Bruce Dickinson - ACCIDENT OF BIRTH

I was just listening to this disc for the first time in a while and enjoyed remembering what a BAD ASS CD it really was. When this was first released in '97 I was skeptical because let's face it, the majority of Bruce's prior solo releases were fair to middling at best (TATTOOED MILLIONAIRE, BALLS TO PICASSO) or completely unnecessary at worst (SKUNKWORKS)... but then I started reading orgasmic album reviews of ACCIDENT OF BIRTH in nearly every magazine, proclaiming it to be "The best Iron Maiden album since POWERSLAVE," or "The best Maiden album that Maiden never made," etc., so I finally broke down and picked a copy up. WOW, was I ever glad I did!! This disc did not leave my player for at least three months, and I listened to it at least once a day for months after that. It was great to hear Bruce and Adrian playing together again after so many years apart (and on a side note, when I first heard this album I finally realized why Maiden hadn't sounded "quite right" since he left...Adrian's guitar sound was such an integral part of Maiden's vibe during his tenure) and simply great to hear Bruce sounding so “METAL” again after quite a few years tripping thru the daisies, so to speak...

ACCIDENT OF BIRTH was my favorite album of 1997, one of my favorites of the 1990s overall, and though of course I think it's great that both Bruce and Adrian have rejoined the Maiden mothership, none of the Maiden albums that have been released since then have even come close to matching this masterwork IMO.

Agree? Disagree? Feel free to comment...

I agree. Great album. Most like the one after this one better, but I MUCH prefer this one by a longshot.

Rexorcist wrote:

I agree. Great album. Most like the one after this one better, but I MUCH prefer this one by a longshot.

Yea, I have noticed that THE CHEMICAL WEDDING seems to get a lot more love than ACCIDENT but even though I like CHEMICAL a lot as well, ACCIDENT is still my fave too.

The best solo album Bruce did period!!! Absolutly loved this album and really want to get it again but I'm still waiting to find it used (budget issues). However, it's been long enough that I'm just ready to buy it new because while I found the other Bruce albums used, this one is just not availiable in my area (except online and I am restricted in my use of my debit card at this time-cash only for non-essential spending).

I've been slow at picking up Bruce's solo material, but I have this one and I love it. Just a great cd. Eventually, I'll have all of his works, but this one and the double-disc "best of" will tide me over until I hit the lottery.

Rexorcist wrote:

I agree. Great album. Most like the one after this one better, but I MUCH prefer this one by a longshot.

My thoughts EXACTLY.

I love this album and agree with everyone who has said it's Bruce's best solo album!!! Chemical Wedding is really good too but I have always preferred Accident Of Birth.

I'm surprised. Seems most people here so far prefer Accident of Birth to Chemical Wedding. Most metal forums I've seen this discussed, it was exactly the opposite.

ult

ultmetal wrote:

I'm surprised. Seems most people here so far prefer Accident of Birth to Chemical Wedding. Most metal forums I've seen this discussed, it was exactly the opposite.

ult

Most metal forums are WRONG!!!!

i liked all of Dickinson's solo material. i actually do prefer The Chemical Wedding though.

mc666 wrote:

i liked all of Dickinson's solo material. i actually do prefer The Chemical Wedding though.

I like them all too, but Skunkworks not as much as the others. Accident is my favorite though. But I do love the first 2 also. They have the ability of showing Bruce as a solo artist, which is exaclty what is the meaning of going solo. What would be the point of going solo to release identical material to the band you just left? Besides, both albums have more then enouigh killer material.

Steller album.

Hard to say which is better between this one and Chemical Wedding. AOB
is much more in the vein of classic Maiden, while CW is a heavier and
darker album.

I don't want to choose. Love them both.

For what it's worth I agree with the majority here. I think this album is a cracker and IMO the best solo album Bruce has done. I'm also very partial to Tyranny of Souls. That got a ton of airplay when it came out.

Liked the chemical wedding but never understood why people raved about it so much. It was a very good album just not a patch on Accident of Birth.

Dont forget Tyranny of Souls, this takes a few listens but is a the most consistent of the last three. 'Navigate the Seas of the Sun' is the best song he's written in my humble opinion. This album actually went top 10 in a few European countries.

I also have liked all of Dickinson's solo stuff. But Accident Of Birth is probably the one I like best. It gets the most plays by a mile. I'm always on the look-out for a cheap copy of the re-release.

I really like Chemical Wedding but don't go in for this one much. It's good, but I think since I had Chemical Wedding first I can't help comparing.....

mc666 wrote:

i liked all of Dickinson's solo material. i actually do prefer The Chemical Wedding though.

Totally agree. Both are great, but Chemical Wedding sounds better to my ears.

ArmouredAngel wrote:

Dont forget Tyranny of Souls, this takes a few listens but is a the most consistent of the last three. 'Navigate the Seas of the Sun' is the best song he's written in my humble opinion. This album actually went top 10 in a few European countries.

Love Navigate The Seas Of The Sun, great ballad right up there with Man Of Sorrows and Tears Of The Dragon (Bruce's best ballads).

Fat Freddy wrote:

WOW, was I ever glad I did!! This disc did not leave my player for at least three months...

Same here. It took awhile to pick this one up, but once I did I was floored. Accident of Birth is by far my favorite of Bruce's solo albums, but Chemical Wedding and Tyranny of Souls are right up there. I must admin that I like all of the Dickinson catalog, but I think he hit his stride with this album.

DallasBlack wrote:

Love Navigate The Seas Of The Sun, great ballad right up there with Man Of Sorrows and Tears Of The Dragon (Bruce's best ballads).

yeah. the man can sing.

I freakin love Accident. One of my fav songs of all time is Omega and the solo in that melts my face every time i listen.

Totally agree. Even my son loves Man of Sorrows!