Artist: Queensryche
Label:Sanctuary Records
Release Date: 7/22/03
Rating: 2 Skulls
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Title: Tribe Artist: Queensryche Label:Sanctuary Records Release Date: 7/22/03
Rating: 2 Skulls |
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Reviewed by GarthG (8/6/03):
Back in October of 1999 I wrote the first Classic Metal Album review for Metal Judgment, Queensryche's Operation Mindcrime. I used to be a Queensryche fanatic. But let's face it, the quality of their work has fallen off (sorry, Geoff, somebody had to say it.) Like any fan of every band that's past its peak, I've been waiting for each new album to bring back some of the glory. With tales of original guitarist Chris DeGarmo coming back to the band, my expectations jumped a little.Then I found out, Chris ain't in the band. It's right there on their Web site, "Chris DeGarmo contributing to the sessions." You gotta wonder what that's about. Did he decide he wanted to be a part of the album, but wasn't that into the songs so didn't want to fully commit to the band? Did the band not want to fully go back to their old sound? Did Chris just need a job? Not an encouraging sign.
Then I looked at the album cover. The famous Queensryche Tri-ryche done as a primitive cave scratching. Ok, I can let go the style change since they're going for the primitive look; after all the album is called Tribe. But they also changed the styling of the band's name written on the album cover. I will go down on record saying this: When a band changes its logo, they're telling you that the music inside is different, too. Again, not an encouraging sign.
So how is the music? Eh. That's honestly about how I feel towards this album. I really wanted to like it. The first track kicks off well, with a good riff. And it's actually a catchy song. But is it a good Queensrcyhe song? Not particularly, when stacked against the rest of their oeuvre. Is it even a metal song? Not particularly. But it is a good, catchy rock song, due mostly to the chorus. Man, though, the lyrics are even mediocre. I used to want to quote Queensryche lyrics to people, now we get lines like, "You're a holiday already taken; A cocktail that's stirred, never shaken." Is this really the same band that gave us lines like, "The kiss of life placed on my brow; Kept sliding to the ground; And now it's buried six feet under"...?
As for the rest of the album, it's ok, but that's about it. Many of the songs feel like filler, the kinda thing they'll play in concert to promote their new record while the lines at the beer concessions get really long.
Now, I admitted I really wanted to like this album. So I can find some bright spots. Step away from the desire for it to be a Queensryche metal album, and there are a couple good tracks. Like I said, the first single, "Open" is a catchy rock track. "Falling Behind" has me hoisting a lighter and swaying in the crowd, like any good ballad type tune would. Even the rhythmic stylings of "Desert Dance" get me pumped up a little, with Geoff's wannabe-hip-hop chants of "Come on, come on" in the chorus. And you gotta respect them for "Blood", what I can only believe is a slam at George W. Bush's recent war ("Thank you for the lies, the lies you sold us; Thank you for this vision of violence").
In the end, I can't give it more than 2 skulls. They tried. And I do respect the band for sticking with the music they want to make and not caving in to what they think the audience wants to hear. They're not pandering to their old fans, and they're certainly not selling out to new fans, as this album won't be topping any charts. I just wish the music they want to make was closer to the music I want to hear. As they say in "Rhythm of Hope", I'm still "searching for something that moves my soul." Hey, whadda ya know, I guess I can still quote Queensryche.
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