A supplement to Dec 12’s bonus episode of 50 Years of Iron Maiden

FOOD FOR THOUGHT – Now That’s What I Call ‘Kin Music / What Are We Doing This For? (2003)

Thanks to Harrison the Mad Metal Man, the world knows about this incredible and unorthodox Iron Maiden tribute album.  Hunt for it and hunt well, for you will want this in your collection far more than the Encomiums and Nativities In Black out there.  Food For Thought (a spoof of Piece of Mind) get it far better than any corporate version could.  Through its 19 tracks, Food For Thought visit every single Maiden album (to date), and even some non-album material.  The tracks are performed in a variety of styles, often imitating the trademark styles of major artists like Deep Purple, Motorhead, AC/DC, and…Kate Bush.  It’s not all metal, but it’s almost all brilliant.  This is a unique and effective tribute album, infinitely listenable and thoroughly enjoyable.  Let’s break it down from first track to last.

1. “Be Quick Or Be Dead”

Not as breakneck.  More of a groove.  Opens with a distorted transistor radio sounding guitar part; very alterna-90s.  There is a second guiltar part in the beginning that sounds inspired by Bruce’s solo Skunkworks album.  The wah-wah pedal in the riff is a nice addition.  The female lead vocals are a change of pace, but the oodles of guitar solos are really tasty.  The chorus is more layered with both male and female vocals.  It’s heresy, but I like this version of the song better than Iron Maiden’s.

2. “Twilight Zone”

Let’s take Maiden to Funk Town!  Unbelievably, this works really well as a horn-inflected funk song.  Like a funkier version of Sledgehammer!  I’ve AI Maiden funk stuff before, but believe us when we say that the human-made kind is way way better.  Don’t listen to AI; listen to this!  Once again, Food For Thought have created a version of an Iron Maiden song that rivals the original.  The horns here are very Bosstones.

3.  “22 Acacia Avenue”

We’ve gone to Funk Town, so now let’s hit the lounge.  Yes, it’s a lounge version of this ode to the oldest profession in the world!   It is largely acoustics and fretless bass, by special guest Chris Dale of Skunkworks!  Though it opens with male vocals, during the “Charlotte” section the song transforms into a full blown Kate Bush homage.  An absolutely genius interpretation and re-imagining.  In many ways, these Food For Thought cover are almost like originals.  This actual arrangement has little to do with Iron Maiden’s!  The piano parts are really completely original.

4.  “Angel and the Gambler”

Our first foray into the Blaze era, which this album does frequently.  This folksy acoustic version is only 2:14 long.  It is either a duet, or mixed with double tracked vocals.  The original should probably have been about this length!  The delicately picked guitars are like a country picnic.  Such a strange re-imagining, but imminently catchy…with a lot less repetition.  There’s even a country hoedown at the end.

5. “Mercenary”

One of the best tracks on the album.  This lesser known track from Brave New World is performed as a Bee Gees homage via “Stayin’ Alive”.  Has to be heard to be believed.  The falsetto vocals aren’t bad, but the funk Disco beats are gonna get your butt shakin’.  The lyrics are a complete contrast to the dancey vibes of the music!  A short one though, as soon we’re off to war…

6. “The Trooper”

Electric violin, with growly metal lead vocals.  Musically it’s reminiscent Canadian fiddler Ashley MacIsaac.  The heavy growl vocals ground it in metal.   There is a even a violin solo to go with what sounds like a fuzzy bass solo.  Toward the middle, it goes into a section possibly inspired by Maiden’s “Mother Russia”.

7. “Fortunes of War”

Blaze era track number two with this dark classic, re-interpreted as an industrial/electronica track, with programmed drums and music, and distorted lead vocals.  The digital beat is bizarrely catchy, and this track can easily become a favourite.  The inspiration might be early Ministry.

8. “Blood on the World’s Hands”

That’s two Blaze tracks from The X Factor, in a row!  They could not be any more different from each other.  “Blood on the World’s Hands” is jazzy, with piano a’plenty and tasty jazz guitars.  This one swings fast and bold.  The scat vocals and drum break are a total delight!

