International music reviews

Shakira conquered Spanish-speaking audiences with the intriguing "Pies Descalzos", but it is this album that remains the most pivotal moment of her career. "D�nde Est�n los Ladrones?" was Shakira's breakthrough, the album that established her internationally as a unique force in the music industry.
All the compositions here are careful work, the work of a craftsman. For the first time, Shakira sounds like a pro, her lyrics rich with dreamy imagery and poetic inspiration, as well as a surprisingly acute internal rythym. There is sudden, new-found maturity in all of these tracks revealing for the first time a depth and complexity that Shakira lacked in her first moves.
There isn't much variety here. Fun loving tracks and soulful power ballads take up most of this album, which is a good thing because Shakira onviously carries them out astonishingly well, but it is also mildly unsettling because there seem to be a million subjects her developed voice could also be tackling. It's all good but some of it is decidedly unremarkable.
Obviously, her favorite topic is love, the fuel behind many of these songs, like the moving "Tu". "Inevitable" the only song on this album which she hasn't written or co-written is particularly strong and catchy, as well. "Si Te Vas" boasts a performance worthy of the highest respect. In the hands of a lesser singer, a lot of the material here might have drowned in sap, but Shakira sings like a woman, not a teen queen.
Shakira's difference from her pop peers is evident more than ever in her breathtaking, Arabic tribute, the megahit "Ojos Asi". Shakira's version of desire and love is nothing like the usual bees and butterflies. Abandoning all that pretense, she goes for the raw emotion. She is a passionate, seductive and driven huntress. And if we listeners are her prey, she's a mighty good one as well.

Where do I begin? This has to be Shakira's absolute best CD and probably her greatest effort. I bought this after hearing "Octavo Dia" a while back and desired to get a taste. This was the first Shakira album I ever bought and I have never gone back since. I fell instantly in love, and it requires no skipping ahead. In fact, next to "Pies Descalzos", this is probably the only album by anyone that I can actually stand hearing without moving ahead to hear other songs. Of course, I could easily pick favorites, such as the rocking tunes of "Si Te Vas" and "Dónde Están los Ladrones?", and the slightly softer "Inevitable" - which was probably the first Shakira song I ever heard. Another one of the best ones found here is the Arabic-inspired "Ojos Asi" of her Lebanese side, which I actually never listened to until a bit after I got the album...but yet another amazement. If only there was some way to give this a 5.5/5 I would.

I recently started listening to more Shakira music after really enjoying "Hips Don't Lie" w/ Wyclef on the radio. After reading about her, I learned that many people preferred Shakira's older albums for their depth and meaning - and also because she put alot of effort herself into the lyrics and music. After listening to both Pies Descalzos and Donde Estan Los Ladrones, I have to agree. Unfortunately I'm not a fluent spanish speaker, but the translations I've come across for her songs are simply amazing. Since this is a review of the latter album, I'll describe some of the songs here:

1) Ciega, Sordomuda (Blind, Deaf and Dumb) - Very catchy song with a Mariachi sound. Seems to be about the effect that the person she loves has on her.

2) Si Te Vas (If You Go) - Great song that starts out slow and turns into a harder rock song. About what she'd do if her man betrayed her.

3) Moscas en la Casa (Flies in the House) - A slower sad song about lost love.

4) No Creo (I Don't Believe) - I have to say that I don't understand some of the criticisms I've read about this song. Maybe these people need to read the lyrics to realize how amazing this song is. I love the sound too, and her voice breaks a bit in it (which I'm sure she does on purpose for effect). This song is about her devotion to the person she loves, and literally translated she sings about how she doesn't believe in anything else but his smile and his kisses etc. This is a very poetic and beautiful song, and upbeat and happy too - I just love listening to it. This is my favorite song on the album.

5) Inevitable - rock ballad, sad song about how she'll inevitably keep loving a person after he leaves.

