Is anyone else a little skeptical about the new album?

I can't get past the feeling that it's just scraping the barrel, and tarting things up that were probably abandoned for very good reasons. It's not that I'm against having the material released, far from it. I just don't particularly like the idea of 2 members of a once great band polishing turds and presenting them as a genuine album release.

I'd much prefer to them to release the tracks 'as is'. A moment in time representing how the tracks sounded, albeit unfinished, when Queen was real functioning unit.

Keeping in mind, I'm not a big fan of Made In (Synth pad) Heaven. However there's no doubt that album had genuine justification for being completed. There is a lot of evidence from multiple sources that Freddie wanted the remaining members to complete it. Thus by giving his blessing, although in my eyes not a real Queen album, it does feel 'somewhat' authentic.

I don't feel the same can be said for the forthcoming record. There's been not evidence presented that Freddie would have wanted to have these tracks released. I would argue, the fact that they weren't released is considerable evidence to the contrary.

I guess my point is, when Queen were a functioning four piece, these tracks were not considered ready for release, for whatever reason. So why should I be suddenly convinced that they now 'right to go' when only 50% of the band worked on them, ....and in particular Freddie had not opportunity to veto (presumably John still does? Who knows.).

This '...we know what Freddie would have wanted' business just doesn't wash on this one for mine.

And, of course, John's lack of involvement IMO also leaves a sizable dint the credibility of this project.

I can see your point regarding the unreleased 'scraps', but john's lack of involvement isn't one of the reasons it lacks credibility. There have been lots of 'credible' events (rock n roll hall of fame, Freddie's 65th charity event, days of our lives doc etc...) that don't lose credibility because he chose not to be involved - he's retired, and we will never see/here from him again, alas.

I hope they stop paying tribute to themselves. In the QPR album, the song "Still burnin" all of a suddent had We will Rock you in. Please, please please. No clips of older songs unless necessary. Oh and leave that pedophile off the album please. MJ does not to be on it

One off live events and documentaries can't be compared to an album of music that presumably will bare the name Queen.

I'm well aware that this part of my case feeds back into the old Paul Rodgers argument, of which it seems some opinions will never meet. But Queen's stock in trade, along with touring, was making albums. And as we've been told adnauseum, that process involved the 4 of them arguing empassionedly until compromises/agreements could be reached.

In my opinion that process defined a Queen album, indeed it defined Queen. Now it's a shame that can't happen anymore, it really is. But anything short of that, just isn't Queen.

I'm not dismissing it just because John's not involved, because who's to say Brian and Roger aren't still capable of making great music. But I just think Brian + Roger + Freddie's scraps - John, does not equal  Queen.

Like I said, If they indend to release demo/unfinished material, my personal opinion is it would be better served in a 'Anthology' type format, warts and all, and most importantly without pretension.

I'm a lot skeptical, if any MJ stuff is going to be on it.  Couldn't give two fucks about him and I'm glad he's dead.

Well I see it this way - wait and see. It can be really GREAT, but also really TERRIBLE.

Well, I think it depends on what the new album is. People seem to assume that it will be a proper studio release - MIH-style. But maybe they will simply release a low-key lost-tracks album, with no pretence to be a "new Queen album" whatsoever? I know, it doesn't sound plausible, but I think that's the only way it could work. Otherwise, let's get ready for another portion of crap.

It'll be nothing more than another load of over-produced rubbish featuring a bunch of scraps tweaked and tuned to meet commercial requirements for Island who obviously managed to get an agreement for an album of original material when negotiating terms with that wanker Beachey-Boy.

Any suvriving Queen archive material featuring Freddie's input should be released as a rarities collection and marketed accordingly.

Has this actually been confirmed as a release?

An album of demos will be held to a different standard than a Made in heaven Part II. With demos there's a lot of critcal room to allow for mistakes, incomplete tracks, off key singing and terrible lyrics (e.g. Feel Like). However, if they try to turn these demos into proper songs not only will the album face comparisons to Made in heaven, it will also face the inevitable comparisons with the original Queen albums/line-up. And if the latter, can anyone really say they trust Brian and Roger's artisitic judgement these days? They haven't tried anything daring since 46664, which was musically interesting, but with terrible lyrics.

