Queen 1 - Remaster Review

...more royalities

Listen carefully to the two versions - they are two different mixes.  They used the same *recording* for Queen's first album, not the same mix.

Just listened to Queen (Debut album, Queen 1, call it what you like!) 2011 version, and I enjoyed the remastering. The drums are fuller and the bass fatter. Overall the sound is clearer and guitars and piano more detailed. This album is where it all started and even though it has been slated and sneered at as not being the best Queen allbum, it is a great debut. For instance, Queen's vocals effortlessly bring The Beach Boys to Hard Rock without making a mess or being to glam. The debut is easily overshadowed by Queen II, which is a masterpiece after all, but the debut was how the band sounded after a few years slogging it out on the live circuit. Mercury's vocals are aggressive, raw and biting. His songs superbly accomplished. And listening to Queen's debut back in the day, punters must have known the band would be huge judging by the sheer rock artistry portrayed in the grooves. May's guitar is from another world sonically. It's a vocal six stringed orchestra and Taylor's open funky drums, while maybe in the style of Mitch Mitchell and Ginger Baker, retain a style he abandoned after 'Opera' as he became more straight laced. He never sounded like this again. I wonder why? Deacon powers away in the engine room with his precession picked Fender. The most understated bassist in Rock! So the 2011 gives it new life and the music transcends the format for once. Who cares about remastering, after all, you either like Queen or you don't, and I know I do! Queen (Debut album, Queen 1, call it what you like!) the fascination continues...