Reviews

REVIEW: KISS – “Venus and Mars / Rock Show” (2014 McCartney tribute)

ย โ€“ย “Venus and Mars / Rock Show” (2014 Sony, from The Art of McCartney)

Kiss rarities can be so crushingly disappointing.ย  Some, like the Ramones cover “Rock and Roll Radio” are catalogue highlights.ย  Others, like “Don’t Touch My Ascot” are just curiosities.ย  Unfortunately the Paul McCartney medley of “Rock Show” and “Venus and Mars” fall into the latter category.ย  But why?

These tracks come from a Paul McCartney tribute album called The Art of McCartney.ย  On the back cover, the track is clearly listed as Kiss.ย  But Kiss must have had some lineup changes if that’s the case.ย  Doug Petty on bass!ย  Dan Petty on guitar!ย  Jason Paige on drums!ย  You’ll be forgiven if you don’t recognize those names as Kiss members last time you checked.ย  Only Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons from the real Kiss appear, and only in a vocal capacity.ย  Why the false advertising?ย  On the same album, Robin Zander and Rick Nielson “of Cheap Trick” are listed, but not Cheap Trick themselves.ย  Yet Paul and Gene are credited as Kiss, tricking the fans into thinking they were hearing the band, not just two of the singers.

How is it?

Well, it doesn’t sound like Kiss, that’s for sure!ย  Gene sings the “Venus and Mars” section, in his natural voice.ย  Then a raspy Paul comes in, bringing a Kiss-like vibe with him.ย  He gets to sing one of Paul McCartney’s coolest lyrics of all time:

What’s that man movin’ ‘cross the stage?
It looks a lot like the one used by Jimmy Page.

Or Ace Frehley!

At no point do Paul and Gene sing together or harmonize like they used to when covering the Beatles on the streets of New York City.ย  Doesn’t it seem like a colossal waste, having the two Kiss founding members appearing essentially separately?ย  Would have been even better with Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer playing, but…hey, nobody asks me ahead of time!

And here is another reason why physical media is important.ย  If you had just downloaded this from iTunes, you might never know that what you bought wasn’t really Kiss.ย  Then again, the front cover does say “The songs of Paul McCartney sung by the world’s greatest artists.”ย  Nothing in there about the playing part.

Buying this CD (to be reviewed separately at a later time) would still not be a bad idea.ย  You’ll get exclusives by Alice Cooper (double shot), Sammy Hagar, Joe Elliott of Def Leppard, actual Def Leppard, Jeff Lynne, Billy Joel, Willie Nelson, The Cure, B.B. King, Dylan, Heart, Dion and tons more.ย  Cooper’s “Eleanor Rigby” is worth the purchase alone.ย  This helps negate the soul-squashing disappointing of buying a “Kiss” song that isn’t.

2.5/5 stars

REVIEW: Testament – The Ritual (1992)

TESTAMENT – The Ritual (1992 Atlantic)

This may have been the first thrash metal album I ever bought.ย  I was late to the mosh pit, but I think I chose a good first thrash.ย  Lead video “Electric Crown” was in rotation on the Power 30, and I loved the speed combined with melody and a virtuoso guitarist.ย  To me, “Electric Crown” blew away any of the Metallica singles I’d heard so far.ย  It was way superior to the overly simplistic “Enter Sandman”.

One of the coolest sounds I ever heard came from Alex Skolnick’s guitar. In that melodic, four-note descending lick, the fourth note…just shakes. I sat there in my bedroom with my guitar, trying to make the same sound, failing every time. Skolnick was increasingly interested in jazz, and you can hear that in some of the soloing and tubey tone.

The Ritual is the most commercial Testament album.ย  That made it an easy gateway to thrash.ย  Did they sell out?ย  By all accounts, The Ritual is the album on which Alex Skolnick stepped up in terms on contributions.ย  As a schooled musician he wanted to try some different things, and indeed he left the band shortly after to grow as a player.ย  This isn’t a sellout, but it’s the album on which the guy who was trained by Joe Satriani had a lot more influence.ย  (After he left, the band went hard back to the extremes of thrash with Low and Demonic.)

Not a sellout, then.ย  But there are definite parallels to the contemporary Metallica album.ย  The slower metal chug of “So Many Lies” is this album’s “Sad But True”.ย  The Ritual also has a modern, crisp production (by Tony Platt) though not as fully stuffed as Metallica.

Immediately after “So Many Lies”, drummer Louie Clemente goes into a gallop on “Let Go Of My World”, an angry testament to independence.ย  See what I did there?ย  The longest song on the album is the title track, an anti-drug anthem that rocks it slow and forboding.ย  “Kill yourself, killing time.”ย  Vocalist Chuck Billy has a mighty set of lungs, the kind that make you listen up.ย  These lungs are put to great effect on “Deadline”, the mid-tempo banger that finishes side one.ย  There’s something just slightly different about the beat and there’s nothing equivalent on the Metallica album.ย  “Deadline” is arresting, kickin’ and menacing all at once.

