I wish they'd bring it back into the set. Stratego is pretty good but it could have been done tighter (and with less of Janick doubling Bruce's voice).
 
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This thread got me thinking about the band's short rockers. They were fairly common up until FOTD but less so after.
Beginning with X Factor, I counted 13 album tracks clocking in at 5:00 or less.

Futureal - Virtual XI: 3:00
The Rainmaker - Dance of Death: 3:48
Wildest Dreams - Dance of Death: 3:52
The Fallen Angel - Brave New World: 4:00
Days of Future Past - Senjutsu: 4:03
Man on the Edge - The X Factor: 4:10
Different World - A Matter of Life and Death: 4:17
The Alchemist - The Final Frontier: 4:29
The Wicker Man - Brave New World: 4:35
The Mercenary - Brave New World: 4:42
Lightning Strikes Twice - Virtual XI: 4:49
Tears of a Clown - The Book of Souls: 4:49
Stratego - Senjutsu: 4:59

I'd say my favorite songs from this group are Futureal and The Rainmaker.
Followed by some combination of Lightning Strikes Twice / The Wicker Man / Different World.

p.s. - If I'd extended the time limit by a mere 13 extra seconds, the list would have included eight(!) more songs: Speed of Light (5:01), Lord of the Flies (5:02), The New Frontier (5:04), The Pilgrim (5:07), Look for the Truth (5:10), Judgement of Heaven (5:10), Gates of Tomorrow (5:12), Death or Glory (5:13).
 
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This thread got me thinking about the band's short rockers. They were fairly common up until FOTD but less so after.
Beginning with X Factor, I counted 13 album tracks clocking in at 5:00 or less.

Futureal - Virtual XI: 3:00
The Rainmaker - Dance of Death: 3:48
Wildest Dreams - Dance of Death: 3:52
The Fallen Angel - Brave New World: 4:00
Days of Future Past - Senjutsu: 4:03
Man on the Edge - The X Factor: 4:10
Different World - A Matter of Life and Death: 4:17
The Alchemist - The Final Frontier: 4:29
The Wicker Man - Brave New World: 4:35
The Mercenary - Brave New World: 4:42
Lightning Strikes Twice - Virtual XI: 4:49
Tears of a Clown - The Book of Souls: 4:49
Stratego - Senjutsu: 4:59

I'd say my favorite songs from this group are Futureal and The Rainmaker.
Followed by some combination of Lightning Strikes Twice / The Wicker Man / Different World.

p.s. - If I'd extended the time limit by little as an extra 13 seconds, the list would have included eight(!) more songs: Speed of Light (5:01), Lord of the Flies (5:02), The New Frontier (5:04), The Pilgrim (5:07), Look for the Truth (5:10), Judgement of Heaven (5:10), Gates of Tomorrow (5:12), Death or Glory (5:13).
Of that list, The Wicker Man is the clear winner for me.
 
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