I have seen dozens of reviews, but I like this one because it is concise, respectful, does not ramble on about many ideas, has audible examples of what it wants to express, does not overwhelm with technical data but you can feel that it has the arguments. Excellent.
Excellent review of one of my favorite Queen albums. Me and my best friend, who consider ourselves very knowledgeable on this album, never noticed the Wow comment. You made my day with this. We saw them live in 76 from the first rows in the orchestra pit. Brian spoke with us while he held my hand asking me what song I wanted to hear. Roger gave my best friend his drumsticks and Freddie called me “daaahling” as he handed me a long stem rose. Amazing experience. Our tickets were $7.50, which we cut school to get. ✌️♥️🎶
I am in my mid 60s. I have been a fan of queen since day one. I have all of their albums up until day of the races because after that, in my opinion, they seem to have lost their way. Going to college here in the states During the mid 70s I had the single best queen poster collection in my dorm room for no other reason that relatives in England kept sending me posters that you couldn’t get in the United States. I have a autographed queen 2 album when they were signing records in New York City in February of 1975 if memory serves. I saw Fred perform Bohemian Rhapsody at the Beacon theater at that same time. The one thing people forget is that they were as hard a rock band, a heavy metal band as you would ever get as evidenced by their early albums. Particularly Ogre battle on Queen two and Brighton rock. Their sophistication of imagery, lyrics and music is unparalleled except perhaps for Steely Dan. Thank you, Alex and all our best to ANDY…… love Sharon and Howard.
Songs like "Leroy Brown" are what made Queen great. They weren't afraid to experiment, have fun. "Seaside Rendezvous" from A Night at the Opera is another example.
I agree with most of his takes because when I first heard the album (when I was much younger), it was mind-boggling that anyone could even pull those songs off, let alone make them as epic as they all are. Very unique, which is why I still love Queen.
Queen's first three album run is one of the greatest such series of releases in the rock era. For me, easily their high point - even with BoRap coming later. On Sheer Heart Attack, their craft was on full display, keeping its hard rock edge and editing into the most tasteful packages, exquisitely produced. On my personal list - I put it at #3 all time behind The Beatles "Revolver" and Elton John's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road". Nice review... sorry for the lack of love for "She Makes Me". Totally trancy track that sounds like nothing from its era. Love it.
Great breakdown of the album. I happen to be a Leroy Brown fan because you can tell that the band is having a lot of fun with it and in a concert atmosphere it is like a moment to not take things so seriously, give the members a moment to breathe and just have a light entertaining moment with the audience. There is a lot of intensity in a Queen Concert, Freddie grabs you and doesn't let you go until the end, playing your energy back and forth as though you are the only two people in that entire stadium. He even ushers you into the guitar solos, Roger's vocals and the drumming without ever losing his grip. Freddie makes a connection that takes days to wear off. He was outstanding and everything you could want in a Frontman.
To me, this is CLEARLY QUEEN’s finest work. An epic album that is fantastic from start to finish. Thank you for your thoughtful words, Alex! We come to this channel not only for your reactions to music we like, but for real interest shown in the work. The ONLY disagreement I have with you would be “She Makes Me (Stormtrooper In Stiletos).” It’s one of my all-time favorite Queen songs. Haunting masterpiece. (And here’s another plug for more XTC and a first listen to GUIDED BY VOICES… try “Lizard On The Red Brick Wall” a banger you’ll love. Cheers!)
My first Queen album. I bought it in 1975 when I was 12 or so. It was the 2nd album I had ever bought. I spent hours looking at it and reading the notes all the while wondering "who the hell are these guys?". I love every song and it takes me back 50 years every time I hear any of them.
I'm absolutely with you on Bring Back That Leroy Brown. It's excellent. Queen did Lap of the Gods Revisited live in the set of their 1986 Magic Tour which I was lucky enough to see at Knebworth Park, their last ever live UK show. It was fantastic and a lovely surprise in the set
Very well done. I totally agree with your ratings, except Tenement Funster is one of my favorite songs by Queen. Also agree Roger Taylor is an incredible vocalist. Would be very interested in you doing the same thing for Queen II. Absolutely my favorite Queen album, and in my opinion tragically underrated. Keep up the good work Alex! Best to Andy!
Kudos, Alex. What a great album review! I think it's one of the best I've heard, actually. I do think In The Lap of the Gods deserved to be in the "great" tier but that's because I've watched the live performance (on video) at the Rainbow. That song became their closer for several seasons. They brought it back in a modified form for the epic 1986 tour. It would be awesome to hear you do a review of Queen II.
Yes, Queen II (especially Side Black) is my fave of theirs but it's so hard to choose...all of their albums are great and brilliant in their own right! This was a great review of "Sheer Heart Attack", though I might take all the ones out of the "Meh" catagory and rate them higher.
Thank you for reviewing this fantastic album. It is so creative and diverse. I agree with most of your slots for the songs except In the Lap of the Gods...Revisited is definitely a Great song. It was written as a singalong at the end of the concert before the encores. I think the band wanted a simple tune that everyone could sing and sway to. Another Great song is She Makes Me. It is so atmospheric and I love Brian's vocal. I saw Queen in concert in 1977 and you find out quickly why Freddie is considered the best frontman ever. He is so charismatic that you can't keep your eyes off him. He sings fearlessly and with incredible passion on every song. They are all incredible musicians. Roger sings way more backing vocals in concert than people notice. Constantly hitting high notes while never missing a beat. Now I'm Here is the only song that was never dropped from the playlist. They still play it now. Freddie definitely put a "wow" in. Rightly so! Brighton Rock is one of the best openers ever. How about Queen 2 next?
