Posted on 10/20/2004 3:44:54 PM PDT by My Favorite Headache
Metal men give dystopia a suitable soundtrack;Stick It To Bush
You can’t keep a good concept album down — especially when elements of its ominous story can be found lurking in current events. In 1988, Seattle quintet Queensrÿche released “Operation: Mindcrime,” a dark record that depicts a dystopian future society driven by charismatic — and sinister — demagogues. The central character is a street kid named Nikki who comes under the thrall of Dr. X and turns into his loyal assassin, eliminating anyone who poses a threat. It’s sort of “1984” meets “The Manchurian Candidate” with a dramatic metal soundtrack welded on. “It’s a story about a terrorist,” singer Geoff Tate explains. “It sort of fits in with what’s going on in the world right now.” The band began life in the early ’80s with a sound that owed quite a bit to Iron Maiden, with Tate’s operatic pipes wailing out front. Gradually, more progressive, arty influences found their way into the mix, earning Queensrÿche the tag “thinking man’s metal.” “Operation: Mindcrime” represents the band’s creative pinnacle, selling well over a million copies, though its follow-up record, “Empire” (1990) actually sold a bit better thanks to the top 10 single “Silent Lucidity.” Queensrÿche is revisiting “Mindcrime” on its current tour, with elaborate staging, surround-sound technology, orchestral backing and even actors portraying characters from the album. Careful, guys, remember what happened to Styx on the “Mr. Roboto” tour.
There’s a story to tell
“I’ve always been interested in dramatic productions,” says Tate, 45. “I’ve always thought of Queensrÿche as a very dramatic musical organization, and our music lends itself to that sort of treatment. Especially ‘Mindcrime,’ because it’s a story. “We started on this route because I was writing a screenplay based on the album,” Tate says. “And I noticed there are a lot of holes on the album that you can’t cover musically. … So in true Queensrÿche fashion we started brainstorming and came up with some angles that would make it interesting for us to play it and interesting for an audience to see it.” Tate says that going back to the old album inspired the band members to work on a sequel, titled (what else?) “Operation: Mindcrime II.” And, he says, there’s definite interest in a “Mindcrime” movie from the Hollywood community. “Over the years we’ve been approached by various companies about making a movie, but we never felt quite right about it,” Tate says. “Whether it was the people they wanted to use, the screenwriter or the director, it just didn’t feel right.” Directors Luc Besson, Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino are on Tate’s wish list to take the project’s helm.
Sticking it to Bush
“Mindcrime” is an album about devious individuals gaining control over the hearts and minds of impressionable people, and it’s a theme that never strays too far from Tate’s observational eye. “The situation in our country is perfect fodder for an album,” Tate says. “I’m fascinated by marketing, by the commercials the government makes and the ideology they sell us and that we buy so readily. We’re really just a nation of consumers; that seems to be our culture. “They can tell us we need to go to war with Iraq, and we buy it. We don’t question it. We don’t say, ‘Wait a minute, Iraq didn’t have anything to do with the terrorist attacks. Why are we going to war with this country?’ “I’ve come into contact with a lot of people who say they want to vote for George Bush. And I ask them, ‘Why are you voting for someone who has failed on every level as a leader?’ I don’t understand why people who don’t have two nickels to rub together support an administration that has no concern for them.” Queensrÿche’s political stance apparently has ruffled the feathers of some fans who were under the impression that their favorite band was a horse of a different color. “We’ve gotten some flak from fans who say they’re going to burn our records,” Tate says. “We recently played a benefit show … which gathers funds for the Democrats. “People have said to us, ‘How can you do this? How can you get behind this?’ And I say to them, ‘Listen to the records. We’ve always been on this platform.’ ”
well, hell: the more parodies the merrier
I just heard them live. They may no longer suit your taste, but they are great musicians. I'm not talking out of my butt here. I am a professional musician myself.
There are untold scores of great musicians.
It's the ones that write great music that stay relevant, otoh.....And that is something they havent done in over 15 years. (OM=1988).
When a band shows up on DirecTV as a "FreeView" of the month, as Queensryche did a few months back, you know they're one stop away from the Indian casino-dinosaur-circuit. Let's face it...anyone named "Jeff" who spells it "Geoff" has gotta be a little screwed up.
