Book Review: ON TRACK (every album, every song…) – IRON MAIDEN (by Steve Pilkington) and THIN LIZZY (by Graeme Stroud)

November 20th, 2020 by andynathan

Sonic Bond Publishing

The ‘On Track’ series is a new one to me, but glancing at GRTR!’s recent book reviews it seems to be a rapidly growing collection. While more critically acclaimed artists such as the Beatles and Bruce Springsteen have always been well covered in print by song-by-song analysis, it is good to see heavier rock acts given this treatment, not least this pair of influential bands who were a big part of my musical youth and whose works continue to grace my CD racks.

The premise is a simple one, to review every recorded song in strict chronological order, album by album. Each chapter opens with basic factual info and the context in which the album was made, followed by an analysis of the sleeve designs – in this case focusing on the artwork of Jim Fitzpatrick and Derek Riggs – then each track described in order. This approach has the merit of focusing entirely on the music and complements more conventional storytelling biographies.

While both authors are clearly fans, they do not shy away from being critical in their analysis of weaker albums and songs, and the balance of fact and opinion is exemplary. The old reviewer’s trick of trying to spot errors did not yield any obvious ones, other than Stroud being a little hazy on the recent chronology of Black Star Riders.

Though the format is similar, there are a few differences between the two books – Stroud, as befitting a musician, is perhaps more technical in his descriptions though occasionally lapsing into jargon. He also boasts the only original source material, periodically quoting from an interview with Brian Downey.

Pilkington’s analysis has a touch more flair, with flourishes of sardonic humour and lengthier descriptions of the literary and historical inspirations in the lyrics of Steve Harris and Bruce Dickinson, who he is an unashamed fan of.

Allied to their longer career, that makes the Maiden book a lengthier read. On the other hand, Lizzy seem to have left a greater legacy of B sides and other unreleased material and both their live albums are reviewed in equal depth, whereas the Maiden work sums up their many live recordings on a single page.

Where I would take issue with the jacket blurb is that these books serve as an introduction for the more casual fan. The strict format prohibits any signposting to their best works, or separating the wheat from the chaff, even though Pilkington ends with a 30-song playlist. They would though be a good reference companion as said fan digs deeper into the catalogue.

But as a more committed follower, reading the track descriptions had me mentally singing along to much loved albums I grew up on or in the case of Maiden’s more recent ones, wanting to dig them out for a rare play. And as a music reviewer, I was left marvelling at the sheer level of detail they brought to the task. ****

Review by Andy Nathan

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)