"Sign Of The Times" by Queensrÿche

Queensrÿche is a heavy metal band from Washington state that formed at the beginning of the 80s. They slowly built a loyal following with their unique brand of cerebral lyrics and sophisticated instrumentation. Lead singer Geoff Tate has a distinct and dynamic range that works its way around the innovative riffs of guitarist Chris DeGarmo. Their 1988 concept album, "Operation: Mindcrime" is considered a classic in the genre.

The band had an unlikely hit in 1991 with the gorgeous orchestrated ballad "Silent Lucidity." The song went to #9 and was their only chart appearance, but it helped the album "Empire" become their biggest selling record, surpassing the three million mark. Lots of other songs from this masterpiece of a record got substantial airplay, but none of them charted.

The band was unable to sustain their rising status during the shifting music times of the 90s, and DeGarmo left by the end of the decade (effectively ending Queensrÿche in the eyes of many). Tate would get fired in 2012, and now the band using the Queensrÿche name bears not a single founding member. Tate now records under the banner Operation: Mindcrime.

But before DeGarmo left, the band released a polarizing record called "Hear In The Now Frontier." The record was either loved or hated by fans and critics alike, and I fall more towards the love side. It is their most radio-friendly effort ever and contains a lot of great tunes that contain classic moments embedded in more melodic material. "Sign Of The Times" exemplifies what I'm talking about, and is still relevant today. Notably, the record also contains the groovy "All I Want," the only song in which DeGarmo sings lead vocals.