6) Octavo Dia (The Eighth Day) - very good song - starts out slower and speeds up. About how God created the world, went on vacation, and returns to find it a mess.

7) Que Vuelvas (I Want You Back) - As others have said, this song sounds more like Estoy Aqui from Pies Descalzos. Good song but I prefer Estoy Aqui.

8) Tu (You) - really nice love song, one of the slower songs on the album.

9) Donde Estan Los Ladrons (Where Are The Thieves?) - Good rock song where she uses the harmonica too. This song is about how there are "thieves" everywhere - in artists, in politicians, etc.

10) Sombra De Ti (Shadow of You) - I think someone compared the guitars in this song to the ones in Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game", and I agree. This is a hypnotic sounding love song.

11) Ojos Asi (Eyes Like Yours) - I've heard this song out alot in clubs etc. It's a really catchy Arabic sounding song; great dance music. There is an English version of this song on her Laundry Service album, but I'm not sure how accurate the translation is. I think in general Shakira just sounds better singing spanish songs though, with some exceptions like Hips Don't Lie.

12) Estoy Aqui (I'm Here) - Some versions of this album have this song from Pies Descalzos on it. This is one of her popular hits and it's great.

Overall, I'm blown away by this whole album. I strongly suggest people who are interested in Shakira to get both this album and Pies Descalzos. (I've also heard that the MTV Unplugged album is fantastic too.) Her live music that I've seen on the web is simply amazing. I can't wait to see her on her tour this year!

Wow I love this album. Its great! well of course is great, it's Ricky. This album as well as "Medio Vivir" met all my expectations!! Thanks for a great one Ricky!

Wow this is a great album! I feel bad that I don't own it, but now I will look out for it, Every single song on this album is great!

muy esta buenisimo. si eres fan de ricky martin tienes que comprar el cd "aprendiendo a querer" de jessica cristina, donde ricky grabo con jessica el tema "todo es vida". este tema es el primer duo de ricky en su carrera musical y fue grabado en 1992.

THE BAND: Bruce Dickinson (vocals), Adrian Smith (guitars), Roy Z (guitars, mellatron, piano), Eddie Casillas (bass), David Ingraham (drums & percussion).

THE DISC: (1998) 10 tracks clocking in at just over 57 minutes. The digitally remastered version (2005) contains 3 unreleased bonus tracks. Included with the disc is a 14-page booklet containing 2 band pictures, song titles/credits & lyrics, and thank you's. Recorded at Silver Cloud and Sound City Recording studios in Los Angeles, CA. All songs written by Dickinson and Roy Z (except "Killing Floor" and "Machine Men" by Dickinson and Smith). Cover art - The Ghost Of A Flea" by William Blake (1819). Label - CMC International Records.

COMMENTS: "The Chemical Wedding" picks up where the prior year's "Accident Of Birth" left off. Dare I say Adrian Smith and Roy Z rival the dueling axes of Bruce's other famed band... Iron Maiden. Highlights include the opener "King In Crimson" - about the arrival of the devil himself... starts out slow and then the rest of the band joins in and picks up the pace; the title track is a heavy and slow methodical chugger dealing with death; the softer "Jerusalem"; my 2nd favorite song on the disc featuring some very heavy rhythm guitars "Trumpets Of Jericho"; and the Maiden influenced 8+ minute "Book Of Thel"... the hardest, catchiest, grooving melody on the disc (much like "Freak" did on "Accident" - it grabs you and simply won't let go). Not to mention the downslide of Bruce's old band Iron Maiden with substitute singer Blaze during this time - Maiden would rise to fame again in 2000 when Dickinson and Smith would re-join (see Maiden's comeback album of the year in "Brave New World"). I can listen to "Chemical Wedding" the whole album through and not hit the skip button... absolutely no filler. I put "Chemical Wedding" right up there on the same lofty perch as "Accident Of Birth" as a close 2nd best album from Dickinson (5-stars).

