First Impressions
Boy, what what a way to start. I don't know what Queen's golden age is, but this feels pretty damn well like it belongs to it. This was chock-full of amazing songs
First off. This album is in quite the predicament, since it's pretty much the inverse negative version of A Night At the Opera. Which despite me not having listened to thoroughly, I know damn well that album was the biggest thing they'd ever release. To release pretty much another side of it one year later that doesn't have Bohemian Rhapsody is... doomed to die by comparison. Well I say nay! This album is really good.
If I had to say this album has a single encompassing sound, it would be very acapella driven rock. I'm sure that'll be the same through most of their albums, but the vocals here are 100% the highlight. And I don't just mean Freddie or whoever's on lead vocals in each song, I mean vocals an an instrument.
Half of the songs here feel like Bohemian Rhapsody's galileo part on steroids. There are so many layers and harmonies happening in the best parts of every song, it is iconic for this band. Anyone who hears those thick layers of harmonies will go "oh yeah that's Queen."
Now, the obvious example of this is Somebody To Love. Which I've listened to extensively before and it's probably my favorite Queen song. I think it's gonna take a miracle for me to discover a song from them I like more than this. It's genuinely one of my favorite songs of all time.
It is insane from a composition standpoint. It's Freddie having a duet with the harmonies constantly, and they are so in your face, so sweet and attention grabbing it almost becomes too much, but it just matches the energy of the song so well. It's a genuine plead for just finding not just someone to love, but the love of your life, you can hear him just BEGGING for it. It almost sounds like a gospel song which makes it sound like he's screaming to god himself.
Other highlights of the album are... honestly kind of the entire album? I think Teo Torriatte and White Man are the least memorable, and even then they're not bad it's just a little below standard. But every other song is a banger.
It is criminal that I have never heard about The Millionaire Waltz before, it's a proper epic with that little playful touch that's trademark to them. It has some really strange and quiet movements, but they just add to how bizarrely amazing the song is. A genuine gem hidden amongst gems.
Same with You Take My Breath Away, it is a beautiful and almost haunting love song, very slow and reverb-y. It almost sounds dream like. Beautiful instrumentation and vocals.
The last of the odd-balls here is Good Old Fashion Lover-Boy. Which is this like almost ragtime cabaret style song and it's a bop honestly. Super playful and cheeky. Reminds me of Killer Queen if it was faster.
Then you have the straight up bangers, the less weird songs and more pedal to the metal. Tie Your Mother Down is so fun and the riff just screams classic rock. I also love that Roger is the one that sings the chorus, because he has a much harsher and rockier voice which fits that style.
You and I is another super fun more traditional song. And even that has little acappella tricks too, also I swear to god it has the same harmonic turn as March Of Time by Helloween.
This album is amazing for how little it's talking about in comparison to it's older brother. It's exactly what I was expecting when I came to Queen.
Ranking
Somebody To Love
The Millionaire Waltz
You Take My Breath Away
Tie Your Mother Down
Good Old-Fashion Lover Boy
You And I
Drowse
Long Away
Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together)
White Man
Rating
8.5/10