Why is the AKOM album disliked?

A Kind of Magic is my favorite album. The general opinion of this album by fans is negative. The title track in particular seems to be dismissed and pop fluff. I find this amusing because in the years considered Queen's prime, they released such tripe as "Bicycle Race" and "Fat Bottom Girls".

As for the remainder of the album I can find no poor tracks. "Pain Is So Close To Pleasure" is average I admit. The rest to me, is flawless. It contains two of their best ballads in "WWTLF" and "One Year of Love". "One Vision" is a brilliant opener with great riffs and hooks. "Princes of The Universe", "Friends Will Be Friends" and "Gimme the Prize" all have excellent and memorable hooks.

The production is ahead of it's time. And the performances rival their best-ever on record.

I know I'm in the minority because my favorite Queen period is 1984-1991. What I'm wondering is why that era and AKOM in particular is hated on when the "classic" albums had IMO, much more filler and lacked an abundance of good melodies.

This is only my opinion and I respect everyone else's. I'd just like to hear some feedback as to the rationale behind the negative comments of this album and the '84-'91 era in general. Thanks for reading!

- Ryan

Hi Ryan
the album has never been a classic. Maybe its just too formulaic
the cover is a gem though

Sir ! - ill have you know"bicycle race' is an absolute delight and could only have been penned by and performed, by our dear Mr. Mercury.
Now then.

To me, A Kind of Magic is a bit short and has a couple of awful tracks.. the second part is subjective, though.
To me it feels a bit disjointed, like it's just a collection of songs and not a proper "album". It doesn't take advantage of any of the Highlander connections between songs... not that they should have done a full-on Highlander soundtrack but even "The Works" -another group of good songs just thrown together into an album- had a bit of a concept throughout, with the whole Machines vs. Humans stand off (the machines won, of course!).

I don't like the cover one bit. They should have gone with the Princes of the Universe concept.

The sax in One Year Of Love...no, just no. Freddie's straining voice...no just no.

One of their poorest ballads, in my opinion.

It maybe also depends on with what kind of music you were grown up to? I always liked 70's stuff so yea, 70's Queen has my preference, although the AKOM album is indeed also very good and I played it a lot many years ago but not so often these days and I dont even know why... well.. maybe because of Friends Will Be Friends :)

I have to agree with the 'Freddie's straining voice' comment on One Year of Love.

To me, that had the POTENTIAL to be a good/great song, but just couldn't pull it off.

^ yeah. Michael Bolton-ism. The song is nice though. Not sure about the delivery.

It's not their strongest album but contains their greatest most ominous riff since Death on Two Legs in Gimme the Prize/princes of the universe.

Also their greatest power ballad in WWTLF

I'm in the minority in liking Don't lose your head.


Only beef is the downfall of Princes of the universe.... I prefer the recently leaked demo version that maintains its darkness without adding the awkward middle bit.

Over reliance on drum machines is one reason I dislike this records.

i must say i love this album... i can take or leave some tracks, PISCTP and DLYH.

I must be in the minority with liking One Year of Love! - don't seem to mind/notice the vocal strain.

As a guy who's prefers early Queen, I can still say akom is a good album. Only songs I tend to skip is don't lose your head and funnily fwbf, hate the lyrics. One year of love, I can understand the debate, but it has a more personal nature due to a relationship I was in at the time and when singing it, I can understand and feel the voice strain, like it is showing deliberate emotion. Wish they had done potu live though in 86, that would've been fun

I absolute love the album. It´s brilliant.
And the title track is probably the greatest pop song ever produced.

^ "God Only Knows". Best pop track that is.

Queen II is the best LP Queen ever made (in my opinion). A Day At The Races comes close.

Considering the fact that a LOT of rubbish was produced in the 80's, for an 80's LP, A Kind Of Magic is not that bad.
Wouldn't call it great either. The Miracle is a much better 80's LP if you ask me. Even Hot Space is better.

Just my opinion though.

Is it just me or does Freddie's vocals for one year of love sound much better on the Highlander movie as they do sound slightly strained in parts on the album, I think AKOM album was a strong album just to short, I prefer Rogers version of A Kind of Magic.

[QUOTE] [b]matt z wrote:[/b]
I'm in the minority in liking Don't lose your head.
[/QUOTE]

The music for Don't lose your head is good but the lyrics are stupid...to me at least...I prefer to listen to A Dozen Red Roses for My Darling...