Reviews (page 13 of 14)
I’m not a Queen fan, but some great songs on this one. The Loser in the End the pick of the bunch, vocals almost Robert Plantesque
Better than I expected in all honesty - ogre battle in particular! Solid 3.5 but getting a 3 on here
I liked this but found it mostly unremarkable. Every once in a while a song would make me think, yep, this is Queen.
I was underwhelmed after hearing “A Night at the Opera.” This album’s production was problematic for me. The instruments and Freddie’s voice often sounded muddled. But the songs also felt less than special. I think Queen’s brilliance hurt their rating from me: I compared the to what they can be, and on this one they fell short of their own excellent standard.
It’s not bad, but it’s not good. It’s rock music designed by civil engineers for people who think ordering a rogan josh is edgy.
OG queen, det er flamboyant, poppet, rocket, energisk
Gather round, everyone, as I tell my Queen Origin Story... It was the summer of '92. I had just graduated from high school, and was living in that dreamy, undefined interspace between being a high school kid and a college "adult". And I was working at Super Saver Cinema's 8 in the Brice Outlet Mall in Columbus OH. Except when a kid threw up, this job rocked. Unlimited free movies and pop (not soda up in OH), even if the movies were second run and the pop wasn't always mixed correctly. Basically getting paid to hang out with your friends. We even had a softball team that played against other movie theaters, with the losers buying Waffle House steaks (the only place open when you were scheduled to close down the theater). There was the week of tornado warnings every night around the 4th of July, the world's best french fries at the Chinese place in the mall (really), and there was Wayne's World. I'm not ashamed to say that I really didn't give Queen much thought before Wayne's World graced the screens of the ole' Super Saver. But after you've seen Wayne and Garth head banging to Bohemian Rhapsody (or as Barry Goldberg would call it, Rap City), there's no going back. All of a sudden, Classic Queen showed up in the theater's 5 disc changer, on rotation for an entire summer. I still remember at least three of the other albums - some Steve Miller Band's Greatest Hits, INXS X (the first CD, and if you opened in the morning, you knew you were on when you heard the beautiful opening notes of Suicide Blonde)...and Classic Queen. I don't remember the other two discs - there may have been a C&C Music Factory in there somewhere. But I digress... Listening to Classic Queen all summer was inspiring. "Under Pressure"? Holy cow - Vanilla Ice didn't write that hook (who knew?)! "A Kind of Magic"? Yes, indeed! "One Vision"? Wait, wait...was that the song from Iron Eagle? Damn straight! Doug and Chappy to the rescue! I even spent some of my hard earned cash on a used copy of the CD (to go with my new CD player that I got for graduation - no more BMG tapes for this guy!). That lead to Queen's Greatest Hits, with its matching red album cover. I HAD heard lots of this album - you didn't go to a sporting event in the 80s without "We will rock you" or "Champions". Some of it was out there - was I allowed to like "Fat Bottomed Girls"? "Radio Gaga" from Classic Queen was (and still is) really, really strange, but damn it's catchy. It was the summer of Queen, the soundtrack to my days and nights. It would soon be replaced by the soft strumming of Toad the Wet Sprocket (what is this new madness?) and my freshman roommate's penchant for classic Fleetwood Mac (how had I missed this??), but every so often I come back to Queen, and "One Vision" is still my go to ping pong song. All this to say, I hadn't listened to this album, although I feel like the cover is really famous. It was good. It was Queen, no doubt. Was it "Classic" or "Greatest Hits" Queen? Not by a long shot. But you can definitely hear what they will become. Now, back to work...Alexa, play "Under Pressure"....
Huh. This was pretty standard ok normal good rock music.
early Queen kicks ass
Прослушано! Хороший, крепкий альбом.
Excellent
Absolutely loved Queen growing up, thinking about it I mainly listened to their greatest hits. As such most of this album was a discovery for me. More prog rocky than I associate with Queen and perhaps not their campy best but certainly enjoyable. 3.9
Não reconheci nenhum hit, mas sim a potência do rock pesado bem executado.
66/100
So, when "Bohemian Rhapsody" (film) came out, my then 12 year old asked if we could go watch it together because...I'm actually not sure. Rami Malek did have a name then, from 'Mr Robot'. But my kid's quest to watch every programme ever made for television is largely platform specific – Robot and Netflix and first-born never co-existed in the same televisual universe. Anyway, thanks to all the palaver about first Sacha Baron Cohen and then the director who is not David Fincher (who I think is a genius) but for some reason always crosses that particular identification wire, I wasn't keen. Also, I had a peculiar relationship with Queen. Like 3 million brits, I own Greatest Hits, and love pretty much every song on it. (Ditto Greatest Hits II) When Freddie died, I was devastated in a way that has only ever happened once since with someone in the public eye (Warne, since you ask). I liked Queen, liked them a lot, but had never ever owned a full album of theirs. (I had listened to The Works in full, but that's about it.) Anyways, I had no real expectations for the film. But (1) I was quite surprised to discover that I knew extensive chunks of the Queen Story, such that I knew exactly where the various fudges and smudges and reordering of the chronology were trying to hide; (2) it bothered me not a jot, because I loved the film. Really did. Still have no idea why the 12 year old wanted to. Musically, he's on the Grime end of the spectrum. Still he liked it enough to go back to watch it again. and a third time. Go figure. I guess its the music. It cuts across so much, almost without trying. Queen II is sort of like that. You wouldn't expect it to work, but, like, it does despite itself. And despite me. Oh, I have listened to another Queen album in full and more the once. The one with Death on Two Legs. I'm guessing that was 'A Night at the Opera'. Or maybe 'A Day at the Races'. See? This is so weird. I know all the albums off head, and probably in correct chronological order too. (including 'Flash')
The best album of the best rock band
no hits, but not bad
Tror inte jag hört en enda låt på den här plattan. Men Queen är ju Queen.
rem
The essence of excess. Things weren't going to go any better later.
Definitely one of the most straightforward Queen albums. Solid quality, clean hard rock / heavy metal with some eccentric touches here and there, but nothing close to their later experimentation. It's good music, good musicianship, good songwriting. However, it simply isn't all that interesting (yet). It doesn't have any of my favorite Queen tracks on it (Sevens Seas Of Rhye is very good, but not quite a favorite) but on the positive it doesn't have any of their unfortunately horrendous hits either (like the horrible We Will Rock You or the even more horrible We Are The Champions *shudder). Wrapping up: good music, good album but by a band that definitely could and did do better.
Ok
Queen's greatest hits is the best selling album ever, or something but I've always thought they were pretty awful, aside from a couple of songs. It's the mawkish we are the champions, the awful we will rock you and novelty nonsense like fat bottomed girls and the one about bicycles that I find most annoying. But none of that on here, but some reasonably enjoyable prog, so I surprise myself by giving it a 3. That it isn't long and tedious like Pink Floyd and B.I.G. probably works in its favour. Best song seven seas of rhye
Never heard this album before, but knew Queen from their stadium anthems and obviously Bohemian Rhapsody, which I always thought was a kind of tongue in cheek novelty type of song. Well this album is like one big Bohemian Rhapsody, only less polished, less proficient, less fun, less in every way. Since Night at the Opera is already on the list, including this album as well is redundant. My rating reflects that redundancy, not necessarily the quality of the music (which if it did, I'm not sure would change much).
