The Best of Queensryche

Queensryche knocked my socks off at Rocklahoma. The Seattle band is proving they are back for the attack. Earlier this summer, they released Mindcrime at the Moore which is a live recording of the theatrical production of both Mindcrime and Operation Mindcrime II. Later this month the band will release Sign of the Times - The Best Of Queensryche (Deluxe Edition). Both summer releases are available on Capitol Records.

The greatest hits package is comprised of 17 of the band’s best known tracks. There is a special deluxe collector’s edition which features 15 rare and previously unreleased tracks. The special edition disc also features television performance audio and a brand new song.

The track listing looks like this:

Queen of the Reich
Warning
Walk in the Shadows
Take Hold of the Flame
The Lady Wore Black
I Don’t Believe in Love
Eyes of a Stranger
Silent Lucidity
Bridge
Jet City Woman
Another Rainy Night
Sign of the Times
I Am I
Real World
Some People Fly
Until There Was You
All The Promises

A quick glance at the track list gives you an idea of the quality of this disc. No, Queensryche isn’t reinventing the wheel here, but they were smart enough to put all their “hits” in one easy to digest package. Still, there is at least one glaring exception: “Empire” isn’t on the greatest hits disc. It’s possible this song is included on the collector’s edition disc, but my advance copy only included the hits package, so I’m not sure. I think it is ironic “Empire” isn’t included here. After all, it’s the title track from Queensryche’s most successful release.

Geoff Tate’s voice sounds just fantastic on Sign of the Times. For my ear, it seems that many of the tracks are remastered. The entire CD provides the listener with a phenomenal sonic experience. This disc reminds me why I love “Eyes of a Stranger,” “Jet City Woman” and “Another Rainy Night.”

You can pre-order the collector’s edition (packaged in a double-disc digipack) via www.amazon.com for less than 25 bucks. The CD hits store shelves on August 28, 2007.

Here's the video from "Silent Lucidity" originally released on the Empire album.

Comments

[Christian Graus]

Wow - thanks for the heads up. I am in two minds about the live DVD, I LOVE Mindcrime, but I own it in so many different formats already. The best of is another matter, I have all the CDs, but I'll get the double disc for the bonus tracks for sure.

Yes, Queensryche blew me away at Rocklahoma as well, I was rapt they did 'Empire, as they often don't, and it's a personal favourite. Odd it's not on the CD.

I saw Heaven and Hell over the weekend ( I was at the very front, it was amazing ) and their set list was very different from their best of CD. Weird when that happens. It was still amazing.

[aXe mAn]

Queensryche rocks! But, I already have a "Greatest Hits" collection from them. I still want to get the DVD though.

[Christian Graus]

axe man - I have all the albums. That's why they do these double discs, because it's the rarities that will sell, most fans have the songs on the best of.

[Chessie]

The husband is already drooling, and we agree about 'Empire' being missing,it's a glaring error on somebody's part. We got to see the Operation Mindcrime Suite in Myrtle Beach last year, OMG...but I was surprised at the end of the show when all they did was Jet City Woman and Walk In The Shadows--I thought for sure they would do other songs like Silent Lucidity. We still have to get the DVD too.

>^..^<

[Rhodeislandrock]

I already have the Greatest Hits CD from 2000 so another one so quickly bothers me. The rarities on the second disc is enticing so I will probably breakdown if the local shop has it at a decent price. I agree with Christian above, the diehard collectors will buy it for the bonus disc.

I haven't grabbed Mindcrime At The Moore or the new deluxe version of Livecrime that came out a year or two ago. Maybe if I find them cheap.

[aXe mAn]

Yeah, I think now I will probably get it as well.

[Tyk]

Weren't a lot of these rarities released on the remasters?

[OWL]

Empire/EMPIYAH! and You are available on the Itunes version of the 2CD version of the collection. They replace the final 2 songs "Until There Was You" and "All The Promises". Including those last 2 tracks from the Q2K 2006 Remaster and Mindcrime 2 just seemed like a last minute rush decision by the record company. You'll notice they're the last 2 songs on each album. I mean how could you release a bonus song that no one except a diehard Ryche fan knows, and skip Q2K's biggest hit "The Right Side of Mind"? The world will never know...