Queensryche - Operation: Mindcrime
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Free Music Notes for Operation: Mindcrime
Free Music Review: STILL AS POWERFUL AS IT WAS 17 YEARS AGO!
Hit: 5 Stars
Operation: Mindcrime is the album by which Queensryche is known throughout the world; people who know little or nothing about the band have at least heard of them because of this record. It is perhaps the most revolutionary prog metal album because of its compelling storyline and masterfully-crafted musicianship. While Fates Warning already started to pave the way for their followers with Awaken the Guardian in 1986, it was mainly Queensryche that managed to break on a bigger scale reaching the masses. This album set the standards for most of the 90's bands; anyone who listens to Heavy Metal holds it very high respecting every second of it.
Where to begin? I know it's daft trying to explain the storyline of a deeply moving concept 16 years after its inception, especially if only few of the question marks have been erased since 1988. Basically, Operation: Mindcrime is an epic tale of revolution and intrigue, psychological manipulation, corruption of politicians, media, drugs, murder and suicide. It envelopes a broad range of subject matters dealing with them from individuals' point of view, but on a larger scope, it also offers sociopolitical commentary on the previously mentioned themes. Geoff Tate came up with this incredibly profound concept when he was living in Montreal after the Rage for Order tour. He mentioned he was flooded with an abundance of lyrical ideas while sitting in the back of a Catholic Church with a choir singing in full voice around flickering candles lightening the gloomy atmosphere of the place. The foundations of the storyline came to him in a flash and he mentioned writing most of the story within a span of twenty minutes. He broadened his scope by coupling the interesting tale with different personalities he'd met on his travels. One of these characters became Doctor X, a man with cold, calculating and vicious personality whose alleged involvement with a terrorist organization was the inspiration for this record.
Of course it's not just about the music. When Tate presented his idea of a concept piece to the band, the only member who embraced the offer was his principal writing partner Chris DeGarmo. Had it not been for DeGarmo's bold move and creative input this disc would have never been what it is. Besides Geoff Tate's cerebral lyrical work and amazing vocal delivery, it is Chris DeGarmo's esoteric songwriting what makes O:M a timeless masterpiece. While he isn't credited as a composer in tracks such as "Speak" and "Revolution Calling", I would bet my life that those tracks were all given their final touch by DeGarmo and noted producer Nick Collins of Rush fame. The album shines from start to finish peaking particularly with the lyrics of "Revolution Calling" introducing the storyline and "Operation: Mindcrime" delivering the message of the entire record successfully. "The Mission" being one of the many 100% Chris DeGarmo creations sees Geoff Tate performing a rock solid vocal performance backed up by powerful melodies. "Spreading the Disease" once again displays Geoff Tate's amazing talents as a lyricist while the 10-minute epic "Suite Sister Mary" sees the entire band performing with incredible chemistry and conviction. Of all songs this one has the most unconventional song structure with Tate's vocal melodies taking you to heights where you might want to freeze forever.
"Eyes of a Stranger" is/was not only the major hit of the record getting good airplay from MTV, but it is also the culmination of the O:M story. While the video displays the many facets of the story, the song lyrically gives a rundown of the concept edging back on the heaviness but never sacrificing the integrity of the album. I stopped being a Queensryche fan after their 1994 release Promised Land as their new musical direction seemed to betray their roots; therefore I can't say I am too excited about the sequel of the Mindcrime story. Honestly it all seems to me as a new way to cash in on the money. What Tate and Wilton forget, however, is you can't create the same magic by just naming your record O:M 2 even if you get the exact same line-up. It's about what DeGarmo really feels and how much he honestly puts in the record and let's face it there no longer is a fire in DeGarmo that would prompt him to write another masterpiece of this calibre. Why don't we just cherish what we have and keep listening to the original Mindcrime record?
Free Music Review: A Masterpiece. The Best Concept Album I've Ever Heard.
Hit: 5 Stars
Concept albums either work really well or fall completely flat. There's no imbetween. Problem is, a lot of concept albums are terrible. Of course, the seminal concept albums (like "The Wall" and "Ziggy Stardust") are spectacular; But, Queensryche's epic "Operation: Mindcrime" is not only the band's best album, but also one of the best concept albums I've ever listened to.
