Queensryche: Operation: Mindcrime II
BY R. David Smola
4 1/2 out of 5 Stars
There is risk involved in revisiting a classic and putting out a sequel. For the
most part, sequels disappoint and rarely live up to the integrity of the
original. Queensryche’s 1988 album Operation: Mindcrime is a classic, often
considered one of the best concept records ever released and ranked right with
the Who’s Tommy and Pink Floyd’s The Wall. “Godfather II” and “Rocky II” are
exceptional sequels; “Caddyshack II” and “Slap Shot 2: Breaking the Ice,” on the
other hand, were two dreadful films that weren’t just bad but blasphemous. The
risk in making Operation: Mindcrime II was probably even greater because Chris
DeGarmo, one of the founding members and guitarists, was not involved as he left
the Rÿche shortly after 1997’s Hear in the New Frontier was completed, only to
resurface and contribute to the excellent 2003 effort Tribe before leaving
again.
Mindcrime II picks up 20 years later when our favorite assassin/junkie Nikki is
released from prison and must figure out whether to avenge the murder of Sister
Mary (his lover and confidant) and seek out the evil svengali Dr. X, or travel
down a different path. Geoff Tate, vocalist and lyricist, finds that 18 years
after the original Mindcrime was produced, our current culture isn’t better,
it’s probably worse. Mindcrime II cynically offers observations about our
current world. In “I’m American,” Tate indicts our sense of entitlement and
(over-) consumerism:
What do you believe in?
What are you living for?
Do you want what they’re selling you
Another television war?
Because I’m free
I deserve everything I can get.
I’m American.
I’m American.
Scott Rockenfield’s timekeeping is impeccable and provides the perfect
complement for the busy bass playing of Eddie Jackson, while Mike Stone has
settled in with Michael Wilton to create that sonic dual guitar attack. After
Kelly Gray replaced DeGarmo, Stone has stepped in for Gray and assimilated well
into the Queensryche soundscape. There is a lot for the ear to handle, including
the orchestral arrangements of Ashif Hakik, that rugged bottom end, the harmony
vocals and some crunchy, heavy guitar wizardry. There are moments where the
album slows down, but for the most part it feels like a 59-minute sprint,
slashing away at your ear, challenging it with those blazing guitars and Tate’s
voice. “The Hands” is as good of a track as they have ever produced, and stands
up even in comparison to “Eyes of a Stranger”. As a bonus, Ronnie James Dio
(yep, Ronnie freakin’ James Dio) duets with Tate on “The Chase” by playing the
part of Dr. X, satiating the headbanger’s vocal wet dream. If that doesn’t stand
the hair up on the back of your neck, then you need to retire and go check out
the Engelbert Humperdinck back catalogue. The album ends with “All the
Promises,” a duet between Tate and Pamela Moore, back again as the voice of
Sister Mary. Complemented by some beautiful Latin-influenced acoustic guitar,
the song gives us just a tiny sense of hope through the bleakness.
Operation Mindcrime II is an excellent work on its own merit and is the perfect
sequel to the original. It doesn’t sound forced or contrived and it completely
hammers away at your ears without mercy (until the last song). It does not take
away from the legacy of the first, but instead, enhances it.
~R. David Smola (pretendcritic@aol.com)
SOURCE:
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=2249&dept_id=450607&newsid=14653320&PAG=461&rfi=9
http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=37849