'Balls to Picasso' could be the hardest album from Air raid Siren, not musicwise or soundwise, but to get into. Its many truly unique songs (most aren't metal, maybe not even rock) and non-metal sound made it a tough nut to crack for me. Then there's these rockers which are not so much for my taste. A mixed bag, then. But do not let that keep you from checking this one out! I must put it down here, that Mr. Dickinson is my absolutely favourite singer in the whole damn World.

Bruce's debut solo, 'Tattooed Millionaire' (1990), was a hard rock album, for a big part. This is also a hard rock album, but with a difference. But this is also something else I can't name easily. Maybe I'd call it "Bruce Dickinson" and it is not even a bit overreacted. This was him in year 1994 and whenever the songs were composed. 'Change of Heart' and especially 'Tears of the Dragon' are the man's most personal, most bare songs. 'Change of Heart' is a song I do not know what style it's of. Just a very emotional song, very blue, sound of one walking down a rainy street in very early morning. The most well-known song from the album, 'Tears of the Dragon', is a huge, tear-squeezing beauty with a gentle beginning, building into a violent soloing and then returning back to calm again. Possibly Bruce's best vocal performance, ever, and one of my favourite songs, ever. When it comes from a heart, you hear it.

'Cyclops' is a longish opener. It takes awhile for the song to really get rolling, but it is individual and actually a wonderful piece with many parts. There's different percussions used and the song is a mixture of rock and heavy metal and more. 'Hell no' is another weird one, but also one of the less good songs on the album. These two songs are unhappy kind of songs. 'Gods of War' is also quite unhappy and weird to tell the truth, but its wonderful chorus is more lively compared to first two. '1000 Points of Hate' hits in a more rocking shift certainly, and its chorus is one of my favourites, ever!!! No wonder it is a live favourite, too. 'Laughing in the Hiding Bush' is another live fave, but not my favourite at all. It is a heavier song, but still it weaker on musically. 'Shoot all the Clowns' is a good-vibe rocker, a single release. 'Fire' is a rocker, but quite a "doomier" one. Great opening, but I do not like chorus too much. 'Sacred Cowboys' was a surprising song, groovy "spoken" rocker with a marvellous chorus. A hit.

Lyrics are also quite weird, sometimes. I don't even try to give details of them all, but here's some: Wiping out all privacy of an individual, vanity of war, some truly introspective stuff and disparaging stupid politics/politicians. Bruce's performance is partly so stellar, I really can't write it with any words. Some calmer parts are very different what he is know for: Air raid siren singing. The band consists three Tribe Of Gypsies members, namely Roy Z. (guitars), Eddie Casillas (bass) and Dave Ingraham (drums). They brought their own vibe into the music and as you should know, not for the last time.

This is a bit patchy with all different styles. This is Bruce's first solo album after he had left Iron Maiden, so maybe that's the reason for the variety and the darkness that this packs. It is also truly individual at many points and most of the songs are simple by instrumentation, so Bruce's voice is the main attraction. I needed quite a lot of time to get into this and after then, there seem to be a couple of not so good songs. Bruce Dickinson has, in my opinion, put out a better studio album every time he's released one (solo albums, I mean). An art rock album with some metal leanings, this one. Cover describes the music perfectly (Bruce himself). A tough nut, but one you want to crack, at least if you like Mr. Dickinson's voice and thoughts. Gets better with age, this.

Rating: 7½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
07/03/2003 21:44