[QUOTE]
[b]liam wrote: [/b]
I know most people consider it the best and it is historically regarded as a masterpeice. However if i was to introduce someone to queen or even suggest an album to a casual queen fan to buy i would not suggest this one. It's a great album but things have always bothered me about it. I have a few reasons;
1. Two piano ditties, Lazing on a sunday afternoon and seaside rendevous. They are fillers, lazing on a sunday afternoon is good, but seaside rendevous is not a great song and does not represent queen or show their talents, surely they had something else to put in place of at least one of them.
2. Good company - I think two songs sung by Brian on an album is too much. Perhaps Freddie should have sung 39.
3. Sweet Lady - really is one of Queens worst songs.
4. Middle section of the prophets song - Ruins the song really.
5. If you take out the piano ditties, sweet lady, good company and god save the queen, thats only 7 songs, 5 of which are sung by Freddie. Just seems like theres a few fillers on this album.
I know i'm going to be slammed for this but i've just started thinking perhaps it's overrated.
Anyone else agree or am i going to be destroyed?[/QUOTE]
ANATO is way underated IMO, What queen fan could not like the prophet song?...the song is brilliant. Lazing on a sunday afternoon and especially seaside rendevous is freddie at his best, pure genious. love of my life is the best ballad in queen history. 39 fits brian's voice perfectly, and is one of their best. A very minor complaint for me is sweet lady, also, I think 'good company' should have been sung by freddie, though it's still a great song. Opera should be mentioned more often as one of the best records of all time. Instead we hear how great nirvana's albums are, GNR. My personal favorite is queen2, but opera is their most complete and brilliant works they ever did.
Thread
Posts in chronological order
Yes, Night at the Opera is that great.
"Bohemian
Rhapsody and The Prophet's Song are to my ears arguably the two
greatest epic songs in history. Not Queen history, not rock history,
but music history meaning that Motzart, Tchaikovsky(spelling?), Bach
and even Beethoven in all their genius never matched those two songs to
my way of thinking. "
This is the reason rock fans in general think Queen fans are cocks.
This is the reason rock fans in general think Queen fans are cocks.
Well if they put Tie Your Morther Down The Millionaire Walz and Somebody to love in place of Sweet Lady, Seaside Rendezvous and The Prophet Song, it would be the best overall album ever made. But then ADATR wouldn't be that great too
ANATO is an amazing album, and will always be the one people point to when they want to hear Queen at their best. Fantastic musicianship and I don't agree there is any 'filler'. Regarding Sweet Lady, it's an unusual time signature, which makes it sound a bit odd compared to most of their other stuff, but when you learn how to play the riff on the guitar (it's not difficult) it makes more sense. It's also vey heavy, which gets my vote.
[QUOTE]
[b]mooghead wrote: [/b]
"Bohemian Rhapsody and The Prophet's Song are to my ears arguably the two greatest epic songs in history. Not Queen history, not rock history, but music history meaning that Motzart, Tchaikovsky(spelling?), Bach and even Beethoven in all their genius never matched those two songs to my way of thinking. "
This is the reason rock fans in general think Queen fans are cocks.[/QUOTE]
Pink Floyd fans are much worse. Hmmmm... does that make me a double cock?
[b]mooghead wrote: [/b]
"Bohemian Rhapsody and The Prophet's Song are to my ears arguably the two greatest epic songs in history. Not Queen history, not rock history, but music history meaning that Motzart, Tchaikovsky(spelling?), Bach and even Beethoven in all their genius never matched those two songs to my way of thinking. "
This is the reason rock fans in general think Queen fans are cocks.[/QUOTE]
Pink Floyd fans are much worse. Hmmmm... does that make me a double cock?
Oh boy, actual discussion!
While I personally prefer Q2 and ADATR over ANATO, there's no way its impact can be denied. You have to remember that Queen were penniless and feuding with their managers over finances, so they were really pouring all of themselves into this album. I really think that the only cringe-inducing moment on the album is "You call me sweet like I'm some kinda cheese" - but apart from that brief blight in judgement, even 'Sweet Lady' is a scorching rocker.
And that's what I like about the album, that it doesn't stick in one genre for too long; it goes from rocker to camp to rocker to pop to sci-fi folk to rocker to vaudeville to epic rocker to ballad to trad jazz to opera/ballad/rocker to guitar orchestrated national pride. It's a veritable rollercoaster of sounds, and if you try to remove one of those elements, or replace it with another one, it loses its appeal.
