QUEEN

QUEEN entered the scene in 1973 and fell into a grey area not covered by other bands of the era. While clearly based on Led Zeppelin based hard rock riffing, the band was all about a more progressive take on the harder edged sound of music in the wake of King Crimson and other progressive acts in effect creating some of the first blueprints of what progressive metal would become. With folklore inspired subjects and progressive time signatures, song structures and bizarre added segments, QUEEN created a sound unlike any other of the day. Freddie Mercury added a hint of glam rock with his flamboyant personality contrasted by the metallic prowess of Brian May's rhythmic and energetic guitar leads topped off with Roger Taylor's unique drumming contributions and John Deacon's well diversified style of bass playing. This perfect chemistry may not have resulted in an instant success on this debut album but their sound was unique and caught the world's attention. After a string of catchy albums with all their qualities fine-tuned with more pop sensibilities, they would go on to become one of the biggest bands of all time.

The QUEEN debut unfairly gets shunned in my opinion. It is true that it isn't quite as memorable as pretty much the rest of their 70s discography at first but beginning with the strong opener "Keep Yourself Alive" the album really doesn't disappoint with even one track. This is admittedly an album that has grown on me after years of listening as opposed to being the one that blew me away upon first listen, but it was certainly one that has nestled deep into my musical psyche for like many a debut album by multi-musical dimensional bands, it has its own distinct personality that captures a unique phase in an ever-changing career. With a diverse palette of tracks ranging from "Great King Rat," "Liar," "Modern Times Rock n Roll" and "Jesus" i found myself really starting to get into this album after the later albums had run their course and the burnout factor set in. This album, while having pop characteristics is a little more rough around the edges which gives it a more unique position in their discography and one that has a distinct charm that the other's don't have.