I bought Chemical Wedding a couple of years back and I don't remember why, but I listened to it once and threw it in my closet where it sat until tonight. I was surfing this site and I saw all the beyond great reviews on this album, so I searched high and low and after about 10 minutes or so I found this disc in my junk box. After spinning the disc again, I realize now what a HUGE mistake I had made on that fateful day years ago. This album totally rocks! How often can you play an entire CD without wanting to skip a song or two? There is no filler here at all. My favorite tracks are The Book of Thel (Best Track), Jerusalem, Chemical Wedding, and Trumpets of Jericho. The two weakest, but still good tracks are Killing Floor and Gates of Urizon. Chemical Wedding blows away the last two Iron Maiden albums even with Bruce Dickinson back due to the smart lyrics and excellent musicianship. I am going out to buy the newer solo album by Bruce tomorrow even though it will most likely not top this one. I have heard good things about it, so if it is half as good as Chemical Wedding, I will be in for another treat that will never find its way to my closet.

this album is just plain phenominal. im guessing you're into iron maiden if your checking out bruces solo work. at first listen this may seem a little heavier than maiden material but it is just as complex lyrically and musically.

KING IN CRIMSON- amazing opener and one of my favorites. very heavy and has a great guitar section towards the end. 10/10
CHEMICAL WEDDING- a very solid song with a fantastic chorus. this song is very good but overrated in my opinion. other songs on this album are better. 9/10
THE TOWER- a decent song. good chorus decent riffs and a good all-around song. 7/10
KILLING FLOOR- eh song. could have been without this one but not bad. 5/10
BOOK OF THEL- this is where the album takes a turn... for the better. a very haunting 8 minute epic which starts and ends with a soft piano and the 6 or so minutes in the middle rock hard. 10/10
GATES OF URIZEN- very underrated song and in my top 4 here. switches from soft to moderate tempos with some very emotional guitar playing that suits the mood perfectly. 10/10
JERUSALEM- for the first 3:30 the song is increasingly building up from soft bells and vocals to bruce screaming. the last line before the guitars take over is very powerful and memorable. the rest of the song includes some great guitarwork and bruce ending the song with more powerful vocals. 10/10
TRUMPETS OF JERICHO- the album speeds up again with this rocker. good verse and chorus make the track. 9/10
MACHINE MEN- see 'the tower'. 7/10
THE ALCHEMIST- if i had to choose a favorite id have to put this track into serious consideration. a true gem that is very slow, dark , and powerful. the ending is probably the best end to an album ive heard. its a much softer version of the chorus to 'chemical wedding' with pianos rather than guitars. great track. 10/10

only one weak track, 2 solid tracks, and 7 AMAZING ones. buy this now.

I loved Selena the first time I heard her music.I feel that Selena is still alive but she isn't.I feel the same way about my sister,my mom,and my brother.I feel that they are still here.Me and my sister were very huge fans of selena even though I didn't know her until I was about [...].I will be her biggest fan forever.

Selena was in fact on her way to being a huge star in the English market.I Could Fall In Love and Dreaming Of You still remain 2 of my favorite songs of all time.Other highlights to the album include Missing My Baby,Captive Heart,and I'm Getting Used To You.....Also with album being released a few months after her death....She was the first latin artist to have an album debut #1 on the American charts and also selling over 4 million copies....Her dream had finally come true....I Could Fall In Love was the first single and it made the Top 10.....Make sure you pick up a copy of this album

I did not become a Selena fan untill I saw the movie with Jennifer Lopez in it. I heard the song "Dreaming Of You" and IT IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SONG EVER MADE !!!
I won't say much but buy this album, or "Selena-Greatest Hits" or "Selena-The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack".
You will not be sorry. I also heard Jennifer Lopez sing "I Could Fall In Love" in her Puerto Rican concert and that song is also beautiful. There has never been songs like these before Selena, and nobody could or can do it better then Selena.
She truly was a beautiful and pure person, and listening to her beautiful songs will surely comfort you. She also does GREAT Cumbia Melodies. Anyone who picks up a Selena album will be glad they did, and I feel blessed I have been lucky enough to hear some of this late singers work. I know that once you hear these songs you will become a huge Selena fan, and Treasure her Music and carry it with you in your life ALWAYS. I know I certainly will.

