AOH :: SCRM164.TXT
Screaming In Digital 164 (Queensryche Fanzine)
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Volume 164 - 07Nov94 | ***
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_________________________________________________________________
Screaming in Digital - Editor's Note
Greetings again, all! As usual lately, this is coming out a little bit
late, but it's entirely due to the vast amounts of material that were
sent in. It's quite large enough without me saying anything more. :)
_________________________________________________________________
Contents - Contributors
B-Side - Amy
Australian Release - Mark
Japanese Promised Land - Shiro
Imports & Tour - Chris
Promised Land in Poland - Piotr
Scarborough Fair - Steve
Empire Track Index - Amy
Questions - Timothy
Geoff's Vocals - Loula
Mindcrime and Shatner - Shakoda
Separated at Birth? - Nancy
License Plates? - Keith
Fan Club Problems? - Dawn
Disappointment - Brad
Why So Long? - Mike
Tour With Dream Theater? - Christopher
Tour with Savatage? - Christopher
Bootleg Identification? - Leonard
RycheNet BBSes?
Queensryche BBS Nets - Paul
Promised Land - Adam
Promised Land
Promised Land: A Warmer Rage - Daniel
Promised Land Impressions - Brian
Promised Land Thoughts - Ciaran
Promised Land Impressions - Todd
Promised Land Impressions - Dan
Promised Land Impressions - Kevin
Promised Land - John
Promised Land Comments - Christopher
Musical Comparisons - Paul
One Lane Bridge
Leave Bridge Alone - Brett
Relevance of Bridge - Jason
Interpretation of Bridge - Art
Click Tracks - Stephen
Queensryche and Dream Theater - John
Blade Runner Sounds - Greg
Cover Art - Tom
Chant in Lady Jane - Steven
Whisper in Lady Jane - Christopher
Disconnected Whisper - Christopher
Sister Mary Awake? - John
Mary Revisited - Christopher
Cryptic Lyrics - Christopher
Anybody Listening? Single? - Timothy
Cool Stuff - Dave
Vinyl Availability? - Jim
Heir Apparent - Alan
Tribute Band - Donna
_________________________________________________________________
Neue Regel - News & Reviews
B-Side - Amy (cottrell@virtu.sar.usf.edu)
The song that will be on the b-side of the next single is Dirty Little
Secret, which Geoff said was recorded especially for this purpose.
When will the next single be released?
Australian Release - Mark (mvb@star.mda.com.au)
I've read all the mail about Promised Land not being available in
Australia. I got it at Utopia Records in Sydney, just behind Wynyard
station, on the 18th, the world wide release date. Yup, Australia is
definitely part of the world.
Japanese Promised Land - Shiro (shiro@sc.ed1.yamaha.co.jp)
The Japanese version of Promised Land has two bonus tracks. One is
Someone Else? with the full band. At first, they were going to
release this version, but one day Chris thought the song needed more
piano, so he went to the studio and played it, then Geoff came and
sang along with it, and they decided it was better with only piano.
The other song is Real World which was already released on the
soundtrack of Last Action Hero. If you're interested in the Japanese
version, drop me e-mail. :-)
Imports & Tour - Chris (heislecm@lemoyne.edu)
I just found a new on-line CD store called CDNow that has all the
studio albums plus several imports from 1984 to 1990. Their prices
seemed fairly reasonable and they had a lot of CDs from other bands as
well. The store can be reached through telnet at cdnow.com or at
http://cdnow.com.
I also read on the Savatge WWW Page that several people in close
contact with the band said that they have a very good chance of
opening for Quennsryche during the U.S. part of the tour. I hope
that's true, because it would be a great show.
Promised Land in Poland - Piotr (gajow@tele.pw.edu.pl)
The CD market is quite good here in Poland. Most new releases are
available immediately or with little delay. When I heard Promised Land
was released, I went to the biggest CD shop here hoping to get it, but
it turned out I had to wait about ten days beyond the US release date
to buy it. It was the US release - I like the packaging very much.
I've been a huge fan of Queensryche since Operation: Mindcrime, so I
was waiting for this CD impatiently. I've listened to it a few times
now, and I feel the material is very good. I've heard and read some
opinions saying this album is a step back for Queensryche, but I
cannot agree. I think many people expected the next concept album,
like Operation: Mindcrime. Some of them are so disappointed that they
don't hear how good the album really is, and don't like it more after
a few listenings.
My favorite song on Promised Land is Lady Jane. Although the lyrics
seem strange to me, the music is great. I'm close to saying this is
the best Queensryche ballad of all, and it should be a great hit
anywhere. Damaged and Promised Land are the best "heavy" songs on the
album, I think. I like Out of Mind also, and Someone Else? is
incredible - it's good to hear something so unexpected and nice from
Queensryche.