14th October 2022 Listened throughout the day while working from home and on the west back from seeing Nick cave at the literature festival. I mean it’s Queen.
Har aldrig tyckt om Queen men dethär var bättre än jag trodde det skulle vara men kommer antagligen aldrig lyssna på de igen
Fuck ooofffff
Kinda rocked with this one… decent 4
Traaaaaaaash
Tähän ei kyllästy koskaan.
Bit more balls to this one than some of the other Queen records on this list. Still not terribly exciting though.
HL: “Father to Son”, “Seven Seas of Rhye”, basically the whole crazy 2nd half For some reason, of all the classic rock bands (Led, Floyd) I was big on as a kid/teenager, I never explored Queen’s catalogue like those other bands. Which means I went into this almost blind, and what a treat! If there’s one thing modern rock lacks, it’s fairies & ogres 👺 October 14, 2022
Good but still not something I’ll want to listen to ever
Shrug emoji
I think this is my fav queen album
Queen is my favourite band. I know every album and every song so it's going to be hard to say anything negative about them, especially for the Queen albums on this list since they are my favourites. I love Queen II since it improves significantly on the debut album and still has Queen in their prog-rocky/fantasy phase which disappears for the most part after this album. So much great stuff on this album but I have to say The March of the Black Queen is just such a fucking banger track and I wish Queen played more songs from this era later in their career since it was completely different from what came later.
Queen never really seems like a real band to me. They seem like a musical caricaturized version of a band. Like if there was a musical that did an over the top opera of a rock band, this is what they would end up with. A couple of the songs were alright. The Loser in the End was pretty good. Most I hated, partly just because they do that thing where all of the vocals sing and hold a long high note together, and they do it so often. The Fairy Feller’s Master Stroke is just ridiculous. I would maybe give them 2.5 if I could.
I found this to be quite boring. Each song sounded like the other and I didn't get it. I assumed maybe it was a concept album because of that, but I looked into it and it isn't. Was sad that I didn't like this more. 2.5/5
I’m not really a big Queen fan except for those first few albums. Yes, even as a total weirdo, I prefer when they were a proto-metal band than their later theatrical leanings. I guess I’m just a metalhead first. But this stuff mostly rocks, and stays at a strong pace throughout. There are a couple of hints at their later influences which I’m mixed on, but it all mostly works for me. B
A good example of how early Queen was influenced by some of the prog rock bands of the day, before really figuring out how to synthesize that with a pop approach. Decent, but no truly transcendent songs.
One of the albums that does not get a lot of love from the band or its fan, Queen ventures more into an era that many fans didn't expect: prog. There's a lot of nods to progressive rock tropes: fantasy, fast / complex riffs, bombast (ok, Queen always did THAT well anyway). There's always that one album by a band that just doesn't go over well, and the next album goes over huge. For Queen, it was this one which then made them go to "Sheer Heart Attack." Rush had it with "Caress of Steel" which then made them go to "2112." But this one has a lot of songs I always enjoyed: "Ogre Battle" and "Father To Son" are two pretty solid tracks. "See What A Fool I've Been" (a b-side) is a throwaway blues-y track, but they still make it fun. "As It Began" shows that they can do a nice gentle song, which they perfect in later pieces. In fact, a lot of other pieces seem to be staging pieces for what is to come. "Ogre Battle" is a precursor to "Brighton Rock," "The Loser In The End" a precursor to some of Roger Taylor's vocal work. So yeah, I dig this album a lot. It's an underappreciated album of theirs. I
Wow. You really have to listen to this album more than once to appreciate it. I'm not saying it's a stunner, but it's a real solid album. At some points it's almost as heavy as a Sabbath album, particularly the Black side which I like more than the White side. Father to Son (white) is a little softer (still good) in the first and last third but the middle third is almost as pulsing & heavy & awesome as Ogre Battle (black). The song transitions are almost seamless, which gives it a really cool, proggy feel despite the shorter song runtimes. It's a bit mystical at times, which is sometimes weird (less accessible) and yet sometimes wonderful. Funny how Seven Seas of Rhye was the lead single and is the only song anyone remembers from this album. It's good but lacks depth and is bested by others. This is an album whose whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
For a band transitioning into a different phase of their career, this shit is solid. 4 stars.
I have listened to A LOT of Queen, but mostly live recordings or greatest hits. I have always had the opinion that they were never that strong of an "album-band". Right off the bat I was actually blown away by 'Father To Son' and it was interesting to hear May and Taylor acting as lead vocalists on 'Some Day One Day' and 'The Loser in the End' respectively (although the latter does have some trivial lyrics). The production and mixing is intense with so many layers of sound sprinkled throughout the album. Although it's difficult to see the point of 'Ogre Battle', the backwards-played intro was wild. And then on 'The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke' I begin to remember why I have a hard time listened to Queen studio albums. Everything is just way too much. All the layers and all the gimmicks are like non-stop stimulants, and at some point I grow tired - I am full. It's a shame actually, because 'The March of the Black Queen' (did someone say prototype of 'Bohemian Rhapsody'?) and 'Seven Seas of Rhye' are great tunes, but at this point my senses are just completely hammered and longing for silence.
I guess I like my Queen progressive, dark and more conceptual. Sure, I like the band’s Greatest Hits as much as the next person, but I’ve rarely enjoyed entire Queen studio records. Queen II isn’t exactly an exception but it comes closer than many of their later efforts. I’m hooked during the first tracks of the White Side until May and Taylor takes over vocal duty; then I quickly lose interest again. Overall Black Side is way more interesting with “The March of the Black Queen” as the grandiose centerpiece setting the tone for many of the band’s later masterpieces; I mean, this is straight up the prototype for “Bohemian Rhapsody”. In the end Queen’s 2nd effort doesn’t stand out as much as I would like it to. As with most of their albums: A genuine but underwhelming effort from one of the most overwhelming bands of all time.
It’s good but inconsistent imo and I’m not huge fan of “operatic rock”.
classic for a reason. Just really solid rock and roll. Seven Seas of Rhye has long been a favorite track from Queen.
Dare I say a bit of a letdown... good, but not great.
not great
Not familiar with a lot of these songs, but it was Queen, so pretty good.
Bit of a Queen noob; but nothing stood out to me on this album. Felt very mediocre, still developing their discography I suppose. Would not recommend to others.