The first tim.e I saw Queen was in 1974 when they opened up for Mott the Hoople. I saw them 15 more times including every U.S. tour they did including the Sheer Heart Attack tour which was amazing. The ended the show with In The Lap of the Gods Revisited and blew the place away
Glad you liked the album! There's another reference in "Now I'm Here"that might interst you: it ends with the line "Go, go, go little queenie". This is a ref to the Chuck Berry song "Little Queenie". T. Rex also referenced this song at the end of "Bang A Gong/Get It On" with the line "meanwhile, I'm still thinking..."
You are SO GOOD at reviews… really intelligent comments…. It doesn’t hurt that I’m a Queen fan from the 70’s. This is the first album Of theirs that I got… and made me fall in love with them. (And I totally agree with your rankings).
Alex, your analysis of the songs/albums while pulling a solo shift, is great. Love your descriptions and your feelings about it. Very, very well done. In fact, it was great.
Great ranking Alex!! I really can't give any good reason to juggle what you present here! Personally, I might put Now I'm Here in S-tier as well, and She Makes Me in B-Good level. And I happen to like Misfire as a quirky ditty, much like Seaside Rendezvou on Night At The Opera. Regardless, this was Queen being their experimental selves. To them, there was no style really off-limits! Not too many groups I can think of where every member contributed to the level they did, and practically each of them had their share of 'hits' over the years! Stone Cold Crazy always struck me as the birth of thrash...it's frenetic, heavy. I could totally see why/where bands like Metallica were influenced! This consistently ranks as one of my top 3 Queen albums, and sometimes, depending on my mood, is #1! Cheers!
Great review and a fair one. I’ve met Brian May a few times-great, friendly guy. Each time after shaking his hand, i go home and pick a guitar … and still sound like me. Enjoy your reviews, you’re doing a good job.
I agree, Tenement Funster is one that grows on you with repeated listenings! It wasn’t a favorite of mine at first but I love it now, but then I’ve been listening to it since it was originally released 😄
Excellent breakdown, review and rating of each song. The variety and creativity of Queen are among the things that I really love about them. If you haven't watched it already, check out Queen: Live at the rainbow! Its a superb concert in general, but, staying in the subject of Sheer Heart attack, the renditions of "Now I'm here", "stone cold crazy", "flick of the wrist", (original) "In the lap of the gods", "Killer Queen", "Bring back that Leroy Brown" (as parts of a medley), and "in the lap of the gods revisited" are all spectacular.
I definitely agree with your rankings. I loved your explanations for how you ranked the songs. I'm so glad you gave Killer Queen an S tier because it is one of the greatest rock songs of all time!
Good review, Alex, so kudos to you for that. I really only disagree on the last two songs "She Makes Me" and "In The Lap of the Gods (Revisited)", both of which I would have rated higher. To each their own, however.
I would love to hear your thoughts on their album “A Night at the Opera”. On the one hand, yeah it has “Bohemian Rhapsody”, but also so many other phenomenal songs. “Death on Two Legs” is arguably the first hardcore diss track about their former manager who was stealing from them. And of course you have “The Prophet’s Song” with a massive choir of Freddie echoing back and forth. Roger Tayler knocks it out of the park with “I’m in Live with my car”. The entire album is ridiculously impressive.
I think you nailed it. I bought the album when it was released and saw Queen live many times back in the day. I really can’t fault you for your comments - spot on.
Wow, I can’t believe you guys have done “Who do you love?” by George Thorogood, but not “Move It On Over” yet. It’s an absolute AMAZING song and it would bring me, others, and i guarantee yourselves joy to see it on your channel. Hopefully it appears soon. Let me know and keep up the great work Andy and Alex!
Hey Alex, Queen did tour with Mott The Hoople, and Mott's live album includes a sign on the back showing both on the bill! Mott Live is 2 halves from 2 different shows! Really Rocks! I love it!
Love these album breakdown videos. If you haven't seen Queen's Live at Wembley '86 movie, I highly recommend it. It's Queen at their absolute best. IMO, of course.
Rog did actually have his own side project band 'The Cross' in which he was lead singer as well as having several solo albums down the years. yeah he can sing :)
The delay / echo technique May showcases in Brighton rock he used in a number of songs but also live he used it as a way to play harmonies in solos. Playing in a scale the echo note would start to play together in harmony.
Great review Alex! I agree with the songs you rated as an S-tier but we need to give more love to the song Misfire. This song is definitely better than a “meh” rating. It’s a fun track! Please do some more Queen album reviews!
Love your show as a Big Queen fan who has followed them ever since there first album my favorite song by them is MISFIRE I have played in bands for over 40 years and I love playing this great song. Your the best keep up the good work...
