QUEEN II

I'm not sure what it is I hate about this band, but I reckon its got something to do with Brian may. I hate his guitar sound, I hate his hair cut, but most of all I hated the way he rose above Buckingham Palace at the Golden Jubilee with his revolting poodle hair blowing in the 'wind of change' Spinal Tap would have stopped short of these antics...

With that off my chest, I'd like to say a few words about Queen II. This is my favourite Queen album. It has a dark, camp charm and is home to some of Queens greatest moments in terms of melody and the written word. No one should even try to doubt the amazing song writing talent of this group; a talent which manifests itself so richly on 'Side 2' of this album. I still listern to this album on vinyl, and wallow in the crackling nostalgia it gives me. I always felt that 'White Queen - as it began' should have been segued with 'March of the Black Queen' into one massive prog epic. As it is, the second side of Queen II plays like one big prog masterpiece. The songs flow into one another with a gorgeous continuity; full of drama and humour (Black Queen, Ogre Battle, Seven seas..) and moments of such sensitivity that perhaps only Mercury could vocally deliver (Nevermore). On the downside the production, as with many Queen offerings is abysmal. I'm surprised they didn't insist on better!

Alongside 'Night at the Opera' this is the only Queen album I really like, there are great moments on others, but IMO, all there BEST moments are captured on Queen II.