Got my physical copy today. I had listened to Senjutsu several times already, of course, but gave it a break until I could pop in my CD and give it my full attention again.
So, I sat down with the booklet, like good ol' times, and had Wolfking's track by track comments open as well (as they are always a pleasure to read - plus I get to know who did what with the solos!)...
...and I think I can say I liked it even more. I find this to be an extremely enjoyable, latter day-Maiden album. Again, it's still very early for any kind of ranking, but at the moment I'm liking it better than The Book of Souls. It certainly feels like it goes by
much faster. It might be a little darker in tone, but as a listening experience it's a breeze...Sure, as usual, I'd agree certain songs/parts would have benefitted from some trimming - but it wouldn't be a (reunion) Maiden album otherwise, would it?
Just adding to the various comments I had made earlier:
- Very good performance from Bruce. I said earlier (when the singles came out) I wished he wouldn't try and reach for the stratosphere as often, as he doesn't sound quite as comfortable in it as he used to (understandably!). And I think he, um, listened
some great vocal melodies littered all over the place too.
- Most songs have grown over several listens. One that kind of stayed where it was is Stratego - it's a fine track, and I enjoy it, but I'm not nuts about it
- Speaking of growing - the one that did the most is Darkest Hour. Great song. I agree it has a Wasting Love vibe, both in the clean guitars accompanying the verse and in the chorus melody. I find it generally more poignant (I guess because of the subject matter) - I do enjoy Wasting Love, btw! And the solos are incredibly good. I wish they revisited the "pre-chorus" (I watch the sun move away...)
- Still love The Time Machine. I agree the intro/outro is kind of "there", but the song itself is cracking. Some familiar sounding parts here and there, but the whole package is fantastic
- As for Harris' epics: I still maintain Lost in a Lost World is great and Death of the Celts is the least remarkable. It's certainly a fun song - and I totally agree with Wolfking the "Gary Moore" section is super-cool and the Clansman-like section after the last solo is brilliant. But overall it's the epic I connect to the least. On the other hand, I LOVE The Parchment. The main initial riff after the intro has a Rainbow feel mixed in with some epic-doom...then the section right after the first solo - so tasty. There isn't a whole lot of variation in tempo for most of the song's duration but, man, all the solos, then the reprise of the main riff, Bruce's delivery...it's all excellent. And then him singing "Meet me there", with the change of pace for the song's finale...I just wish they had some sort of 7th Son-style twin guitar solo before the big, final unison, but I'm not complaining. Finally, Hell on Earth: I've said before, this has gotten better and better. Great melodies. Still a bit annoyed with the guitar-following-vocals thingy - it's not the only song where that happens, but it's especially noticeable here, as it's in the verse, pre-chorus AND chorus
Incidentally, I do echo the sentiment expressed here that it's a bit of a crime to have a chorus so good only repeated once (Is Steve Harris messing with us complaining about too much repetition?). But at the same time it's telling of how different the song structures are on this album. Love Bruce's singing on the "Love in Anger..." part.
All in all, I'm quite happy with Senjutsu. I keep wanting to go back to it, and that's a good sign!