Posted on 04/07/2009 8:12:37 PM PDT by Finatic
Over the last few tumultuous years, things have become very political. War brings that out. People agree and disagree, and we Americans find it comfortable to debate politics with clever bumper stickers. One sticker slogan that pushed my buttons was one that declared, "I support our troops!" For months I asked myself what it meant. Was I missing something? Wasn't this statement obvious? Isn't this one thing that most of us can agree on?
(Excerpt) Read more at military.com ...
A search showed no Queensryche threads in almost five years. The band just released their new CD, "American Soldier" and there has yet to be a comment here at FR?
I have been a fan for well over twenty years and they are my second most attended concert band (I have quite a few Grateful Dead shows under my belt). While I dont let musicians politics influence me (Alice Cooper calls those who do, idiots) I was a bit hesitant to get the new CD thinking that it could be a hit job against conservative policies.
To my suprise, the video for the single debuted on Military.com, hedging my bet I downloaded "American Soldier" from a Russian MP3 site for around $1.50 (I support the band and wouldnt think of downloading their commercially availble music so buying it cheap is better) and started listening to it. It came off as a bit of a scramble at first with interview dialogue between and during the music. Immediately on first listen the track "If I Were King" stood out as the centerpiece on the album. After a handful of listens I thought it would be best to have the lyrics to follow along with and flesh out the meaning of the songs better so I hustled down to Best Buy to get the CD while still on debut sale.
Now its in the car, its on the PCs, its in the stereo, its everywhere for me. It's beautiful in its story telling within its concept album structure. While it's not perfect I would still give it a 3.5 to 4 star rating out of five.
Geoff Tate does not take a political stance on the album. Instead, through hundreds of hours of interview including his own father who served in both Korea and Viet Nam we are told the many faces of war from the many faces who fought them.
As a US Army Infantry vet myself, I was hoping that with "American Soldier", the grunts who stand in the gap would be honored as well as be an outlet for their voices and I am not disappointed.
I recall spending many many hours in the field, on guard duty, and down time engaged in thoughts like the theme of "If I Were King" and that song chokes me up every single time.
Sometimes people have an epiphany and hopefully this might be it for Geoff Tate, there are many benefits such as special seating for vets on the upcoming QR tour.
Sometimes we make statements with our wallets and I understand times are in a pinch but if you like good hard rock/prog metal (i hate those labels) then how about overlooking any past objections you may have had with QR or Geoff, give this new CD a try and you will be glad you did. Instead of feeding the trash music machine, show support for the American Solider.
A good review and links to videos for If I Were King and interview with Geoff Tate can be found at Military.com
http://www.military.com/entertainment/music/music-news/queenryches-american-soldier-salute?wh=wh
Interesting. When I read the headline I wondered if it was THAT “Geoff Tate”.
The last I heard of Queensrÿche they were doing Bush hating stuff a few years ago. It’s good to see they are doing something positive now. I really like them years... and years ago.
Queensryche will be at Fort Hood Memorial Day 5/25/9.
(Gary Senise and his band will play at Ft. Hood saturday!)
I must give Tate some credit, at least he researched (For ‘American Solider’) the territory instead of projecting from afar like many other artist do. For his age he can still hit the notes. Excellent, emotional singer IMOP.
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