I read all the glowing reviews of this album, and all I can say is that it must be the case that you have to speak Spanish to enjoy it. Judging by the merits of the music itself, there is not a single song on the entire CD that ventures outside of an elementary and predictable 3 chord progression - 1-4-5-1 (or for the minor songs, which almost all of them are, - 1-6-7-1). It's as if the composer had a single musical idea and used it to beat his listeners to death. Even the somewhat unusual instrumentation become maddening after hearing it for 16 songs in a row.

I can understand how someone might enjoy the overall style and rhythm, but that by itself doesn't make it high quality. In my opinion, if this weren't considered "World Music", it wouldn't have achieved anything near the apparent success it has.

It's albums like this that prove beyond a doubt that our world is getting smaller. Clandestino blends languages as if they were instruments, leaving me waaaayyyyy behind in the comprehension department; I know about three words in French, and I guess I should have paid more attention in Spanish class. Fact is, Chao relies mostly on Latin rhythms with either European or Caribbean flavors, which means that there are times that this sounds like a collaboration between the Gypsy Kings and the Clash.

The Latin rhythms used here are not particularly inventive, but the production utilized to modernize them certainly is. Tracks feature voices buzzing in and out, like bar callers standing in the doorway of a very seedy looking dive. If you don't speak Spanish you'll be lost, but the message somehow transcends language. The content is almost certainly political, but my lingual abilities are too limited to determine if it's leaning to the left or to the right. Rather, it's the attitude expressed by the music (as well as the artwork of the booklet) that speak plainly from the left.

The melodies and rhythms used by Chao seem predictable, almost transparent, on first listen, but they grow addictive. "Lagrimas De Oro" ("Tears of Gold", I think), "Mama Call" and "Malegria" all sink in with a rhythmic persistence, while his use of the riff from "Tequila" (on "Welcome to Tijuana") is plainly satirical, and therefore amusing. On "Bongo Bong," Chao plays the role of a jungle dweller who heads into the city for fortune and fame, but ends up ignored by the masses. Nevertheless, he states that he is the self-proclaimed " king of Bongo Bong," so who am I to argue? B+Tom Ryan

It's like looking at a Monet, enjoying a piece of your favorite fruit in the beach at night, or backpacking through Latin America. Sorry for this explanation, but you just can't put in words the feelings and places this CD can take you to. It's definitely an experience, a compilation of melodies and flavors from different countries. Enjoy!

If you are of Hispanic heritage, you don't have to read this review because you already know the great Marc Anthony. For everyone else, if you are interested in hearing one of the most amazing voices in any musical genre, buy this CD. It is simply Marc Anthony's best. Please don't buy one of his English CDs -- they are terrible (the songs are weak, the productions are sappy and Marc's enthusiam is lacking). However, Contra la Corriente shines. All the tracks are first rate. Trust me. I don't speak Spanish, but I love Salsa! And this is one of my all-time favorites. The beats are infectious, the melodies are powerful and his voice is unmatched. I'm trying to recommend a few tracks, but I just can't -- I recommend all of them! Salsa purists will love the title cut, balad lovers will cry during No Me Conoses and Suceden. If you want to know what passion sounds like, La Luna Sobre Nuestro Amor will make you feel like you've never felt before. I only wish Marc Anthony would stop making English albums and Spanish pop, and make more Contra la Corrientes! BUY THIS CD. If for some impossible, crazy reason you don't like it, I'll buy it off you!

