The review really up-sells the album, but I'd feel dirty listening to it so I'll pass.

I'll probably feel obligated to check this out now - always liked Tate's voice even if he's a nutbar.

Album Rating: 3.5

Burn was the best one from the singles, with The Strangers being the worst one. The bad album cover, the whole soap opera divorce going on and his arrogant demeanor don't help him much change our view on his work. Though, if I have to listen to this album to restore some of my faith to GT, I'd be more than willing to do it.

The Stranger was laughably bad...but dammit, I'll check it based on this review

have checked this out, is honestly really bad, reinventing the future is the only good track on here because it's just cool old songs with a new window painting

album cover is gay
will i dig?

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

If you couldn't appreciate the mellower side of Promised Land or the Tate-led direction of Tribe/Mindcrime II then probably not.

Album Rating: 2.5

Thoughts:



-Some very cool musical moments on here... but most of the time I feel like he's trying to emulate QR. On Queue is Della Brown redone. Reinventing the Future is The Mission.



-The Fall is the best track on here and one of the better songs that Tate has been involved with in about 20 years (since Promised Land). It's just a good song



-Kelly Gray is dialed into Degarmo hardcore, his tone and his note selection.



-Geoff Tate struggles vocally on here. He isn't holding *any* notes and is doing a lot of talk singing... which is a shame because if he were on his game, I think this could have been a strong alt rock/prog rock album.



Willie, you nailed the album description imo... just Tate pulls it all down.



I'm not sure what the worst track is, Stranger and Burn fight it out for that title, haha

it kinda sucks since if he had been cool with maintaining this style in the first place then it would have been fine for him to still front Queensrÿche, at least on the musical level.

new Ryche'll probably still be better oc

'The Stranger was laughably bad...but dammit, I'll check it based on this review'

elcraw dude willie has the strangest taste when it comes to QR, seriously, look at his Queensryche ratings and tell me they make sense

well Rage For Order is their best album so he hit the nail on the head there

lol no it isn't

Album Rating: 2.5

thought the first song sucked but it got better from there. but damn does this guy have it in his contract to make the worst album covers ever i mean jeez

Album Rating: 2.5

idk man a dude's bare chest doesnt do it for me

the album cover is horrendous.

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

--Some very cool musical moments on here... but most of the time I feel like he's trying to emulate QR. --

I don't think he's trying to emulate Queensryche. I think he has a style that he likes and it's going to sound like it no matter what band he's with. Although, Re-Inventing the Future is definitely The Mission. That's not emulation, that's stealing from Chris DeGarmo.

--Geoff Tate struggles vocally on here. He isn't holding *any* notes and is doing a lot of talk singing--

I think that's just his style these days. Whether he could still do it or not, he just doesn't want to sing like anymore. Ray Alder from Fates Warning is the same way.

--As much of a dick as Geoff Tate is, this was a surprisingly good listen.--

Definitely a good surprise... I wasn't expecting it.

--it kinda sucks since if he had been cool with maintaining this style in the first place then it would have been fine for him to still front Queensrÿche, at least on the musical level.--

I was thinking the same thing when listening to it the first time.

--new Ryche'll probably still be better oc--

This album is way easier to get into, actually.

--elcraw dude willie has the strangest taste when it comes to QR, seriously, look at his Queensryche ratings and tell me they make sense--

Aw, Titan. They make perfect sense. What doesn't make sense is your irrational anger towards Tate and Queensryche, and what they're doing now.

I spent a few weeks with the promo copy. Thought 'Re-Inventing...', 'The Fall' (great closer) and some of the interludes were interesting....but on the whole, I don't think the post-grunge aesthetic has ever fit Geoff that well musically. Not sure why he pushes it so much. Promised Land worked because the songs were strong. Tribe was hit and miss, everything since almost unbelievably bad or really "we are seriously out of our element" sounding.

As a big fan of progressive rock, ambient, jazz, etc....yeah, this is not a chill progressive rock record by any stretch of the imagination. Tate has no clue what he's doing, and The Key's obnoxious mix doesn't help either.

That being said, I thought the production on QR's 2013 self-titled sucked. The enjoyment came from some absolutely phenomenal hooks and some cool poetic lyricism despite a short running time. Not a progressive album really, but atleast the songs were catchy. Maybe Geoff should write with Michael Wilton or Chris again...every time he doesn't the results seem to make me cringe.

On another note, I've heard three songs from QR's upcoming Condition Human so far, and it sounds like they actually know what they're doing and fixed the production issues from 2013. It'll be a killer heavy metal record with some prog overtones. :D

Interesting review in any case, but even coming into it with no reservations I just don't think it works as an album. So I guess I'd give it a 2.00. xD

Album Rating: 2.5

I'm not really enjoying the album but it's definitely his best recent output. As ADeGarmo said the production doesn't help either.

'Aw, Titan. They make perfect sense. What doesn't make sense is your irrational anger towards Tate and Queensryche, and what they're doing now.'

Right on willie bro, when you have 14 other QR albums equal to or better than the EP and The Warning. Keep that Ryche flame burning baby.