“As the Seasons Grey” continues the blistering metal, not as fast as yesteryear but more measured.ย  Dig that false ending.ย  “Agony” and “The Sermon” offer some variety, but Testament are best when served fast.ย  Right?ย  Right?ย  No – check out the ballad “Return to Serenity”!ย  Testament were of course no strangers to ballads.ย  “The Ballad” and “The Legacy” worked out well for them previously, but “Return to Serenity” blows them away.ย  Alex Skolnick’s clever, echoey guitar hook is spellbinding.ย  This incredible ballad really should have been a hit.ย  That’s why they included it again on 1993’s Return to the Apocalyptic City EP.ย  It should be as well known as hit ballads by another big name thrash band.ย  The Ritual closes on a stampeding “Troubled Dreams”, an album highlight and as persistent as the wandering nomad in the lyrics.

There are more important Testament albums than The Ritual, such as their landmark Practice What You Preach.ย  It still remains a high water mark in the catalogue.

4.5/5 stars

REVIEW: Judas Priest – Angel of Retribution (2004 CD/DVD)

“Sabbath are heavy, but Priest are metal.” – K.K. Downing

JUDAS PRIEST – Angel of Retribution (2004ย  Sony CD/DVD deluxe set)

Like Iron Maiden before them, Judas Priest pulled off a successful reunion tour before venturing into the studio to record a new album.ย  When the new music finally came, a deluxe package was made available featuring live videos from the reunion tour.ย  In this deluxe-sized review, we’ll take a close look at both the CD and DVD content.

The CD

Pure anticipation preceded the arrival of the Angel of Retribution.ย  Two underwhelming albums with Tim “Ripper” Owens on lead vocals caused Judas Priest’s star to diminish in the 90s and 2000s.ย  The return of the Metal God, Rob Halford, meant a reunion of the successful 1990-1991 Painkiller lineup.ย  The new album cover even featured the return of the Painkiller character, now the Angel of Retribution.ย  But a long time had passed.ย  Could Priest hope to live up to the hype, and their legacy?

The answer is mixed.ย  While Angel of Retribution contains enough classic Judas Priest metal to consider it a success, it also has some truly legendary filler, of sub-Ram It Down quality.ย  Instead of running through the album track by track, let’s break it down in terms of song integrity.

Priest wrote a natural sounding album, with elements from virtually all eras of Priest past.ย  They say it came about organically, and it does sound that way.ย  Some of the best material are the songs that sound like variations of classic Priest.

The opening song “Judas Rising” brings it back to 1976’s Sad Wings of Destiny with that fade-in opener inspired by “Victim of Changes”.ย  Then it transforms right into the Painkiller era, with something that sounds like a far more intense “Hell Patrol”.ย  Solid 5/5.

The slightly psychedelic first single “Revolution” ranks among the better songs, although perhaps it’s actually most similar to “Little Crazy” by Rob Halford’s Fight.ย  It has flavours of Rocka Rolla and Killing Machine, and is far from what anyone expected Priest to put out for a first single.ย  Dig that slide guitar bit in the solo!ย  Solid 5/5.

“Worth Fighting For” isn’t a ballad; it’s a little harder edged than that.ย  It’s the one song that is unique in the Priest catalogue, and remarkably strong.ย  The riff has a nice chug to it, while Rob ably carries the melody to a higher place.ย  A special song, and a 5/5.

“Demonizer” is Jugulator meets Painkiller, faster than a hellriding devil dog (whatever that is), but “the Painkiller rises again!”ย  ย So testifies Halford.ย  It’s so ridiculously over the top that it can only be worth a solid 5/5.ย  Likewise the similar “Hellrider” on side two.ย  Both feature double bass so fast that it’s almost a parody of itself, but both rock so hard you’ll break your neck keeping up.ย  “Hellrider” is also notable as the song where Rob Halford inexplicably name drops “Megatron”.ย  Similar songs, both solid 5/5’s.

The ballad “Angel” is a little soft, unexpectedly so on an album with so much heavy metal.ย  Yet, Priest can do anything.ย  The acoustic “Angel” could be the quietest ballad since the early days.ย  “Put sad wings around me now,” sings Rob to the angel, an appropriate callback.ย  As his voice aged it acquired more depth.ย  That helps make “Angel” a respectable 4/5.

“Deal With the Devil” and “Wheels of Fire” fall in a netherworld of pedestrian Priest.ย  These both feel like filler from Point of Entry or Ram it Down.ย  Less explosive, less memorable.ย  The autobiographical “Deal With the Devil” is amusing for its many lyrical callbacks: “Under blood red skies”, “Took on all the world”, references to razor blades.ย  Likewise the short one, “Eulogy“, which is really an intro for another song that we’ll get to.ย  “They remain still as stained class”, “Guarded by the Sentinel”, and so on.ย  3/5 each.

