Queensryche vs. Queensryche

With the release of "Queensrÿche", the band have returned to their signature sound and "Queensrÿche" sounds like Queensrÿche. Back from the dead are the guitar solos, the soaring vocals, the twin guitar attack, the progressive and melodic nature of the songwriting. Where this album succeeds is that it is a cohesive album that flows well from beginning to end. It sounds like a band effort. It certainly won't top the band's classic catalog in most fans opinions, but it's a solid listen. As such, the Wilton/Jackson/Rockenfield version of the band is the clear winner of the two for me.

However, there are a some songs on the Tate CD that are good as well. I certainly don't think it's on the level of St. Anger like some people are saying. Geoff Tate has embraced the drama and anger to the point where it has become the music itself. The album's initials ("F.U") are a a not-so-subtle clue to the content of the album and the lyrics make no effort to veil Tate's bitterness towards his current situation. The album was cranked out in only six weeks obviously in an attempt to have something out before the opposition, so the whole thing doesn't flow and isn't cohesive. Some songs feel a little unfinished. There is little surprise in "Frequency Unknown"s musical direction. 2011's "Dedicated to Chaos" was the obvious result of Tate's desire to take the band down a more commercial and modern radio rock-oriented direction. "Frequency Unknown" continues in that same direction. Opening track "Cold" succeeds in being a very good song in that style. The song has an instant musical hook and is driven by a buzzy modern rock riff and some melodic piano offsetting the guitars in the chorus. "In the Hands of God" is another standout track. The song is dark, eerie track and reminds me of the underrated "Promised Land" album. "The Weight of the World" ends the album on a surprisingly progressive and positive element, slowing down the pace and letting the drama and atmosphere build up as the album ends.

I haven't heard either, but I'm only interested in hearing the Wilton/Jackson/rockenfield album.

I've got the TateRyche CD, haven't gotten my hands on the ToddRyche disc yet. Tate's album has a couple of semi-decent tracks surrounded by a whole lotta "Zzzzzzz."

ToddRyche for sure.

Queensryche by 100 miles. I love the album and it seems to get better with each listen. I honestly didn't think it would be as good as it is.

As far as Tate's FU - I didn't buy it and won't be buying it. I listened to it online and thought it was a lame attempt at modern rock, but without being worth a listen. Cold is probably the best song on the album, but I personally would rather listen to Nickleback, who do modern rock much better than Tate's version...... which are really Jason Slater rejected songs (from other projects) that Tate wrote some new lyrics. FU's lyrics seem like Tate took a night to figure out who to say FU to his old band in as many ways as possible.

thejokeriv wrote:

Queensryche by 100 miles. I love the album and it seems to get better with each listen. I honestly didn't think it would be as good as it is.

As far as Tate's FU - I didn't buy it and won't be buying it.

 That's how I feel.

If it's all about money and buying out the other parties, then we'll have to wait and see. You'll remember, QR management was basically Geoff's friends and family, who were no doubt getting paid a nice sum. Geoff was also caught trying to make a $250,000 backdoor deal for the Mindcrime movie rights, so there is the possibility he'd done similar things in the past.

So who can afford to win?

I don't know a lot of about corporate law, of course, so feel free to clarify if you know better. If it's about anything other than money, Geoff doesn't stand a chance.

Don't own either yet, but from what I previewed....I will buy ToddRyche. TateRyche didn't grab me.

Toddryche for me but we really ought to discuss this more.

So far I only own 'Frequency Unknown' which surprisingly I liked, maybe because my exceptions were so low, Musically it mines similar ground to 'Dedicated to Chaos' which I thought was a bit of a disjointed album and a low point musically and artistically for the lads.

Tate's version of Queensryche was rushed and you can hear that, but I find the songs to be somewhat better then the last real Queensryche album (Dedicated). Lyrically it can go from good, thought provoking to silly amateurish barely disguised jabs at his former bandmates.

If you are searching for the classic Queensryche sound on 'F.U.', nope, not even close.

exact33 wrote:

Toddryche for me but we really ought to discuss this more.

 

Eyesore wrote:

exact33 wrote:

Toddryche for me but we really ought to discuss this more.

