QUEEN

Doin' alright Proto-Prog

Smile was the name of the pre-Queen band that Brian May and Roger Taylor had together with Tim Staffell. This band never released an album back in the days but they did record these songs that were released many years later. There are different versions of these songs around and some versions have Freddie Mercury on vocals. But these particular versions with Tim Staffell, Brian May and Roger Taylor on vocals are clearly the best versions (the best version I have heard anyway). I must say that these songs are surprisingly good even if the sound quality is far from perfect.

This release has eight tracks in total, two of which are "bonus" tracks. These bonus tracks are best ignored, however, as they have strangely nothing to do with Smile. These two tracks, which are versions of the same song, are by someone named Eddie Howell with only minor contributions by Brian May and Freddie Mercury. It is hard to understand the reasoning behind putting these songs on this album.

Now on to the proper features of this release. What we have here are six good songs that foreshadow the style that Queen would develop for their debut album. One of the songs here, Doin' Alright, would later be part of that debut album - in a newly recorded version with Freddie Mercury on vocals, of course. The evolution of that particular song gives us strong hints of what could have happened to the other songs here. But these other songs are good in their own right. The style involved here is rooted in the sounds of late 60's/early 70's (Hard) Rock and Psychadelia, it could perhaps be characterised as Proto-Prog, or, at least, as Proto-Queen. There is, however, not much of the extravagant sound experimentations, virtuoso guitar play and operatic harmony vocals of Queen II and A Night At The Opera. But this was, of course, several years before that. These early songs are a bit more down to earth but with strong melodies. Influences probably include The Beatles, The Who, early Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin. Having this said, these early songs include some clear signs of what would become Brian May's signature guitar sound and Blag even includes a section that reminds of what would later become Brighton Rock several years later.

While the instrumental backbone of Smile would remain in Queen, we have here also some organ in addition to acoustic and electric guitars, strong bass lines, drums and piano. While Brian sings lead on Polar Bear, the lead vocals are primarily by Tim Staffell. Staffell is a very different type of vocalist compared to Freddie Mercury, but both Brian and Roger do backing vocals and this fact gives these songs a distinct Queen feeling.

No serious Queen fan should miss out on these pre-Queen songs!

Not trying to write an essay here, everyone knows usage of singles. These two would be good choice for a lot of people, but not for me. While I can enjoy Somebody to Love, I hate the other one. "Somebody" is of what I call typical Queen song. Melodic, using of more vocal layers and opera styling. This song (even that it can be quite weary after some time) is perfect, no doubt here. But "White" fails to offer these attributes, which I found not just typical (mostly) for Queen golden age, but also vital for their music. Am I right ?

Personally, I think that for people who wasn't able to see good ol' pal Freddie for real, his famous stage persona, wide vocal range and his charisma and personal charm at all, this would spoil them.

Spoil great memory we (most of us) all have for this special person. Yes, as I said many times, Queen is this type of band where you can't replace the singer without suffering, pain, fear amongst the people etc. Not that music itself is bad (it's actually average, seems like two remaining members lost their energy), but the fact that Mercury was replaced (what a blasphemy) is enough for me to lose my temper and taste for this. John Deacon probably understood it already when he left Queen so early.

1(+) for average music (absolute horribility for those who likes Queen, which means most of us) with one big flaw. Ruining memories in a way that they shouldn't be ruined.

This is truly one of the beasts from the 1970s.

I heard it first time in my two year's older cousin's birthday party back in 1979. I thought this album was very heavy back then. Too heavy. I thought Queen was the heaviest band on this planet back then. The sound was more a brick wall than a collection of melodies. I got my own copy fifteen years later and my view on this album totally changed.

The music does not need any introduction. I regard Queen as a Vaudeville troupe with a lot of genres thrown into one band. From power pop to progressive rock, heavy metal and rock. That is the best label I can come up with. Frankly; I find Queen a bit confusing and that in a positive meaning of the word. Queen was a highly entertaining band and deserves top rating for their ability to make us all smile.

