The Album Review Club - *** Christmas Break Playlist (next album 7/1/26) ***

OB1 said:
Sheer Heart Attack

It had to be done.

Sooner or later I was going to have to pluck up the courage and regale you with a Queen album review despite the scorn the group often garners on this website. Although, elsewhere, they get plaudits aplenty. Classic Rock magazine recently ran a big poll where people voted for the greatest rock band of all-time; unsurprisingly Led Zeppelin came out in top place but perhaps unexpectedly Queen were the runners up, which emphasises that they are real rock royalty.

Queen are one of a handful of bands that have sat atop my favourite band list. And, despite only having a short reign there, my fealty to them has never wavered. The first gig I saw by them was on the tour for “A Night at the Opera” when a little known track called “Bohemian Rhapsody” was number 1 in the charts. I’ve seen them on every subsequent UK tour, including those with Paul Rodgers and Adam Lambert as lead singer; in addition to the magnificent Freddie Mercury Tribute at Wembley. I dutifully bought every subsequent studio album on release.

That loyalty started with this album, or more precisely the first killer single from the album. I can still remember seeing them play it on Top of the Pops and being captivated by their mercurial lead singer’s performance. My favourite incarnation of Freddie, long black hair, black finger nails on one hand, holding his iconic sawn off mike stand (although not semi gloved in chainmail on that occasion). Some of you may by now have gathered that I have always been a sucker for glam rock. Queen deposed David Bowie as my favourite act, who succeeded T.Rex, and lost their throne to Kiss. And, no, I never wore make-up or painted my nails.

I am not sure if I bought the single ( it would be in the attic if I did) but I bought the album. The purchase was made on a Sunday long before we had Sunday shopping, which, incidentally, I had a very minor role in campaigning for. My Dad would occasionally take me to Manchester Airport on a Sunday so we could go to the shops there, and the W.H.Smiths sold records. As a sidebar one of the best value purchases I ever made was in a sale at Smiths not long after, when I bought “Queen II” in a sale for the princely sum of 99p, I also bought “The Hoople” by Mott the Hoople for the same price. Queen supported The Hoople on tour and name checked them on Sheer Heart Attack’s second single.

Older viewers will probably know the two singles from SHA but I am hoping most of you have never listened to this album.

Sheer Heart Attack is not only the first Queen album that I acquired but it remains my favourite by the band. Is it the jewel in their crown? There’s a few contenders and some albums are more feted but this is a brilliant, adventurous, experimental record. It was where they really started to develop variety in their music. The first two albums showed progression but are fundamentally heavy rock albums with Sweet on steroids harmony vocals. SHA still rocks hard in many places and features the Mercury May Taylor choir but there’s more light and shade. Thirteen tracks on a standard long player means most of them are short. It’s not a concept album but it is a superbly sequenced, eclectic mix of tracks that often seamlessly flow into one another to produce a suite of music. The four piece band did not use any synthesisers but produced a massive many layered sound along with a crack production team headed by Roy Thomas “Kitchen Sink” Baker. Engineer Mike Stone, who graduated to producing some later Queen albums and Journey’s crowning glory “Escape”, was a master of big chorus building according to Brian May.

The album starts with a whistle stop seaside tour that links to its predecessor and introduces opener Brighton Rock, which has at its core Brian May’s Echoplex extravaganza and crunching power chords surrounded by a demonstration of Mercury’s extensive range as he role plays and powered by Roger Taylor’s depth charge drumming.

First single from the album Killer Queen features Mercury’s witty lyrics and pop sensibilities. Too smart for The BeeB, who completely missed that this was a song about a high class hooker - “Went down to Geisha Minah” indeed. This song alone packs so much into three minutes, from the most famous finger clicks in rock n roll, through John Deacon’s double bass lines to May’s delightful multi tracked guitar solo. Almost my favourite Queen single, but that was a couple of (single) releases away.

Tenement Funster is the obligatory Roger Taylor song, where the drummer gets to show that he is more than just a pretty face by writing and singing a track. It segues into Flick of the Wrist, a vicious sonic attack on the band’s former management.

