OPERATION: MINDCRIME

Operation Mindcrime. All the thoughts settle on my heavy partying days. No I wasn't 18. Sure I partied as a teenager of course but the most exploiting parties took place when I was 25. I'm not going to tell you what I was doing because damn it's an album review but all I can say it was really hard. And I listened a lot to Operation Mindcrime at the time. This album has its dramatic side, monumental side, bombastic side but also energetic rock and roll side. Some songs are powerful dramas some hard rock hits in vein of 80's hair metal. Everything sounds pretty unique as for that time. And I think this is timeless record for that reason. Peter Collins worked with Rush on very keyboard oriented albums Power Windows and Hold Your Fire but here the sound is totally different. It's powerful guitar oriented album. Still it doesn't sound like other hard rock releases of that era. The sound is more raw and not so clear (which isn't bad in this case). Due to that even the most commercially oriented songs are not sweet and mushy. Even those bombastic dramas like The Mission and Suite Sister Mary aren't pretentious. Breaking The Silence, I Don't Believe In Love and Eyes Of A Stranger are pure hard rock hits that always bring chills running up and down my spine and I can even repeat after Geoff "I don't believe in love, it's never worth the pain that you feel". Some songs on this release are more metal like Spreading The Disease or Needle Lies. Both awesome btw. Geoff is one of the best singers I've ever heard. He can easily switch from low Presley-like manner into high pitched Dickinson's notes not losing strenght. Eyes Of A Stranger is good example for that. And few words about the story. It's about disappointed of America guy who decided to work for underground leftist organization, became drug addict, fell in love with nun and ended up in mental hospital. Ughh what a story. I think it's very interesting but I'm not about to comment this idea cos I'm not a fan of communism and socialistic drivel. I enjoy the music which is brilliant on this release. Lots of emotions. Who does believe in love?