QUEEN II

No doubt, Queen climbed a small step towards fame with his amazing second album. Unfortunately almost 40 years have passed and Queen II still remains one of the strangest albums of the band, which is a shame, because after so many listeners it is already in my heart and it is not hard to see why he is considered the best of their albums (although I think he's on a par with A Night on the Opera).

This is actually the band's most progressive album. The best thing about Queen II (and probably his lead over A Night In The Opera) is that there is a constant flow between the songs, so that each occupies its rightful place - perhaps that's what make it so attractive. Each side of the album represents a color: "white side" consists of songs of May (and one ofTaylor) while the "dark side" is composed entirely of Mercury.

The "white side" opens with the instrumental Procession, which begins with a heartbeat (Dark Side of the Moon?) And then the May's multiple guitars come in. The music flows perfectly for Father to Son, a hard-rock full of energy which is really a highlight. So surprising, however, is the emotional ballad White Queen (As It Began). Someday One Day is a semi-acoustic ballad sung by May and The Loser In The End is the "stranger" here (the only contribution of Taylor, who also provides lead vocals). In fact the songs here are all good and brilliant, but certainly pale in comparison to the magnificence of ...

... the "dark side". Here the creative genius of Mercury is released and he explodes the ears of any fan creating six songs as the Queen hasn't ever seen! It begins mysteriously with the introduction of Ogre Battle (actually is the reverse end of the song are played) that culminates in the most scary scream of all time! Actually this song is unlike anything I'd expect the Queen, because it is absurdly heavy, angry and crazy! My God, it is possible that these guys also wrote songs such as Under Pressure and I Want To Break Free? Things continue to surprise with Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke, a short piece driven by a strange harpsichord. Despite being only two minutes long this is a very complex music, which flows seamlessly into the beautiful Nevermore, a short 1 minute song which shows that Mercury came with beautiful vocals and paino.

Then comes the epic of album, The March of the Black Queen, a monster packed in 6 minutes and certainly one of the most amazing band's songs. You have no doubt that the Queen has to do with progressive rock? Listen to this song. For in those six minutes Mercury, May, Taylor and Deacon will get you out of this world with some of the most intricate and complex melodies that they never do it again, unfortunately ... if the Queen would remain in that direction "prog-rock" would be very grateful, but I like them at all times. But... the vocal harmonies are not of this world! It connects directly to the great Funny How Love Is, a stunning follow-up song (remember the flow between the songs that I mentioned earlier in this review) with some of the most powerful and intricate vocal harmonies of the band's history! (which song on this album does not possess this great vocals, except Procession?). Finally there is the single from the album (and perhaps the only song actually recognized), Seven Seas of Rhye. Although it does not attract me like the other songs on this album is still brilliant, offering multiple times over its just under three minutes (and its end still makes a sort of connection with the next album, Sheer Heart Attack).

5 stars, of course! A genial and (unfortunately) unknown masterpiece of rock!

Share this QUEEN review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to voliveira
• Report this review (#603103)
• 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 Queen II page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for QUEEN related discussions