9. “Stranger In A Strange Land”

Back to Somewhere In Time with a song that doesn’t get enough attention.  Here’s some attention for ya!  The mood of the lyrics is captured in this somber, acoustic version with violin as the feature instrument.  The words are based on the lost Franklin Expedition, marooned somewhere in the Arctic ocean far from civilization.  The fabulous guitar solo is pretty much note-for-note to Adrian Smith’s original.  Maiden fans far and wide are likely to enjoy this one, one of the less quirky songs on the album, though still a departure.

10. “Flash of the Blade”

Powerslave time, with a Celtic jig and a violin.  The violin handles the main riff, which is performed with hammer-ons when played on guitar.  Here is the swipe of the bow.  The layered violins also re-create Maiden’s guitar harmonies.  The drum part is a perfect homage to Nicko’s signature original.   This magnificent metal masterpiece translates well to a new genre that we’ll call violin metal!  Unlike many of the other songs on the album, the lead vocal part is true to Bruce’s original.

11. “Wildest Dreams”

Is that Lemmy?  The newest song on the album, from Dance of Death, is clearly done in the style of Motorhead.  Everything about it screams “Lemmy”, from the distorted bass to the accelerated tempo.  And this was already a fast song to begin with!  Now it is breakneck.  An album highlight.

12.  “Futureal”

Best song on the album?  What if Bon Scott replaced Blaze Bayley in Iron Maiden?  This version of “Futureal” from Virtual XI poses that question.   Both the lead and backing vocals could be mistaken for Bon Scott era AC/DC.  The solo sounds like Angus.  There is even an added lyric referencing “Dirty Deeds”!  Honest, it is worth buying the album just for this version, which is so much fun that you’ll play it on repeat.  The tempo and vibe are based on “It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)”.  You might even trick your friends into thinking it’s unreleased AC/DC track.  Give it a try!

13. “Nomad”

Very System of a Down/Serj Tankien in the vocals.  Very jokey.  Feels like a polka.  Not an album highlight, but brief.

14. “Sanctuary”

Also brief is this “Speed King” inspired version of the classic Maiden single.  Right to the tempo, distorted organ and the solos, it’s very Deep Purple.  “Speed King” is a great song to base a Maiden cover on; I’m sure they would approve.  If Purple wrote “Sanctuary” in 1970, this is what it would sound like.  The only difference is that this singer doesn’t scream, but he really shouldn’t since is a Paul Di’Anno song, not Bruce.

15. “Innocent Exile”

Another foray into electronica.  The programmed beats and music are accompanied by female lead vocals.  Not bad, because it’s a great Maiden song, but again not an album highlight.

16. “Public Enema Number One”

No Prayer for the Dying is represented here by this lovely acoustic ballad, with mournful vocals, accordion and a fretless bass solo.  Though it is a total contrast to the original, perhaps it captures the mood of the lyrics better than Maiden did it.

17. “Heaven Can Wait”

A wake-up call here as we’re bombarded with upbeat 80s New Wave.  Is the inspiration here the Talking Heads?  Regardless it’s tremendous fun and much shorter than Maiden’s original.

18. “Burning Ambition”

A B-side and a surprising choice at that!  This forgotten Maiden song works better as performed by Food For Thought, as an acoustic folksy version, with mandolin.  It’s all very Rod Stewart circa “Maggie Mae”.  If only it had Rod’s rasp.  This track is a lot of fun, especially if you love Iron Maiden deep cuts.

19. “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son”

Food For Thought chose to close the album with what is normally a Side Two opener, “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son”.  It works brilliantly in this position.  Unlike some of the abbreviated tracks on this album, “Seventh Son” is the full length, well over 10 minutes.  It begins very “No Quarter” (Led Zeppelin) to begin, with that John Paul Jones keyboard sound.  It gets heavy after the middle section, which could top the Maiden original.  The way they use the original music, but play it on different instruments, it fascinating to hear.  A track like this is tricky to re-arrange, but here it is!

Find this album.  Get it in your collection, and enjoy it over and over again.

5/5 stars