Getting back to the idea of a concept album for a moment, this is not
one, but it is easy to see that most songs concentrate on a person.
You can hear the words "Me," "My," and "I" very often, although the
lyrics are not all attached to any particular subject.
Summarizing, I expected something different, maybe heavier, too, but
what I've got is really good and I like it. I only hope it won't take
so long to get the next Queensryche release.
_________________________________________________________________
Speak - Comments & Questions
Scarborough Fair - Steve (smm@uunet.uu.net)
Just as a note, the song Scarborough Fair is not a Simon and Garfunkel
song. It's been around for a couple hundred years, and even they
didn't perform the whole song. If anyone's interested, my girlfriend
has the complete lyrics to the song and I can send them in. The tune
was indeed written by Simon & Garfunkel, though.
This is actually a rather complex subject. If my history's
right, the basic melody for Scarborough Fair is, like the
lyrics, centuries old. Simon and Garfunkel's particular
rendition included a vocal countermelody, Canticle, while the
version performed by Queensryche - and previously by Myth -
includes only the basic melody, without the Canticle.
Technically, Simon and Garfunkel should probably not have been
credited on the Queensryche version. -sh
Empire Track Index - Amy (cottrell@virtu.sar.usf.edu)
In response to the question of why Best I Can and Resistance have
circles around their track listings on Empire while the rest of the
songs have diamonds, Best I Can is the beginning of side one and
Resistance is the first song of side two.
Questions - Timothy (76146@ef.pvc.maricopa.edu)
What exactly is the chorus saying during Suite Sister Mary on
Operation: Mindcrime? I know that it is Latin, but does anyone know
what it translates to? What exactly does Neue Regel mean? Can you tell
me when the band wrote the song Prophecy? All I know is that the song
was released as a bonus track on the EP CD when it appeared in 1988.
To me, the song sounds like it belonged on The Warning.
The general consensus about the Latin chorus is that it's
somehow related to the Dies Irae, or "Wrath of God" portion of
a requiem. Neue Regel translates roughly to "New Regime" or
"New Order." And finally, Prophecy was written in 1983 or 1984
- the band performed it in Japan for the Live in Tokyo video,
before the release of The Warning. -sh
Geoff's Vocals - Loula (lburton@beta.centenary.edu)
It befuddles me that someone was disappointed in Geoff's voice on
Empire. I thought it was best on Empire and Rage for Order, when he
didn't have the over-vibratic Iron Maiden thing going.
Mindcrime and Shatner - Shakoda (hcampb41@portland.caps.maine.edu)
The idea of James T. Kirk in a Mindcrime movie would be a nightmare.
William Shatner is too over dramatic.
Separated at Birth? - Nancy (ncurtis@ursus1.ursus.maine.edu)
After viewing Headbangers' Ball, I've got more "Separated at Birth"
possibilities.
1. Michael and Jimmy Page
2. Eddie and Kirk Hammett.
Isn't Jimmy Page just about old enough to be Michael's father?
Or is Michael aging that quickly? -sh
License Plates? - Keith (asolomon@whale.st.usm.edu)
How many people have - or know of people who have - license plates
that are inspired by the band or their songs? I saw one yesterday that
said "I AM I" and mine says "MNDCRIM." Anyone else?
Fan Club Problems? - Dawn (psycho@wpi.edu)
I'm a member of the fan club. I've been having a few problems with it
lately, and I was wondering if anyone else has.
First, I still have yet to receive the summer edition of 'Ryche & Roll
Times. I think that would make it four months late. I know the club
was going through a change of command, but I would think things would
have continued on smoothly. I guess I must have slipped through the
cracks, unless you have to pay the $15 every year. You don't, do you?
Secondly, I got the post cards from EMI, so I assume I'm still a
member. Looking back, I did write a letter to them before. It said it
would be nice if the fan club could scrape up a few passes for shows
and give them to fans in the area, or have a contest. Neat idea, eh?
It was only a suggestion and I mentioned it would probably be
impossible, but I couldn't have gotten blacked-balled for that, could
I?
Basically, I'm confused and a little disappointed. Should I write to
ask them what's up? Should I wait it out and hope everything falls
into place? I hope it was just an organizational error, or maybe the
postal service's fault. Could it be my fault?
