Wait, so...you're saying St. Anger is...bad?
No, I'm not going to defend that one. But in the case of Risk, they went outside their comfort zone, and even though it is really different for Megadeth, I feel like a lot of it worked. Not in all cases, but mostly. Brief track-by-track:
-Insomnia: Not really that far off the beaten path for Megadeth, IMO, although the addition of middle eastern strings and somewhat industrial sounding riffs and loops was new. It is an odd combination that works and makes for a cool vibe.
-Prince of Darkness: Other than being so polished and streamlined, which sounds very much in line with what they had done on the previous two albums, this is pretty standard Megadeth. No complains here.
-Enter the Arena/Crush 'Em: Yeah, I won't even defend this.
-Breadline: Not TOO much of a deviation for Megadeth. I mean, it doesn't sound too far removed from something that could have been on Youthanasia or Cryptic, if not maybe a bit more mainstream. Not one of my favorites from the album, but it does have a nice groove to it.
-The Doctor is Calling: One of my top 3 from the album. Love this song. Heavy and creepy.
-I'll Be There: This is also one that probably throws most for a loop. This isn't really what we signed up for when we bought an album that said "Megadeth" on the cover, right? I like the riff underneath the chorus, but as a whole, this song doesn't really do it for me.
-Wanderlust: Also in my top 3. Jimmy's very cold drum sound fits well with this song.
-Ecstacy: I feel like I shouldn't like this song as much as I do. When I think of Dave's vamping underneath the last parts of the solo before the final chorus, I kinda cringe. The verses...sometimes I dig what is going on; sometimes I don't. But the chorus really makes the song. Not typical Megadeth at all, and if people want to put this in the "doesn't work for me" category, I'm fine with that. But this song definitely has its moments.
-Seven: Hated it at first, but grew to love it. Also out of the box, but really, really fun and has an amazing groove.
-Time (both of them): I'm not sure why Dave has been so adamant that these are completely different, unrelated songs that are linked only by a very generally broad theme. The second seems to lyrically flow right from the first to me.
But anyway, this pair is really incredible. These show off what I like so much about Megadeth in every way. These songs, taken together, round out my top 3 (or top 4, if that better suits you).
It is a great album. Other than Endgame, this is the best in TWO decades!
I think this is better than Endgame too!
I agree. Dystopia and Endgame (minus the really bad ballad) are top notch.
Yeah, I agree. Outside the classic era (which I consider to be Rust through Youthanasia), I would put those two albums up there as their best, with the possible exception of my strange affinity for Risk.