Queen II

This was a really good album, better than the commercial stuff they churned out. Proper guitar rather than the tinny pick that later became signature. and 7 seas of Rhye, love that song has always been my favourite by queen. Cant fault the album really.

qualcosa mi piace ma bah

i've never listened much to their first two albums. this is fine. it sounds like a prog band shaking off its prog, which may or may not be true. nothing stands out as memorable. nothing sounds off or bad, just nothing memorable

Great album, never gave it the attention it deserved back in the day

This album is from earlier than my usual experience of Queen. I wasn't expecting quite souch glam and prog influence. I liked it! I then went down a rabbit hole researching how this album came about, and the band's own take on it. Which made me like it more (I'm a sucker for a good backstory 😉). So, during the course of the day, it climbed from a 3 to a 4...

An interesting album where the second half was much better than the first. It made way more sense on a second listen though, and I appreciated the contrast more. Cleverly put together album. I love the songwriting and performance of Queen anyway, and whilst it isn't their best (really hoping Sheer Heart Attack is on the list!) it is better than a lot of others out there! 3.5

Not quite as grandiose as their later albums but you can see where they were going. I hear a bit a Zep and even some Beatles with the harmonies. No huge standouts but feels like a cohesive whole.

I'm very familiar with Queen, but apparently not so much with their really early stuff. And you know what? This is a pretty decent album! It's especially interesting hearing Queen before Bohemian Rhapsody, because you can definitely hear the blueprints for what would eventually become their signature sound. Freddie Mercury's theatrical vocals, Brian May's layered guitars, those dramatic shifts in rhythm and melody. The ingredients are certainly here, but I don't think they've quite figured out the full recipe yet. A lot of this album still feels rooted in that fantasy-driven hard rock that bands like Led Zeppelin and Uriah Heep were doing around the same time. There's plenty of medieval imagery, elaborate arrangements, and some pretty ambitious songwriting, especially on the second half of the album. Tracks like The March of the Black Queen really show Queen experimenting with the grand, over-the-top musical theatrics that would eventually make them legendary. And of course, Freddie Mercury's vocals already help elevate the material beyond your typical '70s hard rock. Still, while there's plenty to appreciate, nothing here really blew me away. It's a solid album with some interesting ideas, but I don't think Queen had quite found that magic formula yet. They're definitely inching closer to Bohemian Rhapsody territory, though, and hearing that evolution is probably the most fascinating part of the experience. Maybe a second listen will make me appreciate it more, but for now, it's a respectable 3.3 out of 5.

was quite surprised to have a queen album without any of the advert-y classics that you immediately think of when one thinks of Queen. And evaluating them independently, it's...kind of okay? A bit weird, a bit pompous, nothing that really stands out

Classic, yet somehow contains none of their big uns! When Queen were still weird as fuck.

Enjoyable, but not even my favorite queen- very rock n roll.

Album très inégal. Heureusement qu'il y a the march of the black queen pour remonter la note. Ça vaut 3.5

Similar to A Night at the Opera, it took a second listen to get completely on its wavelength, but then I was floating with it for several more listens. I’m debating whether to move it up to five, because I think it will inevitably end up there, or keep it at four where it’s at now. I really, really, really like Nevermore, and the fantasy kingdom imagery is quite fun. Yeah, I’m boosting it to five. Songs added to my liked list: Some Day One Day, Ogre Battle, The Fairy Feller’s Master-Stroke, Nevermore, The March of the Black Queen.

I really don’t like Queen at all, none

Night at the Opera remains my favourite, but this paves the way.

Rate: 9/10.

Every song sounds the same.

I don't know how to say it, but it's good music. It feel perfected for a while before release.

