Queensrÿche is another one of those bands that no matter what they do, they are compared to some supposedly better era, always expected to sound like they used to. I personally like that they've gone less Metal here. Mistaken for some sort of Super Prog record, they sound less Captain Beefheart and more Mike Patton. Ultimately it's a nice Rock record, full of all those samples Queensrÿche like to use. They see themselves as storytellers, even if at times it comes across as a bit corny and over the top.

If you really listen to this intently, and you're a jingoistic, patriotic American, then there may be some intense Lee Greenwood lighters in the air, Proud To Be An American moments for you, which I guess in the end is what ruins the record for me. In some cases it comes across as a propaganda piece, rather than a truly introspective look at the American Soldier -- a third rate tear-jerker rather than a Sundance winner.

I like the music. It's a bit simpler nowadays for Queensrÿche. But maybe it's time to move away from all this concept record nonsense. I haven't really bought into them at all, and they take away from what might develop into nice songs, if they weren't bound up by contrite story lines.

written by Alan Gilkeson

Playing time: 60:34