Marc Anthony's Spanish language albums are usually exceptional and unique but he really took his talent an extra mile here and this is a show case of one of best salsa albums produced in the nineties. Everything in Contra la Corriente is on point- the voice, the acoustics, the lyrics and the emotion. What can I say this is exceptional salsa by an exceptional artist. This is a great album for true and new salsa fans, all the songs are great for listening and dancing (yes, although it's not fast salsa). My ultimate favorites on this cd are: Y hubo alguien, Contra la corriente, and Me voy a regalar. This is a very special album, I don't think the artist himself can top this one. In a nutshell- beautiful salsa!

This album is Great.
Any Marc Anthony fan would agree.
The Arrangements sound good and Marc Anthonys voice is perfect.
A must have album in your Marc Anthony collection

With such an album, it's a great mystery why radios snobbed Cher (at least, here in Europe). An exceptionally danceable album, with choruses taking you outrageously high, that's what the medias had bad taste enough to hide from us ! You see, at the same time, there was Kylie Minogue ! Cher has nothing to envy her nice rival, though. Except maybe her youth and her ability to stay in touch with the heterosexual males, thanks to her gorgeous body ! If singles like "the music's no good without you" didn't get the success of "can't get you out of my head", the "living proof" LP shows consistency, a rare quality within the candy... world of techno-pop. Out of the 12 songs we're granted, about two third are potential hits. "The music is no good without you" and "love is a lonely place without you" are dance ballads, surprising with the meloncholy they ooze. It's no use to resist, you can only dance on "song for the lonely" or "different kind of love song". For the remaining third, Cher delivers honest songs, far from the shameful fillers the dance addict has to face too often when buying a LP. To make it short, this is the dance album you cannot afford not to buy. The only complain I have is minor : texts are neither better nor worse than other similar productions, that is, so stupid you want to cry.

This is one of those albums, which i bought back in 2001 that still has no dust settling on it as it still gets played alot. A very energetic buzz that will send you into a great mood and have you dancing around like at your local nightclub after a few! unfortunately the success of this album was poor as it came out in the uk at the strong christmas rush in 2001 and no promotion was made due to cher touring. The single released in the uk was "the music's no good without you" which charted at no.8. The best song on the album which was released in the states was "a song for the lonely". In the uk a date was given for its release but alas was scrapped due to no promotion! however a brilliant cd, better than "believe", if only these songs were on the "believe" album then it would have been an even more worldwide classic.

All I can say is this album is EXCELLENT! It's the best of Cher's career, just take a listen to EVERY SINGLE SONG on the album to see why. They are all excellent songs, so this is an album with 12 great tracks and no filler. This is better than Cher's previous album Believe, and there's so many reasons why.

First of all, there are more tracks. Plus, these are all new tracks. Believe only gave us 9 new tracks, and a remix of We All Sleep Alone. This, however, gives us 12 new numbers, which are all brilliant. Most of the album is a dance album, so be sure to shake your butt off! I fell in love with The Music's No Good Without You the first time I heard it, and already had so many Cher albums, had seen her in concert (Do You Believe Tour) and was a MASSIVE Cher fan so I had to have this album. Tracklisting:

1. The Music's No Good Without You (4:43)
2. Alive Again (4:19)
3. (This Is) A Song For The Lonely (4:01)
4. A Different Kind Of Love Song (3:52)
5. Rain Rain (3:42)
6. Love So High (4:33)
7. Body To Body, Heart To Heart (3:58)
8. Love Is A Lonely Place Without You (3:54)
9. Real Love (3:55)
10. Love One Another (3:44)
11. You Take It All (4:53)
12. When The Money's Gone (4:39)

This is definately one of the best albums I own. You must pick it up now. It's definately such a darn catchy album! Everyone should own it. You are bound to love it! My favourite songs are (This Is) A Song For The Lonely, A Different Kind Of Love Song, Real Love and When The Money's Gone. To buy!

the song is called "do wa ditty" by Zapp and Roger (great synth funk band of the 80s who did the song "I wanna be your man") hope that was helpful!