Mercury’s Lily of the Valley tones things down before side one ends with second single and brilliant live show opener Now I’m Here. This transports me back to seeing Queen live for the first time when clever use of the shadow of a roadie dressed a la Fred appears to make real the number’s opening lyric, before the band crash the party with one of May’s most memorable rockers, a Stones on steroids number about touring.

Side two finds us In the Lap of the Gods - a regal vocal fanfare.

Stone Cold Crazy sees the band inventing thrash metal, as anyone who has heard Metallica’s Grammy award winning cover would know.

Dear Friends is by contrast a lullaby.

Misfire is a typically upbeat, poppy, John Deacon composition.

Bring Back The Leroy Brown sees May doing his George Fromby on steroids impersonation, while Freddie plays Honky Tonk piano, John Deacon gets jazzy on double-bass and Roger Taylor swings like Buddy Rich.

The album closes out in epic style with She Makes Me (Stormtrooper in Stilettos), a mysterious stately song with a distinctive ledden beat and Brain May vocal, followed by In the Lap of the Gods…Revisited, a billowing clouds of dry ice and swaying audience number - Queen’s “Hey Jude”.

I don’t know (yet) whether this album will change the views of anyone who hasn’t heard it but Queen are one of the great British rock bands. The follow-up album contains Britain’s favourite single and the most moving singalong song ever. A plethora of hit albums and singles followed until the untimely death of Freddie Mercury. Flamboyant frontman Freddie Bulsara was one of the greatest rock singers and most entertaining live performers. Badger loving Brian May and his homemade guitar produced a wonderful, unique sound that won enough admirers for one poll to declare him the greatest guitarist of all time. Roger Taylor and John Deacon were a rock sold rhythm section, Taylor is a very good drummer, and both were able to write hit singles. At one point, they pretty much ruled the world.
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My girlfriend (now wife of 55 years.) bought me this for my 17th. We skived school and ‘ahem’ listened to it all day. It brings back many happy memories. I liked Queen at the time very much and this is probably their best album. No need fir me to listen to it as I could sing you every song word perfect and perform air drums, guitar and keyboard to every track whilst attempting a Freddie strut.

The 17 year old would give it a 10. The present me not so much. Sadly even Queens best music has been polluted by their dross. I still like the rock songs but hate the vaudeville with a passion. I will give it a 7 bumped to an 8 for the memories.
 
RobMCFC said:
You are the master of pulling these one-off posters in for a high score :)

To be fair, it happens with a lot of nominations but I think yours just land nicely with people of a certain age.
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I'm sure it seems that way, and yes I share a lot of similar music tastes to OB1.
I would participate regularly, but on one I did a good while ago, I was told, by who I can't recall that I wasn't 'in the group', so didn't bother again.
I only piped up on this one because its an album that means so much to me.
 
MCFCTrick said:
I'm sure it seems that way, and yes I share a lot of similar music tastes to OB1.
I would participate regularly, but on one I did a good while ago, I was told, by who I can't recall that I wasn't 'in the group', so didn't bother again.
I only piped up on this one because its an album that means so much to me.
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Really? That doesn’t sound like people on here. We have a good group of contributors who get along well. Not saying that it didn’t happen but maybe it was a case of crossed wires or misinterpreting a joke or maybe you even wandered into a heated debate that was happening at the time.

We regularly have people posting comments and scores who are not in the standard list of posters and all are welcome.
 
RobMCFC said:
Really? That doesn’t sound like people on here. We have a good group of contributors who get along well. Not saying that it didn’t happen but maybe it was a case of crossed wires or misinterpreting a joke or maybe you even wandered into a heated debate that was happening at the time.

We regularly have people posting comments and scores who are not in the standard list of posters and all are welcome.
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Yeh I don’t recall anyone saying something like that. More the merrier has always been this threads motto.
 