It's got only 15 tracks, two singles were released from the album ("I Don't Believe in Love" and "Eyes of a Stranger"). But every single track is solid. I'm not going to get into the story of the album (anyone reading this knows the story of Nikki, Sister Mary, Dr. X, and the whole religious and political corruption that occurs throughout the story. Queensryche really hit their stride with this album...In earlier albums, Geoff Tate's vocals sounded slightly muffled (listen to "Walk in the Shadows"); But here, they're crystal clear...And his voice on this album (and "Empire") is really where it was in peak form. The lead guitar work of Chris DeGarmo, combined with the rhythm guitar sensibilities of Michael Wilton on top of Scott Rockenfield's terrific; John Bonham-league drumming...The musicianship here is just amazing.
The album opens with "I Remember Now" and "Anarchy-X" which are transition songs, building to the epic moment where the first actual song stars "Revolution Calling." "Anarchy-X" is a short instrumental, on top of being a transition song and it does a great job of building up to "Revolution Calling" which has brilliant lyrics that would sound good if they didn't sound GREAT coming from Geoff Tate's vocal cords. But it doesn't stop there; the title track is next and is one of the most well-known songs from the album. The entire song is terrific, with my favorite being the final verse ("Hey Nikki!"). "Speak" took some time to grow on me, but when the song finally hit me...I began listening to it over and over again. The lyrics are angry, but intelligent...Lines like "The system we learn says we're equal under law. But the streets are reality; the weak and poor will fall. Let's tip the power balance and tear down their crown. Educate the masses; we'll burn the White House down" are still relevant today. The next track, "Spreading the Disease" is my favorite song on the album. The lyrics are absolutely fantastic; "Spreading the disease, everybody needs. But no one wants to see, the way society...Keeps spreading the disease." Or "He takes her once a week on the altar like a sacrifice." Tate's high-notes and vocal cadence on this song are terrific. The next track, "The Mission" penned by Chris DeGarmo has some of the most epic vocals on the album. "Suite Sister Mary," the 10+ minute song that truly defines epic is brilliant. Another song that I couldn't stop listening to once it hit me how good it was. "The Needle Lies" is terrific (one of the most memorable songs they play live, if you see them...Which I did over a year ago before I was familiar with any of their music). "Electric Requiem" (a transition song) and "Breaking the Silence" are great. Then we get "I Don't Believe in Love," which features some of the best (and easily, stand-alone) lyrics on the album and Geoff Tate's most emotionally filled vocal performance. The next two songs "Waiting for 22" and "My Empty Room" are transition songs, but they don't feel like it. They just seem like short tracks ("Waiting for 22" is an instrumental and "My Empty Room" has vocals). The album ends with the masterpiece "Eyes of a Stranger," In which Tate sings one of his very best lyrics "Why am I here? And for how long?"
Few albums (especially concept albums) can really claim to be perfect,
But "Operation: Mindcrime" is. There is nothing wrong with this album, there's no flaw. There's not a weak high note, a sour guitar note, a misuse of symbols, a wasted bassline, etc. NOTHING! Even if you don't really care about the story behind "Operation: Mindcrime" (which is terrific, by itself); This is just a great rock album. In my opinion, it's the best concept album of all time. Better than any Pink Floyd album for just great songs...It's a masterpiece that no music fan should be without.
GRADE: A
Free Music Review: Simply the best
Hit: 5 Stars
OK, yeah, so I reviewed this already, but that was a stupid as s review. Well, maybe it was not that bad but my views on it have changed, so I must rewrite it.
For those who don't know, Queensryche is an American band from Seattle that fuses power metal (Iron Maiden) with prog rock (Pink Floyd), but it sounds nothing like grunge and it doesn't have cheesy vocals and Helloween-esque dungeons and dragons lyrics. Their 3rd album 'Operation: Mindcrime' (1988) is simply one of the best albums ever and my review title is no exaggeration, this stands as the best album I've ever heard. When it comes to a concept album, this is by far the best ever put out. Yes, it's even better than 'The Wall', 'Tommy' and 'Scenes From A Memory'. This has everything a rock/metal fan could ask for; superb vocals, musicianship that doesn't fail to impress, thrashy and speedy moments and even ballads. Sure, it's not very heavy and not very technical either. But that's not what matters here. What really matters here is the depth of the songs. Although don't get me wrong, I do appreciate techincal skill (that's why Dream Theater is one of my favorite bands), and I also like listening to technical music yet brutal (ex. Cryptopsy's 'None So Vile', Morbid Angel's 'Covenant' and Slayer's 'Reign in Blood'). Geoff tate is one of the best songwriters ever (with all the help of Chris DeGarmo), and is an amazing vocalist. Aside from his great voice he has ability to hold high notes and switch from a high shriek to a low growl (NOT a death metal growl), much like The Air Raid Siren. And the musicianship, while not that technical, does go perfectly with the vocals, what makes it a PERFECT album with no single boring moment. EVERY second of the whole hour it takes is just perfect. There is no filler to be found here. Every song here gets at least a 10 out of 10. The album also tells a story (duh, it's a concept album). I agree with other reviewers who said this is the besr story to be told an a CD. The main character is Nikki, a drug addict who seeks help, then meets Dr. X who brainwashes him and orders him to kill a politician and an ex-wh ore called mary. The rest you'll figure out. Anyway I'll go through my favorite songs.
