Queensryche: American Soldier

[avelanchefan]

Okay so I got the new concept album by QR. I am a mixed bag on this one. I think overall the production and content of this CD is really well thought out. I like the actual soldiers telling their stories.

But the music is a little bit all over the place. There is no "theme" that you would see in a more traditional concept album. By theme I mean a main tone/chorus line/diddley...whatever you want to call it. I also went in with a very open mind knowing I would hear the anti-war talk. But you know what, Queensryche took it to a more human level. That part was really cool. They could have put a very heavy spin on it "left or right", but they did that part really great.

Overall I really like it. I am on my second spin as I type and I am really digging it. Way better than Mind Crime II. I also feel that Geoff Tate was vocally more prepared for this album. He really struggled with MCII. He really toned it down and softened his voice. Which added to a little more emotion.

I think with a little better production musically this could have been a real huge sleeper hit of 2009. The right story line is there, it was a huge undertaking that paid off lyrically, but they should have brought in a bigger person/producer to get the best out them. I think this one is going to grow on me. Very good effort from an aging band.

[mantis]

I hated Midcrime 2 and I'm a huge fan of there music. I don't even know if I want to get this one. I'll have to hear a few songs first.

Dan

[lightman1]

Y'all want to hear a f*ucked up concept record. Judas Priest-Nostradamus. Stick to the Metal, boys.

[Toolfan66]

Y'all want to hear a f*ucked up concept record. Judas Priest-Nostradamus. Stick to the Metal, boys.

Yeah that album sucked IMO. now they are going to tour for the 30th aniversary of Bitish Steel. They will play the whole albume live with other JP classic's.

They must have taken the time to really sit and listen to their last album.

[lightman1]

Yeah that album sucked IMO. now they are going to tour for the 30th aniversary of Bitish Steel. They will play the whole albume live with other JP classic's.

They must have taken the time to really sit and listen to their last album.

KK Downing and Glen Tipton should be kicked square in the nuts for this floater.
I put this one up there with St. Anger on the floating turd list.
IMO
Court Jester

[lightman1]

...edit... I haven't heard MCII, but from what I can gather, no go?

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

So would you even talk about this new one in the same sentence with the original Operation Mindchrime, or is that still in a category all it's own?

[zarrdoss]

I like mindcrime 2, not as much as the first one and it had to grow on me but so did the 1st one. I will have to check this out being a huge Queensryche fan.
The one that really blew me away that I was not expexting at all was Sixx AM, the heroin diaries. was not expecting that.

[avelanchefan]

So would you even talk about this new one in the same sentence with the original Operation Mindchrime, or is that still in a category all it's own?

What? Are you crazy. Even after 20 years Mindcrime is still in it's own category.

But I really am liking this CD. But....a big BUT, you can see the potential that they misfired on.

If you read the Amazon reviews, its kind of the same thing....story line great, music, missed the boat. I think the music is fine, but they could have put it together differently and made it so much better.

[avelanchefan]

Okay...one more post on this CD. Still giving it spins and overall it is really growing on me. This evening I really had a chance to just sit down and take it all in. Overall I am not going to back down from my original statements. I think I summed it up perfectly. But I am really liking it despite it's short comings.

The song "Home Again" has to be one of the best songs QR has ever done. Very emotional, and heart felt. It really is a heart tugger.

[hockeyboy]

All right Avelanchefan, based on your review I am downloading Unafraid, Home Again, and If I were King. If those pass muster, I will get the rest of it. I initially passed this by completely since I was so disappointed with MCII.

[hockeyboy]

Update: I will not be buying the rest of the disc. It's okay and I love the solo's as ever from QR. I don't want to hear soldiers talking, I watch the news for that. :)

[Toolfan66]

The sad thing for me is they could do much better.

Maybe Geoff Tate needs to get the original members back to plug back into the magic they once had.

[MacLeod]

The band is only missing one original member - Chris Degarmo. He came back on board for Tribe and it was kinda crappy just like Hear in the Now Frontier was.

I used to worship this band. From the EP all the way to Promised Land. I thought every one was a complete masterpiece. Then came Hear in the Now Frontier. Huh? Not only were the songs so-so but the production was pure ****. It was as flat as a pancake. OK well after all the great music Ill give em a pass and Q2K came out which was better. Still not even close to the level of Empire but pretty solid. Then Tribe. Yuck.

When Mindcrime 2 came out I bought it and actually like it pretty well. If Mindcrime 1 is a 10 then MC2 is a solid 7. Music still has that "flat" sound but the songs are better.

Ive been auditioning this on iTunes for the last day or two and while it does seem to be closer much better than most of their recent stuff and the production is a little better I still am not sold on it. Empire and Promised Land was their best sound ever and Im not real sure why they cant get back to it!

[avelanchefan]

Empire and Promised Land was their best sound ever and Im not real sure why they cant get back to it!

I like/love Empire but I thought it kind of fizzled as the album went on, but I am still to this day blown away by Della Brown. Just a fantastic song with an excellent solo at the end.

As for Promise Land. I feel it is their second best album that is over shadowed by Empire. They reached thier peak with PL, and it has not been very good since.