Q2K has a vastly different sound than anything from the Degarmo era. The songs have a bit more alt-rock/angsty edge to them. The high production value is still there, the sound quality is great, but the music itself, I don't know, there was something missing. I did not feel any attachment to it. Listening now, I find more to like, and I do have a higher regard for it these days.

The album starts off with the bouncy percussive "Falling Down." This is easily one of the stronger songs. It has a nice energy to it as it signalled a new era for the band. That is followed by "Sacred Ground" which continues what was started with the opening track. Both of these songs have an infectious vibe that plays much better to my ears now.

The third track is "One Life" which is interesting in that they seem to be channeling a bit of fellow Seattle band Soundgarden. Odd hearing that, but not bad, just different. The album then hits a lull for a few tracks of pure mediocrity before catching stride again with "Liquid Sky." We then hit the second lull, with only a few interesting moments during the next few songs. Q2K finishes strong with "The Right Side of My Mind." A song that sounds more like Empire era Queensrÿche.

This release continues on with a pair of songs that Geoff Tate does not know why weren't included on the original release. The first is the ballad "Until There Was You," which has a very nice and hopeful feel to it. The other song is the rocker "Howl," a song that makes good use of open chords and a good bass line driving the song forward. The final two bonus tracks are a very good live version of "Sacred Ground" and the radio edit of "Breakdown."

Bottomline. While not near the top of Queensrÿche's discography, Q2K works much better now than when it was originally released. It is an album that I would definitely recommend, just not as an introduction to potential new fans. So go ahead, dip into the back catalog and pay this album a revisit.

Recommended.