I REALLY ENJOYED THE MOVIE SELENA AND JUST LOVED THE SOUNDTRACK. DOES ANYONE KNOW THE NAME OF THE SONG, (OR WHO SINGS IT) ITS NOT ON THE SOUNDTRACK BUT ITS IN THE MOVIE. THE SCENE IS WHEN THE BUS BREAKS DOWN AND THE 2 GUYS WHO STOP TO HELP ARE DRIVING UP IN A YELLOW CADILLAC. ANYWAY THERE IS A SONG THAT IS PLAYING ON THEIR RADIO AS IT SHOWS THEM COMING UP OVER THE HILL, AS SELENA IS STANDING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WAVING AT THEM TO STOP. COULD ANYONE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT THAT SONG IS? I HAVE HAD THE SOUNDTRACK FOR YEARS, AND I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO EASE MY MIND AFTER ALL THIS TIME AND GET THE NAME OF WHO SINGS THAT SONG, OR EVEN THE NAME OF THE SONG. THANKS~~

the name of the song is "missing you" by john waite. I love that song they play it on grand theft auto: vice city

This album isn't terrible however, if it hadn't became legendary and sold over 10, 000 000 000 copies I probably wouldn't have reviewed this CD, but what drives me to write this review is because of the question mark that hovers above my head about how? And why? Everyone considers this CD to a classic and some kind of landmark.

I bought this CD about half a year ago now and have given it many a listen, and I can honestly say that every time I haven't really enjoyed it that much. None of the songs have any particular deep meaning to them with the exception of "Hell's Bell's", the drumming is pretty much the same on every song, the vocals are very tedious and difficult to listen to after a while and the guitar works good but their isn't much variation and generally sounds similar to a majority of the bands other material.

Maybe I just don't understand "ACDC" that well or "Back In Black" was important back in 1980 when it was released and not now in 2006, but in my eyes it certainly isn't anything special.

Listen fans, before you sick Angus on me, know that I have nothing against AC/DC. They have a cool sound, they rock, the're a lot of fun. And Back in Black is undoubtedly their finest hour. But ever since BIB, AC/DC has been releasing the same album over and over again. They are a band that knows the meaning of the term "formula" and refuse to deviate from it. They take no risks. Brian Johnson is a decent frontman, he's got a great, raspy growl. But Angus Young is more an image than anything; he completely dominates the band, and he's a very average guitar player. And then where's the rest of the band? They are almost never in the spotlight, including Angus' brother Malcom.

So if you want some AC/DC in your collection, this is definitely the place to stop. And after this purchase, do please stop.

all i can say is back in black is the best album of all time by ac/dc, every fan has a favorite by them and this is mine...

After 7th Son Iron Maiden had lost me, the song writing had dropped off significantly enough where I thought the end was near for the once legenday Godfather of Heavy Metal. After Bruce left Maiden, indeed it seemed like the end had come.

Hearing Maiden without Bruce, and Bruce without Maiden just didn't appeal to me so I decided to move on...

until I caught wind that former guitarist Adrian Smith had joined Dickenson on this recording, so I thought I give it chance...

After hearing this album I could almost have been fooled into believing that this was a new and improved Iron Maiden, and it proved many things to me, first the backbone of Iron Maiden's sound may indeed have been Adrian Smith and Bruce Dickenson, second the song writing is some of the best i've heard of coming from the mouth of Dickenson along with the fimiliar sound of Maiden, which led me to wonder if Murray and Harris had actually been the ones responsible for some of the deterioration in song writing, while Smith and Dickenson could have been a strength if given more control...this album has that much life, drive and energy to it.

Obviously this album lacks the classic dualing guitar sound Maiden is infamous for, and occasionally I notice the lack of Steve Harris,and Nico's tribal drum beats, but I'll say that if this album's front cover had been disguised as actually being Iron Maiden many people could have been fooled,and a vast majority of Maiden fans would hail this album as a fresh new sound for the group, and overall success in reinventing itself.

