Queen - Queen - 1972
Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2008 6:58 pmQueen is a great band of the 1970's: more diverse than just about any artist from whatever period except the Beatles in the 60s and possibly Ween in the 90's and with a long list of classic hits from the decade (as well as some from the 80's). Freddy Mercury has one of the best voices in popular music. I mean this in the technical sense: compare his voice to Mark Knopfler, J.J. Cale, Paul Simon, and you hear what I mean. However, emotionally he may not always reach you because he can be quite tongue in cheek. Brain May is a good guitar player who is very easy to recognize. At various times all members (including Roger Taylor, drums, and John Deacon, bass) have proven to be good composers.
So what's the problem? Well, not much. For me, the problem, besides a dip around 1980 - 1984, is that I feel they are somewhat overrated. It may be because of Freddie's voice that is so instantly recognizable but have you noticed that Queen songs are never covered by other artists? They are a very important band, but you could hardly imagine Frank Sinatra or Nina Simone cover Queen songs, whereas they both covered songs by the Beatles in their time (they both have done Something, for instance).
Queen is their debut album, and I would say it's a bit as if Led Zeppeling had a crash cource in opera to diversify: the basis is hard rock (Keep yourself alive, Great King Rat, Liar, Modern times rock 'n' roll), but hey, we got this acoustic piano and this great singer, let's branch out a bit. OK, now let's take this somewhat furthur, a little furthur, Dren, now we got Seven seas of Rhye, My fairy king, Doing all right!
I like it! There is no big hit on this album (that would appear on the third album: Killer queen), but it's actually one of the better rock albums of the period.
So what's the problem? Well, not much. For me, the problem, besides a dip around 1980 - 1984, is that I feel they are somewhat overrated. It may be because of Freddie's voice that is so instantly recognizable but have you noticed that Queen songs are never covered by other artists? They are a very important band, but you could hardly imagine Frank Sinatra or Nina Simone cover Queen songs, whereas they both covered songs by the Beatles in their time (they both have done Something, for instance).
Queen is their debut album, and I would say it's a bit as if Led Zeppeling had a crash cource in opera to diversify: the basis is hard rock (Keep yourself alive, Great King Rat, Liar, Modern times rock 'n' roll), but hey, we got this acoustic piano and this great singer, let's branch out a bit. OK, now let's take this somewhat furthur, a little furthur, Dren, now we got Seven seas of Rhye, My fairy king, Doing all right!
I like it! There is no big hit on this album (that would appear on the third album: Killer queen), but it's actually one of the better rock albums of the period.