Worst case scenario is that they complete the songs with new lyrics by Ben Elton, and featuring new music and vocals from the cast of WWRY :)

Some very good points have been make (except for the indecent remarks about Michael Jackson).  Also keep this in mind; sometimes songs are scrapped because 1:  That particular piece didn't flow with the overall feel of the album (arguable point I know) or 2:  It was a last minute idea with no time to complete it.  So I am very open-minded about these songs and breathing new life into something old and forgotten is not a bad thing in my opinion.  Let's face it, those negative nellies out there know damn well they are going to buy it.

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[b]Rotwang wrote: [/b] Some very good points have been make (except for the indecent remarks about Michael Jackson).  Also keep this in mind; sometimes songs arescrapped because 1:  That particular piece didn't flow with the overall feel of the album (arguable point I know) or 2:  It was a last minute idea with no time to complete it.  So I am very open-minded about these songs and breathing new life into something old and forgotten is not a bad thing in my opinion.  Let's face it, those negative nellies out there know damn well they are going to buy it.[/QUOTE]
4: Every Queen member wanted one or two of their songs on the album so they had to leave some Mercury Compositions in the barrel

Songs might be scrapped for a number of reasons, a lot of the demos weve heard sound good to me at least. Presumably there are other things we have not heard and other versions of that which we have.

I can understand the critiscism, but also in some ways I dont think its wrong finishing songs that have been left half- or close to-finished, might be a better alternative than just leaving them. Tying up the loose ends sort of. Rolling stones and bruce springsteen have done this in recent years to some acclaim. If it comes out and its good, I will be really excited anyway.

The fact remains that we don't know what they've got to work on.  We are assuming that all there is are the leaked demos we've all heard, and I agree, many of them are not worth releasing, but we don't know what else they have found in the archives.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that Feelings Feelings, on the NOTW Remaster was a previously unheard take, so perhaps we should reserve judgement until the product is released, or, at least, we know more about it.

I too hope that the MJ tracks will be released separately, and not as part of a 'new' album, but I'm guessing that these will be needed to bolster the release, and will therefore be included.  This is going to be more fragmented than MIH, but I think could still be an interesting release - and let's face it, even if we slag it off, we'll all still buy it.

What I think would be a much better project, though, would be for Brian and Roger to do something together, on their own.  They are both competent songwriters and singers, and 'The May & Taylor Group' would hold much more credibility for me than another rehashed 'not-quite-Queen' effort.  They could get who they liked in on bass (Neil Murray?), and could even have a couple of guest vocalists, but could get away with it simply by not calling it 'Queen'.

Firstly I DO see Made In Heaven as an offical Queen album, how can it not be?? Secondly any new 'Queen' release will be accepted with an open mind and I will make my own judgment after I have heard it. I really cannot understand so much negativity before anyone even knows whats going to be on it! I know the remasters were a disappointment but at least lets see whats going to be on it before all the speculation about how good/bad its going to be.

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[b]Squidgy wrote: [/b] Firstly I DO see Made In Heaven as an offical Queen album, how can it not be?? Secondly any new 'Queen' release will be accepted with an open mind and I will make my own judgment after I have heard it. I really cannot understand so much negativity before anyone even knows whats going to be on it! I know the remasters were a disappointment but at least lets see whats going to be on it before all the speculation about how good/bad its going to be.[/QUOTE]

THANK YOU!!... someone said it!..

And firstly, i'm certain that a great part of the reason they went back to the old ideas was because of people bitching about the quality of their work afterward.

Hmm... maybe they realized it? I dunno... I've always loved the band members' solo albums. Funnily enough, i like most of the other gents' solo stuff much more than MR BAD GUY.... but Barcelona is another story.... that album is simply glorious.

...Yet i do empathize a bit. Maybe you forum people are just suffering from PTCRSD?

(Post-Traumatic-Cosmos-Rocks-Stress-Disorder)

Did the initial announcement/rumor meet your body with fatigue... fear, apprehension, a need to cover your ears and a disdain for all things involving Chuck Norris? (On the real, all his movies are crap excluding MIA 1,2,3 [for BAD movie + fun status]....and the Bruce Lee flick he was in)

Maybe this is the real source of your dillema?

BUt then again... i read a lot of hate for MIH so.... go figure... to each their own. I have a feeling it will only strengthen the credit  of the band :)