BringbBack That Leroy Brown is actually a highlight for me. John learning the double bass for it, the jazz piano and guitar partsthe ukulele... All brilliant. Misfire was the first song John wrote that was recorded. I think at times, the drums sound a tad calypso, and depending on your device, some lyrics are not heard properly. But i do like it. I geel the first three albums are special, but then i think of the next two albums, and i have to change that to the first 5 albums are special, but the first three dont get the love they deserve.
Absolutely a ‘one of a kind’ album and a proper ground breaker. Brighton Rock was way ahead of its time and the live version was something to behold. Thankfully I saw them perform on their prime. Keep up the great work dudes.
Andy and Alex.....check out the soundtrack to The Flash Gordon movie from 1980.....all done by Queen. The movie is a cult classic for Gen Xers as it is.....but the musical arrangement and composition , and even the entire film score throughout was done by Queen and its really good.
Excellent Album! 19 year old me saw them in 1977. The band was great! Freddie Mercury was so happy that night doing what he loved! look forward to the review.
I see this album as the transition from "Brian May and Friends Project" to Queen. He was sick during the recording and he was even afraid of being fired from the band. Roger has been around since the old days, but this time he didnt't just bring his song but it was made to blend into the big picture, and this time Freddie could do anything without objections, for real, and Deacy wrote and produced a song on his own. This is the first Queen album in the Queen standars everyone knows.
Difficult to decide which their albums is the best, because they were so talented and all great songs are on every one of their albums ! That’s why I think they are the GOAT.
Arguably Queen’s greatest album. A Night At The Opera is better known and more polished, but Sheer Heart Attack was the crucial transitional album that bridges their early, more progressive work with the signature “Queen sound” that would carry them through the rest of the 1970’s. And a very solid ranking of the tracks as well, Alex (“Now I’m Here” might need a step up). But kudos for appreciating “Leroy Brown” for the jewel that it is. That said, are you wearing a scrunchie on your wrist…? 😏
Please do continue these! My requests this time: * CCR, Cosmo's Factory * Depeche Mode, Black Celebration * Doobie Brothers, The Captain & Me * ELO, A New World Record * Metallica, Master of Puppets * Pink Floyd, DSotM * Supertramp, Breakfast in America * U2, The Joshua Tree
Liked album *Sheer Heart Attack* but always wondered why favourite Queen song wasn't on it. Loved album *News Of The World* because favourite Queen song *Sheer Heart Attack* was on it. 1977 was my first introduction to 1990's *Industrial Rock* or *Industrial Metal* with... *"Queen - Sheer Heart Attack (Official Queen Rocks Music Video)"*
Fuck yeah! This album kicks ass! Some proto-thrash, some hard rockers, some regular Queen silliness, this album has it all! Oh and Brian's guitar tone on this album.... Chef's Kiss! Oh and absolutely he says, "WOW!" in Now I'm Here, when that AWESOME fucking riff comes back! I'll say it too: "WOW!"
Brian May was sick with hepatitis at the time of course he came in at the end playing all the guitars. But you can see that the album didn't have much influences in the album.
I wrote an essay in college about deciding on which of two albums to buy. I received an 'A' from my English professor with the comment that music is a difficult subject to write about. Alex, you reminded me of this when listening to your luxuriant analysis of this album. Tasty. Thank you. (If anyone is curious, the 2 albums were Harvest by Neil Young or Aqualung by Jethro Tull. I chose NY.)
SHA was the make or break album for Queen in 1974. They fully understood the fact that unless they added a more commercial angle it would be impossible to be a world dominating act. After the artistically accomplished Queen II they made the right decision and started having hit singles. SHA sums up Queen as premium art rockers and pop masters all in one. Then of course a year later they delivered what is arguably their artistic zenith ANATO which is a perfect amalgamation of rock, opera, pop, jazz and music hall all in one. They almost outdid The Beatles here who peaked with Revolver/Peppers nearly a decade before.
Great video! Thanks for doing it. Good analysis too. I agree with your ranking. Not my favourite of their albums but it has some great stuff on it. Would love to see you do this for other albums you guys have reviewed before :)
Wow.. that is what I call a review. Even though someone is not a hardcore Queen fan, but appreciates diversity and quality. And this is about that to me. Congrats.
WOW ! 😂 Yes you heard WOW Crawled up out of the rabbit hole bc I heard you were going to review Sheer Heart Attack. I agree with your review all the way ✌🏼 Thanks 🥰
Really nice and objective review of this album. I know this will not be a popular opinion, but as a prog rock fan, I felt this was the last of their great albums. Always like their harder sound.
Aren't all their albums celebrating anniversaries this year? That question is of course rhetorical and the answer is yes. If the album was released last year, they would be celebrating the anniversary.
@@beatlesnqueen no, they meant 40 and 50 year anniversaries, but that's beside the point. They may have meant one thing, but doesn't mean they are right. Come on.
I almost went to the Queen/Hoople show, but Brian May had hepatitis. Did see the Sheer Heart Attack tour, with Kansas & Mahogany Rush opening. It was jaw-dropping good.
