QUEEN II

This is a superb album and only just overshadowed by Sheer Heart Attack as the best Queen album. The first side (side white) is lighter and less dark than the heavier second side (side black), contrasting the styles of May and Mercury who predominantly wrote the respective sides. Most of the tracks are excellent and performed in a wide variety of styles, but Loser in the End lets the standard down a bit, bring a bit unsophisicated. White Queen and March of the Black Queen are highlights but Seven Seas of Rye is the gem at the end - though as an earlier reviewer says, it doesn't quite fit and seems tagged on. May's guitar and the excellent multilayered vocal harmonies dominate as ever but Mercury's keyboard playing is an integral and often underestimated part of the band. This isn't prog (IMO) but it's a top quality 4* album regardless and should be in every collection.