I also didn't receive the summer issue of Ryche & Roll Times
for many weeks. I wrote a letter to Tina, welcoming her to the
post of fanclub head, commenting on the new album, describing
the growth of Screaming in Digital and asking whether I could
possibly get a copy of the issue. Last week, I got an envelope
containing not only the summer issue, but also a letter
explaining that the fan club's budget has been a little tight,
since the band hasn't been bringing in much revenue the last
few years! ;) Now that the new album's out, and especially once
the tour starts, things should stabilize a little bit. In the
meantime, don't hesitate to contact the club, if you didn't get
your copy of that issue. -sh
Disappointment - Brad (wilson@cps201.cps.cmich.edu)
In the last month, I've picked up lots of new material, but nothing
was more anticipated than the new Queensryche. After Mindcrime and
Empire - two CDs that are constantly played - I was expecting good
things. I think all the talk about "growth" and "darkness" and
"introspection" is unfounded.
Although four years in the making, I think the album is seriously
immature and in need of a lot of work. Aside from Someone Else? and
Lady Jane, there's nothing on this album that makes me want to put
it in the player. Perhaps I expected too much from this album because
it was so long in the coming.
_________________________________________________________________
Roads to Madness - Tours & Shows
Why So Long? - Mike (thorpjm@mail.auburn.edu)
I was wondering why the guys are waiting so long to begin touring. Is
it because of the holidays? Their last tour began right after Empire
was released. For us in the states, it will probably be another year
before we see them live. I don't know if I can wait that long!
In part, they're waiting to see how well Promised Land does in
various parts of the world, so they can estimate their audience
and plan tour dates based on that. -sh
Tour With Dream Theater? - Christopher (keeler@eden.rutgers.edu)
I went to the Dream Theater show in New York City on October 28. While
there, my friend had a chance to meet Dream Theater's guitarist John
Petrucci and she asked him if they are going to be touring with
Queensryche. Petrucci said that he didn't even know. I guess we'll
just have to wait and see.
Tour with Savatage? - Christopher (cat@christa.unh.edu)
Queensryche's opening band may be Savatage. That would be absolutely
perfect. while Queensryche is my first love, Savatage is its only
contender. If there are any Queensryche fans who haven't heard
anything by Savatage, try and check them out. If you prefer the softer
side, Streets, Edge of Thorns or Handful of Rain. If you prefer the
the heavier side, Gutter Ballet, Hall of the Mountain King, or
something earlier.
_________________________________________________________________
Spreading the Disease - Info & Resources
Bootleg Identification? - Leonard (len@ling.edinburgh.ac.uk)
Can anybody give me some information about a bootleg CD I have? Tracks
1-5 are from the MTV Unplugged show, track 6 is Overseeing the
Operation, a short version of the Mindcrime album, tracks 7 and 8 are
the long and short versions of the Stars single, and track 9 is the
demo version of Prophecy, I think.
I'd like to know if this is just available in the UK, or has it spread
further? I might be willing to do a trade for other Queensryche boots.
RycheNet BBSes? - (ryche@ods.sol.net)
Does anyone know about any BBSes in the Milwaukee, WI area (414 area
code) that carry RycheNet, mentioned in the October 31 issue? I'd
really like get onto RycheNet, but I don't really want to rack up the
long-distance bills every time I call. :( If anyone has any info,
please e-mail me.
Queensryche BBS Nets - Paul (tsbileci@music.loyno.edu)
Is RycheNet a WWIV-based network or does it use other BBS software?
I'm interested because I run a WWIV BBS that has a Queensryche/Dream
Theater sub. I host it, and it's in several major WWIV networks like
IceNet, WWIVnet, and ExpressNet.
If you run a WWIV-based BBS, the sub type is QRDTFW (the FW being for
Fates Warning. Fates Warning won't fit in the title of the sub,
though). It's auto requestable. And now, here's a shameless plug for
my BBS, itself. It's called Avalon Space Station and centers around
Sci-fi, Fantasy and all kinds of other things. The number is
(504)835-1917.
_________________________________________________________________
The Whisper - Discussion
Promised Land - Adam (gillius@tartarus.uwa.edu)
I got Promised Land as an import from a local CD shop here in Perth
for $31 Australian - a bit steep, but a man sometimes has to sacrifice
to get quality music. I've got to say it is totally different from my
expectations. It is a very moody album, a bit like King's X Dogman.
The title track especially is quite haunting. I think the guys may
have had a fair bit on their minds during the making of this album.
My favorite tracks so far: Damaged - pretty heavy, great riff, and an
awesome middle section with some great guitar playing. My Global Mind
- for me, it's the highlight of the album. It sounds really sad and
reflective. The solo - I think it's Chris - totally blows me away, so
much power. Geoff's singing is wonderful as well. Someone Else? -
Geoff's finest moment on the album, especially where his voice breaks
up a little just before the end. I think the fact that it is just
piano and vocal makes it even more powerful.
My least favorites so far: Bridge - This is going to grow on me.
