The Unblinking Eye (everything is broken)

Had [i]Body Language[/i] been on 'A Night at the Opera' (well, those synths didn't exist in '75 but let's ignore that for the sake of argument), I'd still hate it. And indeed, another example is Paul McCartney: since his 'Abbey Road' medley he's written loads of good songs, loads of mediocre ones, loads of great tunes, but IMO nothing close to his Beatle work.

[b]Holly2003 wrote:[/b]
I don't think they've done anything since The Game/Flash Gordon that is better than anything done previous to that, so you're probably along the right track. It's not due to the dates, but the quality of their stuff, and the unfortunate pop trends they chose to follow from 1982 onwards. Plus, as someone said earlier, the older artists get, the lazier they tend to be. For most bands, their best stuff is early in their career, when they're hungry and need to make their mark in the world.
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I don't think that [i]lazy[/i] is quite a fair assessment. As you get older it takes more and more effort to do the same things. It creeps up on you, becoming apparent sometime in your 50's. Say that guitar solo that you used to fly through now requires more effort due to the accumulated damage to your finger and wrist joints, which makes you slower and perhaps a bit clumsy if you are pushing it. A couple more years or so and when you are on a tour, playing frequently and for long stints, you get tendinitis - excruciatingly painful, like a hot poker being dragged through the tendon sheath. That disables you for weeks.

Also doing the same thing you have done for the last 30-40 years is just not as exciting, unless you have some epiphany that causes you to see it in a whole new light that gets you excited again. But moving your attention to different fields of interest that you either discover, or which have been on the back burner for years due to your chosen course in life, does get you excited, now that you are able to pursue them. Becoming excited about something new propells you to plunge in, in a way that you may no longer be able to muster for your original calling - it makes you feel alive again and overcomes the physical baggage, unless you are blessed with some other nasty aging thing that comes with the new endeavor.

Brian, who's thoughts are somewhat known from his soap box, tends to be plagued with depression, so I'm guessing that he needs that excitement of being involved with something that fascinates him to stay out of the doldrums. He also had trouble with one of his hands on the last tour and has friends in the industry who are also experiencing the same. Sorry if that is being a Stepford. I am trying not to let the curmudgeon out again, but I just couldn't let that [i]lazy [/i]comment slide!

All good points. However, Still Burning is lazy ;)

I dont think it's accurate to say Brian and Roger aren't physically capable of doing innovative stuff, because innovative doesn't necessarily mean super-fast  runs up the neck or playing two guitars at a time etc. Brian has always said his best work is planned out in advance and then he makes his fingers go to new places. Otherwise, he says he just keeps going to the same licks and runs. I suppose it's a little like writing: innovation starts in the mind, and the fingers then do the spadework. TCR didn't have much going for it in that respect. However, the Nelson mandella songs were pretty good, even if the lyrics weren't up to scratch. That was ambitious and interesting, so they can still do it.

Also, for me it's not all about innovation. I'd also be happy with a traditional Queen sound. Brian has shown in Some Things That Glitter that he can still do his trademark harmonies is a very tasteful way. Compare that song to Sail Away Sweet Sister and it stands up well. It's a pity the rest of the album was simple riffs and 12-bar nonsense.

I don't think they are physically incapable, though the physical part becomes a rising factor the older thay get. That's just life. You learn to cope or move on. It is more likely that they are uninspired. Perhaps Brian should take to writing some songs about ambushing fox hunters or rescuing hedge hogs?

What turns Roger's crank these days, outside of being cranky?

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[b]cacatua wrote: [/b]

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Perhaps Brian should take to writing some songs about ambushing fox hunters or rescuing hedge hogs?
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LOL good one. Maybe an exciting riff or wonderful harmonies could arise from the story of an ancient village or from a stereoscope being thrown at somebody?

Cheers,

Ogre-

Everyone has a prime. It's not easy losing a key member of your group. Freddie was very important in a lot of ways.  yea, Queen to the game they were on fire, and did very little wrong.  after "the game" they were inconsistent, though still some brilliant moments.  Innuendo was another vintage album.  Not everything is gonna be great.

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[b]mike hunt wrote: [/b]

It's not easy losing a key member of your group.[/QUOTE]
Let alone two: John's contributions were crucial.

very true!....John was very Important.   TCR misses his Imput.

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[b]GratefulFan wrote: [/b]



Due to All Right Now, Feel Like Makin' Love and Shooting Star, Paul is forgiven for every lousy thing he's ever done, ever will do, or is doing at this very moment. Even the bear screaming.

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Call me potentially mistaken, but I recall reading in a news article long ago (regarding the uncredited sampling of that Jill Nakamuro (csp?) news report relating to Hawaiian surfing on "Surf's Up . . . School's Out!") that Justin Shirley-Smith "confirmed" the screams were actually Roger's?

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[b]inu-liger wrote: [/b]

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[b]GratefulFan wrote: [/b]



 



Due to All Right Now, Feel Like Makin' Love and Shooting Star, Paul is forgiven for every lousy thing he's ever done, ever will do, or is doing at this very moment. Even the bear screaming.



 

[/QUOTE]
Call me potentially mistaken, but I recall reading in a news article long ago (regarding the uncredited sampling of that Jill Nakamuro (csp?) news report relating to Hawaiian surfing on "Surf's Up . . . School's Out!") that Justin Shirley-Smith "confirmed" the screams were actually Roger's?
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The bear had Roger up a tree then? Reminds me of an old Phil Harris song...........

Brian has never recovered psychologically from falling into the piano pit.

I just want to say one thing-

Roger Meddows Taylor- is amazing.

Thank you!!

This is a delayed reaction, but I love the Unblinking Eye!  I think it is true Roger, and is a brilliant creative idea.  There are a lot of songs with a message out there, and they get irritating, but i liked this - creative, and well written.  Its not preachy, or condescending or unnecessarily melodramatic.  I like it.  And Roger is ... how do i say it... not exactly known for the depths of his  lyrics, but they tend to be quirky and catchy and upbeat.  The same applies here, it i think it is a perfect tone for the song.  If it was written in a preachy, deep or pointed way, it would be too heavy, but it is a cool song. 
I likeses it, as gollum would say.

Wow!! Great work from Roger again! A brilliantly constructed song, with good, strong vocals with excellent playing of more instruments. And though the song is purely political and a protest song, it really moves me, as he has weaved the lyrics and the music enough not to be boring, but to actually be very interesting and very educational. I knew what the situation in Afghanistan was, but he just pointed out in a very poignant song!! Well done Rog!

Just one question: Roger says he will do a short tour, confirms he's planning a collaboration with Taylor Hawkins.. but.. how about The Unblinking Eye? Is it an isolated single, or will it be part of an album? Has anyone heard about this?
Roy.