BRUCE DICKINSON - Tattooed Millionaire

Posted: 7/27/05

Reviewed by: Dirt

Category: Hard Rock

Original Release: 1990  Reissued: 2002

Label URL: www.legacyrecordings.com

Artist URL: www.screamforme.com

Tattooed Millionaire was Bruce Dickinson's first foray into the solo world, but according to him it was just a summer project due to the fact that he was bored.  While the album was recorded when he was still part of Iron Maiden, within a few years of its release, Bruce decided to leave Iron Maiden altogether.

Originally recorded in 1990, the material is a complete departure from what fans came to expect from the Maiden vocalist.  With a concentration on rock n' roll, rather than the galloping metal Maiden was known for, diehard Eddie fans may have found Tattooed Millionaire to be a bit difficult to get into.  The truth is, though, Millionaire is just a fun rock n' roll record. Whether it's the title track's jab at Los Angeles tattooed hair bands, the sexually tinged "Dive! Dive! Dive" and "Lickin' The Gun," or the rip-roarin' "No Lies," the tunes are quite excellent.   

The album was reissued in 2002 with five bonus tracks, and what seems to be an improved sound.  Whether it's been remastered is unclear, but this version sure sounds powerful as hell.  The bonus tracks include an awesome cover of AC/DC's "Sin City," a live version of Samson's (Dickinson pre-Maiden gig) "Riding With The Angels," the unreleased ballads "Darkness Be My Friend" and "Winds Of Change," and the hard rockin' "Spirit Of Joy."  All sound great.

The Bloody Truth: Tattooed Millionaire certainly isn't Powerslave or Number Of The Beast, but as far as hard rock albums go, it's a fun one.  It's a bit all over the place, but then again it was written in two weeks, so what can we expect.  My least favorite part of the record is the cover of Mott The Hoople's "All The Young Dudes," which was unfortunately the second video released from the album.  Bruce's version is fine, but I just don't like the song.  Overall, I think it's Bruce's distinctive voice that pulls the album together, and makes everything work.  Certainly, though, his best solo work came with Balls To Picasso (1994), Accident Of Birth (1997), and The Chemical Wedding (1998).