Queensryche, American Soldier
Posted on 21st May 09 by Colm Cullen | 
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The standard question that greets a new Queensryche album is “Is it as good as Operation: Mindcrime?” They have long been known for their concept albums, and here’s comes another one. As the title subtly suggests, this time the concept is about American soldiers. This isn’t glorifying war, but honouring the men and women who step up [...]
The standard question that greets a new Queensryche album is “Is it as good as Operation: Mindcrime?”
They have long been known for their concept albums, and here’s comes another one. As the title subtly suggests, this time the concept is about American soldiers.
This isn’t glorifying war, but honouring the men and women who step up and fight when called on.
I was never the biggest Queensryche fan, starting with that classic video for Queens Of The Reich (and I don’t mean classic in a good way). And Silent Lucidity didn’t help matters.
But irrelevant of that, you have to take your hat off to them for this. They’ve done concept albums before, but this is about the Bush war with, well, everyone really. While I (and many, many others) may not agree with W’s aggression and his party’s lies for oil, it’s the grunts on the frontline that pay the price. An album to recognise them is a laudable thing. This isn’t glorifying war, but honouring the men and women who step up and fight when called on.
Singer Geoff Tate interviewed a number of US war veterans of campaigns from WWII to Iraq, and the 12 tracks here are based on their tales. They’ve inserted excerpts from the interviews throughout the album, and they work remarkably well. You can feel the pathos in their stories. The voice heard on closing track The Voice is Tate’s father, who served in Korea and Vietnam.
There are a couple of high points, notably Man Down,Unafraid and opener Sliver, but overall this is a middle of the road and uninspiring album.Man Down is easily the standout track on here, showing why they were so popular in days of yore. A good solid chugging rocker of a track. Unfortunately, there are more than a couple low points; the lowest having to be the duet between Geoff Tate and his 10 year old daughter Emily. No offence to the young Tate, who has a mature voice for a 10 year old, but this is cheesy schmaltz at it’s worst. I’m sure some schmuck will make the comparison between life on tour and life in the armed forces, and how the soldier/musician is never there while their kids grow up. The minor difference is the musicians aren’t in danger of dying at any second (unless you’re a Spinal Tapdrummer).
The production is excellent, though. An extra mark for that.
So, overall – nothing to make me a bigger fan, and a couple of things to drive me further away. If you’re an old school Queensryche fan, this might be your cup of tea.
Myself, I prefer coffee.
Drop-d Rating: 4/10