It should also be remembered that the entire album was done by just the four band members; no session musicians, no hired hands, no orchestras. So that trad jazz sound in 'Good Company', with all the woodwinds and flutes and trombones? Completely done by Brian. A labor of love, no doubt, and still impressive to me after all these years. Freddie and Roger are clearly having fun on 'Seaside', by vocally replicating the sounds of woodwind and brass - who cares if it's piano-based? That was the charm of Queen, that they never took themselves seriously, and the fact that there are two "music hall" songs on the album only add to their ability to laugh at themselves. Hell, the Kinks made several albums based off that genre...
And I always thought 'Best Friend' was the perfect follow-up to 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. If they had released 'Prophets Song', it would have failed, no doubt; not because it's a bad song (far from it!), but because one epic would have been enough. 'Best Friend' was the only way to have countered the pomp and circumstance of 'Bo Rhap', and it worked, didn't it? There was no other song on that album that could have been the follow-up.
While I was born eight years after it was first released, I was lucky to experience the "LP effect" by having all of Queen's albums initially on cassette, and the impact this particular album had on me was astounding. It's interesting that someone noted earlier how younger fans aren't able to appreciate the music in the same way from when it was first released, and here's a little side story: I never understood the final piano chord in 'A Day In The Life' until a few months ago, when I was sitting in a parking lot and listening to the ending of Sgt. Pepper, and it just hit me all at once - the orchestra crescendo, with each instrument playing whatever the hell it wanted to, and then ... BANG. Phew. I had goosebumps. Anyway, that's kinda like what it was for me listening to ANATO for the first time, by listening to it as it was intended, with the gap between 'Seaside' and 'Prophets'.
It's not my favorite Queen album by a longshot (though it does make my Top 5), but it's still just as impressive to me as it was the day I first listened to it. And if someone asked me the best way to get into Queen, I WOULD direct them to this album, because it contains all that Queen are known for: light, campy humor; exquisite ballads; balls-to-the-wall rockers; 'Bohemian Rhapsody'; tight, precise harmonies; grandiose production; and, most obviously, tongue planted firmly in cheek.
While I personally prefer Q2 and ADATR over ANATO, there's no way its impact can be denied. You have to remember that Queen were penniless and feuding with their managers over finances, so they were really pouring all of themselves into this album. I really think that the only cringe-inducing moment on the album is "You call me sweet like I'm some kinda cheese" - but apart from that brief blight in judgement, even 'Sweet Lady' is a scorching rocker.
And that's what I like about the album, that it doesn't stick in one genre for too long; it goes from rocker to camp to rocker to pop to sci-fi folk to rocker to vaudeville to epic rocker to ballad to trad jazz to opera/ballad/rocker to guitar orchestrated national pride. It's a veritable rollercoaster of sounds, and if you try to remove one of those elements, or replace it with another one, it loses its appeal.
It should also be remembered that the entire album was done by just the four band members; no session musicians, no hired hands, no orchestras. So that trad jazz sound in 'Good Company', with all the woodwinds and flutes and trombones? Completely done by Brian. A labor of love, no doubt, and still impressive to me after all these years. Freddie and Roger are clearly having fun on 'Seaside', by vocally replicating the sounds of woodwind and brass - who cares if it's piano-based? That was the charm of Queen, that they never took themselves seriously, and the fact that there are two "music hall" songs on the album only add to their ability to laugh at themselves. Hell, the Kinks made several albums based off that genre...
And I always thought 'Best Friend' was the perfect follow-up to 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. If they had released 'Prophets Song', it would have failed, no doubt; not because it's a bad song (far from it!), but because one epic would have been enough. 'Best Friend' was the only way to have countered the pomp and circumstance of 'Bo Rhap', and it worked, didn't it? There was no other song on that album that could have been the follow-up.
While I was born eight years after it was first released, I was lucky to experience the "LP effect" by having all of Queen's albums initially on cassette, and the impact this particular album had on me was astounding. It's interesting that someone noted earlier how younger fans aren't able to appreciate the music in the same way from when it was first released, and here's a little side story: I never understood the final piano chord in 'A Day In The Life' until a few months ago, when I was sitting in a parking lot and listening to the ending of Sgt. Pepper, and it just hit me all at once - the orchestra crescendo, with each instrument playing whatever the hell it wanted to, and then ... BANG. Phew. I had goosebumps. Anyway, that's kinda like what it was for me listening to ANATO for the first time, by listening to it as it was intended, with the gap between 'Seaside' and 'Prophets'.