Bro i know this one hahaha - pretty good but so many better Queen Albums Even debut album is better - why is this one on the list??? If they got so many Queen albums already like let some other artists on here?? Seven Seas of Rhye is a banger tho
Night at the Opera is right there and you go with Queen II. Not it for me, a little too queen-y but still an enjoyable listen.
classic operatic medieval prog-rock goodness
Truly great
An undisputed giant of musicians, this is Queen showing their technical prowess, but I didn't find much that really stood out.
Move to hear some non-chart stuff. Although you can’t beat the chart stuff.
Awesome guitars played with reckless abandon while being conscious of making listenable melodies instead of carpet bombing us with notes. Retro synths galore! And of course, Freddie Mercury. Amazing and big vocal harmonies and creative, unpredictable chord progressions. Makes me want to listen to more Queen, I only know the hits. Hints or Beach Boys, and reminds me more than a bit of Radiohead even though they are very different and from different eras. The drums would sound great a bit bigger and with more modern production, but it is similar to the production of other albums of the era. This, and some of the songwriting sound experimental and dated, but nothing else sounds like Queen, and they were definitely trendsetters.
def no sheer heart attack, but still good
09/18/2022 Finished listening to this on fi’s birthday :)) tbh….this album is good, but it’s not GREAT. Sheer heart attack and night at the opera are untouchable, so I hope that both of them come up on this list eventually. — Tbh, I am going through a hard time in my life right now. Trying to learn how to sit with pain, not run away from my problems, or look to alcohol to drown out all the noise around me. I’m scared and I feel weak, but I want to be strong and overcome these obstacles so I can look down on them from the hill and never go back. I’m going to try with everything in me to get better, to be better for me and everyone else that I love.
Good instrumentals
Es el primer disco de un año en que Queen edita dos, pero éste es distinto a Sheer Heart Attack. Recién en el track 6 (Ogre Battle) aparece un Queen similar a lo que más adelante vamos a entender como su sonido característico. Sin duda, los primero temas de este álbum suenan a un rock convencional de la época.
Sounded more like a Led Zeppelin album than what I expected from a Queen album. Not bad by any means but felt like it lacked the elements that would differentiate them stylistically from other rock bands of the area as well as the classic songs that make them an all time great band. As such it fails to really stand out to me among Queen albums or among albums in the genre/era
I really like Queen, always have, but this album is so unknown to me. I think this album is very influential in their later albums. 3/5
I love Queen. It reminds me of someone and it sort of pains me to hear it. Music makes me feel really nostalgic. I really enjoyed this album though. Ogre Battle was a trip and I loved The March of the Black Queen 10/10 okay next!
Mas bueno que malo Best song: The loser in the end Worst song: White Quenn (as it began) Calificacion: 79/100
This feels like proto-Queen. All the individual bits we there but it hasn’t quite coalesced. Still great musicianship and I enjoyed it, but they got better I think.
Ik vind Queen geweldig en had hoge verwachtingen. Dit album bevat niet echt de grote hits, maar genoeg interessant materiaal. Desondanks een prima album, maar niet geweldig.
queen always been relatively mid to me. They’re ok. There’s a few highlights on here (Father to Son, The March of the Black Queen) but this album is just queen as theyve always come. At least in my perception. It’s like really safe 70s rock. Freddie Mercury a legend but this album was just ok to me
1/10
A great listen. Busy day, no story attached
Very good, some song stand out more than others. I had to listen to it twice and will be listening to it more in the future.
Just your average Queen album. Nothing too special here, never been a big fan. Favourite tracks: - White Queen Overall Grade: 3/5 (B- / C+)
I love Queen, but Queen II is definitely not a top album for me. Outside of “Seven Seas of Rhye”, the songs all sounded fairly experimental, which of course I’m fairly thankful for. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy the “classic rock” vibe you get throughout the album. There’s just not much that I hear here that was a deep cut/hidden gem. Nothing jumped out from the album that I need to hear again anytime soon. But that said, definitely not the worst album I’ve been gifted with in my reviews so far.
Procession- intro song Father to son- Standard theatrical queen fare. Nice guitar solo White queen- interesting song with almost lady of shallot like qualities👍 Some day one day- a Brian May vocal. Quite twee The loser in the end - Roger Taylor song ö Quite heavy instrumental Ogre battle- fairytale tunes for quite a few songs now. Pretty novel and also good instrumental.👍 The fairy fellers master stroke- once you see the painting makes more sense. Very inventive to take inspiration from obscure painting👍 Nevernore- seamless transition. Short and Sweet👍 The march of the black queen - companion piece to the white queen from side 1 . Another impressively put together song👍 Funny how love is - very Sharp turn into Beatles b sidesesque. Quite grating Seven seas of rye- only song I've listened to before. Catchier than l remember👍 Second side of the record is much stronger, apart from penultimate song• All in all creative and listenable , concepts built upon in subsequent albums 4/5
Very well produced and assured. It's like the rockiest Queen song but a whole album of them. I know 7 Seas but none of the others....... I think I'd need to listen several times before I started to get into this. It's worth the effort so maybe I should?
Not the best Queen album. I much more prefer the later work. 2.5/5
weird, not sure why I liked it but I kinda did
Gran uso de los coros, todo un viaje a diferentes velocidades aunque todavía no están en su punto como grupo. Se notará el brinco con el siguiente disco (Sheer). Es un muy buen disco, 3.5 que baja a 3 porque me pierde a ratos.
¿Casualidad o algo planeado? En la semana del aniversario de Freddy Mercury nos tocan dos discos de Queen. Este es también muy bueno, pero obviamente no le llega a Nitght At The Opera. Sin embargo es muy interesante escuchar a un Queen tan conceptual y tan metido en hacer su música con sus temáticas sin importarles mucho qué y cuánto se va a vender. Mi favorita son White Queen y March of the Black Queen, pero Seven Seas of Rhye también tiene lo suyo.
Don't much love Queen but this didn't offend me.
A bit overly ornate and proggy
It's Queen!
Good but didn't fully engage me, worth more listens
Never listened to this album before, only know one song! Damn! It is about time I start listening to this album! The album starts with (Father To Son) that familiar Queen sound, heavy guitar riffs which is something I love in most of their songs. The album continues with a slow ballad with also familiar guitar riffs and classic guitar included. But then the album takes a turn with songs like Some Day One Day and The Loser In The End. The first song mentioned could be a song by the Beatles! Almost no trace of Queen present in the song. Loser In The End could've been a Bowie song also not really close one to home for Queen. I understand where people get the idea this was a concept like album. Time for side Black (instead of B side) as the band has called it. This is where the band (Freddy) brings back that familiar Queen sound. It starts off with Ogre Battle an almost musical style song. The next song, Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke follows suit to the previous song with the musical feeling. Que an unnoticeable transit to a short ballad, Nevermore, to finish off the scene. Time for some more typical Queen guitar action with March of The Black Queen, packed with awesome riffs, breath catching moments followed by more riff violence. Before the finale a rather cheesy almost filler like song called Funny How Love Is. Neither a mentionable intro and outro (slow fade out) Time for the last song, a well known one, Seven Seas of Rhye. Lovely song, although nowhere near my favorite song. Also the song is rather short and doesn't really feel like the finale of the album. Ofcoure not a requisite for a last song but this is Queen, with the most previous songs considered you'd expect something big at the end. Also this song was also featured on the 1st album, but I like this version better with the sailor chanting at the end. In conclusion, I like this album alot. Especially the Black side (the 2nd half) of the album
It’s like if Queen played a whole bunch of Led Zeppelin covers, and you’d never heard of those Led Zeppelin songs. Interesting but definitely not amazing.