The worst of all songs is “Loch Ness“, a mess so atrocious that we had to devote an entire entry just to that one song.ย  Combined with its intro “Eulogy”, it’s over 15 minutes of mire that has no reason to exist.ย  Many people simply stop the album after “Hellrider” and leave this foul turd to rot unheard.ย ย “Loch Ness” could very well be the worst Judas Priest song of all time.ย  A flaming turd to extinguish all flaming turds.ย  The worst of all putrid, rancid filler songs ever foisted upon the faithful.ย  0/5.

 

“Reunited” DVD

It’s worth getting a copy of this album with the bonus DVD.ย  For one, there’s a documentary from the Priest Reunited tour.ย  Secondly, there are seven uncut live songs here for you to enjoy, and it’s the only official video release from the Reunited tour.ย  The live footage is something to see, especially if you own the robotic Rising in the East DVD.ย  In that concert, Rob Halford was a stiff mannequin instead of a frontman.ย  Here, he comfortably in charge and engaged.ย  The entire lineup is energized.ย  “Breaking the Law” sees them powered up and working hard.

But how did the seemingly unlikely reunion begin?ย  According to the documentary, the band and Halford met to discuss the forthcoming Metalogy box set.ย  Glenn Tipton states that they decided to reunite later the same day.ย  It was like they’d never been apart.ย  Terribly British, says Rob.ย  “Have a cup of tea, see you later.”ย  Rob does express regret for his actions (reportedly he gave Judas Priest his notice in 1992 by fax), but it seems all was forgiven over time.

Beware which version you buy.ย  This CD/DVD combo set contains the documentary plus the full live songs:ย  “Breaking the Law”, “Metal Gods”, “A Touch of Evil”, “Hell Bent for Leather”, “Eletric Eye:”, “Diamonds & Rust”, and “Living After Midnight”.ย  The DualDisc version does not; it only includes edited fragments of those tracks.ย  Which is a shame, because the band sounded fantastic and Rob was in full-lunged form.ย  This is probably the best live version of “A Touch of Evil” available, for example.ย  Not everyone likes the acoustic version of “Diamonds & Rust”, but it’s certainly different. The only bonus to DualDisc is that you also get the album in “enhanced stereo”.ย  Avoid that; get this.

Although Angel of Retribution is overall a very strong Judas Priest album, “Loch Ness” is impossible to ignore.ย  It does serious damage to an album that was otherwise an impressive listen.ย  In the included DVD, K.K. Downing says they had to pick and choose from an overabundance of songs.ย  Can you imagine how bad the leftovers are if “Loch Ness” made the album?

3.5/5 stars

REVIEW: Alice Cooper – The Breadcrumbs EP (2019)

ALICE COOPER – The Breadcrumbs EP (2019 Edel)

Alice Cooper wanted to do a Detroit garage rock record and pay homage to his roots.ย  And so we have The Breadcrumbs EP, six tracks of stripped down goodness, ironically produced by Bob Ezrin.ย  The 10″ vinyl is limited to 20,000 copies.ย  Somehow, by the grace of the black widow, we scored #48!

For these special songs, Alice is backed by the MC5โ€™s Wayne Kramer, bassist Paul Randolph, Grand Funk’s Railroad Mark Farner, and Detroit Wheel Johnny “Bee” Badanjek. A remake of Alice Cooper’s “Detroit City” (from The Eyes of Alice Cooper) is an appropriate starting point:

Me and Iggy were giggin’ with Ziggy and kickin’ with the MC5,
Ted and Seger were burnin’ with fever,
and let the Silver Bullets fly,
The Kid was in his crib, Shady wore a bib,
and the posse wasn’t even alive.

That’s some rock and roll poetry right there.ย  Not one of Alice’s finest songs but worthy of a second chance.ย  Then “Go Man Go” is a new original composition co-written by Wayne Kramer.ย  It’s punk rock Alice, as authentic as the bands he’s paying tribute to.ย  Bob Seger’s “East Side Story” closes the side on a steady groove, right out of Hendrix’s version of “Gloria”.

A really funky “Your Mama Won’t Like Me” (Suzi Quatro) is the centrepiece of the EP.ย  Horns blastin’, Alice hasn’t been this funky since his dance-oriented Alice Cooper Goes to Hell in 1976.ย  “Devil With a Blue Dress On” (Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels) is the soulful side that Alice occasionally shows.ย  It’s merged with “Chains of Love” (J.J. Barnes) which pulls everything back to rock.ย  Finally “Sister Anne” by the MC5 puts the snot on the nose and the grime in the rock.ย  Kramer’s simply awesome riff is perfectly complemented by Cooper.

If copies are still available, get one.ย  Cooper fans will love the change of pace, while rock and rollers will adore the authenticity.

3.5/5 stars

REVIEW: The Cars – Anthology: Just What I Needed (1995)

THE CARS – Anthology: Just What I Needed (1995 Rhino)

Ric Ocasek was cool.ย  Whether it was the sunglasses, or the black hair and leather jacket combo, he was just cool.ย  The Cars were birth attendants to MTV.ย  “You Might Think” was arguably the greatest music video on this side of Michael Jackson.ย  And The Cars were far, far more than just a one hit band.ย  This Cars Anthology proves just how much gas they had in the tank.ย  With 40 songs including a number of rarities, this anthology is just what YOU needed.