In musicians circles, "Stone Cold Crazy" [Queen] [1974]; "Symptom Of The Universe" [Black Sabbath] (which post-dates the release of Sheer Heart Attack by about a year. [1975]) and "Fireball" [Deep Purple] [1971] (which, undeservedly, gets less notice, but is probably MORE important than either of the more recognized, aforementioned songs!) are [have LONG-been!] mentioned as/discussed as/(closer to THESE days) commonly "listed as": "The progenitor songs for Thrash metal"/"Thrash before thrash existed" and, particularly, the prototypes for what became the "standard model" of thrash drumming (in the 1980s). -- It can be CLEARLY seen how: each of these songs, with their use of: high tempo aggression and simply aggression, speed and attitude and "musical forward force," became prototypes for the future "thrash metal" and, in particular, for the styles of drumming which became the templates for and the "standards" in: thrash metal. It's practically arguable that: "Stone Cold Crazy" is MORE associated with MetallicA, now, than it is with Queen! ...but you are correct in saying: they didn't need to do much with it, really. All MetallicA did was "tighten it up even more," effectively. - For MetallicA, it is obvious that their cover of "Stone Cold Crazy" (for the Rubaiyat concert and album - the 40th Anniversary of Elektra Records) was, also: effectively "the final statement" from: the earlier, thrash metal version of MetallicA (even after, horribly!!😭, losing their musical guiding force, the superb: Cliff Burton 😭😭😭); prior to their becoming, effectively, "a mainstream rock band" and more widely palatable and revered (among a wider audience). -Metallica's "transition" from: thrash metal pioneers to "publicly lauded, widely listened-to & accepted, radio rock staples" truly began with their release of their first, ever, music video [for the song "One", in 1989] (which vastly increased notice -thereby: popularity- of the band; because: MTV were, still, a very powerful musical influencer in that day and common in a vast number of U.S. homes) and, effectively, solidly established itself with their release of their self-titled 5th album [Metallica], in 1991. "Stone Cold Crazy" , also, was released in the interim between: ...And Justice For All [the Damaged Justice tour ending in: 1989] and MetallicA [the self-titled, "black" album] in 1991. ...so it functioned as a "fan interest maintenace" piece as well as a juncture [musically] between: what they had been and what they would become (and what a younger -and/or simply a newer-generation of fans would begin to expect from them). ...In many ways: "a perfect tie" or "separator" (depending on one's viewpoint/desired preference.). ...but, yes: QUEEN, absolutely, established: the comedic insanity and querulous surprise and possible mockery; never mind the balls-out impact of the song, here. ...And no-one ever improved upon it, really.
When I saw Queen with Adam Lambert they opened up with Now I'm Here and that was the biggest buzz for me because I knew back in the 70s they opened up with Now I'm Here and went on to most of the album which was great for me and it felt like they were just playing my favourite songs and not just Greatest hits. I have seen Queen with Freddie Mercury as well
This is not their best album but it's definitely their most interesting and experimental, almost like a Queen notebook which they went back to for ideas later in their career. Now I'm Here was a band favorite. I saw them in 1982 (my first concert!) and they played it then, much to my delight.
You really should do a similar review of "News of the World", my favorite Queen album. "Bring Back That Leroy Brown" for some reason reminds me of "The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" by (I think?) The Lennon Sisters.
I have seen dozens of reviews, but I like this one because it is concise, respectful, does not ramble on about many ideas, has audible examples of what it wants to express, does not overwhelm with technical data but you can feel that it has the arguments. Excellent.
Thanks I appreciate that! I spent a long time collecting thoughts and listening to the album to make it concise and thoughtful
@@andyandalexFANTASTIC job. Congrats.
Excellent review of one of my favorite Queen albums. Me and my best friend, who consider ourselves very knowledgeable on this album, never noticed the Wow comment. You made my day with this. We saw them live in 76 from the first rows in the orchestra pit. Brian spoke with us while he held my hand asking me what song I wanted to hear. Roger gave my best friend his drumsticks and Freddie called me “daaahling” as he handed me a long stem rose. Amazing experience. Our tickets were $7.50, which we cut school to get. ✌️♥️🎶
That is so badass!!
That is a great story
I envy you right now!
"A court jester in a spaceship..." Freddie would have loved that description!
Yes! Freddie would love that
I am in my mid 60s. I have been a fan of queen since day one. I have all of their albums up until day of the races because after that, in my opinion, they seem to have lost their way. Going to college here in the states During the mid 70s I had the single best queen poster collection in my dorm room for no other reason that relatives in England kept sending me posters that you couldn’t get in the United States. I have a autographed queen 2 album when they were signing records in New York City in February of 1975 if memory serves. I saw Fred perform Bohemian Rhapsody at the Beacon theater at that same time. The one thing people forget is that they were as hard a rock band, a heavy metal band as you would ever get as evidenced by their early albums. Particularly Ogre battle on Queen two and Brighton rock. Their sophistication of imagery, lyrics and music is unparalleled except perhaps for Steely Dan. Thank you, Alex and all our best to ANDY…… love Sharon and Howard.
Songs like "Leroy Brown" are what made Queen great. They weren't afraid to experiment, have fun. "Seaside Rendezvous" from A Night at the Opera is another example.
I agree with most of his takes because when I first heard the album (when I was much younger), it was mind-boggling that anyone could even pull those songs off, let alone make them as epic as they all are. Very unique, which is why I still love Queen.
What I love about Queen is the same thing I Love about The Beatles., Variety.
Most bands can't do that.
