Customer Reviews

Skunkworks (Dlx)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Skunkworks marked a key turning point for Bruce Dickinson (not to mention the eventually reunited Iron Maiden). Capitalizing flawlessly on his absolutely incomparable voice, all his works after this move up an echelon, meaningfully and superbly written to best compliment his terrific range and depth. Oddly overlooked during the '90s infatuation with finding "new sounds." Working with some very talented "Gen X" professionals, this effort of the Master puts most of the era's contemporaries to shame. Whatever the chemistry, it's too bad the band didn't stick together for more albums. This is a "must-have" for just about ANY music collector.

If you are looking for Iron Maiden-esque Bruce or something along the same lines as Balls to Picasso or you are a metal purist, this album is not for you.

But if you are open-minded, a fan of Bruce Dickinson's amazing voice, range and creativity, you will absolutely LOVE this one. I've been a Maiden/Bruce fan since Day 1 and at first I was set on my ear by the grunge overtones in Skunkworks (Headswitch)... but it's now a favorite in my collection.

Bruce proves himself a Renaissance Man with the diverse and interesting subject matter (Strange Death in Paradise, Space Race) mixed with introspective peeks (Meltdown, Faith) you don't get from Maiden lyrics and even his own solos.

This one soars.

This is the 3rd album by Bruce Dickinson and it is very good. The compositions are really very good and it is a kind of music that you can hear any time. I read some reviews that the sound is not very good and i have to agree. There is no bass but once you overcome this fact and get into the scene that this album provides you will surely like this album. The vocals of course are great.

I am not taking issue with the material, but only the sound quality. The treble is abrasive and otherwise non-existent. The bass, well there is none. One of the worst cd mastering jobs I have ever heard, making the disc unlistenable. May sound ok on a cheapie stereo or in a car.

This is my favorite solo album by Bruce Dickinson. I consider all his solo albums (sans Tattooed Millionaire) to be great works of musical art, and this one stands at the top! The feelings it invokes are without equal, and every song has its own silver lining.

Despite being despised by the "hardcore" metalhead fans of Maiden and Dickinson, Skunkworks is a terrific album and contains some of the most quality material that Bruce has ever produced. Dickinson poured his heart and soul into the writing of this album, and it shows. It's just a shame that so many people refuse to acknowledge the album's quality because it's not metal.

If you don't mind branching out from metal into a whole new world of Bruce Dickinson, give this album a try. You won't be disappointed.

1996 marked quite an interesting year in music. Korn had released their abysmal follow-up "Life is Peachy", Sepultura released the Slightly-nu-metal-with-tribal-elements "Roots" (sometimes known as "The Roots of Sepultura"), and Metallica had released their disaster of an album named "Load". And here, Bruce Dickinson released the alternative/grunge-ish "Skunkworks".

Lots of people have panned this album for being not as hardcore as his other ones, though generally I think it's a fantastic album, and a heavily underrated masterpiece. In fact, it's an album I have an addiction to right now! There's lots of great stuff to be heard here, and lots of great lyrics.

"Space Race" starts off the album on an alternative note, and is a great start to what is a fantastic album. "Back From the Edge" is a slightly more upbeat song, and is very typical Bruce. The first single comes next, entitled "Inertia". It's a slightly slower song, but in a good sense. It has a slow start, then gets into a more alternative type song. I must say, the video is quite odd, and I am not fond of the whole "Bruce decapitating himself" bit! "Meltdown" is a great, sort of Soundgarden-ish tune that reminds me a bit of "Spoonman" by Soundgarden.

"Solar Confinement" is a catchy number, and despite the chorus being repetitive is quite singalong-able. "Dreamstate" is a slow-in-the-verses and heavy-chorus song, and one of the best songs on the album.

The best two songs though are "Inside The Machine", a fast paced and catchy tune with a singalong-able chorus, "Headswitch", a song that is very grunge-ish. I like how Bruce sings in the lower octave, it sounds very sinister. "Meltdown" follows, and is a very cool song, despite the chorus being a tad repetitive. The last song, "Strange Death in Paradise" sort of ends the album on a weak note, though the lyrics are pretty cool. Maybe I need to let this one sink it's teeth into me a bit more, I'm not sure.

In short, you either love it or you hate it. I am on the love side, and if you really let it grow on you, you will be listening to this for days!

This is probably not his best album, but still a lot of fun to listen to! Many issues this guy deals with!

FAr out! I am glad this guy came and wrote songs by himself -- I agree with a lot of issues his talking about!

This is more of a grungy, kinda experimental album. Pitty Back from the Edge wasn't on the album, but now it's all together in one package.

But again, where are the reviewers? Everyone reviews Chemical, but surely you should comment on this one! Shame on you!

This is a great album, from a great singer with a great voice. It has less to do with his late works ,like "The Tyrrany of Souls", 'cause it has more experimental and progressive tunes, but still it has the air of a Bruce Dickinson album. And that makes it a unique and very pleassant to hear album.

All the songs share almost the same atmosphere of prog-rock,but they are also very different when you hear them individually. But as a whole this album has a united feeling of being a complete album,like a piece of art.

If you want an album like "The Accident of Birth" or "Balls to piccasso", this is not it. Although, i think it would be interesting hearing to it.

Have fun and enjoy.

Great great great!!!

Danny.

DAMN!!!!! This cd blew me away when it first came out. Bruce once again opens a new door and releases a collection of tunes thatdiffer from his past writtings and progress into new territories. This is some damn fine writting, playing, and singing.

Not content on rehashing the same old music Dickinson puts together a band that brings out new ideas and timeless music. From first look at the brilliant Storm Thorgerson art work, you know you're in for something completely different and unexpected, and that's exactly what you get. To me this is probably the highlight of Dickinson's solo collection, and even though I enjoy every album he has released this one stands out above the rest.

It's ashame the mass majority of people are narrow minded and not open to creativity. If that was the case this album would have sold millions. All songs on here are brilliantly crafted and delivered with perfection.

The bonus cd gives you a glimpse at what else was happening withing Skunkworks. Songs that show the bands creative side, powerful side and humourous side. If you buy one Dickinson solo cd buy this one and open your mind.