First Impressions
This album has taught me one thing. To not trust the leading single of the album to represent it. I was actually really excited for this album, cause you know, Don't Stop Me Now is kind of one of the best feel good song ever made? And actually I was a little dissapointed with the album. Not fully but I'll get into it.
First off. They have a slightly more traditional rock sound here. Songs like Dreamers Ball, Don't Stop Me Now, and Jealousy are exceptions, but most of the album is just straight rock.
Here's the thing, it feels like it doens't even commit to that. The best way I can put it is this, aside from Don't Stop Me Now, the best songs in this album are the ones that go HARD. The bangers, fast super energetic almost agressive songs. But when they're not going hard, it's just meddling in this weird mid tempo that's too slow for me. There's not enough punch in most of these songs for me.
Some of them have that cheeky fun like Fat Bottomed Girls and Let Me Entertain You. And they have nuggets of really fun things. But I'm not sure the sauce in between is a little flavorless. Not bad by any means, their standard is kind of impressively high.
I still remember pretty much every single song here which is impressive. But it's just not up to par with their best, and that's my entire synopsis of the album if you ask me.
Now, the good stuff? They still have some amazing songs here.
Mustapha is really weird, but really commits to the phrygian sound and has a lot of hard rocking fun with it. Fun It is Roger's song of the album and it's incredible how aggressive it is. I love his voice, he could've been the lead singer in a metal or punk band honestly. Bicycle Race is so stupid in the best of ways.
Dead on Time blew me away, by far the biggest surprise of the album. It is so fast, almost punk-like. I know Stone Cold Crazy is said to have inspired thrash metal. I didn't know Queen had more songs like that. I hope there are even more becayse when they go borderline metal it's amazing.
Of course, the main highlight here is Don't Stop Me Now. Which as I said is probably the best feel good song to ever exist. And another contender for my favorite song of theirs.
It's got everything everyone loves from Queen. The harmonies, the energy, the fun, the solo. I don't know how Brian does it but he makes the most memorable solos that only last like 4 bars it's incredible how memorable his guitar playing is.
Freddie is amazing in this too, not that he's ever not amazing of course. The way he goes into falsetto for some notes and then belts out others instantly is so good.
So overall, not the best, certainly not the worst. The standard was subpar, but with a few incredible songs it brings the album up quite a bit.
Ranking
Don't Stop Me Now
Dead On Time
Bicycle Race
Fun It
Mustapha
Let Me Entertain You
Jealousy
Fat Bottomed Girls
More Of That Jazz
Dreamer's Ball
In Only Seven Days
If You Can't Beat Them
Leaving Home Ain't Easy
Rating
6.5/10