Album Review: Queen - Queen (1973)

I've been itching to write another review of a Queen album, and hopefully one that proves more favorable than my review of A Night at the Opera.  Whilst not quite the magnum opus I was expecting, nonetheless there are a number of noteworthy numbers on their self-titled album from 1973.  Yes, most of it is more or less filler material, which is dangling precariously on the verge of being boring.  But the heavy metal influence is what I'm most interested in here - it's most evident on "Keep Yourself Alive", "Modern Times Rock 'N Roll" and "Son And Daughter."  And of course, it's those songs that I like best.  I also find "Jesus" to be quite interesting as well.  And the album ends with a half-baked rendition of the classic "Seven Seas of Rhye", the full version of which would ultimately find its way onto their next album, Queen II.  That was perhaps my biggest disappointment, I suppose.  From my point of view, this album is very much a very average album, even when it does show signs of potentially breaking away from being consigned to filler material (i.e. "Doing Alright").  All up, it's an OK record.  You could certainly do a lot worse.  B

Album Review: Queen - A Night At The Opera (1975)

I've been itching to review a Queen album for a while now, and I've always cherished the three Greatest Hits albums that they've released since 1992. And now, I've finally got around to listening to what is supposed to be one of their better albums, A Night At The Opera from 1975.  And I have to say that I'm a tad disappointed with it.  There are some noteworthy and interesting songs on it, such as "Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon", "'39", staples such as "You're My Best Friend" and obviously "Bohemian Rhapsody."  But on the whole it feels tedious and drawn out, which for me reproduces the feeling of being at an Opera very well (hence the title), and perhaps I should've known better by the title.  But of course, this album is not trying to sound like "Keep Yourself Alive" or "Stone Cold Crazy", and slow tempos aren't my forte.  But why "I'm in Love With my Car" reminds me of Pink Floyd I will never fully understand.  I myself would steer well clear of "The Prophet Song" and "Love of my Life" - too tedious for my liking.  I do find myself going back to the wonderful Brian May-led "'39" and "Seaside Rendezvous", though.  That's the Queen I know and like.  B