After a short introduction (I Remember Now) the album starts with an instrumental (Anarchy X) that goes into 'Revolution Calling' which is my favorite song on the album, it has a very catchy chorus and an incredible solo in the beginning. Then come the title track which is another one of my favorite songs. 'Speak' has an Iron Maiden-ish opening riff with creepy vocals an in all is another good song. 'Spreading the Disease' has a great drum sound and vocals. 'The Mission' is the best ballad on the album, it starts soft with a phone ring, but during the chorus it becomes heavier. 'Suite Sister Mary' is the longest song on the album as well as the darkest song on the album. And also consist awesome female vocals, and Geoff Tate is like one BMF here. The comes the much maligned 'The Needle Lies', it is the heaviest song on the album, the guitars here kinda remind 'Freewheel Burning' by Judas Priest, don't skip this one. 'Electric Requiem' and 'Breaking the Silence' while not my favorite songs are still superb tracks. 'I Don't Believe in Love' is the best song between TNL and EOAS. Then there are 2 skits, 'Waiting for 22' and 'My Empty Room' which lead into perhaps one of the best hard rock songs ever, 'Eyes of A Stranger'. This one left me speechless when I first heard it, it ias one of the best album closers ever. No words can describe this song.
Now this 2002 remaster has even sharpened the sound so I even recommend this over the original record.
I guess I won't go on anymore, I can't really do this masterpiece justice. It's just unbelievely good. If you are a rock/metalhead you MUST have this in your collection.
Free Music Review: Great music, great story.
Hit: 5 Stars
This isn't just music, this is art. The story that goes along with the music is interesting, and adds so much. Whenever I listen, I get pulled into the story. Listening to the lyrics as closely as possible. Tragic, and sad. It brings you deeper into the music than just your normal album would. Simply brilliant. My hat's off to the band on this wonderful piece of work. They deserve all the credit in the world for all the hard work they put into this.Geoff Tate is an amazing singer. A good comparison I've read many times is with Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden. Personally, I think Bruce is better overall, but wow, Geoff can really sing. Throw in some blazing, killer solos, good drums, and just all around great melodies. The band really poured all of their heart and soul into this album. You can definitely tell. I'm not into every song as quite a few people here on Amazon, but most of them are really great.
From the brilliant Revolution Calling, and Operation: Mindcrime, to the epic, masterpiece: Suite Sister Mary. The Female singer featured in this song gets me every time. Just amazing! You can really feel the emotion from both her and Geoff. Probably the best performance on the album. Breaking the Silence, and I don't Believe in Love are great songs, too. With the sad closer, Eyes of a Stranger, it ends perfectly. Once you grasp the whole story, you understand how brilliant this actually is. Great, GREAT, song writing here, that blends perfectly along with the story telling.
The other four songs aren't as good, but that's just because the others are so great. Speak isn't too shabby, while Spreading the Disease, and The Mission are my least favorite. The Needle is a fast paced, good change from the norm on here. Good, but kind of short, and repetitive. Even though these don't satisfy as much as the others, the lyrics are still there, and they progress the story along, and really grab you just like the others. The story of Nikki, along with Mary, and Dr. X. It just pulls you in and doesn't let you go until the bitter end. As I've said many times in this review: BRILLIANT!