It's not my favorite Queen album by a longshot (though it does make my Top 5), but it's still just as impressive to me as it was the day I first listened to it. And if someone asked me the best way to get into Queen, I WOULD direct them to this album, because it contains all that Queen are known for: light, campy humor; exquisite ballads; balls-to-the-wall rockers; 'Bohemian Rhapsody'; tight, precise harmonies; grandiose production; and, most obviously, tongue planted firmly in cheek.
In a word yes to me it was their 70's peak though A.D.A.T.R isn't far behind it 2 sides of the same coin to me
Thanks for all these great replies everyone, good that we have a friendly, meaningful discussion again with no one mocking each other.
Plus not so many albums today are planned and thought (and well done, according to what was planned) as ANATO was. Today any kid with his Protools clone can pick up his guitar and try to do a 1000 layers guitar track. Will it be the same? No.
Also it's interesting to notice that ADATR could easily have been a clone of ANATO (mostly for commercial reasons), but it isn't. It's as creative and diverse as its counterpart. They could even have been a double album, but they didnt have much credit to make such a huge bet then I guess, BoRhap was already too much for a bet.
Also it's interesting to notice that ADATR could easily have been a clone of ANATO (mostly for commercial reasons), but it isn't. It's as creative and diverse as its counterpart. They could even have been a double album, but they didnt have much credit to make such a huge bet then I guess, BoRhap was already too much for a bet.
ANATO is a great album! Every single song is in its place and can`t be thrown away or replaced, and I can only wonder at the guys genius and admire their talent. It is certainly Freddie who deserves most praise in this respect. Though i would recommend SHA to a newbie. This album invariably appeals to everybody.
[QUOTE]
[b]liam wrote: [/b]
I know most people consider it the best and it is historically regarded as a masterpeice. However if i was to introduce someone to queen or even suggest an album to a casual queen fan to buy i would not suggest this one. It's a great album but things have always bothered me about it. I have a few reasons;
1. Two piano ditties, Lazing on a sunday afternoon and seaside rendevous. They are fillers, lazing on a sunday afternoon is good, but seaside rendevous is not a great song and does not represent queen or show their talents, surely they had something else to put in place of at least one of them.
2. Good company - I think two songs sung by Brian on an album is too much. Perhaps Freddie should have sung 39.
3. Sweet Lady - really is one of Queens worst songs.
4. Middle section of the prophets song - Ruins the song really.
5. If you take out the piano ditties, sweet lady, good company and god save the queen, thats only 7 songs, 5 of which are sung by Freddie. Just seems like theres a few fillers on this album.
I know i'm going to be slammed for this but i've just started thinking perhaps it's overrated.
Anyone else agree or am i going to be destroyed?[/QUOTE]
I hate to destroy you Liam but, I actually used ANATO as a recommendation to a friend. He had heard of Queen before but I, as he said it, "opened his eyes to something totally new and different". I had him listen to Bohemian Rhapsody, I'm in Love With My Car, a little bit of Prophet's Song, and others from different albums.
I do however agree with everyone else that Sweet Lady shouldn't have made it to the album, it's just not Queenish I guess, the guitar is excellent but the lyrics don't match well with it, they're a little rough and don't flow like most songs do. And the middle of Prophet's Song is a little drawn out but still well done.
Seaside Rendevous and Lazing on a Sunday afternoon are really fun songs that I enjoy. They show the diversity between those two and songs like Death on Two Legs, The Prophet's Song, and others that Queen is known for, What Freddie is known for! I definetly recommend ANATO to anyone with a rising interest in Queen along with some picks from a few of the other albums both before and after this one.
[b]liam wrote: [/b]
I know most people consider it the best and it is historically regarded as a masterpeice. However if i was to introduce someone to queen or even suggest an album to a casual queen fan to buy i would not suggest this one. It's a great album but things have always bothered me about it. I have a few reasons;
1. Two piano ditties, Lazing on a sunday afternoon and seaside rendevous. They are fillers, lazing on a sunday afternoon is good, but seaside rendevous is not a great song and does not represent queen or show their talents, surely they had something else to put in place of at least one of them.
2. Good company - I think two songs sung by Brian on an album is too much. Perhaps Freddie should have sung 39.
3. Sweet Lady - really is one of Queens worst songs.
4. Middle section of the prophets song - Ruins the song really.
5. If you take out the piano ditties, sweet lady, good company and god save the queen, thats only 7 songs, 5 of which are sung by Freddie. Just seems like theres a few fillers on this album.
I know i'm going to be slammed for this but i've just started thinking perhaps it's overrated.
