If they do a new album, it's going to be the deal breaker for a lot of people, I feel.
Eh, I don't think so. People have been saying "the next album is going to be a deal breaker" forever. I think most fans likely fall into something similar to these two categories: (1) those who will buy anything that has the Queensryche name on it no matter what; and (2) those who have liked the band's output enough that they will keep listening to whatever comes out, and if they like it enough, will add it to the collection and keep plugging along as fans for as long as the band keeps plugging along as a band.
For me, unless something drastic happened, I was done with this band as of D2C. The music had become so bad, and the Tates' control and resulting destruction of what the band was, had reached a point where I wasn't planning on buying anything else from them barring something huge happening. I wasn't expecting them to oust Tate, but it was going to take a MAJOR change in direction from where they had been headed. Shockingly, they did just that by firing Tate and getting back to their sonic roots, with a modern edge. The first two Todd albums legitimately wowed me, even if they were less than perfect. I liked The Verdict a lot less than those two, but it was still a good album. That's my long-winded explanation for why I am in the latter category. They fell from my "favorite" band a long time ago, and I don't see them ever even getting back near the top 5. But I have generally liked what they have been doing, from a musical perspective. I'm really disappointed that they haven't come close to what I would consider the bare minimum of reaching their potential. They have squandered a ton of good will and a ton of opportunities due to, what appears to be nothing more than laziness and lack of drive. But yet, they continue plugging along putting out decent music. I get enjoyment from that music, even if I simultaneously find it disappointing. So I will keep plugging along and listening, and will likely enjoy what they put out enough to buy it.
I'm bummed to see Parker gone, but I get why he is doing what he is doing. It's hard enough to make a living in the music business. And he's not a young guy anymore. But he is younger and has a longer work life ahead of him than Michael and Ed. I doubt he sees QR as a long-term career, and he would be right. On one hand, you have the above-mentioned lack of motivation to rise above their current B-level nostalgia act status. And on the other hand, you have the fact that they simply will not likely continue as an entity for the length of time that would make it worthwhile for a younger guy like Parker to be able to sustain himself to retirement. I totally get why he would want to devote his time and efforts to something that would support him long-term. I'm just sad to see him gone and will likely miss his contributions. It will be interesting to see who steps in. If it ends up being stone, I think that will simultaneously be (1) a completely logical move, and one that is "easy"; and (2) ruinous to the quality of their sound and songwriting. But I will reserve judgment and wait and see.
But I also don't see any "drama" or "soap opera" in any of this either. Unless there is something going on that hasn't been disclosed, there doesn't appear to be any drama. Just more rumors and stirring the pot by Epicview when there is nothing to stir.
Topic: Official Queensryche thread: Kickstart the next album (Read 695758 times)
