dimanche 30 Nov 2008, 22h22m

Queensrÿche / Eyes Of A Stranger / Operation: Mindcrime (15) / May 1988

sablespecter's Album of the Year for 1988 (RDF: 93%)

I cannot think of another concept album that I enjoy more than Qÿ's defining masterpiece (and that includes Maiden's SSoaSS). THis one has it all: compelling storyline with a mystery at its core for the fans to debate, great songwriting, effective storytelling with a level of theater that avoids schlock, great background effects, awesome musicianship, and emotive vocals from a frontman made for the role. The songs, of course, take it from good to great, and the timelessness of the sound - that it holds up so well after 20 years - is what makes it a masterpiece.

I think my favorite element of the story is that it's not so hard to empathize with the lead character. The story/songs do a good job of laying out the story arc of this erstwhole radical BUT they also offer up a biting criticism of The System and the way the game is played for the greedy self-interests that write the rules. It makes it easy to understand the WHY behind Nikki's actions in the first place. Not only has the sound aged well, but so have the topics.

Look at this complete list: the thinnest list of the entire decade. A sad way to honor a graduation year!

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Rounding out the Top Five of 1988 (in order of descending RDF):

Metallica: …And Justice for All (89% RDF): A lot of people were turned off by the song lengths, but I love long songs. If it kept more of them off the radio, the better. With the title track just under ten minutes and the shortest well over five, this one rewards focused listening. And this one got lots of it. The first single "Eye of The Beholder" is the only one that I didn't fully like. (The UK got the better end of the deal, since the much-better "Harvester of Sorrow" was the selection over there.) I like the 12/8 chorus, but that's not enough to keep my attention for the whole 6:25. I actually like the B-side Budgie cover better.

Iron Maiden: Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (87.5% RDF): Two concept albums in a single year! But this one took second place. Only "The Prophecy" failed to receive a dot, though there are only two infrared dots on this. I think the thing I like least about this album was the continued use of the synth on here in follow-up to the last album. Fortunately they abandonded that with the next album, though the 90s brought a host of other problems.

Suicidal Tendencies: How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Can't Even Smile Today (82% RDF): ST's most metal album, and chock full of good songs. Then again, it wouldn't have made the Top 5 in previous years. They were able to move to the front of the pack in a year with a weak field.

Ozzy Osbourne: No Rest for the Wicked (78% RDF): More of a return to form - and less of a glam look, sheesh! - than the previous album. I didn't mind The Ultimate Sin as much as some (though it hasn't aged well), but it was just a bit too far afield. The songs here are much improved, and so is the music. That's mainly because of the best thing about this album: the appearance of permanent partner Zakk Wylde!

Honorable Mentions (in not-entirely-correct alphabetical order by band/artist name):
Bathory: Blood Fire Death
Candlemass: Ancient Dreams
Danzig: Danzig
Judas Priest: Ram It Down
Kingdom Come: Kingdom Come
Megadeth: So Far, So Good... So What!
Slayer: South of Heaven
Testament: The New Order

Is your favorite album from 1988 on this list? Are there any others you would add?

\m/ (ò_ó) \m/