“Honestly, I love performing it, it’s my favorite show!” – Geoff Tate @ Rockpages.gr, July 2010, regarding the Cabaret show.
The essence of an album review is to give a clear view to those who haven’t listened to it yet, concerning what the album is all about. At some point, regarding big bands mainly, this procedure got upside down; reviews were all about what the new album is NOT all about, in comparison with their previous grandeur I reckon… A bit tacky and vulgar, however…
Honestly, I had never read so many comments regarding what the new album “is not about”, about a band… Any band whatsoever. Especially about Queensryche; those of you who know me or read what I write, you know all about my obsession with this band… I’ve read awful things… Bitter stuff, full of misery and protest, thumbs down and statements which can make a wall blush… Michael Wilton’s quote “and then the lead singer kind of changed the direction”, etc, etc.
When “Q2k” was out and friends were asking me how I felt about it, I used to say “Best U2 album”! The style, the sound, the pattern, they were all pointing to that direction. Sure, I was a bit bitter as well, I think I have every right to nag, cuz I’m a customer, regardless whether I’m ryche or wrong. Now that this album is out, influences by U2, Pearl Jam, Pop influences in general, even Dance loops and radio music made for convertibles and beach rides, become less helpful and more puzzle-creating, in order to comprehend. “Get started” is a pretty, a lovely lil’ song… But that’s EXACTLY what it is. Some friends called me on the phone… “Dude, if I wanna listen to happy-happy and Shalala, I will put on the grand AOR bands… Queensryche is for so much more”!
“All around the world” could easily become the twenty first century “Obla Di Obla Da”… You know wot? I don’t have a clue if people can understand that… Maybe they won’t even care about this Gunners resembling riff. “Hot spot junkie” features a strong intro theme, “At the edge” is darkening and probably the most interesting proposal… “Broken” is a bit of Queen-thing with a tad of “Stop trying to change the subject!” – by Susan maybe? “Luvnu” and we’re heading for the curtain…
And this is how we sum it up inside Geoff’s phrase, the one you read at the top of this text. The whole album, head to toes, is written for the Cabaret show! This album is the Original Sound Track of the Ryche Cabaret! I’m certain and I won’t take it back… The bloody Universe can state I’m just an old man and that I don’t know a thing about anything and that I’m a total nothing when it comes to music… No problem, I won’t mind. I know! I know that whatever dragged GT to create the Cabaret is here, present and complete…
Due to the fact that you don’t buy as many albums as you used to, for reasons you all know; due to the fact that a lot of people turned this frustration to denial and anger; due to the fact that it’s your money anyway and you can do whatever you want with it… Decision is all yours. I have already ordered the album, there’s no cure for me anyway…
Costas Koulis
PS: During the interview with Geoff about “Dedicated to chaos”, we asked him the following. “I think you sound really happy on the album, would you like to share something with us?” and “Do you think this album introduces us to a whole new Queensryche era”? Well, his response…
……………………………
There was once a band that used to deliver flawless and timeless records which you couldn’t stop listening to them over and over again! You were in awe of the compositional inspiration, the artistic novelty, the technical ability, the unique vocal performance…all in all, you were proud to be called a fan! That band is Queensryche and many years have passed by since that memorable era. In the last 20 or so years the quintet has given us many excuses and chances not only to criticize its work but pushing us to the limit of turning once and for all our backs to them.
Personally I didn’t expect that a band that has gone all the way of recording such abominable albums as “Tribe” and “American Soldier” would outdo themselves (in a awfully negative manner) and release a disposable and trashy record like “Dedicated to Chaos”. To tell you the truth, if it weren’t for the band’s name and logo on the cover sleeve, I’d say that Pain of Salvation hit the garage of Porcupine Tree on a drunk, dazed and confused stupor and jammed without a sense of knowing what they are playing! “Dedicated to Chaos” can be barely be called a “rock album” and I reach the conclusion that Queensryche, after a certain time point, not only consider their fans to be some kind of fools but they are actually on a mission to deliberately provoke them with every single release of theirs.
“Dedicated To Chaos” is an album forwarded to all the garbage cans of the globe!
Highlight: Geoff Tate = The Heaven and Hell for Queensryche…a breathtaking voice and an arrogant behavior.
Sakis Nikas