After Aerosmith came through with Toys in the Attic, I hoped for a similar revisionist thumbs up from Queen. Well, not worse, but about what I have experienced in the past. Queen II did get better with each listen, especially the Freddie Mercury second side of the album. That side surprisingly rocked harder than the Brian May penned first half. “The March of the Black Queen” and “Funny How Love Is” reached impressive gallops that raised my excitement. They also had the overdone vocals, at times bordering on Yes, which never fails to irritate me. The songwriting does not seem developed enough to make for successful tunes. Like Yes, Queen’s members shine individually, but not collectively. Here comes my guitar. Here comes my vocal range. Here comes the big chorus. Impressive for a brief moment, then not combining into a powerful piece of music. The wow factor of Queen’s later creativity is not yet there. On their more famous works, I can credit Queen for the bombastic variety. They swing between musical elements and emotions with theatrical flair. I know that follows the general assessment of Queen, but sometimes a stereotype rings true. The songs on Queen II follow a more standard format. That format contains too much Progressive rock prattle in its love for choir passages and a steady diet of the young adult fairy tale lyrics that Jon Anderson, Robert Plant and Ian Anderson all must have imbibed in the fourth form. The band can combo enough Who’s Next-Zeppelin IV power in songs like “Father to Son” to avoid bottoming out. Like The Beach Boys, Queen, at best, falls into the “I respect them, but never won me over” category.

Never heard this before. It's quite something. It's my first time listening to a Queen album in full, and it was a pleasant journey. I'm not fussed on their hits especially, but as an album band, really strong. I listened twice before I got to work, and the second listen was better than the first. Really, really good. Impressive. Theatrical. Every part flows seamlessly, it really works as a single piece. Not one part of this is bad at all. I'm surprised at the low ratings honestly.

9/10

Haven't listened to this one whole way through. Has a good intro to the album to lead to Father To Son, which is a banger. You can see how they have the rock and operatic sound down but haven't dialed in yet how to transform it into the pop/commercial hit side. Like I really see elements of their later, more popular songs in parts of this album. I'm at a 3.5 so I will give it a 4-star. Some standouts for me: Father To Son Some Day One Day Nevermore The March of the Black Queen

solid. beatles clear though

Queen marcou muito minha adolescência (tenho um vídeo dançando Don´t Stop Me Now com minha amiga no último dia de nono ano na escola kkkkkkkk) Admito que nunca ouvi esse álbum já começou com uma pedrada Ogre Battle parece música de um jogo muito loko TOP 5 The March of the Black Queen Father to Son Seven Seas of Rhye Ogre Battle The Fairy Faller's Master EXTRA Loser In the End

Fun. Very dramatic. Doesn't have the singles but enjoyable from beginning to end.

i feel like this should be higher but it felt like a 3 when i was listening...it was a good driving on the highway album though. however the only song that sticks out to me was "march of the black queen". i think i liked queen more when i was younger and don't get me wrong i still like them i just don't think they're a go-to for me anymore.

3.5

Amazing album

Queen wasn't good enough so that had to make Queen II.

Never heard a single song on this album. Nary a hit in sight. Still Queen, though.

Lots of songs I didn’t really know - a great listen

From Queen hater to Queen rater

a tale of two sides, no wonder they named them weird to highlight that lol side white is kinda just a snoozefest. great big grandiose stadium rock instrumentals like what you'd expect from a queen album, but missing the fun and charm. freddie either sings in tranquilised whispers, or gets buried in guitar overdubs when he does try to pick it up a bit. i didn't mind the loser in the end, but i think that's just because it sounds like a b-grade zeppelin song side black however is much more enjoyable. the songs get even more theatrical, with all the ott opera harmonies and harpsichord solos and what not, but the difference is that it's actually enjoyable to listen to now. freddie's also out of his coma, and becomes the dynamic showman you'd want him to be favourite songs: ogre battle, the march of the black queen, seven seas of rhye least favourite song: father to son

Hmm - didn't love this one, and I like Queen.

This didn't have any of the most well known, popular Queen songs. But it was still Queen and Queen rocks.

I never got Queen. Many other people did. That's life.

cannot believe i hadn’t had any queen yet! a great time of course. didn’t already know all of these so that was fun to discover some new ones

This is an album to appreciate and to just listen to, but personally i wouldn’t gravitate towards this album if i eanted to just listen to something, but it’s still really good!

