Queensryche - Operation: Mindcrime II
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CD Details
Artist: QueensrycheEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Original Language)
CD Release Date: 2006-04-04
Music Label: Rhino
Product features:
- QUEENSRYCHE OPERATION MINDCRIME 2
- Freiheit Ouverture
- Convict
- I'm American
- One Foot In Hell
- Hostage
- The Hands
- Speed Of Light
- Signs Say Go
- Re-Arrange You
- The Chase
- Murderer?
- Circles
- If I Could Change It All
- An Intentional Confrontation
- A Junkie's Blues
- Fear City Slide
- All The Promises
Music reviews of Operation: Mindcrime II
Music Review: Good but this is 2006:)
Rating: 3 Stars
As its been said on the net music critics and fans alike were all pretty much saying(or hoping?) the new Queensryche album would be a horrible blotch on the face of modern rock. Well they were pretty well mistaken but perhaps not totally. The music scene since 1988, or since 1999 even has taken a drastic change. Even back in the days when Queensryche were in there prime, everyone still criticized Geoff Tates soaring high vocals, calling it girly, sissified, and any other unmasculine word you can think of. Honestly Geoff Tates voice was really the only reason i liked Queensryche in the first place, not because of there music, which has always been fair, nothing spectacular, to me. So now on to Mindcrime II. Well its about 18 years since the original and about 18 years to late, with bands like, Staind, Nickelback, Crossfade, and Shinedown(among others) filling the airwaves, it gives old veteran 80's bands like Queensryche no chance to make statements, in which they are known very well for doing. Honestly the only real way to see any QR videos are via the net on yahoo, which is a shame. Also the only way to hear any of the music before you purchase it is to stream it or download it from the net, because single's like I'm American will receive very very little air play, if any in most areas. Now i must say this album is not bad by any means but Tates mediocre vocal delivery sure doesnt appeal to any old Ryche fan. Yes i'm aware of the fact your voice changes with age and that Tate was born in 59 making him almost 47 years old. But then again take Ronnie James Dio who was born in 43 making him around 63 and listen to his voice still pretty much soar. Also listen to Bruce Dickinson, going on 50 he hits the highs just like it did back in 1984. Certain songs however Geoff does manage to hit some highs, but as you can tell most of them seem very forced, and are deliberately pushed back into the mix, much like James Hetfield on many songs in the late 90's when he trys to do a loud Snarl. So this is my opinion song by song. Minus the Overture beginnings.
1.I'm American-Good strong opening track, speedy, (far from speed metal, which some fans have stated uhh ok) but good none the less. Queensryche have always been known for Government, and political bashing, in this case its not quite as harsh as OMCI, which is very smart on there part, considering all the close observation of the American people by the government now. The song has old Ryche moments but fails to capture some grandure because of Tates lacking vocal range. Also Tates attempts at a "heavy voice" in the middle just don't fit. Still a good track though.
2. One Foot In Hell-This pretty much sounds like a track from Q2k, with a rockish vibe, with backing vocals i'm assuming by the new Guitarist Mike Stone, which are better than Tates. Pretty basic boring song.
3. Hostage-This song although slower does make a stable in your head with the chorus for some odd reason. Good strong beginning with some interesting bass lines, has more of the Promised Land vibe with some overdubbed acoustic guitars which gives you the impression Chris Degarmo is there. Tates voice sounds more natural for this song, and hits his highs a bit smoother. Good chorus also, mostly because his voice is dubbed which is what Queensryche has always been known for.
4.Hands-This song actually has identical riffs at the beginning. to i believe, either Breaking The Silence or I Don't Believe in Love. The song is more reminicent to Hear In The Now Frontier, which enh doesnt really do it for me. Also Geoff's voice when singing low has a strange raspy sound, that he didnt develop till HITNF, obviously from years of singing.
5.Speed Of Light-I usually skip past this track, sounds exactly like the first track of Hear in The Now Frontier. Bora Bora.
6.Sign Says Go-More of a song of where they are today, sounds more like a newer metal band with Tate singing. Mediocre at best but he does struggle to hit the highs, which arent horrible. Cheesy chorus though.
7.Re-Arrange You-One of my favorites actually, has a great chorus, some interesting keyboard overlays which some will find cheesy. Great chorus, although once again when Tate goes for the high's his voice drops back into the mix. This doesnt really "hurt" the song, but makes you feel a little cheated none the less.
8.The Chase-Hmm yes its a good song, but a little on the gay side?? Hearing two men sing together is just a bit strange considering most duets are between men and women(laughs). But yes hearing these two classic voices together is a very good mix. Dio was the perfect fit for Doctor X, the little man is still evil as ever:)
9.Murderer-I actually enjoy this song, it has a very good triplet bass guitar intro, with the riffs and drums following. Has a very good ole QR feel to it, very Promise Landish, complete with the hauntingn low mixed backing vocals mocking tate. Kinda has the Damaged feel which is great with me. Also if you notice there are almost rapish parts which sound a bit like Distrubed, it actually does work. Also i must compliment the solo work of Mike Stone, on his earlier tracks. Also on this one.
