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Originally Posted by Textcritic
Wow. I thought I was the only one who still remembered "Operation Mindcrime". I picked up the digital re-release a couple of years ago; includes a couple of bonus live tracks ("The Mission" is very impressive). I have heard some tracks from Mindcrime II, but for some reason what I heard from the new release just did not inspire me. Based on your endorsement, I am definately going back for a second listen (ANYONE who can appreciate the brilliance of Kings-X and the boldness of early Queensr˙che can provide me with musical recommendations any time.)
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Mindcrime II is getting mixed reviews. I think a lot of it has to do with a few things
-the story on Midcrime II is purely written from Nikki's viewpoint. It doesn't move around using different points of view like the original. It is purely Nikki seeking his revenge. The lyrical content is a little confusing but then again Nikki is pretty much insane.....
-the songwriting is little weaker. Geoff tate wrote everything. There is no question Queensryche misses the Chris DeGarmo/Geoff Tate dynamic.
-the music has a mid-80's feel to it so that it fits alongside the first offereing. Many people don't like it dismissing it as cheese. When done well that style is good. When done properly and well any style of music is good. I think it's done well here. Musically this is a top notch album with some outstanding guitar work and great vocals by Tate.
-with the exception of I think "Hands" there isn't a catchy poppy chorus that the first was filled with. It is sort of like a cross between later Queensryche and earlier Queensryche.
Despite it's faults I think it measures up quite well to the first. It will never be as good as the first. It can't be. Just like nothing will ever compare to Metallica's "Master of Puppets" or Megadeth's "Rust in Peace" (though Mustaine came damn close with "The System has Failed" last year) or King's X "Faith Hope Love"/"Gretchen". These are the albums I grew up on so nothing will ever come close. It's only natural. And I think many people are remembering a Mindcrime album that has been put on a very high pedestal after 18 years of listens. Not the Mindcrime album they first listened to.