"That was the Thamesmen with 'Cups and Cakes'. The Thamesmen later changed their names to Spinal Tap. They had a couple of B-side hits and are currently residing in the "where are they now" file."
But what the hell do we all know?
These music threads...sheesh.
Whoa, is that accurate?
I suppose it's better than what I always thought it was (gibberish; non-words), but not by much. No matter lightening didn't strike twice for Snow; that dolt couldn't write a chorus if his life depended on it.
If you dig on semi-forgotten early-'90's rap, check out Cypress Hill. Their big joints/ big guns/ stoned rock samples pattern makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside (and utterly lightheaded).
Semi-forgotten early 90's rap, doesn't get any better than Digital Underground. (The Humpty Dance)
The hotel room scene..."is that yo wyyyyfe? she's coming? she's coming here?"
"Semi-forgotten early 90's rap, doesn't get any better than Digital Underground. (The Humpty Dance)"
That's a pretty good pick because I think the "Humpty Dance" is a pretty goofy song with a danceable beat. I only seem to like rap music when it doesn't take itself too seriously; ex: License to Ill by the Beastie Boys (BEST RAP ALBUM EVER).
Wasn't Tupac Shakur one of the Digital Underground's dancers for a little while?
Not sure about the Tupac connection but I agree with the sentiment that rap is best when it doesn't take itself too seriously... of course all music is best that way.
I'll drink up all the hennesy you got on your shelf but first let me introduce myself, my name is humpty, pronounce it with an UMPTY.
He, He, it's good to talk a little sometimes about other Freepers interests outside of politics. This looks like the perfect thread for a little game.
What was the MOST RECENT band/album you've played (or are you playing music right now). Be totally honest.
Me, my tastes are wildly divergent. Earlier I was playing The Time's "Ice Cream Castles" (I'm psyched about Morris Day's appearance at the local fair later this month), but RIGHT now I'm listening to a newer punk group called the Distillers. The album is Coral Fang, and the lead singer is totally awesome (and is a chick, at that).
"Nuanced Duplicity"
How about...
"Technically Correct, Factually Inaccurate"
The only hit these losers had, was the biggest ripoff of Pink Floyd I've ever heard. 'Silent Lucidity' whatever the hell that means. Queensryche = spandex.
When I decide to go to the gym, I usually play Metallica, Iron Maiden, the Chili Peppers or Van Halen, with David Lee Roth. When I'm chillin I like Uncle Tupolo, Chris Isaac, Tom Waits Leonard Cohen , the Pogues, the Call, etc... I used to be a hugh Springsteen fan, but next time I'm back home in Jersey, I'm going to join the Rumson beach club, just so I can harass him. I live in Hong Kong now.
"When I decide to go to the gym, I usually play Metallica, Iron Maiden, the Chili Peppers or Van Halen, with David Lee Roth."
Check, check, check and check.
You, sir, have damn good taste. My favorite albums of each of those guys is 1.) Metallica--tie, the Black Album and Ride the Lightening 2.) Iron Maiden--Powerslave 3.) BloodSugarSexMagic and 4.) Van Halen (debut).
The Pogues are also pretty good, and I own a Steve Earl (yea, I know, he's a commie...it's an OLD album) album called 'Copperhead Road' where they back Steve on a brilliant song about a mistreated Vietnam vet.
Sadly, I also own two Bruce Springsteen discs. Such good music, so little common sense.
So do you, my friend. I think 'Kill em all' is also great. The only place I differ is that 'Californication' could be one of the greatest albums ever. I neglected to add 'Bat out of Hell'. I agree Van Halen 1 is the best. I also like 'Women and Children First', Diver Down. Ahh. They're all great.
"Like a Bat Out of Hell, you know I'll be gone when the morning comes." -Meat Loaf
Did you know that the Loaf and Jim Steinman are reteaming for the long-awaited Bat Out of Hell 3 album? At least that's what one of my old Blender music mags quoted Meat Loaf as saying a few months ago. They expect to have it in stores sometime next year.
I can't wait. Meat Loaf is coming back to, once again, teach these dreary youngsters what Rock & Roll is really all about. Hint: It ain't about bi***ing on how your parents never loved you, and you're not appreciated enough (do you hear me LinKin Park?).
I'm listening to Bob Dylan's "Saved" right now.
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