The first four songs in a row, all from the Cars’ self-title debut, are radio staples.ย  “Just What I Needed”, “My Best Friend’s Girl”, “Let the Good Times Roll” and “You’re All I’ve Got Tonight” still rock the airwaves, proving their timelessness.ย  The Cars could write a song, and whether it was Ric Ocasek or Benjamin Orr on vocals, the hits kept rolling in.ย  It’s a combination of choppy guitar hooks, keyboard candy, and plain ol’ songwriting ability.

The Cars were also consistent.ย  There is no dry spell for hits, not until we get to 1987’s Door to Door.ย  When you listen to a cross section of material in chronological order like this, it’s quite noticeable when Robert John “Mutt” Lange takes over production duties.ย  Heartbeat City and its synthetic drums are the prototype for Def Leppard’s Hysteria album.ย  The backing vocals, the bass tones, and impeccable production all foreshadow the sound of things to come in Mutt-ville.ย  Roy Thomas Baker didn’t put so much of his own fingerprints on the Cars (although you can definitely hear a Cars influence via Baker on Alice Cooper’s Flush the Fashion).ย  Mutt sounds like Mutt, for better or for worse.ย  The album sold four million copies.ย  Whatever Ric learned from Mutt and Baker, he put to good use as a producer himself.

There are some songs that are just special.ย  Even though their fellow tunes are unique, important and classic, some rise even higher.ย  One is the legendary ballad “Drive”, written by Ric and sung by Benjamin.ย  Soft and gentle, “Drive” has been our companion for decades now, through lonely nights and happy days alike.ย  Another immortal song is the aforementioned “Just What I Needed”, for all it’s pop-punk perfection, before that was even a term.ย  I believe they just used to call it “New Wave”.ย  Finally “You Might Think” must be remembered as not only an important video, but also an ageless pop song that still grabs you today.

Rarities in this set include single B-sides, demos and previously unreleased songs.ย  Some have since found homes on the Cars’ deluxe reissue CDs, but some seem to still be exclusive to Just What I Needed.ย  One interesting outtake is a bang-on cover of Iggy Pop’s “Funtime”.ย  The liner notes are also exemplary, as Rhino usually do.ย  You could consider this to be a miniature box set for all the care put into it.ย  While buying The Cars by the album will not lead you astray, there is much to be said for a really good anthology.ย  You’re looking at one right now.

5/5 stars

Rest in peace Ric, rest in peace Benjamin.

 

REVIEW: Smoke on the Water – A Tribute – Various Artists (1994 cassette)

SMOKE ON THE WATER – A Tribute (1994 Shrapnel cassette – tribute to Deep Purple)

This baby can be expensive to acquire on CD, so let’s give ye olde cassette tape a spin.ย  It’s not been played in over 20 years.ย  This review is with fresh ears.

The backing band on this tribute to Deep Purple consists of:ย  Deen Castronovo (Hardline/Journey – drums), Jens Johansson (Yngwie Malmsteen – keys), Todd Jenson (Hardline/David Lee Roth – bass) and Russ Parish (Fight/Steel Panther – rhythm guitar).ย  Each track has a featured singer and lead soloist.ย  Let’s dig in.

First up:ย  “Speed King” by Yngwie J. Malmsteen with Kelly Keeling on vocals.ย  Keeling is on the sandpapery side of Joe Lynn Turner here, while Yngwie gets to jizz fanboy style all over the fretboard.ย  The star might actually be Jens Johansson’s keyboards but this is an unfortunately very cheesy version of “Speed King”.ย  Woah, Keeling just nailed an Ian Gillan scream!ย  Nice.

Kip Winger and Tony MacAlpine team up for “Space Truckin'”.ย  Tony goes his own way with the solos, innovating as he goes.ย  This is…pleasant?ย  There’s some kind of spark that’s missing, and when you’re playing “Space Truckin'” you need to put accelerant in the tank or you’ll fall flat.ย  Studio sterility has replaced spontaneity.

You gotta hope Glenn Hughes and John Norum can shock some life into “Stormbringer”.ย  They can!ย  Of the guitarists so far, John Norum (Europe) is the one who has the right feel for Deep Purple.ย  Glenn’s great, but doesn’t get to play bass, and here’s part of the problem.ย  You can hear that the backing band recorded the songs and then the featured players recorded their parts over them.ย  In a perfect world you’d have Glenn plotting the way on bass too, gelling with the backing band in a united groove.ย  That can’t happen when you record this way.

One guy who manages to inject his song with personality is Richie Kotzen.ย  He’s got the funky “Rat Bat Blue” and is granted both the lead vocals and guitars.ย  Yngwie returns on “Lazy” and he’s teamed with former Deep Purple singer and his own former bandmate, Joe Lynn Turner!ย  Yngwie plays appropriately on this strong but fairly bland track.ย  And that’s the cue to flip the tape over.

Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big) gets the vocal and guitar honours on “Maybe I’m a Leo”, which frankly is too slow and lacks groove.ย  Paul’s vocals, however, absolutely nail Gillan’s on the original.ย  Things turn stale quickly when it’s time for “Smoke on the Water”.ย  Russ Parish takes the guitar slot while Robert Mason (Lynch Mob/Warrant) sings.ย  Far more interesting is “Fireball” with Don Dokken and his future Dokken bandmate Reb Beach.ย  Don sounds a bit overwhelmed by the demanding song, but hits all the requisite notes.ย  The brilliant Jeff Scott Soto takes the driver’s seat on Mk I’s “Hush”.ย  This veteran vocalist (Yngwie/Journey/man more) makes mincemeat of your ears, absolutely killing it.ย  Soto is absolutely the vocal star on this album (one that includes Glenn Hughes)!ย  The final song goes to Tony Harnell (TNT) and Vinnie Moore (UFO).ย  They busy-up “Woman From Tokyo” a bit too much with unnecessary fills, but Moore does some really cool picking during the quiet section.

Though interesting, Smoke on the Water is far from an essential addition to your Purple collection.ย  There are already so many tributes out there.ย  The most interesting was T.M. Stevens’ Black Night which re-interpreted Deep Purple according to his New York sensibilities.ย  He had Joe Lynn Turner, Vinnie Moore and Richie Kotzen on his album too!ย  Then there is the more recent Re-Machined, featuring Iron Maiden, Metallica, and more Glenn Hughes.ย  Considering the CD prices these days, place Smoke on the Water fairly low on your priority lists.

2.5/5 stars

REVIEW: Jim Crean – Gotcha Covered (2019)

JIM CREAN – Gotcha Covered (2019 Visionary Noise)

Jim Crean is steeped in hard rock tradition.ย  He’s worked with some of the legends, and he’s covered the rest of ’em.ย  Atypical covers.ย  Not the usual “hits” but interesting tracks you might know and remember, or will be exposed to for the first time.ย  In 2019, Crean’s come out with an original album The London Fog, and a covers CD called Gotcha Covered.ย  Lets see what surprises there are in store.

Right out of the gates, it’s a shocker:ย  “Hall of the Mountain King”.ย  You don’t hear Savatage covers every day, and fortunately Crean has the necessary scream abilities.ย  He sounds like a man possessed by lust for the Mountain King’s gold!

Unpredictability is the theme for this album.ย  Up next:ย  Melissa Etheridge.ย  It’s an oldie from her landmark first debut, “Like the Way I Do”, and you’ve never heard it so heavy.ย  It sounds as if it was written to be played this way because it’s completely natural.ย ย White Lion are a little more centerfield, and “Hungry” is a killer choice.ย  Jim Crean can easily handle mid-80s Mike Tramp songs, as they are right in his pocket.ย  John Corabi is another singer who Crean is naturally suited to cover.ย  The Scream’s “Outlaw” is definitely an obscure but inspired choice.ย  ย Tasty riff.ย  Badlands get the next nod, with “The Last Time”, the first single from the second album Voodoo Highway.ย  The high notes are no problem, and the chorus goes on for lightyears.

Then it’s back to left field, with Bryan Adams’ old (pre-Reckless) classic “Lonely Nights”.ย  You don’t hear Adams covers very often, and usually they suck.ย  Not this one.ย  Crean transforms it into a hard rock anthem, something Sammy Hagar could have recorded.ย  Another shocker is Mazzy Star’s “Fade Into You”, converted into a classy rock ballad, utterly different from the original.ย  The Cars’ “Bye Bye Love” is another brilliant choice (not that you can go wrong with any Cars).ย  It works well as hard rock.ย  “Falling In Love”, a Scorpions oldie written by Herman Rarebell, adds a heavy kick at the right time.

“Saved By Zero” is the only track that doesn’t sound overly metalized.ย  The Fixx cover reveals some more new wave roots, and a good song choice it is.ย  The complex backing vocals sound fantastic.ย  Crean does justice to his hometown boys The Goo Goo Dolls next with “Lazy Eye”.ย  This non-album Goos song was on the soundtrack for the ill-fated Batman & Robin.ย  As you’d expect, it boasts a strong chorus, but the chunky riff may surprise you.ย  Another obscurity is “The Warning” by Victory, a strong 80s chug.ย  Onto the 90s next:ย  Ratt’s Stephen Pearcy and Cinderella’s Fred Coury had a band called Arcade.ย  “Cry No More” is a ballad from their debut.

The last few songs include Dokken’s slow burning “When Heaven Comes Down”.ย  Nothing wrong with some Back for the Attack era Dokken.ย  The Sweet’s classic “Love Is Like Oxygen” brings that pop edge back.ย  But it’s the closer, Chicago’s “25 or 6 to 4” that really slams it home.ย  No horns, just guitars and heavy beats.ย  The original arrangement is untouchable, but a heavy rock version?ย  Sure, why not.

A good covers album is hard to come by.ย  It all comes down to song selection.ย  In this regard, Jim Crean knocked one out of the park.

