I suppose you are probably both right yes. I think my friend was hoping Roger could play the guitar that well.
I really like it sound-wise - great guitars, drums, and Roger's voice is still the same. I also like that there's things happening in the background. If he can turn a crappy song like Woman You're so Beautiful into this, then I can't wait to hear the whole album. This sounds so much better than anything Queen-related in long while. So refreshing.
With the Cosmos Rocks the singles were bad and I didn't expect much from the album. Brian and Kerry never did anything for me. But now I've heard two good songs (especially if the abridged version of The Unblinking Eye means that Roger has cut out some stylophone solos and other loose ends. It would raise that song in a whole new level).
Never thought I'd be so excited about a Queen-related release again, but here I am, impatiently waiting for the album.