 

He's right, you know. People have been awfully quite around here to just rush to conclusions. Maybe I should start a thread.

I've listened to both & wasn't particularly fond of either. If I had to pick one, it would be the Tate album, simply because it sounded more song oriented to me. The Todd album (which I thought I would like more), sounded to me like it was just pieced together parts of what they thought their fans wanted to hear. With all the talk of how Tate wouldn't perform their earliest material, I guess I was disappointed by the fact that it sounded more like Hear in the Now Frontier rather that The Warning. I know that's silly to expect that, but there you go.

mc666 wrote:

I've listened to both & wasn't particularly fond of either. If I had to pick one, it would be the Tate album, simply because it sounded more song oriented to me. The Todd album (which I thought I would like more), sounded to me like it was just pieced together parts of what they thought their fans wanted to hear. With all the talk of how Tate wouldn't perform their earliest material, I guess I was disappointed by the fact that it sounded more like Hear in the Now Frontier rather that The Warning. I know that's silly to expect that, but there you go.

Wow! I didn't think it sounded like Hear in the Now Frontier at all. More like a cross between Empire and Promise Land with a few songs even having a Rage for Order flare. Never once did I think HITNF.

If things aren't about money then Toddryche will prevail. I wonder how theGeoff will carry on as his band is just guns for hire?

Dark Horseman wrote:

If things aren't about money then Toddryche will prevail. I wonder how theGeoff will carry on as his band is just guns for hire?

I think that Toddryche would have a harder time if they lost the name (not musically, I'll not go there), but Geoff Tate has a name that people know, the other guys don't (apart from real fans). I think it would be harder for them to continue under a new name (just ask Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe!  )

I think that it's more likely that Toddryche will stump up the cash to buy out Geoff and his Bi-racial penis.

Who will prevail? The attorneys. Just like we always do.  

ultmetal wrote:

mc666 wrote:

I've listened to both & wasn't particularly fond of either. If I had to pick one, it would be the Tate album, simply because it sounded more song oriented to me. The Todd album (which I thought I would like more), sounded to me like it was just pieced together parts of what they thought their fans wanted to hear. With all the talk of how Tate wouldn't perform their earliest material, I guess I was disappointed by the fact that it sounded more like Hear in the Now Frontier rather that The Warning. I know that's silly to expect that, but there you go.

Wow! I didn't think it sounded like Hear in the Now Frontier at all. More like a cross between Empire and Promise Land with a few songs even having a Rage for Order flare. Never once did I think HITNF.

To me it sounds like Empire; only bits and pieces sound like Promised Land.

There's only one thing lacking that Empire had plenty of: catchy melodies.

I listened to Queensryche S/T again yesterday. Great solid album that I think is full of great melodies. It will def end up in my Top 5 for 2013.

bass63 wrote:

I listened to Queensryche S/T again yesterday. Great solid album that I think is full of great melodies. It will def end up in my Top 5 for 2013.

I should rephrase; I'm not saying there are no melodies. They're good. It's just that they're not richly memorable as those in Empire ("Jet. Citeee, woooooooomaaaaaaan...), or even Mindcrime.

corplhicks wrote:

bass63 wrote:

I listened to Queensryche S/T again yesterday. Great solid album that I think is full of great melodies. It will def end up in my Top 5 for 2013.

I should rephrase; I'm not saying there are no melodies. They're good. It's just that they're not richly memorable as those in Empire ("Jet. Citeee, woooooooomaaaaaaan...), or even Mindcrime.

 
You HAVE TO sing along to Jet City Woman every time you hear it!     

bass63 wrote:

 
You HAVE TO sing along to Jet City Woman every time you hear it!     

 
FACT.

I'll weigh in one more time. I haven't heard either of them yet except for the few samples here and there. The "real" Queensryche's music sounds much better than Tate's version. When I do finally get around to getting one, it will be the "real" group's album. Tate's douche-y attitude just is way too off putting for me to support the man.

007 wrote:

Tate's douche-y attitude just is way too off putting for me to support the man.

That's where I'm also having difficulties listening to FU. The guy's attitude has seriously tainted his own music, even when the music is decent.

I got over that back with Dokken.  I listen to see if I like the music.