4/5 stars

REVIEW: Queensrรฟche – Operation: Mindcrime (1988/2003 remaster)

QUEENSRลธCHE – Operation: Mindcrime (1988, 2003 EMI remaster)

After Pink Floyd made history by releasing The Wall in 1979, concept albums fell out of fashion.ย  ย Almost a decade later, two heavy metal albums brought the artform of the full-length story back:ย  Iron Maidenโ€™s Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, and Operation: Mindcrime by Queensryche.ย  Of the two, Mindcrime had the more coherent linear story, but both remain high water marks for each band.

The Queensryche album sold slowly at first, as the band refused to make music videos to let the album speak for itself.ย  They changed course in 1989 when โ€œEyes of a Strangerโ€ made it to MTV and MuchMusic.ย  Fortunes changed dramatically for Operation: Mindcrime.ย  The album eventually went platinum.

The reason Mindcrime was better suited as an album than music videos was the connected storyline running through each song.ย  Employing a classic frame technique, we begin at the end with โ€œI Remember Nowโ€.

โ€œI remember now.ย  I remember how it started.ย  I canโ€™t remember yesterday.ย  I just remember doing what they told meโ€ฆโ€

The anti-hero Nikki is an angry, aimless addict who fell in with a radical political group called Operation: Mindcrime. ย He is a disheartened young American. โ€œThe rich control the government, the media, the law.โ€ย  Mindcrimeโ€™s modus operandi?ย  Using drugs and brainwashing, would-be assassins are sent out to kill strategic political targets, building to revolution.ย  Inequality, corruption and the media have made the country an ugly place.ย  Dr. X, the mastermind behind Mindcrime, has total control over Nikki.ย  He also uses the nun Mary, a former prostitute, to feed Nikkiโ€™s needs.ย  Nikki and Mary grow closer until he receives the order:ย  โ€œKill her.โ€ย  She knows too much.

The first two tracks are just setup before you get to the meat.ย  โ€œI Remember Nowโ€ and โ€œAnarchy-Xโ€ create a powerful set of images, with anthemic guitars and the sound of massive crowds rallying to a cause.ย  โ€œRevolution Callingโ€, the first real song, begins the narrative.ย  โ€œThen I heard of Dr. X, the man with the cure, just watch the television, yeah youโ€™ll see thereโ€™s something going on.โ€

Nikki is indoctrinated on the title track, an ominous riffy behemoth of a song.ย  Dr. X uses Nikkiโ€™s drug addiction to control him.ย  With nothing to lose, Nikki falls for the doctorโ€™s words.ย  โ€œThereโ€™s a job for you in the system boy, with nothing to sign.โ€ย  Nikki has no use for the government or politicians.ย  It all sounds good to him.ย  On โ€œSpeakโ€ he receives his first assignment.ย  โ€œIโ€™m the new messiah, death angel with a gun.โ€ย  On a blazing fast track with a thick chorus, Nikki falls into his new life.ย  โ€œEradicate the fascists, revolution will grow.โ€ย  On โ€œSpreading the Diseaseโ€, another kickass track with a chorus that goes on for miles, Nikki tells the story of Mary and his distaste for the church.ย  โ€œReligion and sex are power plays, manipulate the people for the money they pay.ย  Selling skin, selling God, the numbers look the same on the credit cards.โ€

Queensryche take it slower (though not soft) on โ€œThe Missionโ€, as Nikki starts to feel disillusionment.ย  โ€œI look around, my room is filled with candles, each one a story but they end the same.โ€ย  He keeps telling himself that heโ€™s doing whatโ€™s right.ย  โ€œMy mission saved the world, and I stood proud.โ€ย  But then he is given the order he dreads:ย  Kill Mary.ย  This instruction opens album epic โ€œSuite Sister Maryโ€, 10 full minutes of riffs, choir and orchestra (by Michael Kamen).ย  The riff alone stands like a monolith.ย  Vocalist Pamela Moore sings a duet with Geoff Tate as the character of Sister Mary.ย  As for that riff?ย  Chris DeGarmo was the master riff composer in this band, a hole they have never quite filled.

The second half of the story commences with โ€œThe Needle Liesโ€.ย  Nikki wants out, but finds that it doesnโ€™t work that way.ย  There is no โ€œoutโ€.ย  Meanwhile Queensryche strafe the speakers with a thrashy blitzkrieg.ย  Drummer Scott Rockenfield cannot be contained.ย  Then on the quiet filler track โ€œElectric Requiemโ€, Nikki discovers that Mary had made his choice to disobey orders irrelevant.ย  Dead by her own hand, Nikki is broken and tailspins into a mad depression.ย  This is portrayed on โ€œBreaking the Silenceโ€, another stone cold winner of a song with a mighty chorus.ย  The chunky guitar riff is to die for.

With his memory failing him, Nikki doesnโ€™t even know if he killed Mary himself or not.ย  He questions everything on the ever-cool single โ€œI Donโ€™t Believe in Loveโ€, one of the most remarkable of all Queensryche songs.ย  Once again the writing partnership of Tate and DeGarmo struck heavy musical gold.ย  Two shorter tracks (โ€œWaiting for 22โ€ and โ€œMy Empty Roomโ€) fill in some story points, and Nikki is eventually caught.