7/10

(6 estrellas)

This is a different sounding Queen from their popular hits. Its more heavy rock and prog rock. 5/5

4,3/5

Didn't know a single one of these songs! Was cool to listen to early Queen. I went through a phase of listening to their hits a few years ago, I think a lot of their music is so samey production wise now though. My taste has sort of moved on from this type of proto-metal/stadium rock so couldn't really appreciate as much

I do love that you can instantly clock this as Queen as soon as the first guitar notes hit. Can't say I left this album feeling like I needed to know more Queen deep cuts. But if Bohemian Rhapsody had ended with Queen playing Ogre Battle at Live Aid, that would have been legendary.

All respect to the iconic status of Freddie Mercury and Queen, they've never been my thing. But I was into "Father to Son," which got my hopes up for this album, despite the D&D-sounding song titles that had me bracing for the worst. The worst didn't arrive, but I wasn't into them, either. "White Queen," "Ogre Battle," "The Ferry-Feller's Master Stroke," "The March of the Black Queen"...this is some nerdy shit that faced long odds with me (even though "Ferry-Feller" takes its name from a painting, not some Tolkien bullshit). All in all, this is fine, but I shan't return to march with the Black Queen again.

It’s fine…nothing particularly memorable that struck my ear. Musicianship is there, but it seems like a dull batch of songs.

Decent enough at times but most has dated.

Thought this was a pretty standard Queen album then The loser in the end and Ogre battle came on and I was impressed

There is a thin line between epic and cringe in music. I feel like Queen may have crossed it here.

A lot more weird and whacky than I thought it was going to be (complimentary)

I've never understood the love Queen gets from the general public and after listening to this, I'm even more confused. Is it just Freddy? Only thing I can think of that makes sense, cause this album is okay at its best and irritating at its worst.

alas, i'm just not a queen person. a little too musical theatre-y for my tastes. i also listened to this when i was supposed to be writing my dissertation proposal and wish i enjoyed it more for that reason alone

Not my favorite Queen album, but Freddie's half is pretty fun. Also, it was a little surprise to see that the Ogre Battle series got their title from a song on this album.

Entiendo la importancia dentro de queen pero esta bastante lejos de los otros albumes suyos, la parte de freddie mucho mas interesante que la de bryan

Before the big hits, the heavy-prog sound of a band still figuring it out, with as many hits as misses along the way.

It’s pompous, grandiose, incredible vocalisation and instrumentals. Unfortunately I’m very susceptible to overstimulation and this record overwhelmed me already over the first two tracks. Thoroughly enjoyed blues-y track in the middle of the album, though. As much as I would’ve liked to love it, listening Queen just isn’t for me (I have another I can listen to tirelessly ☺️)

усвідомлюю їхній вплив в альбом майстерний, але ту мач для мене

Always thought this was mid

Strong 2.5-3. Really not interesting of an album at all. Some cool music is its redeeming factor

Ehhh- just ok for Queen

This was an awesome album and I’d expect nothing less from Queen. Really surprised this sophomore project got some sour looks thrown its way upon its initial release but seems to be respected after the fact. I love that grandiose feeling their songs always nail. I’ve always been a huge video game nerd and looking at the tracklist here, I couldn’t help but ask “Was ‘ogre battle: March of the black queen’ inspired by Queen?!” and was very delighted to find those pieces fit together absolutely perfectly. To that point, March of the Black Queen was probably my personal highlight, so epic.

Massively overrated turd

Quite something, I think I didn't know a single track. Added to knight metal playlist

You can hear the beginnings of what they would become, but it's early days and all a bit Spinal Tap. Queen made some truly amazing albums. This isn't one of them. Good but not great. 3/5.

Every Queen album puts them one step closer to their musical apex: Flash Gordon.

Thought this would be a straight royal flush of five stars but fell a bit short once or twice.