✌️❤️🍏
Queen's first three album run is one of the greatest such series of releases in the rock era. For me, easily their high point - even with BoRap coming later. On Sheer Heart Attack, their craft was on full display, keeping its hard rock edge and editing into the most tasteful packages, exquisitely produced. On my personal list - I put it at #3 all time behind The Beatles "Revolver" and Elton John's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road".
Nice review... sorry for the lack of love for "She Makes Me". Totally trancy track that sounds like nothing from its era. Love it.
Great comment
Nicely done Alex. Always appreciate when you guys go back to Queen.
Great breakdown of the album. I happen to be a Leroy Brown fan because you can tell that the band is having a lot of fun with it and in a concert atmosphere it is like a moment to not take things so seriously, give the members a moment to breathe and just have a light entertaining moment with the audience. There is a lot of intensity in a Queen Concert, Freddie grabs you and doesn't let you go until the end, playing your energy back and forth as though you are the only two people in that entire stadium. He even ushers you into the guitar solos, Roger's vocals and the drumming without ever losing his grip. Freddie makes a connection that takes days to wear off. He was outstanding and everything you could want in a Frontman.
I totally agree with what you said about Freddie. I was three rows from the very back of the stadium and felt the same way in 82.
To me, this is CLEARLY QUEEN’s finest work. An epic album that is fantastic from start to finish.
Thank you for your thoughtful words, Alex! We come to this channel not only for your reactions to music we like, but for real interest shown in the work. The ONLY disagreement I have with you would be “She Makes Me (Stormtrooper In Stiletos).” It’s one of my all-time favorite Queen songs. Haunting masterpiece. (And here’s another plug for more XTC and a first listen to GUIDED BY VOICES… try “Lizard On The Red Brick Wall” a banger you’ll love. Cheers!)
My first Queen album. I bought it in 1975 when I was 12 or so. It was the 2nd album I had ever bought. I spent hours looking at it and reading the notes all the while wondering "who the hell are these guys?". I love every song and it takes me back 50 years every time I hear any of them.
I'm absolutely with you on Bring Back That Leroy Brown. It's excellent. Queen did Lap of the Gods Revisited live in the set of their 1986 Magic Tour which I was lucky enough to see at Knebworth Park, their last ever live UK show. It was fantastic and a lovely surprise in the set
Very well done. I totally agree with your ratings, except Tenement Funster is one of my favorite songs by Queen. Also agree Roger Taylor is an incredible vocalist. Would be very interested in you doing the same thing for Queen II. Absolutely my favorite Queen album, and in my opinion tragically underrated. Keep up the good work Alex! Best to Andy!
Kudos, Alex. What a great album review! I think it's one of the best I've heard, actually. I do think In The Lap of the Gods deserved to be in the "great" tier but that's because I've watched the live performance (on video) at the Rainbow. That song became their closer for several seasons. They brought it back in a modified form for the epic 1986 tour. It would be awesome to hear you do a review of Queen II.
Yes, Queen II (especially Side Black) is my fave of theirs but it's so hard to choose...all of their albums are great and brilliant in their own right! This was a great review of "Sheer Heart Attack", though I might take all the ones out of the "Meh" catagory and rate them higher.
Thank you for reviewing this fantastic album. It is so creative and diverse. I agree with most of your slots for the songs except In the Lap of the Gods...Revisited is definitely a Great song. It was written as a singalong at the end of the concert before the encores. I think the band wanted a simple tune that everyone could sing and sway to. Another Great song is She Makes Me. It is so atmospheric and I love Brian's vocal. I saw Queen in concert in 1977 and you find out quickly why Freddie is considered the best frontman ever. He is so charismatic that you can't keep your eyes off him. He sings fearlessly and with incredible passion on every song. They are all incredible musicians. Roger sings way more backing vocals in concert than people notice. Constantly hitting high notes while never missing a beat. Now I'm Here is the only song that was never dropped from the playlist. They still play it now. Freddie definitely put a "wow" in. Rightly so! Brighton Rock is one of the best openers ever. How about Queen 2 next?
My favourite Queen albumn. I saw them live in 1974 - they were supporting Mott The Hoople and were brilliant.
The first tim.e I saw Queen was in 1974 when they opened up for Mott the Hoople. I saw them 15 more times including every U.S. tour they did including the Sheer Heart Attack tour which was amazing. The ended the show with In The Lap of the Gods Revisited and blew the place away
Glad you liked the album! There's another reference in "Now I'm Here"that might interst you: it ends with the line "Go, go, go little queenie". This is a ref to the Chuck Berry song "Little Queenie". T. Rex also referenced this song at the end of "Bang A Gong/Get It On" with the line "meanwhile, I'm still thinking..."
Yep.
Savoy Brown did the same reference to that "meanwhile..." line in their Savoy Brown Boogie. And Ten Years After have the chorus in "I'm Going Home".
You are SO GOOD at reviews… really intelligent comments….
It doesn’t hurt that I’m a Queen fan from the 70’s. This is the first album
Of theirs that I got… and made me fall in love with them.
(And I totally agree with your rankings).
I got a great deal of grief for being a Queen fan and a female. Same with other groups I liked in the '70s. Guys, so weird. So judgy, back then.
Well done Alex. I have known this album since it appeared.on the scene. Your critique is spot on.