Someone else remarked that it sounded pretty bitter; I would go along
with that. Chris's solo is very tasteful and completely captures the
mood of the song. Disconnected is another sleeper for me. These two
songs aren't ones that I dislike, just my least favorite on the album.
They are still better than a lot of the other crap out there. :)
This is one of the first albums I have bought in a long time where I
want to hit "play" as soon as the CD finishes. It totally addictive,
it also takes about four or five listens to really get into. Just
about every one of my favorite albums are like that: Rage, Operation:
Mindcrime, Moving Pictures, Close to the Edge, Gretchen Goes to
Nebraska, et cetera.
Promised Land - (r.elorduy@bristol.ac.uk)
I'm sure the same thing will happen with Promised Land as with every
Queensryche album. The first time you hear it you just wonder what's
going on, but by the fifth time it's already a classic. I don't think
anyone will have any complaints after the fifth time.
9:28 AM reminds me of the beginning of Dark Side of the Moon, and I
don't know why a lot of people complain about Disconnected - I waited
a long time for a song in the style of Gonna Get Close to You, and
finally we have something similar. My favorite one is Out of Mind; I
found that one very touching.
Please post any tour dates - I missed the London show and still cannot
forgive myself.
Promised Land: A Warmer Rage - Daniel (ad750@freenet.carleton.ca)
Chalk me up as one of the 10 year+ Queensryche fans who actually is
quite happy with Promised Land. Queensryche dropped the metal image
when Rage came out. Empire was the album that left the metal sound
behind. Promised Land is mellow, but what is wrong with that?
Still, I hope that Queensryche decides to create a new concept album
before the end of the millennium. :-)
Promised Land Impressions - Brian (qunsryclvr@aol.com)
My favorite song right now is One More Time, with Bridge, Damaged and
Disconnected close behind. The length does bother me too - not
necessarily the overall length, but all of the songs except the title
track just seem to end too soon, like they cut off the end of the
song. The only song I skip right now is Out of Mind. It just seems to
be out of place following a song like Damaged, a major letdown on the
album. So, when are those tour dates?
Promised Land Thoughts - Ciaran (100135.2561@compuserve.com)
I, have been awaiting this album with bated breath, ever since it was
mentioned around the time of Real World. It was released here in the
UK on the 10th of October, and I've been listening to it over and over
since then! My first thoughts were that it is a bit short. However, I
can live with that, since the quality certainly makes up for the
quantity.
My favorites at the moment are Disconnected, Damage, Someone Else? and
Promised Land. Disconnected is so very different from what they've
done before, and yet it fits the mood of the album. Has anyone else
noticed at the beginning the voice saying, "I'm sorry, you have been
disconnected... disconnected...?"
Damaged is nice and heavy, and I agree that the middle section is
Wherever I May Roam, but who cares? Someone Else? is a lovely
ballad, showing off Geoff's vocals nicely. Promised Land is a roaming
song, varied and melodic. I especially like the sax.
I don't know about Bridge. Musically it's great. But the "dad" at the
end of some lines really irritates me. Take that out and it would be
great. I don't mind that it's bitter - obviously that's how he feels.
I think the reason I don't like the "dad" is that it leaves no room
for interpretation. The song is very obvious and straight-forward,
with no scope for discussion. If the "dad" were removed, then we would
be discussing who it's about, what does it mean, etc. Maybe Chris
wanted to be very blunt and direct, but that's not Queensryche's
style.
Out of Mind is a good song. Again, this is a little more obvious and
not open to too much interpretation, but that's ok. The title is a
nice play on "Out of sight, out of mind" and the implication of
insanity.
My Global Mind is fine, musically and in content. Obviously about the
Infobahn, it also concerns attitudes toward change in general, and our
concern (or lack of) regarding global issues.
One More Time deals, like Promised Land, with the American work ethic,
and the costs that it brings. However, this is more hopeful than
Promised Land, which is very angry and bitter.
Lady Jane is great, and very atmospheric. I think a key part of this
song is the contrast between "Janie" and "Lady Jane." It seems to me
that this song is about some kind of awakening to a new reality,
during which "Janie" is lost or left behind, leaving "Lady Jane" in
her place. This could mean loss of innocence, a realization of the
reality of the world, or something else. I think it is deliberately
vague so that it becomes general. The actual process or event is also
vague. It could be drugs, but I'm not sure. The general theme of the
album would seem to point towards something more insightful. It seems
to be a traumatic event, so it could be sexual, but again it's not
clear.
On the general theme of the album, I think it has to do with a new
start based on insights gained from the past, which could well have
been painful in some way. By the end of the album, some sort of
catharsis has happened, and as a new person, re-born spiritually if
not physically, we move on from the old into the new.
Another possible theme is states of mind. This might tie in all the
songs, since My Global Mind doesn't really fit into the theme above.
