Queensryche - Operation: Mindcrime
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Free Music Notes for Operation: Mindcrime
Free Music Review: This Album Stands the Test of Time
Hit: 5 Stars
"It's ten minutes past curfew, why are you still up? Hello? Hell-ooo? Perhaps you need another shot. There, that should do it...sweet dreams...you bastard..."
So it begins...
Nearly 20 years after its initial release, Operation Mindcrime truly stands the test of time. Listening to it again, it's amazing how undated the album sounds. I'm not speaking only of the musicianship, which shines on its own. All five members of this incredible band - Geoff Tate and his opera-quality vocals; Chris de Garmo and Michael Wilton's shared guitar stylings; the rock solid bass of Eddie Jackson, and the almost insane drumming of Scott Rockenfield (whom along with Neil Peart, Mike Portnoy, and Terry Bozzio complete the holy quad of great drummers of rock) - are positively sublime.
However, it is topically where this album resonates the most. Eerily prophetic, Mindcrime's bleak vision of a country drunk on religion, sex and powerplays (to borrow from 'Spreading the Disease') is uncomfortably reminiscent of the U.S. situation now. Nicky is that lost soul many of us could be, looking for hope and love in a world that doesn't seem to believe in it anymore. Kind of sad how things have progressed steadily worse from the time this album was first released.
One of my favourite tracks on this album is Suite Sister Mary, that begins with the ominous rumble of Dr. X who urges our anti-hero, Nicky, "kill her, that's all you have to do..." It's a ten-minute magnum opus with vocalist Pamela Moore as the ex-stripper/prostitute/now nun, Sister Mary. This is a role that not just any female singer could handle, especially because it called for singing duet with one of the greatest metal vocalists in the world and she pulled it off magnificently. If you saw the concert production of Operation Mindcrime (I did - TWICE!!!), Ms. Moore wasn't using studio tricks either. She was indeed the real deal.
This is the album that actually wound up on the PMRC's 'Hit List' for the infamous line: "Educate the masses/Gonna burn the White House down".
Let's face it though, while 'Eyes of a Stranger' did get some airplay, the entire album was (and is) way too cerebral for the MTV crowd. For the rest of us who can appreciate artistry and thought-provoking themes in our music, Operation Mindcrime will always be one of the greatest musical works of the modern age.
Free Music Review: Brilliant, frightening, original, thought-provoking...nearly perfect
Hit: 5 Stars
I was first introduced to Operation : Mindcrime following its release. My friend let me borrow his copy, and advised me to "listen to it with the lights off, it will scare the hell out of you". So I did.
To this day, whenever I recommend this album to someone, that is the same advice that I give to them, as his suggestion holds true. This is an album that is far more than just background noise; it needs to be listened to in order to be not just appreciated, but truly absorbed.
In this reviewer's opinion, this is the best concept album ever recorded. Ever. In a word, it's a masterpiece. The album's dark themes, piercing musicianship, and brilliant lyrical work make this album stand out in a way that no other album from the time it was released does.
The story revolves around Nikki, a young man who was born to lose, being recruited by the evil Dr. X to execute a series of religious and political assassinations. Nikki falls in love with a young nun named Mary, who hails from a similar background. The story unfold from there, song for song. The story is interesting, complex, and full of enough intrigue (not to mention the music is fantastic) to keep the listener hanging on every lyric until the final note fades.
I would go as far as to label the latter half of the album (from "Electric Requiem" to "Eyes of a Stranger") as nothing less than a tour de force. Presented with a relentless machine-gun pace, its fluidity keeps the story flowing perfectly. It's song-to-song succession is not unlike the latter half of the Beatles' Abbey Road, in regards to its flow. Yes, really. It's that good.
In the 80s, Queensryche had the misfortune (or good fortune, depending on who you ask) of being lumped into categories with hair metal acts that were popular at the time this record was released, and this album may never receive the appreciation that it truly deserves because of that. If so, that is truly a shame, because this is an album that belongs in every music lover's collection. I wish I could give it more than five stars. This album is as close to perfect as it gets.
Free Music Review: 1988 Heavy Metal Concept-u-copia!
Hit: 5 Stars
I've been listening to "Operation: Mindcrime" obsessively these last few days. I had forgotten how truly godly it was. It is minimally dated by it's production choices and the story (horrifyingly) still holds as much relevence seventeen years later as it did at it's inception. "Rage For Order" will always be a personal favorite, but this really is just a delight...