MCFCTrick said:
I'm sure it seems that way, and yes I share a lot of similar music tastes to OB1.
I would participate regularly, but on one I did a good while ago, I was told, by who I can't recall that I wasn't 'in the group', so didn't bother again.
I only piped up on this one because it’s an album that means so much to me.
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Agree with the other comments, we are generally a friendly bunch. A nomination would be more than welcome given your username and allegiance to OB’s taste - however, if it’s anything to do with country please enforce your ban! ;)
 
I was only really introduced to Queen via their GH and of course that Bohemian thing.

So this album as a whole was new to me. Gave it its first full listen whilst trying to dodge fallen trees this morning on my way in to work...save for the singles that were on GH.
Despite the bloody awful weather I found that my journey was made enjoyable by what is obviously a fun album.

There is often talk when reviewing the selections as to whether the voice is any good or whether the musicianship is up to scratch, I think here you can see that they are both excellent in the case of Queen.

I will enjoy giving this the next couple of listens.

Whilst going through the first time I did wonder if This was one of Matt Bellamy's first purchases

...And @MCFCTrick , if they tolerate me then no reason why they wouldn't tolerate you.
 
GornikDaze said:
however, if it’s anything to do with country please enforce your ban! ;)
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Proving @MCFCTrick 's initial thoughts that you're all wrongs 'uns on this thread :-)

More seriously, it's a shame he had a bad experience last time round cause this is definitely one of the more civilised parts of BM and by extension the entire internet! Definitely give it another whirl, Trick.
 
I'll be honest and say apart from a handful of Queen songs, I really don't like them. I don't like Brian Mays guitar sound and Freddie Mercurys voice grates with me. I've never got the fuss about them if I'm honest and a lot of it seems to come in the post Band Aid era.

I tried to listen to the album with an open mind but I hate Killer Queen and it felt like I was just reminding myself of why I don't like them!

It's not a bad album as such but for me personally I just didn't like it sadly. Not one I'll be coming back to I'm afraid.

5/10
 
threespires said:
Proving @MCFCTrick 's initial thoughts that you're all wrongs 'uns on this thread :-)

More seriously, it's a shame he had a bad experience last time round cause this is definitely one of the more civilised parts of BM and by extension the entire internet! Definitely give it another whirl, Trick.
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I'm not so sure the experience would have come from regulars here. Sounds like more one of the s(n)ide comments that occasionally appear at the expense of the posters on here. That's what I imagine may have gone on here from the sounds of it. Someone else might have done a 'don't bother this is a cliquey bunch' and it maybe stuck as being discouraged. Could be wrong of course, but like others I found it a surprise. I've actively encouraged 'lurkers' to join and I've seen others with a 'the more the merrier, everyone is welcome' attitude.
 
GoatersLeftShin said:
I'll be honest and say apart from a handful of Queen songs, I really don't like them. I don't like Brian Mays guitar sound and Freddie Mercurys voice grates with me. I've never got the fuss about them if I'm honest and a lot of it seems to come in the post Band Aid era.

I tried to listen to the album with an open mind but I hate Killer Queen and it felt like I was just reminding myself of why I don't like them!

It's not a bad album as such but for me personally I just didn't like it sadly. Not one I'll be coming back to I'm afraid.

5/10
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A lot of the fuss about Queen as you put didn’t come in the post Band Aid era, other than it’s now a lot of years since Band aid. They were huge before Band Aid.
 
OB1 said:
A lot of the fuss about Queen as you put didn’t come in the post Band Aid era, other than it’s now a lot of years since Band aid. They were huge before Band Aid.
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It's probably unfair of me so fair play, they are before my time :)
 
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GoatersLeftShin said:
I'll be honest and say apart from a handful of Queen songs, I really don't like them. I don't like Brian Mays guitar sound and Freddie Mercurys voice grates with me. I've never got the fuss about them if I'm honest and a lot of it seems to come in the post Band Aid era.

I tried to listen to the album with an open mind but I hate Killer Queen and it felt like I was just reminding myself of why I don't like them!