However, this is the great thing about Queensryche - there are usually
so many options that you think as well as listen. I can't wait till
they return to do a proper concert here!
Promised Land Impressions - Todd (slavintm@cda.mrs.umn.edu)
After listening to the album for a few weeks, here are some
impressions: I Am I is definitely very catchy, a definite Rage for
Order and Last Time in Paris sort of sound. One thing, though - that
video makes me ill. Damaged is certifiably the best song on the album.
Too bad it's probably too hard to be released - or is that too bad?
Out of Mind is very relaxing. I really think Bridge is one of the
worst songs on the album. It really struck me as a bit corny.
Promised Land is not too bad, and has a nice ending - what is it with
Queensryche and the 2-minute non-musical endings? The saxophone is
certainly a nice touch. Disconnected hasn't grown on me at all. It's
nice to try new things, but they can't all work. Along with Bridge,
this track has the honor of being one of two that get skipped. Lady
Jane isn't a bad song, in fact I like it, but I find it hard to agree
with people who think it's the best song on the album.
My Global Mind has definitely caught on with me. I think this would be
an excellent choice for a single. It's very cool, and yet
radio-friendly at the same time. One More Time reminds me a bit of
Hand on Heart and One and Only, but a bit catchier, although it
doesn't seem to have too much substance. It looks like a potential
single. Someone Else? is superb, worthy of the "repeat" button on my
CD player. I really do hope they release this song, so that the whole
world can see what kind of music Queensryche is capable of producing.
Overall, I'd have to say it's no Mindcrime, but it's certainly a vast
improvement over Empire.
Promised Land Impressions - Dan (wrench@jakesys.sol.net)
I'm disappointed by the relatively short length. I'm not sure why they
made it so short, but I hope it wasn't laziness. Aside from that, I
love most of the album. The song Promised Land is still growing on me,
but there's something that just hasn't quite grabbed me yet. One thing
I like Queensryche for is their mix of slow songs and heavier songs.
Promised Land is no exception. It is a bit "darker" than the past
albums, but it's still cool. A lot of people keep saying "It's not
Empire, though." Being relatively new to Screaming in Digital, I'm
not sure if this is a compliment or not. Personally, I like both
albums the same. The only thing that would tilt my view is that Empire
is longer. Anyway, on to the other songs.
I like 9:28 AM, but I don't know why. I first heard I Am I on MTV
during Headbangers' Ball. The video, in my opinion, is too "noisy."
There's just too much happening at once. Once I was able to listen to
the song itself a few times - I got Promised Land after school on the
18th), I really liked it. I like Out of Mind because it deals with the
issue of locking people up in asylums and acting like they don't
exist. To me, "Out of sight, out of mind" isn't the right approach to
take with things. Bridge is a good song, but I have to agree with the
other people that commented on it being a bit one sided.
The lyrics to Lady Jane have been in my head ever since I first
listened to it. The "inner voice," as someone called it, is a cool
touch. Finally, Someone Else? is a great ballad. The piano is
especially memorable. Overall, this album reminded me how versatile
Geoff's voice and Queensryche in general are. It sounds like the
CD-ROM will be a must-have also. I can't wait!
Promised Land Impressions - Kevin (laferrie@sleepy.usmcs.maine.edu)
Here are my thoughts about Promised Land. 9:28 AM is just some sampled
sounds. It starts with a flatline, and then ends with a bay crying. I
believe it is telling us to look back at our lives before we die. I Am
I is about looking into yourself, amidst all the media hype that
exists. This song reminds me a little of Last Time in Paris. There are
some excellent samples in this tune. Damaged is the hardest song on
the album. It has a catchy guitar riff and some excellent drumming.
The song depicts someone under hypnosis so their past can be revealed.
The problem is that when the person looks back, he or she can only see
"Damage through the haze."
Out of Mind is a song about people that are in a mental institution.
The beginning reminds me of I Will Remember. This song tells of 2
people that are in a mental institution, and how what they see is
different from what the rest of us see, and how their lives are hidden
from society. Bridge is about a person's relationship with his father.
In particular, about Chris's with his father. This is one of their
best ballads in my opinion. This song has excellent lyrics, and
reminds me of Della Brown. Promised Land is about the "American
Dream," or lack thereof, the struggle of trying to survive that people
have in this country. The sax adds a nice touch to this song. You can
hear voices under the music throughout this song.
Disconnected also reminds me of Last Time in Paris. It's a great funk
tune - Eddie Jackson must love this one. There are more excellent
samples. My favorite part is near the end, when Geoff says, "oh..."
with a sigh, and ends it with, "you know." I think Lady Jane is about
having hallucinations, a bad acid trip in particular. "Calling out to
Janie as you drift away" is one line that supports this. At the
beginning, Geoff sounds like the lead singer of Crash Test Dummies.