Operation: Mindcrimeโ€™s biggest song is its final track and first single, โ€œEyes of a Strangerโ€.ย  Memories are but fragments.ย  โ€œI raise my head and stare into the eyes of a stranger.โ€ย  Itโ€™s one of Queensrycheโ€™s most incredible recordings, a perfect storm of guitars, vocals and melody.ย  Itโ€™s neck deep in drama, with Geoff Tate at his most emotive.ย  The story ends with some questions left unanswered.ย  At least until 2006โ€™s unnecessary Mindcrime II….

Operation: Mindcrime took Queensryche to an artistic level that fans and critics always knew they could achieve.ย  Their debut EP showed promise.ย  They didnโ€™t live up to that potential until Mindcrime.ย  Though good, The Warning album wasnโ€™t a stunner like Mindcrime.ย  Rage For Order was brilliant but alienating.ย  Even when it was first released, Mindcrime did not blow all the critics away.ย  Only after it had been digested slowly over time did the masses realize they were sitting on something very special.ย  Queensryche had done conceptual work before, but more abstract.ย  Nothing as well-hewn as Mindcrime.ย  Musically it was like they distilled everything they had accomplished thus far, and concentrated it into pure rock majesty.

The 2003 CD reissue had two live B-sides as bonus tracks.ย  โ€œThe Missionโ€ was originally released in 1991 on the B-side to โ€œSilent Lucidityโ€.ย  It is a different recording from that on the live album Operation: LIVEcrime.ย  โ€œMy Empty Roomโ€ is a later acoustic recording, released in 1995 as a B-side to โ€œBridgeโ€.ย  Itโ€™s interesting for its acoustic setting and percussion, but is best heard in the context of the โ€œBridgeโ€ single with its other acoustic counterparts.

Is Operation: Mindcrime a masterpiece?ย  The story is a bit Hollywood and a tad juvenile, but the broad strokes are remarkably still valid today.ย  Mindcrime is rivalled by only a few.ย  Itโ€™s a worthy, nay, important addition to any metal collection.

5/5 stars

REVIEW: Queensrรฟche โ€“ Queensrรฟche (1983 EP/2003 remaster)

Part I of a Queensryche two-parter.

QUEENSRลธCHE โ€“ Queensrรฟche (1983 EP/2003 EMI remaster)

Sometimes a reissue is done so right you just gotta โ€œTake Hold of the Flameโ€.

The 1984 debut EP by Queensryche is one such release.ย  The original vinyl runs shy of 18 minutes, leaving plenty of space for bonus tracks.ย  For this, they included the audio for all 10 songs from their first home video, Live in Tokyo.ย  Wishes fulfilled.

The original four track EP put the quintet from Seattle on the map.ย  Opening with โ€œQueen of the Reichโ€, the young band showcased their knack for riffs and screaming vocals.ย  Geoff Tateโ€™s opening scream cannot be touched.ย  Tate seemed embarrassed of these songs later on (all written by Michael Wilton and Chris DeGarmo with one lyric by Geoff).ย  Though the songs are clearly a starting point, theyโ€™re nothing to be embarrassed by.ย  โ€œQueen of the Reichโ€ remains simple, majestic and powerful.

The โ€œNightriderโ€ sails away but the riffs go on with pneumatic precision.ย  Early Queensryche were not that dissimilar from early Iron Maiden, but at least they were doing that sound well.ย  Curiously enough this self-produced EP was not recorded with the intention to release it.ย  Queensrรฟche is actually just a demo, but the band were starting to make waves on the live scene and so the four songs were released as an EP.ย  It eventually went gold; very rare for an EP.

Flipping over to side two, โ€œBlindedโ€ is screamy and raw.ย  Not one of the bandsโ€™ most memorable tunes, but soon arrives โ€œThe Lady Wore Blackโ€.ย  This is a metal ballad in the classic vein of โ€œBeyond the Realms of Deathโ€ or โ€œRemember Tomorrowโ€.ย  Tateโ€™s voice cascades while the band weave a backing track of guitar thunder.ย  Along with โ€œQueen of the Reichโ€, it still turns up on live setlists.

The live set in Tokyo, recorded in 1984, contains all the tracks from the EP, a non-album song called โ€œProphecyโ€, and several from the debut full-length album The Warning.ย  Opening with the โ€œNightriderโ€, Queensryche donโ€™t let up through a generally fast and heavy set.ย  โ€œProphecyโ€ keeps up the brisk pace, with a chorus that is miles ahead of โ€œNightriderโ€.ย  And this DeGarmo-penned smoker was a non-album track!ย  โ€œDeliveranceโ€ from The Warning follows in its ashy footsteps.ย  Itโ€™s an onslaught of Warning tracks:ย  โ€œChild of Fireโ€ and โ€œEn Forceโ€ rolled out in heavy fashion.ย  This trio of Warning songs might be considered the slow part of the set.ย  They have a soundalike vibe as they steamroll the ears.

