VIRTUAL XI

This album isn't as bad as people make it out to be. If Bruce were singing this would probably considered at least an average album. Bayley isn't a bad singer, but he sings much darker and doens't have Bruce's vocal range. His voice isn't bad, but very different from Bruce's, and I think that really made this album seem bad in most people's minds

This album is a big step up from X Factor and actually has some good tracks:

The Clansman: 5/5: as good as anything done with Dickinson. Great epic track.

Futureal: 4/5: short, radio friendly song, but I enjoy this one, very fast

Lightning Strikes Twice: 4/5 - pretty good song with awesome (although repetative) chorus

Como Estais Amigos: 3/5 decent song to finish off the album although nothing that special.

The Educated Fool: 3/5 love it or hate it song. Song is nothing special, but I found the chorus very catchy

The Angel and the Gambler: 2/5 - good enough song although I've never been a huge fan. It is an epic yet never seems to progress anywhere. Chorus is repetative and boring. Has some good musical qualities though

When Two Worlds Colide: 2/5 - okay shorter song, nothing special

Don't Look to the Eyes of a Stranger: 2/5 - good versus but flat chorus

Overall, I'll give it 3/5. It is a good album, although certainly not Maiden's best. It would have been better with Dickinson, and it isn't the best written material, but there is enough here to satisy most fans. The Clansman is awesome and there are no truly horrible tracks. While I wouldn't really hesitate to buy this, there are other Maiden albums to buy first.