Queensryche - Greatest Hits [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED] [IMPORT]

Queensrÿche

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 25, 2007)
• Original Release Date: June 27, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered, Import
• Label: Emd Int'l
• ASIN: B00004TJYG
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #18,350 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
It doesn't take very many fingers to enumerate the number of American heavy-metal bands who traversed the treacherously shifting musical tastes of the 1980s and '90s intact and prosperous. And though their multiplatinum days peaked well before contemporaries like Metallica, Queensryche soldiered on, their sound evolving and maturing in remarkably similar fashion; one might argue they lead the way in that regard. Greatest-hits collections are suspect affairs, but this one presents a taut history lesson, documenting the evolution of one of America's most consistently underrated metal outfits from the Judas Priest-clone days of their self-released debut to the heights of Operation: Mindcrime and Empire, and into their equally rewarding '90s output. Along the way, the band managed to pick up an often artsy social conscience as well as an impressive musical range (the quiet dynamics of "Silent Lucidity" being light-years away from singer Geoff Tate's original Halford-esque howl) and a catchy pop sensibility ("Jet City Woman," "Sign of the Times"). Fans will also welcome two bonus tracks, the bluesy "Chasing Blue Sky" and an alternate, full-band version of "Someone Else?" --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the smartest purchases I have yet made., January 13, 2005

By	BGFN8 "If you ain't listenin' you ain't livin'" (Massapequa, NY USA) - See all my reviews

In August of 2004, I bought this CD out of sheer curiosity. I had a craving for new music, and had heard good things about the music of Queensryche and the vocals of Geoff Tate. Buying this CD has started me on a new journey which I am greatly enjoying.

Most of their classic hits are here. Opening with the amazing "Queen Of The Reich" followed by "The Lady Wore Black," one cannot help but be amazed that these two songs were part of a demo(?!). In particular, "The Lady Wore Black" is sure to amaze.

But the amazement doesn't stop there. Tons of great tracks follow, including rockers such as "The Warning," "Jet City Woman," and "Walk In The Shadows." Also great ballads, such as "Silent Lucidity" and in particular "I Dream In Infared." "Eyes Of A Stranger" made my jaw drop in amazement. "I Don't Believe In Love" at first sounds like a corny song title, but it's lyrics reflect something completely different (I'll let you find out when you buy the CD), and the song itself rocks. "Take Hold Of The Flame" has one vocal passage starting right around the 1:00 mark that made me spazz out, it was so good.

My love for "Eyes Of A Stranger" and amazement for "I Don't Believe In Love" made me research the concept album from which they were lifted (Operation: Mindcrime). After hearing the album through a friend, I ran out and bought myself a copy (the remastered one with bonus tracks). At that moment I knew I was hooked. Up to the present day, I have acquired copies Q2K and the remastered editions of EP, The Warning, Rage For Order, and Empire, and also managed to score tickets to see them live (performing all of the Mindcrime album).

Though there are a lot of great songs missing (I only know now after hearing the albums), this disc serves as a great, quick intro to a truly amazing band. I am quickly becoming a raving Queensryche fanatic because of this album. There is no better intro to the band, so this is a great place to start. Recommended to anyone who loves metal, progressive rock, and amazing, high-tenor vocals. This will start you on a journey that will take you beyond your wildest musical dreams.

5/5

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great music, dubious package as a whole., September 5, 2000

By	D. Mok (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This is one of those packages that make me suspect it was done without the blessing of the band, or at least without its involvement. Piss-poor liner notes that don't offer squat in terms of musical or historical insight, somewhat arbitrary track selection, and two incredibly inept bonus tracks -- as a greatest-hits set goes this is pretty pathetic, though strictly as a collection of songs, the music holds up.

Though many of Queensryche's best songs are on here ("Silent Lucidity", "Eyes of a Stranger", "The Lady Wore Black", "I Dream in Infrared"), I would have liked to see more. The band's more ambitious and less "hit"-oriented material is often the equal of the songs released as videos or singles. Missing in action: The gorgeous ballad "The Killing Words" and ethereal "I Will Remember" from Rage for Order; pivotal Operation: Mindcrime tracks "Revolution Calling" and "The Mission", the latter being one of Chris DeGarmo's crowning glories as a songwriter and guitarist, with a killer Michael Kamen string section; "Another Rainy Night (Without You)" and "Anybody Listening?" from Empire; and most significantly, no live material. Queensryche's decision in 1991-1992 to perform Operation: Mindcrime in its entirety on the Building Empires tour was possibly the most important artistic decision in its career, but none of the tracks (which were released in the boxed set Operation: LIVEcrime) are included here. And there are no worthy rarities whatsoever: The two bonus tracks, "Somebody Else?" and the toothless mellow trip "Chasing Blue Sky", both catch Queensryche at possibly its lowest points in songwriting clarity, unfocused and underarranged, lacking in edge and dynamics. I for one would've liked to see included tracks from Queensryche's superlative performance on MTV Unplugged, which showcased the band's prowess with acoustic arrangements; two of the songs from the show, "I Will Remember" and "Della Brown", were found in the band's Building Empires home video. These would've been prime fodder for bonus tracks -- which, again, leads me to suspect that EMI slapped together this greatest-hits set without the band's involvement and just swept the vaults for B-sides that the label has rights to (Queensryche having released the Q2K album with WEA/Atlantic last year). Even as far as B-sides go, the acoustic mix of "I Dream in Infrared" (the B-side to "Best I Can") is far superior than either of the bonus tracks, as are the live Mindcrime tracks that were found on the B-side of some versions of the "Silent Lucidity" single.

I don't think there's any buying incentive for the die-hard Queensryche fan, with such scant bonus material and, again, terrible liner notes. But if you just want to own only the most well-known songs because you don't have the original albums, this collection will satisfy your want.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Greatest Hits? A difficult task, January 3, 2001

By	Brian D. Rubendall (Oakton, VA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Let's face it, Queensryche, like classic Pink Floyd is not a singles band. Any collection of their "best" songs is going to be subject to quibbling from fans. Their best album, "Operation: Mindcrime" really ought to be heard in its entirity to be truly enjoyed. This collection is a good representative overview for the casual fan, but is not a disc for the already committed. Still, these songs showcase what the band does best, heavy metal for eggheads.