Holy shit chills from the start. No real catchy hooks that are that memorable. But the sounds and journey was great.
Good enough
Queen II is the second album by British rock band Queen. This was the first album for the band in which they began their signature sound of multi-layered overdubs, harmonies, and various musical styles throughout the songs. The art rock album was released to mixed critical reception and is one of the band's lesser-known albums aside from the fans that follow the band like a cult. The album was well produced and captured the style of Queen almost perfectly. I enjoyed the album, but I do think there are better Queen songs out there than the ones on Queen II.
*see the title Ogre Battle.* “Hey! They wrote a song about my divorce!”
I'd never heard this album before and I wasn't in the mood for Queen (or at least their single-type songs) this morning, but then Queen II just INSISTED UPON ITSELF. By 3 songs in I was hooked and now at the end I'm kicking myself for only hearing it for the first time at 38. I've always been 50/50 on Queen; I LOVE their prog/metal-type stuff and HATE their pop songs. I think Bohemian Rhapsody is one of the best songs ever written and Bicycle Race one of the most overrated dog turds in existence. I'd always assumed their early stuff was the more pop end - totally wrong there. And I can't even say it's due to either Mercury or May being the main writer cause according to Wikipedia they basically went 50-50 with songwriting, and I loved the lot. Even though Queen isn't exactly wicked obscure underground, this is what I joined this project for: to stumble across albums I'd never heard but absolutely love. Gotta drive for 3 hours or so later today and Queen II will be on again for sure. 5/5 and going to tell all my mates to stop what they're doing and listen to it.
Spent the whole album waiting for bohemian rhapsody but then realised it's not on this one. 3/5.
absolutely amazing
Seven Seas of Rhye is classic Queen. Otherwise, the rock opera elements didn’t quite gel.
A lot of Queen I don’t know. It’s okay.
Really bad. 70's rock opera BS. I realize this is early in their evolution, but, to me, almost unlistenable.
5.0
I like queen’s singles. But I just can’t get through a whole album
This version of Queen is so much better than the version i knew before (the later version). Highlight is the march of the black queen.
3.5/5
Loud and driving. Can be a little abrasive
Pleasantly surprised to find out, after all this time, that this is not the record with bohemian rhapsody. I may have honestly never listened to this record before. Drums are nice and full. Love the Zeppelin/Beatles/far east influences on Some Day One Day. Roger Taylor annihilates track 5. Absolutely the right choice on vocals to close out the A side.
p321. 1974. 3 stars. Vaguely pretentious glam/pomp rock that outstays its welcome and frequently strays into early 70's rock wankage. Well done though, and Brian May seems quite a good guitarist. Other than Seven Seas of Rye, it's missing standout tunes. Not sure it's essential listening.
All good I’ll n my book - the bombast, the orchestration, the fantasy world mumbo jumbo that holds this almost unique prominence in British heavy rock. Good clean fun.
Grew up with parents being big into queen, but never heard this album before. Probably due to my parents only having the 3 greatest hits albums on cd. This albums feels different to the queen I know, a lot heavier, and more prof rock. It’s good and probably should be on the list, but no where as good as the best heavy rock bands of the early 70’s, led zep, black sab. Queen went on to become Queen in later albums.
Queen II is a real mixed bag of songs, and none of which really make me want to return to this. Queen in general is a band I like in doses rather than as an album experience, as even their most popular albums don't land with me. I'm more a fan of what they would do on Innuendo.
Not sure what to say... Started listening and was suddenly 6 songs in and didn't realize. Hardly a difference in songs to stand out from each other. Everyone plays well, March of the Black Queen and Funny How Love Is are pretty solid and have a different sound from the rest of the album
a solid album, but not their best
I love early Queen. It's very different from the Queen popular culture knows and loves (I love it too). There is some heavier and progressive sounds that disappeared by the late 70s.
Much more rock and roll than I thought!
This was just okay. None of the songs jumped out at me and it ended up just being background noise.
Queen, ale taki sobie
Not the best queen album
queen is a band where i know the hits, but have never listened to their actual albums. not sure what i was expecting, but it wasn't to hear a solid rock album!
Solid and fun album. No songs I recognize, but its the album art that I was able to immediately recall (I think it was used in the movie promo or something). Hard to compare some of the lesser known tracks from a big band to other artists. What is a 4 for Queen could be different for someone else
Wild that I've enjyoed Queen most of my life and knew ZERO of these songs. No major pop hits, but all awesome rock with fantasy themes, layered vocals, and Brian May's incredible guitar tone. Easy 5.
boring
Queen's second album, an improvement from the first, which was a sign of things to come. Though it's not a perfect album, it's respectable and good. 'Seven Seas of Rhye' is probably the best song on the album and feels the most lively. I'm a little surprised to find this album on here because, though it was important for the development of Queen's amazing sound, it doesn't necessarily stand out super well on its own. There are some solid songs throughout, but I feel as though later Queen albums did what this album tried to do but better. A solid 4 though.
Me gusta Queen, de verdad, pero me gustan sus grandes éxitos y aquí no encontré ninguno. Aprecio el hard rock y el enfoque o inspiración fantástica en las letras, algunas canciones habrían estado muy bien en la última temporada de Stranger Things, por ejemplo.
This is a tough one. I really like opener, but despite Freddie Mercury's voice and some fun ideas along the way, this one never really sits down and gives me a hug.
This sounds like, by turns, Uriah Heep, Be Bop Deluxe and Wishbone Ash. But also, like Queen; the stacked, hysterical vocals and archness in Mercury's delivery belong to no-one else. Embryonic, quite proggy, but interesting and listenable for all that. 'March of the Black Queen' rocks pretty hard. Oh, and 'Seven Seas of Rhye' is one of my all-time favourite Queen songs, so there's that, too.
