Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography
Queen - A Night At The Opera CD (album) cover

A NIGHT AT THE OPERA

Queen

 

Prog Related

4.30 | 1111 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

progistoomainstream
5 stars Although not a truly progressive album, I find that it is perhaps one of the greatest albums ever.

its ambient/mysterious start to the first track is the perfect start for any album. The majority of "Death on Two Legs" is however, quite heavy. The album then seamlessly moves into the next track "lazing on a Sunday afternoon. A tale of what the narrator does in a standard week. The music is quite upbeat and catchy. There is another seamless transition into the Roger Taylor sung "I'm in love with my car". The song depicts a perhaps romantic relationship with the narrator's car. He sings he will have to "forget his girl" in order to buy a new radiator. The music, despite its simple chord structure has been made complex with various solos and piano parts. The album carries on into one of queen's better known song "My best Friend.' This song is in my opinion is not one of the greatest songs on the album. The electric piano sound isn't one I would place in my own work, It is hard to believe that John Deacon was just learning to play piano was the keyboardist. The lyrics depict a lover's relationship as "Best Friends." Despite the Electric piano part I can see how some can find it catchy. The Next song is "'39" Musically the song is very folky in nature. Lyrically the song is about a spaceship that sets off in the year of 39. They return 100 years later although only one year had passed on the spaceship due time dilation. It is a quite sad tale I'd have to say. I can see the prog influence on queen in this song. Some of the chord progressions are quite complex. The album goes on to in my opinion one of the weaker songs on the album "Sweet Lady." To me there is nothing special about it other than a few fancy rhythms, Its your typical mid-70's Rock song. The album moves on into "Seaside Rendezvous" This song is one of the more entertaining songs of the album. The lyrics depict a possibly secret love between two patterns. The male is basically asking for the Female's love and being put off. The music the most entertaining part there are multiple 'Vocal Trumpet' solos and riffs. It is a very light hearted and upbeat song.

The album then flips over (for all you vinyl fans) to perhaps the most Prog Queen song ever: "Prophet's Song" The song opens with a mysterious and ambient guitar and mallet part then goes into a heavy guitar part and lyrics based on Noah's ark. The complex chord and song structure at this point is evidence of Queens Progressive influence/Relation. In the middle of the song is a choral cannon sung entirely by Mercury and Towards the end Taylor and May. It is an absolutely choral part rivaled only by "Bohemian Rhapsody." This song is probably the most under-rated Queen song. The song ends with the chorus followed by a soft guitar part and seamless Segway into "Love of my Life." Love of my life is a ballad about trying to get someone to come back to the narrator. The music of this song reminds me of a Mozart/Classical era Senate. The album moves into "Good Company" a lifelong tale of a man trying to seek good friends. The music is quite unique. I find the rhythm guitar sound like its cross between a banjo and a ukulele.

Now what I believe to be the greatest song in the world. A song for all genre-lovers. "Bohemian Rhapsody" Opening with a choral part (which is just Mercury and Taylor multi-tracked) and then moving into the intense post-intro. Then the famous Middle "trial" part in which the lyrics have been seen as mostly nonsense and in-between a murder trial. Then into the Hard Rock part and perhaps the escape of a criminal. The song concludes the way it began in an intense piano-guitar part. This is perhaps the suicide of the criminal. This is an absolutely incredible song. I believe it has a Genre aspect for everyone. It has Classical, Choral, Metal, Rock, Prog and Art. I cannot imagine how anyone can hate this song. The album ends in a guitar-Heavy instrumental version of God Save the Queen. It is just the right song after the climax of Bohemian Rhapsody.

As a Whole, This album flows very nicely for not being a True prog album. I would consider this to be Queen's finest album. It is quite Eclectic and has something for everyone. I would not only call this a masterpiece of prog but also a masterpiece of Prog but a Masterpiece of music. Anyone who likes any form of popular music should have this album. It is that good.

progistoomainstream | 5/5 |

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Forum user
Forum password

Share this QUEEN review

Social review comments () BETA







Review related links

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.