QUEEN II

Queen is one of my favourite bands of all time and it is fair to say that if it wasn't for Queen I would probably not have become aware of progressive rock. Queen converted me from 90's alternative rock to classic 70's rock and I have never looked back since. As a long time fan, I cannot quite decide if Queen II or A Night At The Opera is the best Queen album, but they are both masterpieces for me. Even if I think the debut Queen album is great too, Queen II constituted a major leap forward for the band.

The first side of this album is called the white side and contains songs written by Brian May (and one by Roger Taylor). The second side is called the black side and is written entirely by Freddie Mercury. On the white side we find White Queen (As It Began) and on the black side we find The March Of The Black Queen. Most songs on Mercury's side flow into each other giving it the feel of an epic. The melodies are intricate and the feeling of the music is totally unique, as are the lyrics (except perhaps Freddie's Funny How Love Is and Roger's The Loser In The End).

The four band members are all excellent musicians and Brian, Freddie and Roger all have very distinctive singing voices that compliment each other perfectly. Brian's guitar sound and technique is also instantly recognizable and unique. Together with Steve Howe and Steve Hackett, Brian May is one of my favourite guitar players of all time. John, the bass player is 'the quiet one' as far as his personality goes, but he never misses a beat.

As usual on 70's Queen albums there are no synthesisers. But Brian's unique ability to make his guitars sound like any other instrument makes up for it. There are however, harpsichord and various vocal and instrumental effects, primarily on the black side, in addition to the more traditional instrumental attack of guitar, bass, piano, drums and vocals.

I could say more about this album but all I can say is that it is brilliant and should be in every progressive rock collection.

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