This is such a prog record! I was kind of stunned when I saw the cover art and then looked at the track list and realized that A) this isn't the album "Bohemian Rhapsody" is on and B) I don't know damn near any of these songs on this record. And I call myself a fan. Pssh... In my defense, none of these tunes jump out as singles or anything really approaching the radio hit level songwriting of their classics. They're just of a different (again, proggy) breed. Overall, I liked it. But like most things of this ilk I will have to listen to it numerous times to begin to appreciate what they're doing here. And I plan to! I mean, there's a fucking Queen song called "Ogre Battle." I've got work to do. Some fun stuff on the Wikipedia page for this one, too: "Rather than the conventional Side A and Side B, the album was split into "Side White" and "Side Black", dominated by May and Mercury compositions respectively.[22] Although some have interpreted it as a concept album, Queen biographer Georg Purvis stated that it is "not a concept album but a collection of songs with a loose theme running throughout."[9] Mercury later confirmed this in a 1976 Sounds interview, citing that "it just evolved to where there was a batch of songs that could be considered aggressive, or a Black Side, and there was a smoother side".[23] The "White" side is very diverse: four of the five numbers were composed by Brian May, one of which is an instrumental. Freddie Mercury sings two songs; May sings one; and Roger Taylor sings the closing track, which is his only composition on the album. John Deacon played acoustic guitar on "Father to Son" in addition to normal duties on bass guitar. Mercury composed and sang all six songs on the "Black" side." I'm surprised there was such a clean division of the songwriting duties. That seems like the kind of thing that would cause some bands to have their egos hurt and lead to a break up. Glad that didn't happen here.
Ot gave me a headache
Je sens un certain potentiel
attentes basses et très bon résultat
Great album
Déjà eu LP
Album as a whole is pretty average. Not a whole lot going on that's overly unique or impressive. Queen is becoming the Queen we know in this - it's definitely a stepping stone album.
Fun cuz I really like Queen and I've never heard most (any?) of these songs. Now I can claim in know the deep cuts. I see the pieces that will form Queen's megahits, especially on the back half of the album. But the pieces don't quite fit together yet. Some of the songs are goofy (those might be my favorite). Some rambling psych-folk-rock songs. Some watered down Led Zeppelin (see "Loser in the End")? Not the catchy, quirky, punchy, glammy stadium rock I want yet. 2.5 stars (mixed) but round up to a 3.
OK so when bohemian rhapsody came out I did a deep dive into Queen and was somewhat let down. I mean bar was high, but I figured given the fact that they have like 15-20 songs that are unbelievably awesome, their discography must be generally solid with many hidden gems in there. But mostly I realized the greatest hits are all you need, and even though none of their albums are bad, a few are overall good, there's a pretty big gap between their best and not-so-great works. So I give 3 stars, and thats kind of unfair because if they didn't have so many other amazing songs I might have enjoyed this one more but something about bright lights and dark shadows?
Thoroughly enjoyed. 5/5
Incredible. I have only listened to best of and the way this album is put together is so epic. Really glad I’ve now listened to a queen album all the way through. Loved it!
Love some queen! Had only heard the hits though
fdrxfdgdfgfdfgdfg
It's Queen, it's a good album
Rockig, Energiegeladen
So having only ever listened to one Queen album, The Miracle, when I was a kid, this will be interesting, I recognize zero of the song titles here. Thought BR would be on it given the cover, but nope. Ok. So yeah this sounds like Queen (apart from the exceptions below), except you just haven't heard the song eleventy billion times. Oh and sometimes it's batshit crazy (ogre battle). My favourite song by a distance is one that doesn't sound like Queen and instead sounds more like quiet Led Zep, Some Day One Day. In fact, Billy Corgan 100% knows and likes this song, whatever he says, basically half of Siamese Dream (an album I love, but credit where it's due) is this song. The Loser sounds even more like Led Zep, loud version this time, creditable Robert Plant impression from Roger Taylor taking over vocals. Funny How Love is sounds a lot like good era Beach Boys so that's good. So, more tolerable, but mostly sounds like Queen, so I'll pass thanks. Appreciate Queen for what they were and there is a lot to like but it's not for me. Overall did enjoy the listen but probably will only listen to the Smashing Pumpkins one and the Beach Boys one again.
Never listened to this and really enjoyed it. Seems very weirdly geeky at times
It's fun when Freddy pops off. Good production, good guitar tone. But pretty boring.
Rocks a lot harder than I thought it would. Pompous and great.
much preferred to a night at the opera, without any real huge hits this still felt much more like classic queen
Seven seas of rhye is the only tune on this.
Orges and black queens. This is a nerdy album. Solid in its groundings. It feels more like Queen writing the soundtrack to their DnD game than a full serious album. Doesn't make it bad. Just weirdly enough, it didn't feel epic.
Moins intéressant que le premier. Rien de bien marquant sur cet album. Pas mauvais, mais plutôt fade en fait.
Très rock comme album. Pas rien de très mémorable sur cet album, mais on sent où le groupe s'en va. Ça s'écoute tout de même très bien. J'aime aussi la pochette. C'est probablement cette pochette qui a inspirée un poster de Metallica du même genre à l'époque du Black album.
Sweet
This album was spectacular. So many great songs. I listened to it again right after I listened to it a first time. Then I went back and listened to a couple of the songs again. For how good this album is I am surprised that more of the songs were not mega hits. I will definitely listen to it again. Also this album lead to a great Super Nintendo game Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen.
QUEEN IS MY ALL TIME FAVORITE BAND. BLESS YOU FOR THIS GIFT THIS FRIDAY. Transparently I'm a fraud because I'm realizing I know none of these tracks. Father to Son is a great track
Solid album as always from Queen.
Lovely to hear some song so hadn’t heard before and some songs back to basics - not the crowd pleasers. Good to hear other voices on the recordings
Viime aikoina kuunnellut näiltä lähinnä tuplalevynä hittikokoelmaa niin odotukset täysin epärealistiset. Ei mitään paskaa, mutta ei kyllä valoittanutkaan. Taipuu kuitenkin kolmoseen.
Ei kokonaisuutena yllä Queen-hittimittakaavoihin lähellekään
It’s fun, but not as cool as I expected from such an iconic rock band.
No one in their right mind would rate old school Queen better than new school Queen.
Amazing. Given that there aren't any "greatest hits" types songs on this album, it is suprisingly easy to immediately get into an enjoy. Queen is pretty unlike anybody else... instant rock opera vibe, varied energy with lots of melody and drama.
not my type of music but good album
This album was very important to me and the first Queen album I purchased way back when (I was 13). Audacious and far from perfect, it was, nonetheless, perfect to me at the time. While not everything works, it also clearly provides a roadmap for much what comes later for the band. There are vocal overdubs throughout. Procession introduces Brian May’s layered guitar sound. March of the Black Queen is a precursor to Bohemian Rhapsody type epic. Nevermore is a classic Freddie ballad. Loser in the End is a Roger Taylor pseudo-heavy metal contribution. The only thing missing is a John Deacon pop song. Lastly, the Mick Rock cover is a classic and was the basis for the Bohemian Rhapsody video two years later. I return to this release often.
Very good early Queen. Leans heavily on progressive rock influences, but also has a good dose of rock & roll. Interestingly I associate the cover art with the soon to come Bohemian Rhapsody. I don't think this album is nearly as good as Night at the Opera.