But it's all insignificant now since Bruce and Smith have both returned to Maiden, although Maiden's latest two efforts with Bruce and Smith have a vintage quality and are decent overall, it's clear that they are recycling, except for a track or two on this album it's a shame that this isn't more of the sound Iron Maiden had evolved into...

THE BAND: Bruce Dickinson (vocals), Adrian Smith (guitars), Roy Z (guitars, mellatron, piano), Eddie Casillas (bass), David Ingraham (drums & percussion).

THE DISC: (1997) 13 tracks clocking in at approximately 58 minutes. The digitally remastered version (2005) contains 9 bonus tracks - 1 new track, and 8 demo or radio edits. Included with the disc is a 14-page booklet containing pictures of Bruce (2 with Adrian), the players, song titles/credits & lyrics, and thank you's. Recorded at Silver Cloud and Sound City Recording studios in Los Angeles, CA. All songs written by Dickinson and Roy Z (except "Welcome To The Pit" & "Road To Hell" by Dickinson and Smith). Illustration from long time Iron Maiden collaborator, Derek Riggs. Label - CMC International Records.

COMMENTS: To date, Bruce has half a dozen or so solo albums... and "Accident Of Birth" is still my favorite. Roy Z is the man behind the production - brilliant sound, as well as his guitar and piano playing. Adrian Smith has confirmed that he belongs with Dickinson wherever he goes. Confirmation that Smith is/was one of the driving forces with Dickinson in one of Britain's finest metal acts ever - Iron Maiden. "Accident" starts of with one of my all-time favorite Bruce tunes (with Samson, Iron Maiden or solo)... "Freak" - it's hard driving, fast paced and in your face - truly a great beat with storied lyrics. Other stunning tracks include the acoustic "Taking The Queen" (another great story being told), the heavy 6+ minute "Darkside Of Aquarius", "Man Of Sorrows" with its piano and orchestra arrangements, as well as the title track - one of the heavier tracks on the disc. The album closes with two stellar tunes featuring some amazing acoustic, spanish and electric guitar work - "Omega" and "Arc Of Space". This is one of those albums that contains no filler... I can let this play all the way through and enjoy every track. A classic (5-stars).

I hate to commit blasphemy, but Accident of Birth ranks right up there with Number of the Beast and Piece of Mind.

Adrian Smith returns to his rightful place at Bruce's side; Roy Z stuns with awesome guitar talent; and they're backed by Ed Casillias (bass) and Dave Ingraham (drums) who keep head banging, foot stomping time all the way through this disk.

Man, I'll never forget the first time I threw this disk into my player back in 1997....It begins with a rocker called Freak that immediately makes the statement that Bruce and Adrian are back and that they clearly were the backbone for the driving 80s Maiden years.

Anthem choruses. Pounding, heavy, melodic, clearly sung metal. Welcome Home, Bruce. It's Been Too Long. We've Missed You.

I admit that I was apprehensive prior to my first listen based on Bruce's Skunkworks, Balls and Millionaire solo stuff that was far below expectation. But that apprehension was quickly reversed to excitement after the first track on Accident of Birth. And there was no let down...tracks 2 - 13 indeed kept the momentum going with standout tracks Starchildren, Darkside of Aquarius, Road to Hell, Accident of Birth, The Magician and The Ghost of Cain.

Maiden fans had cause to rejoice in 1997 over Accident of Birth. And last year the re-release of Accident remastered with bonus material revitalized this great CD.

Unfortunately the effort has not been matched with any of Bruce's subsequent solo releases. But the good news is that Bruce and Adrian are back with Maiden and Maiden's 2000 reuniting release Brave New World is also right up there with any of the Maiden disks and Accident of Birth...but that's entirely another story for another review.

Buy Accident of Birth.

Footnote: That funny looking little guy's name on the CD cover, according to Bruce's website back during the release of this disk, is Edison...clever, no?