โ€œThe Lady Wore Blackโ€ brings a slower, dark atmosphere.ย  Tateโ€™s sustain is unbelievable!ย  Then itโ€™s a blast of classics to close the set:ย  โ€œWarningโ€, โ€œTake Hold of the Flameโ€ and โ€œQueen of the Reichโ€.ย  Magnificent metal through and through, with โ€œTake Holdโ€ being an unequivocal high point.ย  From Tateโ€™s vocal to the exalted riffing, Queensryche nail it.

Donโ€™t just get the EP.ย  Make sure to get the 2003 CD reissue with the glorious Tokyo show included.ย  Youโ€™ll be happy you did.

4/5 stars

 

REVIEW: Jim Crean – The London Fog (2019)

JIM CREAN – The London Fog (2019 Visionary Noise)

Vocalist extraordinaire Jim Crean is back with two new solo albums.ย  Not only is there a 16 track covers album called Gotcha Covered, but also The London Fog, a new original CD.ย  As usual, Crean boasts a killer hitlist of special guests, including Carmine & Vinny Appice, Mike Tramp, Rudy Sarzo, Chris Holmes, Steph Honde and plenty more.ย  Buckle up — it’s a heavy duty trip.

The London Fog goes wide open from the start, with the two new songs Crean released on last year’s Greatest Hits:ย  the excellent “Scream Taker” (tribute to Ronnie James Dio) and the riffy “Conflicted”.ย  “Scream Taker” features Dio alumni Vinny Appice and Rudy Sarzo.ย  These tracks follow the traditional blueprints of classic 80s metal, particularly “Conflicted”.ย  (The dexterous bassist that I initially mistook for Billy Sheehan is actually A.D. Zimmer.)

Want more riffs?ย  Then get “Broken”!ย  There’s a great chorus here: Melody and power, with some tasty licks from Steph Honde.ย  “Aphrodisiac” takes things to a more nocturnal place, but more menacing.ย  Still, there’s always room for some dirty rock, and that would be “Lady Beware”.ย  If Dokken’s classic lineup released another song today, it would probably sound a lot like “Lady Beware”.ย  This is the kind of rock we all miss, and have a hard time finding today.

Jim Crean is equally at home on rockers and ballads.ย  “Let It Go” (with Honde on piano and keyboards) has an epic quality for a ballad.ย  It might be a bit Scorpions, Whitesnake (circa 1987) or Guns N’ Roses…the comparisons are up to the listener.ย  The keyboard solo is a cool touch.ย  Then heavy sounds circulate on “Loaded” (more Zimmer on bass), but yet Crean maintains a knack for melody.

A familiar voice welcomes you on “Candle”, a Mike Tramp (Freaks of Nature) cover featuring Tramp in a duet.ย  The song is new to these ears, and I like how the parts shift and change moods.ย  A riff for the ages follows, on an original track called “1981”.ย  Again I’m reminded of Dokken, the classic era.ย  It’s hard to recapture a time period with such clarity, but Jim Crean has a talent for writing that way.ย  Some of his originals could very well be from another time.ย  (Drummer Colleen Mastrocovo gives “1981” a serious kick.)

Another obscure cover:ย  Robin Zander’s 1993 solo track “Time Will Let You Know”, a classy ballad from an underrated album.ย  Jim doesn’t try to sound like Robin Zander, but does it justice.ย  Then it’s Rod Stewart’s dance classic “Passion”.ย  Very few singers have the right rasp to do Rod Stewart justice, but Jim Crean is one of them.ย  That’s the always slick Tony Franklin on bass.ย  And get this!ย  Franklin’s Blue Murder bandmate Carmine Appice, the same guy who played on the the original “Passion”, also plays on this cover.ย  He approaches both versions very differently.ย  Rod’s version is slick dance rock, and this is more like metal that you can dance to.ย  Same song; familiar but a completely different arrangement.ย  If John Sykes ever played with Rod Stewart, maybe this is what they could have sounded like.

“Passion” could have closed the album and you’d be completely satisfied, but there’s more.ย  A funky “Fool” sounds like Aerosmith, and who’s that on guitar?ย  Ray Tabano, the original Aerosmith guitarist before Brad Whitford joined the band!ย  This song is more Aerosmith than anything that band has recorded since 1993!ย  Then it’s another lesser-known cover and duet:ย  Angel’s “Don’t Take Your Love” featuring original Angel singer Frank DiMino.ย  Great melodic rock songs are always welcome, and this one is truly great.

Finally comes the metallic closer “Tears” featuring Chris Holmes (W.A.S.P.).ย  The contrast between the heavy riffs and Jim’s melodic vocals is what makes this style work so well for him.ย  The riff has a W.A.S.P. vibe, but Crean takes it in a totally different direction.

Another fine album from Jim Crean and friends.ย  Fans of hard rock “the way they used to make it” will thoroughly enjoy.

4.5/5 stars

Check back for a look at Gotcha Covered, coming soon.