Live Killers is one of the live albums which was made to make the listeners grin like a happy cat. The drums, bass and guitars are pretty heavy. Freddie Mercury's smoothes the music out with his antics, songs and vocal abilities. I want longer songs and less catchy pop and sing-along songs. But the inclusion of Brighton Rock and the Bohemian Rhapsody satisfy my needs. But musically; this is not a four star album.

So why four stars ? Every band deserves an epitaph. Queen has more epitaphs than Winston Churchill in the form of best off and golden this and that albums. But for me; Queen is best described with one double live album: Live Killers. I am by no means a fan of this band. But I still think this is one of the defining live albums from the 1970s. This album is a beast from the past, no less. As fitting for a live album from the 1970s; Live Killers is totally over the top and highly entertaining. It is camp and it is gay. It is full of life. It is excess all areas. It is cheesy. It makes me smile. It makes me laugh. It makes me listening. It make me want to live. It makes me want to hear more music like this. It makes me appreciate this band and I want more from them. I like this band (but don't write this on my tombstone). It is a four star album and an essential live album.

4 stars (given without shame)

Queen at their best is world of themself. No way Jazz, far from hard-rock, even more far from prog. But all mix is strong rock based music, and last classic Queen album.

I perfectly remember stil being in my high school years I listened this album (vinyl,for sure ) hundred times. Starting from exotic "Mustapha"the album catches you and doesn't let you go till the last song.

Almost all songs have strong melodies, original concept and in fact are hits. And even now when listening this album, I think with nostalgy about time, when strong rock albums ruled the musical world. I believe, the "Jazz" is one of the last. Rock was pushed out of main music scene later, and till now stayed more small island for thousands of freaks,than part of cultural world. Of course, there are pros and cons....

Far from prog, but last good album of a great band.

Myriad of critical reviews! I was a big fan of Queen for years, and I perfectly remember, how interesting this album was at the time of it's release!

First wide using of synthesizers in Queen albums ( if you remember, they we proud to write on their early albums "No synthesizers used!") Yes, this album is a turn to more pop-synth- oriented music, but it was a victim of time. ( And you perfectly know, that many artists made the same turn at that time: David Bowie, RPI groups,etc). So - some things are result of their time.

But the album by itself isn't as bad, as many think. At least, it rock, not sweet-soap of many competitors of it's time. Yes, it gave some mega-hits, so everyone know this music more or less. But just to try listen it as album, once again. I think you will see, that there are some interesting music on it.

Innuendo, Queen, 1990

I have to admit, as an at best partial devotee of Queen, Innuendo was basically a blind selection (I was completely unaware of the background, or how respected it was)... saw it in a store, picked it up. I also have to admit it's probably got more good songs on it than any album from 1990 has a right to. It being Queen, the vocals, guitar-work and most of the basic melodies are top notch, there are interesting ideas all around. It being Queen, the more meaningful the lyrics are trying to be, the more they annoy me. But there's a flaw I wouldn't have attributed to the other Queen material I've heard (Greatest Hits 1,2, 3, Queens I+II)... just about anywhere that something is repeated or not a lot is happening, something (generally a nonsense sound) is thrown in, even if a tasteful rest would have been fine. Most of said somethings are entirely unimpressive. Still, a good album, even if I can't help feeling that with a little less superfluous polish, the real qualities of the album would shine through far more.

Innuendo is big. Not only does it last about six and a half minutes, throw in surprisingly hard guitar tones and include the most rough and belting vocals of the album, it also features militaristic drumming and a damn flamenco interlude (courtesy of Steve Howe). OK, the lyrics aren't great, the drumming is a bit too lethargic for me, and a more defined set of keys wouldn't hurt but any song with that great a trio of guitar solos (May's reprise of Howe's flamenco theme is just amazing) is at least a minor classic.