It's not a bad album as such but for me personally I just didn't like it sadly. Not one I'll be coming back to I'm afraid.

5/10
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Just about sums it up for me bar the hating the of the Killer Queen track.
The 2 singles that i had heard of were good the rest not so.with Brighton Rock really annoying me along with Brian Mays guitar solos throughout the album.

5/10
 
Just noticed on Spotify that Lucinda Williams has albums of covers of The Stones,Beatles,Dylan,Tom Petty,Southern Soul,Country and Christmas songs added on to it's playlist.
Plust the Brilliant studio album from last year Stories of a Rock N Roll Heart.
 
bennyboy said:
Just noticed on Spotify that Lucinda Williams has albums of covers of The Stones,Beatles,Dylan,Tom Petty,Southern Soul,Country and Christmas songs added on to it's playlist.
Plust the Brilliant studio album from last year Stories of a Rock N Roll Heart.
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Not sure I could think of anything worse!

Are they called the Lazy Drawl Sessions?
 
I was hoping for an Aerosmith experience here. In the sense that, the hits are known but an album would surprise you.

Alas, it did not. It is fine. Rock, drums, solos, wails, extravagance. Fine. The hits are hits for a reason. A 6 from me.
 
Sheer Heart Attack - Queen

I put Queen in the same category as ABBA; I can quite happily listen to their greatest hits, but I don’t feel the need to listen to any of their studio albums in full. Both bands seem to be regularly scoffed at by “serious” music fans, the impression I get is that both are somehow penalised for being able to write incredible singalong songs that you never tire of hearing

In the case of Queen, an incredible run from the mid-70s to the late 80s brought them one hit after another, and how can anybody not admire songs of the quality of “We Are The Champions”, “Another One Bites the Dust”, “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” and “A Kind of Magic”? They are, quite simply, British rock and pop royalty.

Sheer Heart Attack is a new album for me, “Killer Queen” being the only song that I am familiar with here. Listening to this album has been an interesting experience. My first listen, whilst moving like a slug in traffic on the Mancunian Way, was enjoyable. In that half-listening state, some great guitar riffs and solos jumped out at me, but strangely on subsequent listens, it didn’t grab me until a final 4th listen. Maybe some of these songs would embed themselves after a few years repeat plays.

“Brighton Rock” seems like a guitar noodle-fest without much song structure, and Freddie Mercury’s chipmunk vocals didn’t help the song. “Tenement Funster” is better, from its acoustic arpeggio opening, bass and power chords drive that the song, and the way that it flows seamlessly into the piano of “Flick of the Wrist” is impressive. The vocals arrangement and performance combined with the guitar in the chorus makes this one of the more enjoyable songs on the album.

“Now I’m Here” is another catchy guitar-driven number with some satisfying riffs from Brian May. Speaking of May, he certainly has a distinctive sound – the short solo during the opening of “In The Lap of the Gods” being a good example, and whilst this song is a bit hit and miss for me, the vocal arrangement is somehow influenced both by Pink Floyd and The Beach Boys, which is a neat trick.

I enjoyed “Stone Cold Crazy”, which is a dynamic song with furious hard rock guitar riffing throughout. “Bring Back Leroy Sane Brown” had an early 20s jazz feel with the piano and ukulele. Despite a nice vocal, “She Makes Me” drones on for longer than it should.

There are lots of changes in style across the songs on this album, which I generally like, but there are so many of them that the album feels less cohesive because of them. There is plenty to enjoy here, but this scattergun approach to the sound means that 7/10 is the highest that I will go.
 
Coatigan said:
Not sure I could think of anything worse!

Are they called the Lazy Drawl Sessions?
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Understand where your coming from.Listened to the Stones one as a huge fan of both.
Disappointed in the drawl on the recording.
This was the first record of hers that the drawl was prominent to myself although I have heard others talk about it.
She could drawl a lot worse on the Dylan lp and it would still be an improvement.lol.
She had a stroke 4 years ago so not sure if this was recorded before or after.
 
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