The Album Review Club - Christmas Break Until 8th January

[journolud]

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 taste.

Bit harsh

 

[OB1]

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.

Ageist :)

 

[Saddleworth2]

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.

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.

 

[GornikDaze]

Yes.

That'll round up nicely to 9/10.

Thank you

You are Iggy Pop, and you have your Stooges in line it seems ;)

 

[MCFCTrick]

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.

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.

 

[RobMCFC]

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.

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.

 

[BlueHammer85]

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.

Yeh I don’t recall anyone saying something like that. More the merrier has always been this threads motto.

 

[GornikDaze]

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.

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! ;)

 

[LGWIO]

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.

 

[threespires]

however, if it’s anything to do with country please enforce your ban! ;)

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.