Operation Mindcrime was the groundbreaker but i rate Empire as my favourite album of all time – the production is awesome and, being a bass player from back in the day, Eddie Jacksons bass sound is frighteningly good. Songs like Della Brown, Lucidity, Best i Can, Thin Line, Jet City Woman and Empire will never be bettered in my opinion.
Really went off the boil after Empire and De Garmo leaving but the new American Soldier album is a real grower.
Rage for Order is worth a listen – it was quite experimental and was a big step towards Mindcrime being written.