This album was not made by the Queen I know. While elements of their distinctive (and too Broadway for me) sound are in here this sounded a lot more like Led Zeppelin to me. I mean that as a compliment. This rocked really hard and it was cool how all of the songs flowed into each other. I did not know any of these songs before so this was an interesting listening experience for that reason. Would probably give it a 3.5 if I could.
Pretty good, especially May’s guitar of course. A lot of these songs, to me, are new. Quite Freddie “The reason we’re successful, darling? My overall charisma, of course.”
Not bad. A little hard to find your way in but nice listen. Highlight: "Some Day One Day".
It’s just not very good is it?
I've listened to at least a few full albums from Queen in addition to various verions of their greatest hits. I like a lot of Queen's music. This album reminded me more of their work on soundtracks like Flash Gordon or Highlander. The music on Queen II reaches into progressive rock and follows a theme throughout the album. Each track is well suited to the rest of the album. I enjoyed hearing something different from Queen. The driving energy of "Seven Seas of Rhye" made it the track I liked the most. Because the album is different, I could imagine listening again just to see what I missed the first time.
Didn't give it that close of a listen but generally it went hard
Yeah idk I couldn’t find myself engaged
this is definitely one of the queen albums of all time. some good songs, some boring songs. ehh
3.5/5 i'll have to relisten, it's too close
No
Some great songs, and it's very Queen, but I was a little disappointed tbh, probably just because none of the classics were on this one.
on regular rotation for me
I'd only ever really listened to Sheer Heart Attack and onwards before - the only song I knew going in was Seven Seas of Rhye - so this was very unexpected. Much more of a prog and kind of heavy approach than I expected, almost like early Pink Floyd or Led Zeppelin rather than the more iconic Queen sound. Really enjoyed this one!
Vraiment solide, pas tant de moment faible sur tout l'album, définitivement à réessayer
EL disc per connoisseurs de la banda. Enrevesat, contundent, inspirat. Era només el seu segon disc i ja estaven a la cúspide de la seva etapa més experimental. Un disc, potser l'únic de la banda, que no cansa amb les escoltes repetides, es pot esgotar l'agulla i les seves cançons continuen sonant fresques i sempre amb nous matisos per descobrir
ogre battle is such an epic name for a song
Another interesting Queen album on the list, this is the 3rd I've come across so far and once again it's got no singles I'm familiar with. I enjoyed this, really leans into their signature guitar sound and applies the fast dynamic instrumentals into fantastical lyrics about ogres and fairies. The album flows nicely with songs leading straight into one another and had a consistent theme throughout. Overall a good listen.
Didn't dislike but also didn't fancy it. Freddy M was solid in lead and that scientist fellow May seems to be effortless in his playing
This was a bit... Disappointing? I guess I expected it to be better, have catchier songs. Not horrible, just not as memorable as I had hoped. 7/10.
I must admit I went through quite a big queen thing a year ago and I still am a fan of their works so it might sound a bit over positive in some aspects, so there’s a criticism, I think queen are thematically quite weak here only relying on fantasy tropes but at least it sticks to that concept: Procession isn’t really a song just a lead in to father to son but it’s done well. I love that guitar solo in father to son and then when they go back to the chorus it goes all angelic but it does drag on a bit at 6 minutes. White queen ( as it began) is the slowest one so far but the chorus still explodes in your face like any queen song would. I like the simple little guitar work on some day one day the only thing about this one is it’s quite an uninteresting listen in comparison to before as it doesn’t explode. The loser in the end is a really solid 70s rock tune I like may’s guitar work on this one good song! Now we go into side 2 ( side black) a much more rock side of queen. Ogre battle has to be up there for one of the best intros ever fine the lyrics are probably one of the worst so far being too stuck in fantasy but it’s still instrumentally so good that the lyrics don’t matter. The fairy fellers master stroke works so well coming off the explosion of ogre battle it has some of the best piano works in a rock song it’s not that long for queen but i think it does it favours. Nevermore is so short but i do like the build up on it’s song and I think it’s only a lead up to albums magnum opus march of the black queen a song that’s so pleasing in every aspect I just wish i was alive back then as this song would be awesome live even if some little bits like the bells were gone it’s almost like a precursor to bohemian rhapsody two albums later then march of the black queen goes into funny how love is if nevermore was the intro funny how love is is the outro to this saga and while probably my least favourite on the album it does provide a solid outro… But wait they have one more song to give remember after the Jesus song on queen 1 there was a short instrumental now that’s a full blown track seven seas of rhye it feels more like a bonus then the actual albums closer but it doesn’t matter it’s such a good song and makes the first 2 queen albums feel like a full duo of albums.
Pretty great album technically, all the instrumentation and vocal work is top notch. This is a concept album, and Queen really leans into the royalty/old timey crown theme. Of course they do it very well. I could see this being more of a niche record, where you have to be a Queen fan or a fan of the style to really LOVE it. Either way, it is good music.
Just a lot of hard rock fun. Queen's theatrics and wicked riffs make for a good time all around. Sometimes it doesn't have to be that deep.
Well this started out as rather well produced meh, but rapidly shuffled through to some prog rock, then into some heavy metal and then into to just good old fashioned rock. Genuinely quite surprised by it, but I suppose I shouldn't be. Excellent drums, guitars, bass - and who can say a single solitary thing bad about Freddie Mercury's voice? Cracking. Would I listen to it again, all the way through? Well no.
The fact that this isn't their "good" stuff is amazing. Incredible sounds of course.
I lost my reivew from yesterday. Queen II is good Queen, but their sound has not fully matured yet compared to where it will be on A Night at the Opera 3/5
Enjoying White Queen. March of hte Black Queen also kind cool Otherwise a bit forgettable, given how good Queen can be
Felt quite noisy/messy. To be honest, I also wasn't in the mood for this. It's clear why you hardly ever hear any of the songs on this album.
This is probably the kind of album that really grows on you the more you listen to it, but after a first and second listen I can't honestly say that it has really grabbed me. Not bad, I mean it's Queen, but not great either.
No, thank you. The algorithm followed this up with Spinal Tap, which seems appropriate
Queen version of prog
IMO, not Queen's best. Very ordinary and just did not excite. C-
Better than Sheer Heart Attack. Really liked Father to Son. Didn't know Mercury didn't sing all their tunes.
Overly dramatic dreck, combining the worst instincts and excesses of the glam and prog rock traditions. Has a few moments of interest, but mostly goes – and stays – off the rails. Distinctive guitar sounds and over-the-top theatricality that would be tamed/harnessed to better effect in the future, but this is just too much, much too much. No more than 2.25 stars.
This really hasn't aged well; I must hunt my copy out and sell it!
Not the best Queen album but still good. Operatic influence on both vocals and chord progression is amazing. Most favourite tracks: White Queen(As It Began) The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke Nevermore The March Of The Black Queen Seven Seas Of Rhye
Classic. Seven Seas of rye has d me ready to run through a wall
Very good stuff, queen is so talented
Rubbish
Never got the hype
Procession is gold! They were still young and having a lot of fun with music...Can never resist all those baroque/classical chords and progression combined with pop and rock.