Kicking onwards, pop song 1: I'm Going Slightly Mad is a wonderfully crazy little pop number, complemented by a rather odd synth atmosphere, some weird and wonderful guitar tweaks and an exceptional warped cabaret-sounding Mercury vocal. Headlong is a lot heavier, doesn't quite manage the same atmospheric pull, the major highlight is the trippy synth part in the instrumental break... the piece seems to be padded a bit beyond its potential, but it's still a fun song.

I Can't Live With You... well, no idea how to classify this one, Mercury's vocal twists and turns like a twisty turny thing and it is just perfect. It sort of seems to alternate between a darker bluesy part and a pop  chorus and then a slightly queasy set of guitar solos. A reserved yes. Don't Try So Hard is a fairly bland bit of Mercury pseudo-preaching which slips into the unbearably dim category... musically speaking, the verses are basically nice with a charming little guitar bit, smooth synths and a lush vocal, while the choruses/verse extensions are basically cheap and tacky. A reserved no.

And onto rock song 2: Ride The Wild Wind, which alternates between basically asinine and insanely cool... the driving main rhythm, the vocal twists at the end of that basically daft chorus are delicious, the guitar soloing is great. I'd guess I like the good bits just about enough to forgive how long the bad bits go on. All God's People, On The Other Hand, is a soul-based track, which seems to assume you'll be wowed enough by May pulling out his trademark guitar sound and Mercury's vocal to forgive the limp harmonies and rather odious backbone of the song. Have to admit I'm a bit fonder of the heavier bits, but still, I can certainly live without this one. These Are The Days Of Our Lives is a rather better soft piece constructed around a worldy set of percussion, and the lyrics aren't trying so hard and prove much more simply touching. May's guitar parts are just gorgeous here.

Delilah is basically daft. I think you can't make a great song out of one guitar-miaow. Cute as the whole cat theme is, it remains a silly song. But still, a fairly nice silly song. I just find it difficult to be angry at a song about cats. We are a cat person.

Huzzah, now, Hitman. A surprisingly cutting guitar riff, which can basically hold up the song alone in combination with the neat mass vocal chorus. Well, I don't feel the vocal is the album's most creative, but it fits it nicely, and there isn't all that much diversity, but it doesn't really hurt it.

And even better, Bijou, which is basically a gorgeous May solo thrown over some very loose keyboard chords, plus a short and sweet vocal. Just about perfect. But even better, now, what we've all been waiting for, easily, easily the album's best song: The Show Must Go On. Haunting, dark vocals, precise fills and bass parts, an array of menacing synthesisers, weeping, but tremendously potent guitar... an entirely appropriate set of lyrics... it's simply an incredible song.

So, a variety of stuff, both in style and quality, and while there are a few things about Queen in general and this album in particular that annoy me, it's still generally very strong, and for the last two songs alone deserves a comfortable three stars. An altogether good album, and, even if you wouldn't consider yourself a big Queen fan (I don't), you could do worse than picking up Innuendo. Rating: Three Stars, 10/15 or so Favourite Track: The Show Must Go On

Truncated live magic

Queen was a fantastic live band and the shows where this live album was recorded were no exceptions. However, the final result is embarrasingly bad! Most of the songs have been truncated and there is simply not much 'magic' left in them at all. Also, this was recorded in several different places which gives a shattered impression.

There is the much, much better 2CD (and now also DVD) Live At Wembley, with a full show from this same tour. In the light of that excellent release, which contains every song from this album but in full, Live Magic is a very unneccessary release!

This is really only for completionists this one. By no means up to par with Live At Wembley CD and DVD (the DVD offers more value for money in my opinion as you get visuals with it as well as a 5.1 mix and lots of extras).

This is a very weird live album!

— First review of this album —

I go crazy

This second singles box set, like the first, contains 13 discs which are CD versions of another 13 of the band's singles. While the first box set covered the period from 1973 - 1978, this second volume covers the years 1979 - 1984. The singles featured in this box were taken from the three studio albums The Game, Hot Space and The Works as well as from the live album Live Killers and the movie soundtrack album Flash Gordon.

