Play 90 second soundbite of 'Sliver' @ 'CD quality'
Based on observations and experiences of 'front-line' soldiers this album tells it like it really is rather than just through the thoughts of an individual 'outsider'!! So, 'American Soldier' is a pretty hard-hitting work of truth born of experience; the emotions are real and the words are as honest as it gets. Contrived? No, just up-front and offering stories that need to be told and once heard you can decide for yourself what to make of it all!
'American Soldier' is perhaps a new take on an old theme; sadly always topical, the concept of war through music isn't new but 'American Soldier' takes the theme to a new level and, if you listen to the 'stories' in here' you'll perhaps also learn a few things that might just make a difference and maybe help you understand!! Now, don't get it wrong, Queensryche aint preachin', they aint really protesting either but they are guilty of opening up a few contentious issues through the experienced honesty within.
Subject matter aside, 'American Soldier' by Queensryche is a great rock album by any standards; Queensryche demonstrate that it don't have to be all blood and thunder guitar overkill to make the grade cuz this album is more in the graceful heavy rock idiom, anthemic maybe, stadium rock possibly but certainly polished, refined rock of the 'classic' variety, the 'timeless' kind! The metronomic drums are pointed and punctuative and together with the gently throbbin' bass they lay down the solid foundations that allow the guitars to gravitate, ebb and flow, sensualise the sound. As heavy and heady as this often is there's always plenty of room set aside for the vocals to cry out their tangibly anguished words that can be as frank as they are genuine. All-in-all Queensryche manage to pull off this pretty epic sounding work; the concept of the 'concept album' hasn't always worked out for those that took this road, it's very much in the hands of the music buying public and how they react to what is, I suppose, quite a 'progressive' ideology.. Queensryche make it work, they make it happen and their decision to make it absolutely 'real' is inspired and laudable. 'American Soldier' by Queensryche is classic rock at its very best - listen and enjoy but also listen and learn - 'American Soldier' has a few truths to tell!!
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