Alex, your analysis of the songs/albums while pulling a solo shift, is great. Love your descriptions and your feelings about it. Very, very well done. In fact, it was great.
Great ranking Alex!! I really can't give any good reason to juggle what you present here! Personally, I might put Now I'm Here in S-tier as well, and She Makes Me in B-Good level. And I happen to like Misfire as a quirky ditty, much like Seaside Rendezvou on Night At The Opera. Regardless, this was Queen being their experimental selves. To them, there was no style really off-limits! Not too many groups I can think of where every member contributed to the level they did, and practically each of them had their share of 'hits' over the years!
Stone Cold Crazy always struck me as the birth of thrash...it's frenetic, heavy. I could totally see why/where bands like Metallica were influenced!
This consistently ranks as one of my top 3 Queen albums, and sometimes, depending on my mood, is #1!
Cheers!
Great review and a fair one. I’ve met Brian May a few times-great, friendly guy. Each time after shaking his hand, i go home and pick a guitar … and still sound like me. Enjoy your reviews, you’re doing a good job.
Good Review Alex pretty well some up my thoughts on it. Tenement Funster is the only one id say is a sleeper - it grows and grows over time
I agree, Tenement Funster is one that grows on you with repeated listenings! It wasn’t a favorite of mine at first but I love it now, but then I’ve been listening to it since it was originally released 😄
Excellent breakdown, review and rating of each song. The variety and creativity of Queen are among the things that I really love about them. If you haven't watched it already, check out Queen: Live at the rainbow! Its a superb concert in general, but, staying in the subject of Sheer Heart attack, the renditions of "Now I'm here", "stone cold crazy", "flick of the wrist", (original) "In the lap of the gods", "Killer Queen", "Bring back that Leroy Brown" (as parts of a medley), and "in the lap of the gods revisited" are all spectacular.
I definitely agree with your rankings. I loved your explanations for how you ranked the songs. I'm so glad you gave Killer Queen an S tier because it is one of the greatest rock songs of all time!
My first Queen album, still think it’s the best introductory album if you want to go deeper into their catalogue, it has everything.
Good review, Alex, so kudos to you for that. I really only disagree on the last two songs "She Makes Me" and "In The Lap of the Gods (Revisited)", both of which I would have rated higher. To each their own, however.
I would love to hear your thoughts on their album “A Night at the Opera”. On the one hand, yeah it has “Bohemian Rhapsody”, but also so many other phenomenal songs. “Death on Two Legs” is arguably the first hardcore diss track about their former manager who was stealing from them. And of course you have “The Prophet’s Song” with a massive choir of Freddie echoing back and forth. Roger Tayler knocks it out of the park with “I’m in Live with my car”. The entire album is ridiculously impressive.
I think you nailed it. I bought the album when it was released and saw Queen live many times back in the day. I really can’t fault you for your comments - spot on.
Wow, I can’t believe you guys have done “Who do you love?” by George Thorogood, but not “Move It On Over” yet. It’s an absolute AMAZING song and it would bring me, others, and i guarantee yourselves joy to see it on your channel. Hopefully it appears soon. Let me know and keep up the great work Andy and Alex!
Hey Alex, Queen did tour with Mott The Hoople, and Mott's live album includes a sign on the back showing both on the bill! Mott Live is 2 halves from 2 different shows! Really Rocks! I love it!
Down in the city just Hoople and me. Then later REM started Man In The Moon with "Mott The Hoople and the game of life"
Love these album breakdown videos. If you haven't seen Queen's Live at Wembley '86 movie, I highly recommend it. It's Queen at their absolute best. IMO, of course.
Rog did actually have his own side project band 'The Cross' in which he was lead singer as well as having several solo albums down the years. yeah he can sing :)
The delay / echo technique May showcases in Brighton rock he used in a number of songs but also live he used it as a way to play harmonies in solos. Playing in a scale the echo note would start to play together in harmony.
Great review Alex! I agree with the songs you rated as an S-tier but we need to give more love to the song Misfire. This song is definitely better than a “meh” rating. It’s a fun track!
Please do some more Queen album reviews!
Love your show as a Big Queen fan who has followed them ever since there first album my favorite song by them is MISFIRE I have played in bands for over 40 years and I love playing this great song. Your the best keep up the good work...
BringbBack That Leroy Brown is actually a highlight for me. John learning the double bass for it, the jazz piano and guitar partsthe ukulele... All brilliant. Misfire was the first song John wrote that was recorded. I think at times, the drums sound a tad calypso, and depending on your device, some lyrics are not heard properly. But i do like it. I geel the first three albums are special, but then i think of the next two albums, and i have to change that to the first 5 albums are special, but the first three dont get the love they deserve.
This was a great reaction format and well-executed. Bravo, Alex.
I just finished recording a song of mine with a drum sound lifted right off of “She Makes Me” . Roger Taylor is one of my heroes!!
This is my favourite Queen album. Excellent review- can't argue with your appraisals.
Absolutely a ‘one of a kind’ album and a proper ground breaker. Brighton Rock was way ahead of its time and the live version was something to behold. Thankfully I saw them perform on their prime. Keep up the great work dudes.
