Album A Day #2: Operation: Mindcrime

[FischerKing]

Great lyrics, great story, great riffs, great drums, great vocals - in short: a great album.

This is - imo - the quintessential Hard Rock album - I don't think it gets too much better than Queensryche's Rock Opera - Operation: Mindscrime.

This was the second album that I heard by them - the first being Rage For Order. They really haven't done much musically since this album - except for Promised Land. This was not just there peak, but I think rocks peak.

Shawn

 

[Pariah]

Cool album!

I love this one. Especially, "I don't believe in love." Sometimes when I hear an electric window get rolled down I think of it.

"Kill Mary?"

 

[Jim O]

This is a strange story.

My brother played baseball at New Mexico State. His neighbor was the girlfriend of Geoff Tate of Queensryche. Tate used to send his jet to pick her up and fly her to Seattle almost every weekend.

They eventually were married and my brothers roomate was in the wedding because he was a friend of the bride.

We went to a Queensryche concert in Phoenix and my brothers roomate brought a picture of him and Tate at the wedding. He used it to get backstage. The picture was funny. It showed them both with their Tux pants rolled up over their knees while drinking beer.

Long story, but somewhat related!

 

[Pariah]

Originally posted by Jim Omohundro

We went to a Queensryche concert in Phoenix and my brothers roomate brought a picture of him and Tate at the wedding. He used it to get backstage.

That's what all famous rock stars dream about--having a friend of their wife back stage with them while on the road! Man, what a buzz kill for the groupies in Phoenix...

 

[Chaz]

This is one of my favorite albums of all time. A great story and great music.
This is my favorite Queesryche album with Rage for Order being a close second.

Queenryche is my wife's favorite band. She is a HUGE Geoff Tate fan. She has been for almost 20 years now. When I get in her truck to go someplace I can always guess what band (or singer solo act) will be in the CD player.

Nice picks so far Shawn.

 

[FischerKing]

Originally posted by SirChaz
This is one of my favorite albums of all time. A great story and great music.
This is my favorite Queesryche album with Rage for Order being a close second.

Queenryche is my wife's favorite band. She is a HUGE Geoff Tate fan. She has been for almost 20 years now. When I get in her truck to go someplace I can always guess what band (or singer solo act) will be in the CD player.

Nice picks so far Shawn.

I've been backstage 4 different tours now - I love this band. Both the wife and I met each other because of Queensryche. Anytime we meet the band I always thank Geoff for getting us together.

I was just released from the military and moved to Flagstaff to start a band. My not-yet-wife was attending NAU. I was driving an all-black 4x4 Nissan King-cab. I had the Tri-Ryche symbol custom made and put in the back window as a tint. She saw it and searched me out because she liked the band as well and wanted to know whose truck it belonged to. Shortly after that we started dating and the rest is history.

I love Geoff back when he still was sporting the long hair.

This band just kicks - but they've fallen off my radar as favorite prog-metal band since DeGarmo left - they just haven't been the same.

Shawn

 

[Chaz]

Originally posted by FischerKing
I've been backstage 4 different tours now - I love this band. Both the wife and I met each other because of Queensryche. Anytime we meet the band I always thank Geoff for getting us together.

I was just released from the military and moved to Flagstaff to start a band. My not-yet-wife was attending NAU. I was driving an all-black 4x4 Nissan King-cab. I had the Tri-Ryche symbol custom made and put in the back window as a tint. She saw it and searched me out because she liked the band as well and wanted to know whose truck it belonged to. Shortly after that we started dating and the rest is history.

I love Geoff back when he still was sporting the long hair.

This band just kicks - but they've fallen off my radar as favorite prog-metal band since DeGarmo left - they just haven't been the same.

Shawn

Wow, My wife would probably die (emotionaly) if she met Geoff Tate.

I agree they haven't been the same since DeGarmo left.
My wife, however, I think has been a Geoff Tate fan more than anything. Funny you mention the tri-ryche my wife has had a few of those in her window as well.
I have only had spaceman spiff stickers on my cars.

Didn't I hear DeGarmo and Tate were working on a new project of somekind?

 

[FischerKing]

Originally posted by SirChaz
Wow, My wife would probably die (emotionaly) if she met Geoff Tate.

I agree they haven't been the same since DeGarmo left.
My wife, however, I think has been a Geoff Tate fan more than anything. Funny you mention the tri-ryche my wife has had a few of those in her window as well.
I have only had spaceman spiff stickers on my cars.

Didn't I hear DeGarmo and Tate were working on a new project of somekind?