My Global Mind reminds me of Resistance. It's about our ability to use
emerging technology. I think it's also suggesting that we should use
that technology to solve problems, like "hunger in Africa." The chorus
is catchy. One More Time reminds me of One and Only, musically. It's
about asking for one more chance at life. I believe it suggests that
we do everything we need to before we die. Someone Else? is just piano
and Geoff. Geoff sings about looking back, into the past, and
remembering what others told him. He suggests that he wasn't
responsible for what he did - "I see someone else, not me," but in the
end, he sees himself.
As I was typing this, I started to make Promised Land into a story. At
9:28 AM, the character is born. I Am I is about looking at himself and
deciding what is right for him as he grows up. Damaged describes his
past. At this point, he has fallen into the drug world, and is now
searching for his identity. Out Of Mind places him in a mental
hospital, because he's gone crazy. Bridge describes his relationship
with his father. The lack of that relationship leaves him without a
father figure, so he turns to drugs. Promised Land tells him that what
he thought he could accomplish was way out of reach. Disconnected
describes his current state. Lady Jane - incidentally, is that a slang
for some type of drug? - is about his hallucinations from the drugs he
is taking. My Global Mind is his mind searching for some truth, and
for some answers. One More Time is his plea for one more chance to do
things right. Someone Else? says that he is looking back, and he
thinks that it was someone else that did all the things that he did,
but, it was him.
Does anyone else share this opinion. Is Promised Land like Mindcrime,
a loop? Could you put I Remember Now at the end of Promised Land?
While I don't know whether it's a good idea to force Promised
Land into the Operation: Mindcrime concept-album mold, I would
have to agree that some of the same themes found in Mindcrime
are very prevalent on Promised Land. Nikki isn't dead. -sh
Promised Land? - John (jlb@tpg.tpg.oz.au)
I got my US release of Promised Land last week, and I liked it as soon
as I heard it. There isn't a song on there I don't like. I played it
to a friend who doesn't like Queensryche, and he really likes it too.
I can hear some Rage similarities in one or two places, but overall
it's pretty different than anything they've done before. The song
Promised Land has bits in it that sound familiar, but I can't name
the song. I'm interested to know why the band weren't listed at all -
does EMI assume the whole world already knows who plays what in
Queensryche? I'd like to know who played sax - Geoff? - and piano.
Geoff played sax, Chris played piano. -sh
Promised Land Comments - Christopher (cat@christa.unh.edu)
Promised Land gets better every time I hear it. I have a few comments,
however. I read on the package for the CD, "featuring I Am I,
Disconnected, Bridge and My Global Mind." Does that mean those will
be the singles? In my opinion none of those will sell even nearly as
much as One More Time, Lady Jane or Someone Else? would.
On the album as a whole, Geoff's voice is perhaps at it's prime, but
am I the only one that thinks he is way too raspy towards the end of
Someone Else? The lines "There's so much more I can be" and "I keep
looking back" in particular are not sustained to his old grace, in my
opinion.
Musical Comparisons - Paul (tsbileci@music.loyno.edu)
I've noticed a remarkable similarity of the music in Someone Else? to
background music from a segment in the anime film Robot Carnival. The
third to last segment, with the guy who makes a robot girl and falls
in love with it, has similar music to Someone Else?.
One Lane Bridge - (rycherox@aol.com)
There have been a few negative comments about Chris's lyrics in the
song Bridge. What sme people may be missing is that he's not telling
a story with this song; he's telling the listener his side of the
matter, revealing his bitterness over his father's absence from his
younger days. Of course it's a one-sided song. He apparently harbors a
deep resentment over his father's attempts to get to know him after
years of shirking responsibility. Can you blame him?
Leave Bridge Alone - Brett (ballbery@gonzaga.edu)
What's with all the criticism of Bridge? People say they like the
music but are annoyed by their interpretation of the song. So what if
Chris is bitter? Who's to say he's wrong? Do these people know Chris
personally? Let's not take it too seriously. If you like the song,
great - but try not to overanalyze the feelings of Chris DeGarmo.
Relevance of Bridge - Jason (cavalier@shadow.net)
I think I need to introduce a counterpoint to what some are saying
about Bridge. Yes, the song may seem one-sided to someone who's never
been in the situation Chris seems to be in, but for someone like
myself who has been in the same kind of situation, it tells a full
story.
My father abandoned my mother and myself when I was about five. Ever
since then, he screwed us every other chance he could, from
withholding child support - which we desperately needed - to actually
"skipping town" and flying to other countries where he couldn't be
touched. He's a real bastard. Just recently, he's tried calling me.