I've been following this channel since Andy started it and was reacting to Queen. This is my new favorite video on the entire channel. ❤
Andy and Alex.....check out the soundtrack to The Flash Gordon movie from 1980.....all done by Queen. The movie is a cult classic for Gen Xers as it is.....but the musical arrangement and composition , and even the entire film score throughout was done by Queen and its really good.
Gordon's alive!!
@j0hnn13K Bring me in!.....Im flying blind on a Hawkman rocket cycle!!.
Excellent Album! 19 year old me saw them in 1977. The band was great! Freddie Mercury was so happy that night doing what he loved! look forward to the review.
Heard the wow! Nice pivot regarding the channel with this content 👏🏻
😁 I always thought it was a Aahoow.
I see this album as the transition from "Brian May and Friends Project" to Queen. He was sick during the recording and he was even afraid of being fired from the band. Roger has been around since the old days, but this time he didnt't just bring his song but it was made to blend into the big picture, and this time Freddie could do anything without objections, for real, and Deacy wrote and produced a song on his own. This is the first Queen album in the Queen standars everyone knows.
Difficult to decide which their albums is the best, because they were so talented and all great songs are on every one of their albums ! That’s why I think they are the GOAT.
I saw this tour in '74. It was their 1st headliner tour, it was freaking awesome. 3000 seat theater. Queen, Argent and Kansas. Top 5 show for me.
So many people don't even know Stone Cold Crazy exists...always been on my top tier songs from any band.
This is awesome. Would love to see more album reviews on this You Tube channel.
Arguably Queen’s greatest album. A Night At The Opera is better known and more polished, but Sheer Heart Attack was the crucial transitional album that bridges their early, more progressive work with the signature “Queen sound” that would carry them through the rest of the 1970’s. And a very solid ranking of the tracks as well, Alex (“Now I’m Here” might need a step up). But kudos for appreciating “Leroy Brown” for the jewel that it is.
That said, are you wearing a scrunchie on your wrist…? 😏
Thanks Alex. Love Queen. My best to Andy-miss him but know he’ll be back. Blessings, Marianne ❤😊 2:48
Please do continue these! My requests this time:
* CCR, Cosmo's Factory
* Depeche Mode, Black Celebration
* Doobie Brothers, The Captain & Me
* ELO, A New World Record
* Metallica, Master of Puppets
* Pink Floyd, DSotM
* Supertramp, Breakfast in America
* U2, The Joshua Tree
Liked album *Sheer Heart Attack* but always wondered why favourite Queen song wasn't on it.
Loved album *News Of The World* because favourite Queen song *Sheer Heart Attack* was on it.
1977 was my first introduction to 1990's *Industrial Rock* or *Industrial Metal* with...
*"Queen - Sheer Heart Attack (Official Queen Rocks Music Video)"*
Yes some one does shout wow on noe im here !
I saw Queen at the Free trade Hall Manchester in 75, Brighton Rock live was something special. Best wishes to Andy.
I was there too! First Queen concert I ever saw, just wonderful!
Great job! Don't agree with all your opinions, but love the insight.
Fuck yeah! This album kicks ass! Some proto-thrash, some hard rockers, some regular Queen silliness, this album has it all!
Oh and Brian's guitar tone on this album.... Chef's Kiss!
Oh and absolutely he says, "WOW!" in Now I'm Here, when that AWESOME fucking riff comes back! I'll say it too: "WOW!"
Yup. Awesome review. Agree with you on every song and I appreciate your insight.
I had this album in the 70s.
Great review.
Well, I clicked the notification, and I STILL missed the Premiere! Fudge. LOL
Excellent review! Took me back to my first listen many years ago.
Brian May was sick with hepatitis at the time of course he came in at the end playing all the guitars. But you can see that the album didn't have much influences in the album.
Great video! Really interesting idea and analyses. I'd love to see you do this again.
So many great live versions of a lot of these songs!!
I wrote an essay in college about deciding on which of two albums to buy. I received an 'A' from my English professor with the comment that music is a difficult subject to write about. Alex, you reminded me of this when listening to your luxuriant analysis of this album. Tasty. Thank you. (If anyone is curious, the 2 albums were Harvest by Neil Young or Aqualung by Jethro Tull. I chose NY.)
Excellent review of one of my favorite albums of all time!!!
My first album by them when it came out. Still my Favorite.
SHA was the make or break album for Queen in 1974. They fully understood the fact that unless they added a more commercial angle it would be impossible to be a world dominating act. After the artistically accomplished Queen II they made the right decision and started having hit singles. SHA sums up Queen as premium art rockers and pop masters all in one. Then of course a year later they delivered what is arguably their artistic zenith ANATO which is a perfect amalgamation of rock, opera, pop, jazz and music hall all in one. They almost outdid The Beatles here who peaked with Revolver/Peppers nearly a decade before.
Great video! Thanks for doing it. Good analysis too. I agree with your ranking. Not my favourite of their albums but it has some great stuff on it. Would love to see you do this for other albums you guys have reviewed before :)
Wow.. that is what I call a review. Even though someone is not a hardcore Queen fan, but appreciates diversity and quality. And this is about that to me. Congrats.
WOW ! 😂 Yes you heard WOW Crawled up out of the rabbit hole bc I heard you were going to review Sheer Heart Attack. I agree with your review all the way ✌🏼 Thanks 🥰
Cool, this time I can make a Premiere with Alex!
