Queensrÿche scored their breakthrough success with the ambitious concept album Operation: Mindcrime, which tells the story of a fortune hunter whose disillusionment with Reagan-era American society leads him to join a shadowy plot to assassinate corrupt leaders. For such a detailed story line (there is also a tragic romance thrown in), the band keeps its focus remarkably well, and the music is just as ambitious, featuring a ten-minute track with orchestrations by Michael Kamen. Those experiments don't tend to work as well as the tighter, more melodic prog metal songs, which are frequently gems, especially the singles "Eyes of a Stranger" and "I Don't Believe in Love." Granted, the lyrics and political observations can sometimes be too serious and intellectual for their own good (few bands, metal or otherwise, can make lines like "There's no raison d'être" work). But despite the occasional flaws, it's surprising how well Operation: Mindcrimedoes work, and it's a testament to Queensrÿche's creativity and talent that they can pull off a project of this magnitude. [Capitol's 2003 reissue includes 24-bit remastering (which makes this record sound even bigger) and two live bonus tracks (from 1990 and 1994, respectively) of two of the songs from Mindcrime.] ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
This was the first album I purchased by Queensryche. A friend of mine kept raving about them, and I saw a video on Headbanger's Ball..so I was mildly interested. It wasnt until I was home for two weeks off work being sick, that I went out and decided to buy this particular CD not really knowing what I was getting. This was in 1991 by the way. After about 2-3 listens, I realized that this band not only had incredible talent, but also had written a piece that was extremely politically charged w
Operation: Mindcrime is absolutely an amazing masterpiece. The story is very well put together and what makes it done so well is that many bands who make a concept album, you have to listen to each song in context or it just doesn't make sense (i.e. Dream Theater's Scenes From A Memory) but there are several songs on O:M that work well alone (Breaking the Silence, I Don't Believe In Love, Spreading the Disease, Eyes of a Stranger) but become STRONGER when you put them in context of the album.
Amazing album. Simply amazing. Wraps political protest, hardcore metal, and awesome rock opera into one. And to everyone who's hating on mindcrime 2, F**k you. Mindcrime 2 may not live up to its predeccesor, but it still has some rocking songs (The Chase, anyone?) and great peformances by Geof Tate, Dio, and Pamela Moore. I agree that it is a bit inaccesible and abstract, but if you understand it, it provides a good ending to a tragic story. So once again, haters, go f**k yourselves.
i was lucky enough to be with them for a weekend in Shreveport, LA, it was a family reunion for geoff tate..had a time of my life...ate some dinner with him and his mom.....his wife was hot then...this band had it all...loved almost every damn song they made....than h k you Queensryche
This is the album that really solidified my dislike of concept albums. After The Warning (still one of my favorite ever) and Rage for Order, Mindcrime is a decent CD held back from greatness by a need for temporal and thematic continuity; that's really the achilles heel of concept albums. And after this it's all downhill for Queensryche as they seem to worry more about radio play.
Now individually some of the stuff on here is awesome. Can't say anything bad about 'Speak', for instance.
Everytime I hear a song fron this album it reminds of the 1988 concert they opened for Metallica and the adventures my friends and I had trying to get to the concert. It was Saturday, 22 degrees(rare in Houston), and icey freeways. We traveled across town to meet Queensryche at a Sound Warehouse. With autographs in hand, we proceded to drive downtown to the Houston Coliseum. With the extremely cold weather, my friends and I were among the few to make it in our car.
This is the first album I ever heard by Queensryche. A good friend kept raving about them, so while I was recovering from a late age bout of chicken pox!, I decided to check this band out with this CD. It has since become one of my top 5 albums of all time, and has placed Queensryche into one of my favorite bands. I have seen them perform this CD live 4 times, among the 10-12 times I have seen them. This album is nothing short of spectacular, lyrically and instrumentally.
I'll take Rage for Order over this one any day for a concept album. I did see them live here recently 2006(?) and they were impressive. They really pulled it off. Della Brown on Empire would be my favorite song from them.
I saw this concert on accident (with Metallica in Jacksonville, FL) I have never heard a better performance in my life, Queensryche did a magnificent job in concert, as well as with the creation of THE concept album of the century, I still listen to Operation Mindcrime to this day, nothing is lost in translation...
This review sucks! This is one of the greatest albums I have ever had the good fortune to listen to in my life. Still infatuated with it after years. Suite Sister Mary is my all time favorite Queensrche song, it dominates. God, the whole album blows my mind.
Nothing can compare to the original Mindcrime so don't even try! They blew Metallica away opening on this tour with Metallica And Justice For All bad move Metallica Mindcrime straight through incredible show.
This review doesnt give Mindcrime the justice is deserves as shear brilliance. This is just an amazeing testiment to the Ryche's greatness. But your right Mind Crime 2 was just that, a crime, cause its prety bad...
Musicaly superb, Geoff Tates vocals are supreme! Great concept albulm that tells a sad story of :Drug addiction, Prostitution , Reliogous and political corruption set in Reagan era America Queensryches finest Piece of work, How ever if you would like to hear their worst Operation Mind crime 2 is horrible! i have the vynl so i dont know what locreates is smokin, i also own the origanal motley crue too fast for love on lethur records also if any one wants to buy them
this is one of those albums that once you start listening to, you don't want to stop - i just realized i said album - i must be getting old! - even though mindcrime is 20 years old it was still never released on a record ;)
I just saw them again in Seattle May 1st.....what a show. Geoff's voice still has the range and passion. Mindcrime, to this day, remains at the top of my listening list.