1990 - August: Queensryche “Empire”

The fourth Queensrÿche studio album followed what was to become a classic concept album entitled "Operation: Mindcrime." The successor to this prog rock masterpiece would be their most commercially successful release. “Empire” is filled with hard charging, somewhat melancholy metal singles and their subdued masterpiece hit, "Silent Lucidity." In a time when hair bands were waning and grunge had yet to take over, Queensrÿche was a welcome heavy metal/prog rock alternative. We hope you enjoy this exploration of this underrated and talented band. Another Rainy Night (Without You) This song was the fifth track and the fifth single from the album. It is a Seattle inspired song about loneliness, and waiting for someone in the rain. Empire The title track is about drug and gang warfare. The spoken section is a protest about the amount of spending on law enforcement compared to things like national defense and space exploration. Silent Lucidity This is the hit off the album, and Queensrÿche's only entry into the Billboard Hot 100. It is about lucid dreaming, where you realize you are dreaming while still in the dream. "I'm smiling next to you in silent lucidity." Jet City Woman This track returns to the theme of loneliness. It was written about Geoff Tate's first wife, who was a flight attendant. Seattle is known as the Jet City. ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: “My Blue Heaven” by Fats Domino This 50's hit was on the soundtrack from the movie "My Blue Heaven," starring Steve Martin, and was based on the life of Henry Hill, a mobster in the witness protection program. STAFF PICKS: “Joey” by Concrete Blonde Rob's staff pick is an early alt rock hit about an alcoholic, loosely based on Mark Moreland from Wall of Voodoo. “Enjoy the Silence” by Depeche Mode Brian brings us a dance/electronica hit that was originally intended to be a ballad, but the band picked the tempo up before it hit the album. “Hard to Handle” by The Black Crows Wayne had a difficult time finding a staff pick for this month until he located this song from Georgia's own Black Crows. This was a remake of an original from Otis Redding. “Epic” by Faith No More This song was controversial, both because of front man Mike Patton's similarity in style to Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis, and because of the use of a fish out of water in their video for the song. INSTRUMENTAL: “D.F.W.” by The Vaughan Brothers This instrumental from Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimmy Vaughan was on the charts after Stevie Ray Vaughan had died in a helicopter crash. Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel. Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share. Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform! **NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.