Not sure that DeGarmo and Tate had teamed up for anything but that would be awesome. DeGarmo did pop into the studio for Queensryche's Tribe album (which was terrible btw - their worst album imo). But that concert/tour was awesome - some of their heaviest and best playing.

From what I was told DeGarmo got his pilots license and is flying for a living now. I know that he put out that solo project "Spys 4 Darwin" which was absolutely terrible. He might be helping Geoff on Geoff's new solo album though - I think he starts recording it next January.

Tell your wife she might be disappointed - while they are extremely friendly to talk to (and they'll hang out and talk to you for quite awhile) - they are all short. They look so much taller on stage.

Oh yeah - it's very easy to get backstage passes for their shows - you just have to join their fan club online (i think it's $25 per year) and you get 2 free passes per membership, plus a chance to buy tickets before they go on sale to the public. You also get their fanzine and other stuff.

Shawn

 

[Chaz]

Well my wife thought she heard DeGarmo was working with the band on the next Queensryche album.

She also agreed Tribes was the band's worst album so far.


I know, she has been bugging for that fan club membership but I am just oblivious I guess.

 

[tommcnabb]

one of the best concerts..

i ever saw was Rush with Queensryche opening. Of course, I've also been a QR fan since inception. I bought the <cassette> of their initial ep when it came out.
However, after Empire, it just didn't interest me. I still listen to Rage and O:MC though.
I did see them when they came to Desert Sky Pavilion awhile back. Not too bad actually.

--Tom

 

[FischerKing]

Re: one of the best concerts..

Originally posted by tommcnabb
i ever saw was Rush with Queensryche opening. Of course, I've also been a QR fan since inception. I bought the <cassette> of their initial ep when it came out.
However, after Empire, it just didn't interest me. I still listen to Rage and O:MC though.
I did see them when they came to Desert Sky Pavilion awhile back. Not too bad actually.

--Tom

Their best album since Empire has been Promised Land. That's probably their 2nd or 3rd best album to date.

Shawn

 

[Mr.Dibbs]

Great concept album. Ahead of it's time, really stood out while a lot of "hair metal" crap was being produced. Great guitar duo!

 

[FischerKing]

Originally posted by Oran
Great concept album. Ahead of it's time, really stood out while a lot of "hair metal" crap was being produced. Great guitar duo!

Good catch - the duel solos on this album were awesome. Especially when Eddie would jump in on bass and duplicate them as well (The Needle Lies).

Shawn

 

[FischerKing]

Band: Queensryche
Website: Official Band Website
Album: Operation: Mindcrime
Year Released: 1988
No. of Discs: 1
No. of Tracks: 15
Track Listing:

1. I Remember Now
2. Anarchy-X
3. Revolution Calling
4. Operation: Mindecrime
5. Speak
6. Spreading The Disease
7. The Mission
8. Suite Sister Mary
9. The Needle Lies
10. Electric Requiem
11. Breaking The Silence
12. I Don't Believe In Love
13. Waiting For 22
14. My Empty Room
15. Eyes Of A Stranger
    [/list=1]
    Cover:

 

[tommcnabb]

I can listen to

6 and 12 over and over and over.

As a matter of fact, speak is on my laptop playing right now.

 

[FischerKing]

Re: I can listen to

Originally posted by tommcnabb
6 and 12 over and over and over.

As a matter of fact, speak is on my laptop playing right now.

Hilarious - Speak is the song that I always use when I'm testing out a cars stereo system. Love that song.

Shawn

 

[Brandon_Webb]

Don't mind me, I'm just exploring the old threads of Album a Day's. My dad picked this up recently, and us having similar tastes in music, he burned me a copy to listen to at home. And I fell in love with it. This is one of my favorite Concept albums ever. With my favorite song being 'Speak'. Every song is terrific, with amazing chorus' and catchy guitar riffs.

 

[FischerKing]

Don't mind me, I'm just exploring the old threads of Album a Day's. My dad picked this up recently, and us having similar tastes in music, he burned me a copy to listen to at home. And I fell in love with it. This is one of my favorite Concept albums ever. With my favorite song being 'Speak'. Every song is terrific, with amazing chorus' and catchy guitar riffs.

well, if you liked the album then get this...

Queensryche is resurrecting this tour. They will be going on an Operation: Mindcrime tour this Fall and early next year. They are writing material for their next album which will be the sequel to this one. However, their last few albums have really sucked, so I'm not holding my breath, but you never know - perhaps this is their return to progressive rock glory.

shawn

 

[vince56]

One of the best albums of all time. Fantastic choice!