Anyone else agree or am i going to be destroyed?[/QUOTE]
I hate to destroy you Liam but, I actually used ANATO as a recommendation to a friend. He had heard of Queen before but I, as he said it, "opened his eyes to something totally new and different". I had him listen to Bohemian Rhapsody, I'm in Love With My Car, a little bit of Prophet's Song, and others from different albums.
I do however agree with everyone else that Sweet Lady shouldn't have made it to the album, it's just not Queenish I guess, the guitar is excellent but the lyrics don't match well with it, they're a little rough and don't flow like most songs do. And the middle of Prophet's Song is a little drawn out but still well done.
Seaside Rendevous and Lazing on a Sunday afternoon are really fun songs that I enjoy. They show the diversity between those two and songs like Death on Two Legs, The Prophet's Song, and others that Queen is known for, What Freddie is known for! I definetly recommend ANATO to anyone with a rising interest in Queen along with some picks from a few of the other albums both before and after this one.
Strange one for me this. I love all the tracks on ANATO. DO2L's, LOML, TPS and Bo Rap being four of my favourite songs, however I think I could go as far as saying its my least favourite album. Cant pinpoint why, I just dont think it works. Its not heavy enough for my liking and I think as an album its a bit of a cluttered mess.
I know alot of people who are not Queen fan's go straight for it when buying a Queen album for the first time, just like people go straight for Led Zep 2, problem is I know it turns alot of people away.
I know alot of people who are not Queen fan's go straight for it when buying a Queen album for the first time, just like people go straight for Led Zep 2, problem is I know it turns alot of people away.
yes.
that's it, that's all there is to it.
and I find it even better when listening to the vinyl...so raw and simply amazing.
that's it, that's all there is to it.
and I find it even better when listening to the vinyl...so raw and simply amazing.
First up, hi everyone, just joined Queenzone!
It was 1972 or 73, and someone thrust a copy of Queen 1, into my dirty mits at school, took it home, put it on my parents then new Decca stereo, and I thought my God....wow, I'd never heard anything like it. Then in 73/4, Queen supported Mott The Hoople at the Brangwen Hall in Swansea, complete with out of tune piano!
Seven Seas of Rhye sounded awful, but the boys were cookin'
Queen 2 followed and to this day it is my absolute favourite Queen album!
Father to Son is simply fantastic, as is Ogre Battle, superb guitar work by BM, Roger to my mind has never played better on an album. March of the Black Queen chorally has not been bettered. Loser in the End a song about leaving home is as poignant today as the day RT wrote it. The single Seven Seas.. is brilliant. All in all a superb rounded body of work, which sounds as good and as fresh today as it did back in the early 70's
Sheer Heart Attack is a good album, but there were tell tale signs of the quartet's intentions to mix rock with commercial appeal a la Killer Queen!
A Night At The Opera is a good album feted by many as their greatest ever. I can understand this, Bo Rhap had gone stratospheirc and the album broke new ground at the time, as has been alluded to, by the many excellent posts on the subject.
As for recommending an album to someone new to Queen, I can see why some might suggest A Night as their choice, and all things considered, I would go along with this, however I would also give them Queen 2 also, as it would provide the new listener with a diverse perspective from which to conclude their own opinions.
All the best everyone
It was 1972 or 73, and someone thrust a copy of Queen 1, into my dirty mits at school, took it home, put it on my parents then new Decca stereo, and I thought my God....wow, I'd never heard anything like it. Then in 73/4, Queen supported Mott The Hoople at the Brangwen Hall in Swansea, complete with out of tune piano!
Seven Seas of Rhye sounded awful, but the boys were cookin'
Queen 2 followed and to this day it is my absolute favourite Queen album!
Father to Son is simply fantastic, as is Ogre Battle, superb guitar work by BM, Roger to my mind has never played better on an album. March of the Black Queen chorally has not been bettered. Loser in the End a song about leaving home is as poignant today as the day RT wrote it. The single Seven Seas.. is brilliant. All in all a superb rounded body of work, which sounds as good and as fresh today as it did back in the early 70's
Sheer Heart Attack is a good album, but there were tell tale signs of the quartet's intentions to mix rock with commercial appeal a la Killer Queen!
A Night At The Opera is a good album feted by many as their greatest ever. I can understand this, Bo Rhap had gone stratospheirc and the album broke new ground at the time, as has been alluded to, by the many excellent posts on the subject.
As for recommending an album to someone new to Queen, I can see why some might suggest A Night as their choice, and all things considered, I would go along with this, however I would also give them Queen 2 also, as it would provide the new listener with a diverse perspective from which to conclude their own opinions.
All the best everyone