Can’t wait to see/hear this one!
Great review, Alex. Kind regards from Spain.
Thank you Alex! Great review!!
Excellent break down, you did a great job. And I think I 100% agree with you! 😳 That never happens with these lists.
I played this album over and over again and drove my parents crazy. I love every Queen album but 50 years on it’s still my favourite.
GOOOOOOOOOOD MORNING A&A FAMILY! ☮️💟♾️
An excellent review, thank you. My favourite Queen album; this really cemented my belief of just how special Queen were.
Really nice and objective review of this album. I know this will not be a popular opinion, but as a prog rock fan, I felt this was the last of their great albums. Always like their harder sound.
Much love to u both, u really help xxx
Love it! Happy thanksgiving.
Queen has 3 albums celebrating Anniversaries this year. Sheer Heart Attack and Queen II celebrating 50 years, The Works celebrating 40.
Aren't all their albums celebrating anniversaries this year? That question is of course rhetorical and the answer is yes. If the album was released last year, they would be celebrating the anniversary.
So I was just 17 when I bought Sheer Heart Attack when it first came out. It seemed magical. I'm so old but this music takes me back to that year.
@@garymaidman625They obviously meant 10-year anniversaries, come on.
@@beatlesnqueen no, they meant 40 and 50 year anniversaries, but that's beside the point. They may have meant one thing, but doesn't mean they are right. Come on.
@ That makes even less sense than your original comment.
Queen by Queen their first album was different than their later stuff, a ton of classic rock bangers!!!
I almost went to the Queen/Hoople show, but Brian May had hepatitis. Did see the Sheer Heart Attack tour, with Kansas & Mahogany Rush opening. It was jaw-dropping good.
I love this channel!!! 🎸🎶📻
Now I’m Here live at Wembley 1986 is amazing!! Check it out
In musicians circles,
"Stone Cold Crazy" [Queen] [1974];
"Symptom Of The Universe" [Black Sabbath] (which post-dates the release of Sheer Heart Attack by about a year. [1975])
and
"Fireball" [Deep Purple] [1971] (which, undeservedly, gets less notice, but is probably MORE important than either of the more recognized, aforementioned songs!)
are [have LONG-been!] mentioned as/discussed as/(closer to THESE days) commonly "listed as": "The progenitor songs for Thrash metal"/"Thrash before thrash existed" and, particularly, the prototypes for what became the "standard model" of thrash drumming (in the 1980s).
-- It can be CLEARLY seen how: each of these songs, with their use of: high tempo aggression and simply aggression, speed and attitude and "musical forward force," became prototypes for the future "thrash metal" and, in particular, for the styles of drumming which became the templates for and the "standards" in: thrash metal.
It's practically arguable that: "Stone Cold Crazy" is MORE associated with MetallicA, now, than it is with Queen! ...but you are correct in saying: they didn't need to do much with it, really.
All MetallicA did was "tighten it up even more," effectively.
- For MetallicA, it is obvious that their cover of "Stone Cold Crazy" (for the Rubaiyat concert and album - the 40th Anniversary of Elektra Records) was, also: effectively "the final statement" from: the earlier, thrash metal version of MetallicA (even after, horribly!!😭, losing their musical guiding force, the superb: Cliff Burton 😭😭😭); prior to their becoming, effectively, "a mainstream rock band" and more widely palatable and revered (among a wider audience).
-Metallica's "transition" from: thrash metal pioneers to "publicly lauded, widely listened-to & accepted, radio rock staples" truly began with their release of their first, ever, music video [for the song "One", in 1989] (which vastly increased notice -thereby: popularity- of the band; because: MTV were, still, a very powerful musical influencer in that day and common in a vast number of U.S. homes) and, effectively, solidly established itself with their release of their self-titled 5th album [Metallica], in 1991.
"Stone Cold Crazy" , also, was released in the interim between: ...And Justice For All [the Damaged Justice tour ending in: 1989] and MetallicA [the self-titled, "black" album] in 1991. ...so it functioned as a "fan interest maintenace" piece as well as a juncture [musically] between: what they had been and what they would become (and what a younger -and/or simply a newer-generation of fans would begin to expect from them).
...In many ways: "a perfect tie" or "separator" (depending on one's viewpoint/desired preference.).
...but, yes: QUEEN, absolutely, established: the comedic insanity and querulous surprise and possible mockery; never mind the balls-out impact of the song, here. ...And no-one ever improved upon it, really.
Wow happy you are doing rock history
When I saw Queen with Adam Lambert they opened up with Now I'm Here and that was the biggest buzz for me because I knew back in the 70s they opened up with Now I'm Here and went on to most of the album which was great for me and it felt like they were just playing my favourite songs and not just Greatest hits. I have seen Queen with Freddie Mercury as well
Great album, man.
Great Job, man!
This is not their best album but it's definitely their most interesting and experimental, almost like a Queen notebook which they went back to for ideas later in their career. Now I'm Here was a band favorite. I saw them in 1982 (my first concert!) and they played it then, much to my delight.
You really should do a similar review of "News of the World", my favorite Queen album. "Bring Back That Leroy Brown" for some reason reminds me of "The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" by (I think?) The Lennon Sisters.
I think this is my favorite Queen album
Leroy Brown was written in response to the death of Jim Croce.