3. Revolution Calling: A+
4. Operation: Mindcrime: A+
5. Speak: B+
6. Spreading the Disease: B+
7. The Mission: B
8. Suite Sister Mary: A+
9. The Needle Lies: B+
11. Breaking the Silence: A
12. I don't Believe in Love: A
15. Eyes of a Stranger: A
1. Short, talking introduction.
2. Very cool intro to Revolution Calling. The Guitar playing is great.
10. Kind of creepy talking here, along with some instrument play.
13. Instrumental.
14. Talking, with some instruments. Stuff just leading up to Eyes of a Stranger.
The little stuff in between the songs adds to the story, and shows the talent of the band with some very good instrumental stuff. Playing the album the whole way through is really the best way to go. Taking in all the lyrics, meanings of the songs, and just enjoying this great Concept Album. 16, and 17 are live versions of a couple of the songs. Well, one isn't really a song, but instead of the clock ticking in the background, they're using some kind of drums that you pound with your hand. Atleast that's what it sounds like Very cool, and then Geoff singing the short line from that song. Nothing really special, though. And considering The Mission is my least favorite here, it's kind of a disappointment that they decided to just do this one live on here, but it's bonus stuff, so I can't complain.
Overall: 5 stars
If you're a fan of intelligent music writing, lyrics, and all that good stuff, then Queensryche is for you. It's been said they are a cross between Iron Maiden, and Pink Floyd. If you even remotely like those bands, check this one out. I'm a huge fan of those two, and this album just blew me away.
Free Music Review: Probably the best Queensryche Album...
Hit: 5 Stars
...but not the easiest to get into. This was my first introduction to Queensryche, and to say the least I was disappointed...at first. I thought the other reviewers had gone mad comparing this band to Pink Floyd meet Iron Maiden (both bands I love). Around the third time I listened to the album, I started to like it more and more, I just couldn't get enough of it.I prolly listened to it everyday for about a week. I heard new things every listen. Now today, this album is DEFINANTLY in my top 10 list, probably my top 5.
I don't think you can really judge this album track by track, as they all flow seemlessly from one to another. It is like one BIG song divided into a lot of smaller ones. But I will do it anyway, the best songs on this album, in my oppinion, are:
"The Mission" - Stunning, starts off so super slow and super emotional. It builds up until bursting into a very heavy, song. The chorus is so SUPER addicting as well, and sounds like it could have come straight from a James Bond like movie. Probably my favorite on the album.
"Suite Sister Mary" - The longest track on this album clocking in at 10:39. This song is an emotional rollercoaster, with the soft and heavy moments alternating throughout the song. Other things this song has are, a female singer the voice of "Mary" and the use of a choir. The way the two charactors go at it is simply amazing.
"My Empty Room" The presence of Pink Floyd is written all over this song. Only being a minute and thirty-two seconds long you may wonder how can it possibly be too great? But the emotional-ness of this song is at it's PEAK. It literally sends chills down my back just listening to it.
The vocals do take a bit of getting use to, especially if you start with this album, which I don't reccomend you do. At first I thought this guy couldn't carry a tune in a bucket, but I think now he has a voice that rivals that of some of the best metal singers out there. I have always been a fan of CRYSTAL clear lyrics, and this album has some pretty hard to understand moments in it. Heck, some parts I still couldn't understand if I hadn't read the lyrics. But those moments are always the most emotional, the most tramatic, the most thrilling part of the album.
As you can tell by most other albums this is a concept album. The story goes into such GREAT depth and leaves you wanting more all the time, unfortunantly even after the cd is over. You think "Well, what happens next?" I guess we will know soon, as Queensryche is going to release a new album entitled Operation: Mindcrime 2. To say the least, I'm certainly not expecting much(aka another Operation: Mindcrime), after the not-so-good albums Tribe, and Q2K, but I will of course give it a chance.
Ok, so I said this album probably wasn't the best one to start out with and you are probably thinking "Well what is then?" In my oppinion the easiest album to get into is Empire. While parts of it get a little "wild" most of it is extremly good. Or, if you are more familiar with the metal bands of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and company, I would reccomend you start with their first album, Queensryche, or The Warning, the influence is QUITE obvious on those two. Starting with Mindcrime could possibly ruin the rest of Queensryche's albums for you, but it didn't for me.
To rap things up, this is THE landmark album of Queensryche, and one of the best prog-metal albums ever made. This is a MUST-HAVE for any prog-metal/metal fan out there. And, if at first you aren't impressed, listen AGAIN. Don't be like some people who only listen to an album once and make an inital judement of it. I hope this review helped you :).