QUEEN

A year before their breakthrough Queen II was released, this legendary classic rock band released their first album. Recorded mostly in 1971-72, Queen's unique opera-rock characterisics of the 70's can already be heard. And it was pretty progressive. There is no doubt about it if you consider just who else sounded like this in the early 70's? I always liked the early guitar work from Brian May. There are some splendid blends of classical, acoustic passages, jazz and funk as well as hard rock of his own brand. Production-wise it isn't their most polished, and there are a few average songs. But there are some exceedingly good hard rocking stonkers too, such as "Keep Yourself Alive", "Great King Rat", The tracks "The Night Comes Down" and "Son & Daughter" are real crackers too! And there are more such tracks on their better albums that followed. 3 stars.