I find Queen basically unlistenable. Any of it really.
Sempre incrível!
None of this was familiar to me, but I thought it had a lot of the same fun and energy I know from Queen's biggest songs.
The Contrast between May's songs and Mercury's songs is incredible. Side 1 of this album is a really good hard rock band trying to find their way for their sophomore release. Side 2 of this album is fucking Queen. Favorite Tracks: White Queen, All of Side 2
Weird hearing non-hits from Queen. Definitely some good and some meh on here. Were they still finding their sound?
Strong mood. Not many tea.
Just not my thing at all.
Queen are an incredible singles band but I'd heard that their albums weren't up to much, so I was surprised to see a record featuring none of the mega-hits make the list. Quite interesting. All the ingredients of the classic Queen sound are there, but it also seems like they were considering becoming a fantasy-prog-metal band instead.
I've never been a fan of Queen, quite controversially. I understand why they are considered the legendary band that they are, but their music is just not for me That being said, I think this is their first album I have listened to in full. And it contains none of the big, unavoidable hits. And, at the risk of shocking you, I can reveal I actually quite enjoyed it ! Doesn't outstay it's welcome, the guitar solos arent too busy and overpowering. White Queen and Black Queen are both good songs. As is Loser in the EndEnd.
Ça rock plus que ce que je pensais, Queen.
Je n’avais jamais écouté cet album. Pas très mémorable, mais on entend les fondements se placer pour la suite. Plus heavy aussi que ce que je connaissais de Queen. Je vais peut-être y revenir plus tard par curiosité, voir si quelque chose m’a échappé.
o ápice ainda estava por vir
It's a little hit and miss, but there are some nice tracks on here. Interesting to hear an early Queen album before most of their most famous songs came out. The very lightest of threes
Pretty good album. Had some bangers. White Queen slaps. Ultimately nothing I want to put in a playlist.
Amei o começo de todas as músicas aqui. A teatralidade, o suspense, a emoção. É tudo perfeito, do começo ao fim. É a cara do Queen.
very good
Ótimo!
They’re still searching on this album. Too many fantasy songs with the Brian May guitar and vocal harmonies being played with. Not close to their best. Why put this album over most of their catalog which is much better?
This is good. Surprisingly none of the big hits. But solid.
You would think this album was made for an 80s video game
This was good but didn’t have a certified fresh banger
The world needs more Freddie mercury
Camp and pomp and kitsch, which I love, but also genuine quality, thanks to May's prodigious gifts and Freddie's once in a generation voice. This album is just a breath short of greatness. But greatness is clearly coming.
Ok
listened to again great lead up to some of the most iconic albums of all time
Some new Queen for me, which I loved all of
Heavy rock album
Como una rock-opera de Queen. Ningún megahit. Un 4 por ser Queen.
3/5
4.5
Very glam
There were basically two stages to Queen's career. The early British hard rocking band of their first three albums, then after Night At the Opera, the mainstream radio friendly hit machine. I must admit, I love Opera, it's an all-time classic and what precedes it gave us hints of what was to come. The band was always a strong vocal band, but they also rocked hard, especially on Queen II with a touches of prog and art rock. They were starting to develop their sound and though there were no "hits", most of the songs were solid. Fans of their later work will not like this.
couple of twee moments with the fairy fellows swanny whistle but some innovative sounds and structures
Just like the Pogues yesterday. Queen are absolute legends. You can never go wrong with Queen.
Not too bad, a bit jarring on some songs that made me want to turn it down.
clever-clever pompous mock-rock
Nothing standout in my opinion or any reason to be excited by this album, just alright.
Amazing Band. Amazing Album. They rarely have bad songs.
very clearly early queen you can see where they are going but no track stands out
classic queen
I have apparently only heard Queens hits, this was brand new to me and I'm pleasantly pleased that this came up. 4.5 for sure. I suspect Queen will carry it's ranking higher than it should, so rounding down today :)
Not bad! While there are no standout songs, it's quite a cohesive album. Still, as far as Queen is concerned, call me when you get to News off the World. The stuff before that was just the warmup act.
Short and sweet album. Although Seven Seas Of Rhye is definitely the highlight, this album contains some great tracks, like March of the Black Queen and White Queen. The instruments are incredible throughout, and Freddie Mercury's vocals only make this album better.
Wonderful
אלבום חביב מאוד לא בטוח שהייתי רוצה לישמוע אותו עוד פעם
It's Queen
Probably the first time I've listened to a Queen album front to back. This was much better than expected, more of a straight classic rock vibe with Queen's twist rather than something fully over the top.
2021.12.20
Not as good as the "best of Queen" albums I'm used to, but it is Queen.
6/10
7/10 I’m realizing that a whole album of Queen is just a lot to listen to, overall good though.
8/10. Pretty much what I expected. No songs especially stood out, but all were solid enough.
Pretty generic compared to later queen. 7/10
I like Queen. They’ve got a fun, clean feel. Their close harmonies are always a delight, even though they may sound a bit passe today. I prefer the glam to the hard, but that’s just my sexual preference. And the iconic album art is a perfect level of retro-cheese.
Decent album, liked most songs, just not enough to love them.
Pretty good. Not my favorite that I've heard from them
A good album. You can hear elements that will become more resolved in later albums. This one doesn't approach the following albums in terms of greatness but it is still very quality, very Queen.
Oh my God. Third Queen album in a week. This earlier album is much heavier than what came after and I like it very much for that. Still has the sweeping Queen theatrics. Album flows really well. It's a fun ride. Oh man I wish Bowie had produced this!
Actually thought as an album this was a bit more enjoyable than A Night At The Opera. I can respect it but nothing I'd personally throw on all the way through, some really good songs mixed with some just ok ones.
As a wide-eyed, prog-worshipping 17 year old who thought fantastical lyrics and complex song-structures were the be-all-and-end-all, "Queen II" went straight to the top of my list when I first heard it, alongside "A Night at the Opera". I'm still sentimental about this album now, even though I appreciate Queen wouldn't peak until a year or so later. Rather than the eclectic range and impressive genre experimentation the band would later display, this album is grounded in hard-rock and proto-metal riffs, some innovative and some derivative. "Father to Son" contains some transparent Zeppelin/Sabbath homages, while Roger Taylor's "The Loser In The End" sticks out like a sore thumb on the first side. He obviously hadn't got the memo of mythical fantasy, and opts for a disappointing blues-rock number. These comments aside, there's a mountain of precocious talent on show here. It's not Queen at their most commercial or recognisable, but the hallmarks of their appeal are here: Freddie Mercury's dazzling, theatrical vocals, Brian May's multi-layered guitar wizardry, the intricate arrangements across the board. "Queen II"'s crowning achievement is something the band would never attempt again: an almost side-long suite of songs, in keeping with the prog-rock of the early 1970s. I adore the sequence beginning with Ogre Battle and ending with "Funny How Love Is..." with "Seven Seas of Rhye" as an encore. It has scope, ambition, rise and fall, light and shade. From the aching ballad "Nevermore" to the camp humour in "Fairy Fellers Master Stroke" to the everything-and-the-kitchen-sink showstopper "March of the Black Queen", it's a perfectly paced run of tracks. As if that weren't enough, "Seven Seas of Rhye" is a giddy glam greatest hit to close proceedings on a high. The iconic piano intro, the opening drum roll, the decisive and commanding lyric, the country-inflected "sister" middle eight, the singalong outro: it all just works. The first half of the album is nowhere near as strong, though I've always had a soft spot for the folksy "Some Day One Day", May's first turn at lead vocals in the band. While the magical lyrics seem a little dated when revisiting them now, musically I was still enthralled by most of the album. Virtuoso talent, distinctive melodies, cohesive storytelling: hearing "Queen II" today made me fall in love with Queen all over again.