He's acting like nothing ever happened, that now he can speak a few
encouraging words and suddenly make us father and son again.
Needless to say, Bridge struck a very strong chord in me. Without
having the background or the feeling for the scenario, Bridge might
seem harsh and one sided, however it simply is not the case if you
have the background. I wish I had half the musical talent Chris has,
to write something of my own to vent the anger and frustration
involved in situations like this. I'll just have to settle for letting
Chris do it for me.
Bridge is a fantastic song and it's a rare occasion where I've had a
song nearly speak for me so directly. I'm hoping my father calls again
one of these days, so I can get an address and mail him a copy of the
song.
Interpretation of Bridge - Art (wblevins@vuse.vanderbilt.edu)
A few days ago, I was trying to complete a difficult homework
assignment whose deadline was quickly approaching. I happened to have
the new Queensryche CD playing in the background, when my 3-year-old
daughter came in the room and asked me to read her a story. I replied
that I was busy doing homework and couldn't read to her.
As she turned to walk out of the room, I noticed Bridge was playing,
"you never built it, dad." Was that Geoff singing or my daughter? I
put the homework down, turned off the CD, and read a story to my
daughter.
For me, Bridge is not about Chris and his father, it's about the
potential relationship between me and my kids. I definitely don't
want my kids to grow up feeling toward me the way that Chris feels
toward his father. Chris wrote that song for his dad. That's the
meaning for him. I view the song as a warning to fathers with young
kids, urging them to spend time with their kids.
I've read a lot of posts in Screaming in Digital about "the" meaning
of a song. In actuality words are ambiguous, and symbology can be
interpreted in different ways. Just like other art forms, lyrics can
have many interpretations. I don't give a damn what the band says the
songs are about - I didn't buy the CD to get more in touch with their
feelings. I bought it for the good music with a potential side effect
that the lyrics might be interpreted by me in a way that's meaningful
to me.
Click Tracks - Stephen (gbibm8dh@ibmmail.com)
Being a drummer myself for a number of years and playing in a number
of semi-pro bands, I'd like to mention a couple of points. It is true
that the click track evolved from the good old metronome, and is
indeed used for keeping time. Some people see it as a cop-out if
you're a drummer and you need to use one.
Far from it, the modern day click tracks come in 2 main forms -
audible click track and visual click track, i.e. a pulsing red LED.
Most of the bands that tie in a lot of visual material with the songs
- Rush is a major player in this league, as well as Queensryche - need
to get the and the visuals synched spot on, otherwise the whole thing
looks worse than a toilet after 20 pints and a good curry.
The comment that the visual side of things these days is controlled by
MIDI is true but MIDI now controls the click track as well. There are
a lot of pre-recorded effects used in the Queensryche songs; again
these are "triggered" by MIDI, so that it all gels together.
Anyone who tells you that using a click track is a piece of cake and a
cop-out is talking a "load of bollocks." The things are impossibly
hard to use at the best of times, let alone when you're putting the
complicated drum fills into a song that Scott Rockenfield does. This
man is one of the main reasons I got into the band in the first place.
He is vastly under-rated as a drummer. From a musical technique point
of view I'd put them alongside Rush.
Queensryche and Dream Theater - John (evansj@sun0.elon.edu)
I feel that these two bands are not as similar as some people think
they are. First, Dream Theater is a young band - they are only on
their third album, while Queensryche has proven themselves through the
years. Also Queensryche's sound is based on the guitar harmony of
Michael and Chris, while Dream Theater's is based on bass, keyboard,
and guitar. I feel Queensryche's mastery of the two-guitar sound makes
them unique, and I feel these bands are too different to compare.
_________________________________________________________________
The Killing Words - Interpretation
Blade Runner Sounds - Greg (gkeller@metronet.com)
Did anyone else notice the Blade Runner noises used in the interlude
between Promised Land and Disconnected? The clip came from a city
scene and includes sounds of the crosswalk and police hover vehicles.
I haven't pinpointed the exact scene yet, but I believe it is when
Deckerd is chasing the replicant Zora.
Cover Art - Tom (tmurphy@sun490.fdu.edu)
Did anyone notice the half-submerged stump sticking up out of the
water near the base of the tri-ryche totem pole on our left (the
totem's right) vaguely resembles someone hanging from a cross? I was
looking at the inleaf and it looked pretty weird, so I looked closer.
Anyone else see this?