Now, on to business. Much has been said regarding the fact that this is the cream of the heavy metal concept album crop. I find it sad and strange that the only other metal concept record on equal (although utterly different in style) creative ground has not been mentioned ONE SINGLE TIME by these other reviews. Endless comparisons to Floyd, The Who and Dream Theater, but not ONE allusion to the only concept record in the same boat...another record that was STUPIFYINGLY recorded and released in the same year, 1988.
"Dimension Hatross" by Voivod.
I can't suggest enough that fans of "Mindcrime" should search out Voivod's cyber-thrash landmark, apparently only known to the most underground of cult metalheads. Many of the themes from "Mindcrime" are presented in "Dimension Hatross" as well, only the existential/moral quandry is retold in a science fiction setting.
Now, I will conceed that "Dimension Hatross" is about 1,000x more brash and harder to wrap your mind around, especially after listening to the cool, crisp, melodic professionalism of Queensryche. If you can make it past the fact that Voivod are so much heavier, a world of wonder will open before you. There was really nothing like "Dimension Hatross" before, and just like Queensryche, Voivod would never again create such a sublime vision.
It is very ironic that Metallica's, "...And Justice For All" was released and unanimously hailed as the pinacle of thrash in 1988. Nothing could be further from the truth...
Check out "Mindcrime," then REALLY open your mind and experience "Dimension Hatross."
Free Music Review: Perfection in Progressive Metal
Hit: 5 Stars
A concept album that runs like a movie based on a novel, this progressive rock-backed "rock opera" does not suffer from the common side-effects of trying to put together such an epic release. Each song solidly stands on its own, the lyrics of each song cleverly interlocking with all of the others. While there is a message, the music does not take a backseat. You have intelligently composed melodies, thoughtful arrangements, and thoughtfully planned out licks performed admirably by second guitarist Michael Wilton.
Speaking of admirable performances, it is impossible ignore the hard tone and complex chords from main guitarist Mr. Chris de Garmo who co-writes all of the best tracks on this recording with lead singer and keyboardist Geoff Tate--himself, an incredible vocal performer with an unusually wide octave range and dynamic emotional expressions. Scott Rockenfield plays the drums loud and aggressively when you need it and delicately with plenty of high hat technique for the appropriate passages--his kit powerfully mixed into these recordings. Eddie Jackson's unique electric bass guitar tone trademarks all music by Queensr˙che as much as Mr. Tate's vocals--a deep yet defined, throaty tone where you can hear every pick of the strings.
This recording was clearly quite a project, recorded by three different recording engineers in three different cities, employing voice actors and a news anchor from an NBC affiliate in Dallas, Texas. A full string section was brought in, not just keyboards are heard here. The sound effects mix showing a high attention to detail.
This is not a CD you rip, and then dump onto your iPod and listen to at random. You sit down in front of an actual stereo system, put this CD in a CD player and push play when you know you will have about an hour of uninterrupted time to yourself. It really is worth that kind of attention. I recommend listening to it from beginning to end on long drives or trips by train, plane, bus, etc.
Free Music Review: Queensryche's best
Hit: 5 Stars
Remember when rock music held the promise of social change? There is something about having a Bush back in the oval office that makes this album relevant in strange new ways. Originally released back in 1988, this rock opera tells the story of Nikki, a dropout of the Regan era and a heroin addict, who tries to make a difference in society by joining an underground revolutionary movement headed by Doctor X. You can feel his frustration and hope for a better future in "Speak": Seven years of power
The corporation claw
The rich control the government, the media the law
To make some kind of difference
Then everyone must know
Eradicate the fascists, revolution will grow
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
Speak to me the pain you feel
Speak the word [Revolution]
The word is all of us
Unfortunately for Nikki, he learns that even his revolution will not allow him to think for himself, he just waits for the call to learn his next target. The good doctor provides the drugs he need and the sense of purpose towards a greater good in exchange for Nikki's killing skills. The role of the doctor is played remarkably like Cancer Man from the X-files.
When Nikki goes rouge, the revolution finds a way to silence him. Operation Mindcrime is in my mind the most complex and socially meaningful rock opera in existence. Its major difference from utopian social commentary is that it shows the limitations of the people controlling a social revolution for the supposed good of the masses while still showing the responsibility of the status quo government for the revolutionary impulse. Thus, Operation Mindcrime does not provide easy solutions but exposes the basic problems of our fiscally divided society.