I wasn't too kind in my review of The Singles Collection Volume 1 box set, but I think that a slightly stronger case can be made in favour of this second volume. Here it is at least arguable that the singles are a good place to start investigating this particular period of Queen's history. This was certainly not the case with the period of the band's career covered by the first singles box set. During the period of 1973 - 1978 the best and most interesting album tracks were often not the ones that were released as singles (Bohemian Rhapsody is a notable exception, though) while during the years 1979 - 1984, this was more often the case.

Queen was always both an albums band and a singles band, but when they first started out in the early 70's they leaned heavily towards being an albums band while they became more and more of a singles band as time progressed. While masterpiece albums like Queen II and A Night At The Opera clearly works best when heard in their entirety, albums like The Game, Hot Space and The Works can benefit from a more selective listening. Save Me, Play The Game and Under Pressure are all excellent songs taken from overall less-than-excellent albums.

The more important difference between the two singles box sets is that, while Volume 1 contained only one non-album b-side, Volume 2 contains three. This is not a lot, I know, but it is more than one at least! The three non-album b-sides featured here are A Human Body, Soul Brother and I Go Crazy. A Human Body is a Roger Taylor song with him on lead vocals. It is by no means a great song, but it would have fitted in well on The Game and it is probably the best of the three non-album b-sides featured in this box. Soul Brother has the sound of Hot Space and while it would have fitted in nicely on that album, that is not exactly a compliment! Freddie uses his high-pitched voice in this one. I Go Crazy is from The Works sessions and is more of a Rock 'N' Roll number. Not awful, but also not very interesting.

Even if this second singles box set has more to offer compared to the first, I think that this is a release primarily for serious fans and collectors. Any fan of the band will want to have the studio albums from which these singles were taken anyway, and those beginners looking for a compilation album will not want to buy an expensive box set just to get an insight into Queen's early 80's period (but rather go for the much cheaper compilation albums Greatest Hits I and II or their DVD counterparts that feature most of these same songs).

The music featured here is mostly very good and it is a nice package (I don't own this box set, however, but I have seen it in the stores). But this is not enough to elevate this above being a pure collector's item. There will probably be a The Singles Collection Volume 3 covering the final chapter of Queen's career, and hopefully there will be more non-album b-sides on that one. But buying three box sets for only a handful of non-album tracks in total is simply not for everyone! It would have been much better had they released a single disc compilation with all of the band's non-album b-sides.

I will give the same advice concerning this box as I gave with regards to Volume 1: if you don't have the studio albums from which these singles were taken, buy them! If you already have these studio albums, you don't really need this box set unless you are a serious fan or collector.

— First review of this album —

See what a fool I've been

Queen is one of my all time favourite bands and I have loved this band for over ten years now. This box set contains 13 discs which are CD versions of 13 of the band's 70's singles (there is also now a The Singles Collection Volume 2 covering the early 80's and presumable a third box set coming up covering the late 80's/early 90's singles).

The music featured here is mostly excellent and it is a nice package. I used to have quite a few of these singles on 7" vinyl. The problem is that if you have all of Queen's studio albums from this period, there is only one song here that you don't already have! If you happen to have the Hollywood Records version of Queen II, then you have that song too as a bonus track. This fact reduces this box set to a pure collector's item. You don't want to buy an expensive box set for only one additional song (that many already have anyway).

The sole non-album b-side featured here is called See What A Fool I've Been and is a bluesy, Led Zeppelin-esqe hard rocker. It is not particularly interesting even for me as a long time fan and it is certainly not up to par with the brilliant Queen II material (or any other early Queen material, for that matter).

If you don't have the studio albums from which these singles were taken, buy those albums! If you already have these studio albums, you really don't need this box set unless you are a serious collector. The value of this release lies almost wholly in the physical box itself as the content is clearly best obtained elsewhere.