Queen II
Queen

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.

4