QUEEN II

Damn close to "Masterpiece" status. Queen II played right along side Yes, ELP, KC and Genesis in my vinyl rotation during the seventies. Queen was so far seperated from the mainstream in the early seventies. Their first four albums consistently forged a new sound, coupling combinations never before explored by rock and roll. Queen II was the height of prog.

Queen II opens with Brian May's signature synth-like multi-voiced guitar, then breaks into "Father to Son," a paen to rebellion and lineage. Heavy and segmented. "Ogre Battle" opens with a power build that rattled my windows and explodes into a gorgeous choriographed scream. Roger Taylor is so underrated in his vocal contributions. He is simply incredible. "March of the Black Queen" is simple their most ambitious tune up until then. The momentum shifts every second or fourth bar, keeping the listener entranced. Medieval and powerful. May evokes pure pandemonium in sections, playing as a man possessed. The vocal harmonies are "not of this earth" as they combine, break and return. Mercuries voice is so mulit-facited that one looks for guest singers on the sleeve. He's all over the place. Roger Taylor and Brain May add to the vocal palette, elevating the overall nuance. "Ferry Feller's Master Stroke" makes great use of the under-used harpsichord. "Seven Seas of Rhye" expands the idea originated on Queen I, with other-worldly vocal harmonies and blistering keyboards.

Sure the album has a few non-prog tunes. So what. Overall, Queen II is a powerful additon to any prog collection.