Any opportunity to listen to some Queensryche goodness should always be explored.
Sure, the band has had their ups and downs, but what band hasn't? They came to my attention when their popularity exploded in the wake of the classic concept album Operation: Mindcrime, and after their biggest album (in terms of mainstream popularity), Empire.
I remember listening to Empire over and over again, loving their technical precision, the emotion, and just great songwriting. I then took a step backwards and dove into Mindcrime, discovering even more excellence. I then went back even further and got a hold of Rage for Order and found still more great songs.
It was weird stepping back through their albums and hearing their progression in reverse.
Anyway, this is their second official greatest hits collection, following the 2000 release of The Best of Queensryche. There is also the Classic Masters release from 2003, but that is more of a contribution to another line of releases, than a part of their official discography.
Still, those other reissues of previously released material beg the question, why Sign Of The Times?
Well, it does cover more albums than the first best of disk for one thing. By comparison, that disc represented more of a closure to the Chris DeGarmo era, as it only contains songs from the albums he appeared on. This is significant because when that 2000 Best Of release came out, Queensryche had already moved on with a new studio album (Q2K), where Kelly Gray had replaced DeGarmo.
Of the 17 songs on the new Sign of the Times release however, only two come from the three post-DeGarmo albums — while the remaining 12 also appeared on the 16 track Best of Queensryche.
Keeping track so far? Good.
Because while the new Sign Of The Times covers all of the standard bases, there are few surprises here. Queensryche's catalog has plenty of other songs that could have been used to vary this set a little bit more from that earlier release. I get that those earlier albums were definitely filled with better known songs — maybe even better music. But I really wish that we did not get a disk that so closely mirrors that original collection.
Article comments
1 - Tom Johnson
I agree - and I haven't even bought this. The second disc is very disappointing to the long-time fan, who this version is obviously aimed at. The second disc should have been live material from throughout their career, IMO. They're a very strong live act and this was the perfect opportunity to showcase that to buyers who might not otherwise have any interest in live albums. Oh well - there's always a chance that another best-of will come out in a few years that will get it right. A band can never have enough best-ofs, at least according to the industry.
2 - Paul Roy
Gotta love that Rage-era photo.
3 - Eric Whelchel
For the record labels, it's always the right time for a best-of collection. They cost very little to prepare, and in most cases there is a core audience who will buy it regardless.
4 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
I don't understand why they never released a CD or DVD for the MTV Unplugged they did back in '92?? That was the best f*cking unplugged...PERIOD!! (With a close second tie to Pearl Jam & STP)