Not my favorite Queen album. Don't get me wrong, Queen is one of my top three fav bands. But I wasn't a big fan of the mystical kinda stuff.
I liked the instrumentals and liked Adam's thoughts on the album.
Great rock album! What superb production for that time in their career. Great guitar work by May, and obviously vocal work by Mercury and the signature band harmonies. There’s a bit of a dip in the song quality in the 2nd half, but overall a great rock album. It is striking how underrated I feel they are as an inspiration to later metal.
Nice combo of progressive rock's weirdness and Queen's singing quirks and harmonies
First time listening to this. It's solid
This was a lot closer to something like metal than what I associate with Queen. It’s still very much Queen though and March of the black Queen sounds like a proto bohemian rhapsody. Good album. Fav songs: fairy-fellers master stroke, March of the black Queen
Fancy some cliché 70s rock? Want songs about annoying girls and orges? Then this is the album for you. This does nothing to sway me from the idea that Queen are massively overrated. Probably great of you were at Doncaster in the 70s while drinking shit cider, however doing the same thing now just doesn't work. Best Tracks: Father and Son; The White Queen (As it Began) ; Seven Seas of Rhye
A fiery and dramatic record. Queen showcase both wit and hard-rock on this album. Not every track feels meaningful though. But the tracks that hit the mark do so effortlessly. Great album that I will check out again.
Seven seas of Rhye is a great song...Queen at their best. Some day one day is very zepplin-esque
I'll never understand why Freddie Mercury doesn't sing lead on every Queen song. For some reason, Brian May and Roger Taylor insisted on handling lead vocals on several songs. I mean, you've got FREDDIE FUCKING MERCURY right there. Let him wail! It's not like we were subjected to John Paul Jones or John Bonham singing lead on some deep Zeppelin cuts (although now that I think about it, I would have been all in on any song with Bonzo tackling lead vocals). This album doesn't sound like Queen. It sounds like watered down Mott The Hoople with some Led Zeppelin influence. Overall, it just doesn't work. Everything I'd heard about this album suggested it was Queen's hard-rock album. A pretty limp one if that's the case. One good song (Seven Seas Of Rhye), and even that one sounds half baked. I enjoyed the instrumental opening track, which could have been the only thing keeping this from a 1 rating (in the interest of full disclosure, I was listening with a great set of headphones where it really stood out). But this album has no business being on the list. Queen alone has at least 4 better albums.
Much more of a rock opera feel to this than I was expecting. Ok overall.
Definitely Queen, and obviously a foundation for greater things to come, but there was nothing particularly remarkable about this album to my ears
I had no idea Queen could sound like this.
Not sure I have heard any of these Queen songs before. Its more prog rock than I was expecting and personally it didn't resonante with me.
It's great. Not as a solid as A Night At The Opera, but a damn good listen.
ok, but won't save
Wasn’t so impressed on first listen but it sounded much better when Tom played it.
OK.
Nah
"Seven Seas of Rhye" was the single that introduced me to Queen in 1974. I never really got into this album - but their next three all really impressed me. And coming back to the album for the first time in decades, my opinion hasn't changed. I can see why some people might like it, but it's really not for me.
queen rainha outra banddinhas nadinhaa
OK...I don't like Queen, and this album did nothing to change that. In my mind it is over-wrought, over-produced, pretentiously boring, soul-less music YMMV 1 star
FINALLY! Another album that deserves to be on this list! Not the best Queen album, IMO, but definitely worthy of this list.
Now this though. All time classic and my introduction to Queen (thank you Christine Ward’s brother).
Listened 30/9/21
Easy to forget with where they later went that in the early days Queen were a terrific rock band. Quality, start to finish.
4.0 - I can see why this album is divisive. Side B (the "Black" side) goes into some cringe-y prog rock territory that, if I'm in the right mood, I actually find fun and interesting. It's highly dynamic though the pace is often frantic and the tone screechy, especially on "The Fairy Feller's..." Side A showcases Queen's more subtle and subdued instincts though there are anthemic spikes of bombastic glam to keep things interesting. "White Queen", "Some Day One Day", "The Loser in The End" is a pretty sequence of songs. In the end, I appreciate the artistic risks Queen has taken. For me, this album adds depth and color to their catalog and helps justify their vaunted status beyond a few greatest hits.
3 1/2
What an album! Started a little weak, not quite the oomph I'm used to from Queen. But man, did it pick up! Ogre Battle was epic, March of the Black Queen is amazing (very reminiscent of Bohemian Rhapsody), and of course Seven Seas of Rhye. Loved it!
Maybe it’s just that I didn’t recognise any of the songs. I just felt that it’s all very Queen-y but not as good as their more popular tracks. I heard nothing different here. Hey, it’s all good fun but on this occasion I was left pretty cold.
I don’t think Queen figuring out their sound really qualifies for a list like this, but I did have a not-unpleasant time with it. They’re just so irresistibly bombastic!
If you insist on creating albums like the blueprints for a large civil engineering project, your fussiness is gonna bleed through--and fussiness is boring, however histrionic you are. With that ogre guarding the gates to this supposed castle of pleasures, I couldn't even begin hearing the dorkiness on offer, but I'm guessing it was very dorky. Get over yourselves, lads, and shake it loose.
pretty blah. Nothing stood out to me or caught my attention while it played in the background.
P good, but didn't have a lot of standouts imo
Bijzonder album zonder hits, maar wel enige goede nummers!
bit too muso for me with the usual queen bluster.
The issue with the two-sided album concept is that invariably one side will be better than the other, which leads to the question, "Why couldn't the entire album be just this side?" In this case, the black side blows the white side out of the water, but maybe they wouldn't have felt free to make it without setting up the contrast. Best track: Ogre Battle
Q:. What if Queen made a Led Zeppelin album? A: It would suck.
Really pretty good. Much better than I had expected
Don't remember this one
No es lo mejor que tiene Queen, igual tendría que escucharlo mejor
Pretty okay, not their best work but for an earlier album definitely shows signs of the future greatness to come!