Heard before: ❌️/✔️(not entirely) Will listen again?: ❌️

So theatrical!

not really for me

A fun listen, but doesn't give me the earth-shattering vibe that I expected from one of the biggest bands ever to exist

A solid album. It does not strike me as Queen's finest work, and not just because it doesn't have the "hits" on it. It very much displays Queen's theatrical nature, and the second half of the album really shines as tracks flow into each other to tell a story. My favorite song, though, is "Some Day One Day" which was the first Queen song to feature Brian May on vocals for the entire track. The panning on this album is superb and keeps the ears continually engaged.

Очень классно, это часто звучи как баллада: хор, акустика, очень красиво и голоса у них такие живые. Теперь я точно буду больше слушать queen

queefn 2

seven seas of rhye yarhoo 3/5

I've gotten all dressed up black-tie for Night At The Opera a few times before, and (with much controversy) have never been particularly impressed by Queen's most revered album. I'm no Bernard-Shaw, I thought, but then neither was Mercury much of a Caruso. But Queen II is excellent! It's a bit more on the hard rock side of their discography, I assume, but it's a place where they seem to excel. Ogre Battle is, for such an odd title, a suitably epic anthem for its era. The whole suite is suitably furnished with luxuriously complex harmonies and rich upholstered of sound that give it this cathedral-esque feeling despite retaining that pub-bandroom feel. Fav tracks: Ogre Battle, The Loser In The End, The March of the Black Queen

You can occasionally hear the Queen we know and love desperately trying to escape under the many layers of fantastical prog and glam rock. Conceptual and theatrical, but not quite bohemian or rhapsodic.

2.75

Saai

enjoyed more than expected

I like Queen, but most of these songs didn't really stick with me. I guess they're more of a singles band for my taste.

Pas le meilleur, mais un bon son quand même

Pour du rock, Queen s'écoute bien ! Les chansons ont toutes leur identité et on la voix de Freddy Mercury est assez inimitable.

Good

This rocks more than I realized. I’ve never been a fan of Queen’s big hits, but I liked this album. This continues to grow on me! A really great surprise. 3.5

leuk! iets luisterbaarder dan hun latere werk (hoewel dat muzikaal natuurlijk veel bijzonderder was)

Awesome

Not my favorite Queen album, I really like Queen but for me this album is missing the punch 3/5

Not the best queen album. Pretty basic stuff with no hits, I like pretty much everything else Queen has done but this was disapointing

não é o meu fav. não desgosto, mas não costumo ouvir esse. demasiadamente britânico, I guess.

Good

I've long held that Queen doesn't have much of note beyond the hits, so I much have missed the first half of Queen II...that's kind of evidenced by the fact I don't know any of these. The LP opens with some really good rock anthems - Father to Son, Some Day One Day. HOWEVER, the second half devolves into theatrical fantasy themed tracks that are v skippable.

couldn't name a single song, but good listen

That was Queen? Other than some of the harmonies you'd be forgiven for thinking it was someone else.

I've been on quite the journey discovering how truly crap Queen are. I'll give this one a bit more praise than the other two, I knew none of these songs but I was happier with the proggier way this album goes. Still dragged and it's only 40mins though. Could be the most overrated band of all time

dat cover early queen but you can still tell it's absolutely queen i can see how this might be someone's favorite queen album dunno if anything really jumps out tho 💥the march of the black queen

Almost seems like it will be great but then has a clunker about being a mom

Never heard this album before. Interesting view of Queen before they got any decent songs but it all kind of blended together after a while. One listen and done.

Hard one to rate. It’s far from the commercial sound they’d develop later in the 70s and 80s. In fact it sounds strange to hear the operatic flourishes with such fantasy and science fiction themed songs. It doesn’t entirely work for me, but I’m also not a rabid Queen fan. Ogre Battle and Seven Seas of Rhyme are the standouts.

History’s worst singer, backed by a band bereft of ideas results in lumpen ponderous arrangements. Singer bellows to compensate. Best avoided.

Very dramatic. Great playing but the stacked vocals get a bit cheesy for me.