BRUCE DICKINSON
Tattooed Millionaire
Columbia Records 1990
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What’s the 4-1-1?
In the summer of 1990 while Iron Maiden was on a break from their highly successful "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son Tour", frontman Bruce Dickinson had the opportunity to record a solo track for the Nightmare on Elm Street 5 Soundtrack ("Bring Your Daughter to the Slaughter"). As a result of this recording, which was later revamped on Maiden's No Prayer for the Dying album, Dickinson was offered the opportunity to record a full-length album. The result was Tattooed Millionaire, a straight up hard rock album that takes Bruce in a different direction. It combines elements of Iron Maiden and mixes them with a pop-metal feel.

The album opens with shades of Iron Maiden on "Son of a Gun". The track starts with a soothing acoustic intro followed by blistering metal riffs. That's about as close to Maiden as it gets. The title-track is an infectious pop-metal rocker that, oddly enough, is mocking the genre. It's a scathing attack at pop/glam bands like Motley Crue or Poison (not specifically them). Dickinson pays homage to our fathers and grandfathers on "Born in '58." It's about a time where men took pride in their work, their country, and fought the good fight. "Hell on Wheels" opens with a riff very similar to AC/DC's "Back in Black" or "Highway to Hell." You don't get anymore metal than that! Now, what late eighties / early nineties album would be complete without a song with gypsy in the title? Not this one! "Gypsy Road" is a power ballad about, what else, living on the streets.

Bruce whips out the metal cliché book on "Dive! Dive! Dive!” Not only is the melody repetitive, but the song is infused with typical sexual innuendo. Bruce uses clever submarine terminology here, but we all know it's about going down on a woman. In case you miss it, Bruce exclaims, Dive! Dive! Dive! / No muff too tuff / We dive at five. A cover of Mott the Hoople's "All the Young Dudes" doesn't stray too far from the original, but sounds fresher. "Lickin' the Gun,” a tongue and cheek "shot" at politics, has a bluesy sound comparable to classic Aerosmith. "Zulu Lulu" continues where 'Dive!' left off, and "No Lies" closes the album.

The Verdict
Bruce Dickinson clearly set out to make a fun, straightforward, hard rock album. Tattooed Millionaire is exactly that. No deep meanings, no complicated arrangements, just pure, kick ass, rock! Be sure to check out the newly remastered version, complete with five bonus tracks.

Did you know?
Tattooed Millionaire guitarist Janick Gers was ready to sell his guitar and give up playing prior to hooking up with Bruce Dickinson. Just before Dickinson left Iron Maiden in the early 90's, he was able to get Janick a spot in the group.

Rating: out of 5

Related Reviews:
Bruce Dickinson - Tyranny of Souls

--George Dionne