For reasons of all things Easter (in the UK that means two bank holidays, i.e., no post), my in-box is rather slim this week. However that is not to say I do not have quite a bit to write about.
CD Review
Queensryche: Operation Mindcrime II
It's the sequel to one of the best heavy rock albums ever done. Operation Mindcrime is damn close to the top five concept albums ever recorded and the first one I consistently place in my top ten albums of all time. Operation Mindcrime II had a hell of a lot to live up to and was pretty much guaranteed to fail. And to be honest, it’s nowhere near as good as Empire. There is nothing here on the scale of “I Don't Believe in Love” or “Eyes of a Stranger”; nothing that I could see released as a single. It rather feels like one of those TV movies that wraps up a well-loved TV series a decade after it ran.
Yes, it does finish off the story and make for good listening. I just know the bloody thing will grow on me because it is that sort of CD. It might not have helped that I have been listening to the debut of “Slave to the System” in addition to the QR release. Ronnie James Dio showing up as Dr X is a nice touch that gives the whole thing a touch of class.
But then again, the best bloody thing about this album is that it will get the band out on the road. Not only that, but the band is touring the album and playing its predecessor in its entirety. The trouble with this CD is there is just nothing that makes you go "wow" as with the last one. I would have to say there is probably nothing of the quality of some of the tracks on Empire, either.
I so didn't want to not really like this album, but I have to say I rather doubt I will be whipping it out for a play in ten or twenty years' time.
Digital Matters
Into the digital world we go again. There have been some rather interesting developments in the digital-only world in the UK.
Crazy, by Gnarls Barkley, before even being released in hard copy, has made it to number one simply by downloads alone. Granted the song was plugged on Radio 1 and used in an advert, but it is still the first time a single that has not been released in the shops has made it to number one. Last year, for the first time, digital downloads on places like iTunes were taken into account for number one singles. Downloads have reversed the downward trend of single sales. The beauty of downloads is that you pay £.89 for just the track you want instead of £3.99+ for the track you want plus other tracks not good enough to be singles on their own and their packaging and promotion.
Article comments
1 - REZA BAKtar
You should do your homework a little more. MCII is a sequal to Mind Crime ot Empire!
2 - Andrew Ian Dodge
That is not what I wrote...an editor must have changed it. Oh well I will fix it. Doh...these things happen.
3 - Andrew Ian Dodge
BTW there is no reason to be so obnoxious with your comment. It is obvious what I meant anyway from the text.
4 - Guppusmaximus
I like your article,"Digital Matters".That Musicane site sounds pretty cool and you were very informative because I didn't have to visit the site to get an idea,but, your review of Queensryche's OM2 isn't anything new.It's a shame that so many people on this site actually bother to give this poor release a review. OM2 is an atrocity from a band that used to impress me. If these critics actually spent some time doing research on decent up & coming metal acts, then this site would progress in an area that so many lack but I guess I will have to stick to www.aversionline.com & www.willowtip.com for any interesting metal reviews.
5 - Andrew Ian Dodge
GM I think you are being a wee bit harsh on the album. It is far better than their recent output and it is good in bits. If you read my column you will find my reviewing stuff that sometimes does not get reviewed in other places. I try to have a nice mix of mainstream metal/hard rock and smaller label stuff. There is some pretty amazing stuff out there these days like Fatal Smile. Next week I will have a nice pile of CDs from Escapi Music. EM seem to be doing a better job of putting out good stuff...it has been a bit patchy at times.
6 - Guppusmaximus
Sorry I didn't reply sooner,but I have been thinking about this CD for sometime even after OM1 was released because I always thought it would make a killer soundtrack for the movie just like King Diamond "Them". But, I have listened to newer bands that have released concept albums that are such masterpieces and this one lacks in so many ways in comparison especially to OM1. It really isn't harsh especially when you have Ayreon "The Human Equation" which blows the doors off OM2. You guys talk about the Duet with Dio. Now I love Dio but Ayreon utilizes the talent of James Labrie,Michael Akerfeldt,etc; these guys can still whale and not just for one duet. Ultimately, this album is a poor release from a band that used to dominate with such powerful tracks as "I Only See in Infared" and "Eyes of a Stranger". I have pulled away from the progressive scene since 2004 because I started getting back into the real heavy sh!t like ARSIS,Neuraxis,DIM MAK,Between The Buried and Me,etc... But, I'm pretty sure there are still some newer progressive releases that would place shame on this legendary band's offering.
7 - Andrew Ian Dodge
GM points all well made. I am very inclined to agree with you on all points.
8 - Guppusmaximus
Well Thank You, Mr. Dodge... I'm looking forward to your upcoming reviews. Escapi Music has pretty cool releases from some "old school" bands.