Chant in Lady Jane - Steven (srh20@hermes.cam.ac.uk)
As far as I can tell, the children at the start of Lady Jane chant
something along the lines of "Janie, Janie, hideaway," followed by a
sentence I don't properly hear, something like "Rachel's got another
game," perhaps? This suggests that Jane is, perhaps, a loner? I
haven't actually heard the whispering, but I don't have access to a
good hi-fi at the moment :-(
Whisper in Lady Jane - Christopher (keeler@eden.rutgers.edu)
The whispered part in the intro to Lady Jane sounds kind of like "With
hell to pay." I'm usually wrong when it comes to these kinds of
things, though.
Disconnected Whisper - Christopher (christopher.t.varas@lawrence.edu)
Has anyone figured out the whispering voice on Disconnected yet? It's
:35 into the song, layered over the jackhammer. Maybe I'm just
imagining things, but I could swear I hear something, and knowing
Queensryche, if you hear something, there's probably something there!
Sister Mary Awake? - John (jlb@tpg.tpg.oz.au)
In last week's issue, Andrew wrote that we should compare sounds on
Dream Theater's Awake with sounds on Operation: Mindcrime.
I for one don't like Dream Theater enough to part with any hard-earned
money, so I have no idea what he's talking about. Can he explain for
the benefit of those of us who don't own Awake, and have no intention
of buying it?
Mary Revisited - Christopher (christopher.t.varas@lawrence.edu)
Either I know something a lot of other people don't, or - more likely
- a lot of people know something I don't. I missed most of the
original discussion about this, but in the last few issues, I've found
three separate questions or theories about Mary's death. I thought
they pretty much answered that question with the hidden video at the
end of Video: Mindcrime.
As I recall, we were told when it came out that it would tell us what
really happened to her, and then they flashed the word "suicide" up
in the middle of the hidden video - it seemed pretty clear to me. I
even wrote to EMI and they told me that the answer was in there. So I
thought the whole thing was pretty much settled - I guess I was wrong.
Could someone please write me and fill me in on why they think the
suicide theory is wrong?
Cryptic Lyrics - Christopher (cat@christa.unh.edu)
I think far too much time is spent analyzing the lyrics to Suite
Sister Mary, when they have so many more cryptic lyrics on other
albums. Rage for Order has many underlying ideas behind it, and it's
hard to say exactly what songs like Screaming in Digital and I Will
Remember are really about. I have my ideas, but I'd like to hear what
other readers think first.
_________________________________________________________________
Anybody Listening? - Advertisements
Anybody Listening? Single? - Timothy (strongtd@vnet.ibm.com)
I'd really like to get a copy of the Anybody Listening? single. I
think the B-side, Scarborough Fair is the only Queensryche song I
don't have a copy of, and I'm really pretty interested in what they
might have done with it. Anyone know how I can get a copy?
Cool Stuff - Dave (dwb4025@acs.tamu.edu)
I have extra promotional material for Promised Land to trade. Posters,
flats, postcards, et cetera. If you're interested, let me know. Also,
if anyone knows anything about the possibility of a bootleg existing
from the recent show in England, please e-mail me.
Vinyl Availability? - Jim (jimd@sscl.uwo.ca)
Does anyone know where I could pick up a vinyl copy of Promised Land
in Toronto or London, Ontario? Can I just order a copy through the
local CD shop? Did anyone out there buy the vinyl version? What are
your impressions?
_________________________________________________________________
Breaking the Silence - Miscellaneous
Heir Apparent - Alan (alanb1925@aol.com)
This is a little off the beaten path but I've seen a number of
references to Heir Apparent on here and America OnLine. Terry Gorle,
Heir Apparent's leader and founder, is a good friend of mine. I have
shared the postings with him and he has enjoied them greatly.
He and I are looking at re-releasing independently HA's first album
Graceful Inheritance, which up until now was available only as an
import and has been out of print for several years. We are looking at
putting the live two track demos for One Small Voice on it, too. There
are several songs that didn't make the album and should have! We are
also looking at some other rare stuff.
The venture will cost us several thousand dollars, and we want to be
sure there is some interest. We plan to fill a CD with as much music
as we can! Depending on what we do the price, will be less than $15 a
disc including shipping.
If you are interested in hearing a band that started about the same
time as Queensryche and in the same circles you will like this
project. Seattle did more than grunge! E-Mail me if you are interested
and I'll keep you posted.
Tribute Band - Donna (donna@scary.uucp)
About a month ago, a friend of mine went with me to Annie's Pub in
Cincinnati, Ohio to see Rage for Order (recently renamed to Empire), a
Queensryche tribute band. All in all they were pretty good, and it was
pretty funny. They weren't as good as Queensryche - no big surprise
there, right? - but they had obviously studied even the mannerisms of
the band members. Dress up night at the pub, as it were - but anything
Queensryche is worth watching.
_________________________________________________________________
That's about all for now. Have a good week, and don't forget to write.
'Ryche on!
-Shag
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