FLASH GORDON (OST)

This is of course the soundtrack to the 1980 film of the same name. Consideration was reportedly given to inviting Pink Floyd to provide the soundtrack, but all the music here is composed and performed by Queen.

The album consists of no less that 18 tracks in total, although the only one which will be familiar to those who have not seen the film is the opening "Flash theme", which was released as a single. The track paints a fine picture of the comic book hero with suitably dynamic bursts of his name.

The album is liberally sprinkled with excerpts from the film, with spoken word introductions to many of the tracks. These narratives are largely superfluous as they are not sufficient to provide the listener with a detailed synopsis, simply serving to disrupt the flow of the music. We also have a proliferation of futuristic sound effects, the sleeve notes on my cassette version not explicitly ruling out the use of synthesisers (as Queen would usually do on their albums around this time).

Apart from the title track, the music is not typical of Queen, clearly being composed with the intention of being complementary to the on screen action. Put simply, this is soundtrack music and should be approached a such. Do not expect to hear a "Bohemian rhapsody" or a "Radio gaga" here, much of the content is instrumental, sometimes orchestral in nature, devoid of Freddie Mercury's vocals which normally define the band's sound. Even Brian May's guitar is significantly under used, only appearing for the occasional brief burst.

All the band members contribute to the song writing, with Brian may also producing the album. We should recognise their ability to turn their hand to such a challenge with apparent ease. In prog terms, it is perhaps perverse that this is actually one of the band's most progressive efforts. Do not however come to this album expecting to hear a Queen album, as stated, this is at the end of the day nothing more than a soundtrack.

Share this QUEEN review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Easy Livin
• Report this review (#157365)
• Buy QUEEN music online with PA partners
• Show all QUEEN MP3/Stream
• Go to QUEEN page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Flash Gordon (OST) page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for QUEEN related discussions