10.Circles-I pretty much skip this track as well, in the same vein as Speed Of Light.
11.If I Could Change It All-Not a bad slow track, has a newer Tribe Vibe, although i was not a fan of that album at all this track is pretty soothing. The guest vocalist playing Mary doesnt rreally have a "quality" voice but i guess it fits.
12.An Intentional Confrontation-Intersting big sounding song, of a confrontation between the two main characters. I must also point out i loved the first Mindcrime, but i never cared about the story, and still don't. I really enjoy the gothic choir at the end of the song, gives a good feel to the song.
13.Junkies Blues-Well cast your mind back to 1986 or so and remember a band called Kingdom Come(Clone) the one who sound just like Zeppelin. They had a song called 17, well this song at the beginning sounds identical, then scews off into Tate talking about his violent life etc. Then goes into a pretty basic sounding Q2K song.
14.Fear City Slide-Probably the best other than Re-Arrange you, has the I Don't Believe In Love vibe to it. Probably the most old school song on the album other than I'm American. Good Track
15.All the Promise-Well this song is pretty much like coming down from an orgasm and then not having sex again for years. Big let down, i wasnt expecting Eyes Of A Stranger but definately something more upbeat, and less sappy. This album needs a strong closing track, unfortunately this is about the most dissapointing thing about the whole album. Lets hope we don't go for OM3.
So yes its 2006 so this album won't receive any Chart Topping success, in fact they only had 3 copies at FYE music, and 2 at Best Buy, how dissapoiting. I know we can't turn back the clock but wow that would be great. So this isnt the coaster for my drink as i thought it would be which is a good thing, but its very lackluster compared to Empire, OM1, Promised land and anything else earlier on. But i'll take this anyday over the Nu-Rock bands, i say rock because QR have always been that, not metal. Progressive rock even. So pick it up if your a QR fan i'm sure you'll have your pros and cons about it like me, hey its only 9.99 at Best Buy, to bad EMI records wouldnt release the album, would have given it way more recognition.
Description of Operation: Mindcrime II
Seattle quintet Queensryche has always stood apart from other heavy metal bands through their artful progressive bent and intense observations on the world around them. With their third album, 1988's Grammy-nominated and critically acclaimed Operation: Mindcrime-a concept opus born out of Reagan-era disilllusionment-Queensryche transcended the metal label and sealed their reputation for cerebral musci and heady lyrical vision. Set 20 years later, and awash in "rock, revenge, and redemption," this brilliant new sequel was inspired by current political and social climates.Queensr˙che's sequel to the classic 1998 concept piece Operation: Mindcrime is not as good as the original. Mindcrime II lacks the sense of sweeping cinematic awe found on the original and although the quintet has managed to create an album that's equal to or above any studio outing it's done in recent years, there's nothing here that will bolster the band back to its former glory. A distinct lack of standout songs is perhaps the greatest problem. "Revolution Calling," "I Don't Believe In Love," and "Speak" became Queensr˙che classics not because they were part of the grand concept found on O:M, but because they could be drawn out and held up as fine examples of writing that probed the corrupt spirit of the age. O:M bled heavy truths from its deepest grooves.
Those familiar with the concept from the first album should note that this second installment focuses on protagonist Nikki and his desire to exact revenge on the corrupt Doctor X, making for a more insular narrative. That's a problem because one of the great thrills of the original Mindcrime was the scope of its scorn; here, the band never reaches beyond the confines of the world it created for this updated fantasy. The urgency that emanated from the earlier affair hasn't become muted, it has simply faded.
Yet, this new record's better than you might first believe and proves difficult to fully dismiss. In the 18 years since the original installment the band has become leaner, often more exacting, possessing a confidence that was less pronounced on earlier recordings. Scott Rockenfield's drumming has grown more interesting with time and the years have done little to lessen vocalist Geoff Tate's multi-octave expertise. The dual guitar attack of Michael Wilton and Mike Stone lacks the depth that the classic Wilton/Chris DeGarmo pairing had, but it proves enamoring on tracks such as "The Chase" (featuring a surprisingly pallid-sounding Ronnie James Dio), the swaggering "Junkie's Blues," and the near return-to-form "Fear City Slide."
No matter its strengths, O:M II ultimately reinforces the idea that while Queensr˙che's greatest moments may still lie ahead, the prospects of that being true become increasingly scant with each passing record. A decent enough stab at rekindling old glory that fails with admirable flair. --Jedd Beaudoin
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