Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

What can I say about Dedicated to Chaos that hasn't been covered already? Like many of the reviewers who've sounded off about the new album, I'm a long-time Queensryche fan and have loved just about every song they've ever released. Even though their last few albums have tapered off in terms of what I admire about their music, there were always enough solid tracks mixed in to make up for the duds. I was so excited when I saw Amazon had the song previews for Dedicated to Chaos before the official release date. Then I read the titles... Luvin' U? Wot We Do? Big Noize? What did Tate do, read the texts on his 'tween daughter's cell phone to come up with the names for these songs? I was apprehensive, but decided not to pass judgment until I'd actually heard the music. I clicked on sample after sample and slowly felt my enthusiasm fade to utter disappointment. I've never felt the need to defend QR's weaker releases because there was always something *I* liked about them, and that was enough for me. As long as my favorite band continued to make music I enjoyed, I didn't care if it appealed to anyone else. Dedicated to Chaos finally made me take a step back and worry that I might never again hear the Queensryche I fell in love with some 23 years ago. The Queensryche I blared through my car stereo when I graduated high school. The Queensryche I blared through my car stereo when I graduated college. The Queensryche whose music helped me through break ups and the passing of pet dogs. The Queensryche whose lyrics I wrote out by hand and framed because I felt they were so poetic. For the first time since Mindcrime 1, I didn't buy a new Queensryche CD on the day it was released. That's really saying something, coming from a guy who's a member of the fan club, travels to nearby cities to see multiple shows on most tours, waits outside in the freezing cold to catch a glimpse of the band as they get on the tour bus and spent $60 on Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock just to be able to play Jet City Woman. Unlike most "real fans," it doesn't bother me that DeGarmo left the band. Of course I miss him and wish he was still with them, but as a TRUE real fan, I respect his decision to do what makes him happy and would rather he pursue other interests than stick around and phone in every recording/performance because his heart isn't in it. Those who are giving this album 4 and 5 stars under the guise that it's a pop music endeavor are missing the point. I like all kinds of music, from Gaga to Slayer to Willie Nelson to the soundtrack for Miss Saigon and would support the 'Ryche if they had stated this was something they were just doing for fun, or if they had called it a collection of Tribe B-sides. I wouldn't criticize the band for "losing their edge" if they'd put out a GOOD pop album, but Queensryche is capable of so much better than this, regardless of the genre in which it's classified. Here's a link to what their official website says about the new album: [...] What I get from this release statement is that: 1) they know the album is terrible, but put it out anyway, exploiting their reputation for being a prog-rock band as a way to justify poor music, and 2) Tate doesn't care about the fans' interests, he's just going to make the music he wants and expects us to eat it up. Tate, Wilton and Rockenfield all have side projects; maybe they should have released this album under an alias, ala Green Day/Foxboro Hottubs or Garth Brooks/Chris Gaines. Creating a new band for their experimental music would have left the Queensryche name untainted and given me some hope that they hadn't totally detracted from the music that makes me proud to be a fan. One thing I've noticed in talking with people of various age groups from all over the country is that there are no casual QR listeners. People have either never heard of them (QueensWHO???) or are rabid lifelong followers. Those of us who have been devoted to the band for nearly three decades are just as passionate about their music now as we were when we discovered it. We regard these guys as family, even if we've never spoken with them. That's how powerful their music is. That's what I want to feel again.