Rolling Stone praises new "Love Kills"(!)

The October 23, 2014 edition of "Rolling Stone" magazine places "Love Kills - The Ballad" on their playlist of favorites saying;

"This majestic, full band rock version of Freddie Mercury's 1984 solo cut is the best surprise from Queen's new greatest hits set. The original was an electro-pop curio; this way, with Brian May's guitar in the mix, it's a total lost classic."

I wonder what Roger would say?

All I can think of is - where were these reviewers in 1977?

Eating his first lunch, maybe?

Or being paid to make that.

The reviewer obviously listened to a different track than me.

We all have heard the original version for lots of years, so our ears are biased and we just cant stop listening the original version when listening to this ballad version. Specially cause its the same vocal take.

Another person without the original version printed deep in his/her mind will have a different opinion (and taste) than a longtime fan.

I, for one, like the new version, to me, its not as good as the original one (which I truly love) but still a very nice version.

It's not BAD, it's just boring. The original was an upbeat disco song (despite the lyrics it was a really "happy" song), the new version - I have to concentrate so that I won't fall asleep after the first minute. Also the part where Freddie delivers the fast (sort of) vocals and the new music is just some random keyboard noise with some slow backing by Roger and Brian - kind of a weird effect.

But yeah, you're correct, if I never heard the original or the rock remixes, I would maybe have a different opinion about it.

I prefer this new Queen version over the original or any other remix over the years. For me it showcases Freddie's incredible vocals to the max and I'd class it in the haunting ballad category.

It's interesting that they maintained some of the original 1984 synths in the part "....love can play with your emotion....." and mixed it up with some new effects.

Had we never heard the original, if this came off the same shelf as lmiyha, we would all be raving about it. I'm desperate to hear Fred singing sail away sweet sister, that will be awesome !!!!!!

FFS.. Rolling Stone slagged Queen off in the 70's. Get over it.

[QUOTE] [b]winterspelt wrote:[/b]

We all have heard the original version for lots of years, so our ears are biased and we just cant stop listening the original version when listening to this ballad version. Specially cause its the same vocal take.

[/QUOTE]

I know my opinion doesn't count for much, but I heard this new version first, which led me to then check out the original (I'd just never been interested in Freddie's solo material). I still prefer the original.

Of course everybody's opinions count, Tom!

I guess they did not have any other vocal takes to use. That would have been awesome. The keyboard part is rather strange, I agree

I love the original from day one. I still remember the first time I heard it, the day I found the then rare LP and the day I got a hold of the import CD. Queen were the best in synthpop, as well.

To sum it up, the new version is good, but the classic one is awesome. And I hate to say it, but Queen + Adam Lambert's live version is better than the new version with Freddie. I guess it is not fair to compare, as he had the chance to adapt his vocals to the new arrangement. I hate to say it, really.

Cheers,

Ogre-

That's true. The original didn't really build up dynamically, while the new one does, but Freddie's vocal is still tailored to the version which doesn't. So what we're left with is Freddie singing pretty powerfully the whole way through, which sounds a bit clunky. The ending is a bit weird, too, using the vocal from the chorus but over different chords, and ending on the major chord. I don't know whether that actually sounds bad or if it just sticks out to me cos it's different.

Wasn't the original voted 'Worst track of the year' when it was released?
Always found that strange, as the song is stellar and full of class. It's probably aged best out of Freddie's solo stuff.

[QUOTE] [b]Arnaldo "Ogre-" Silveira wrote:[/b]

Of course everybody's opinions count, Tom!

I guess they did not have any other vocal takes to use. That would have been awesome. The keyboard part is rather strange, I agree

I love the original from day one. I still remember the first time I heard it, the day I found the then rare LP and the day I got a hold of the import CD. Queen were the best in synthpop, as well.

To sum it up, the new version is good, but the classic one is awesome. And I hate to say it, but Queen + Adam Lambert's live version is better than the new version with Freddie. I guess it is not fair to compare, as he had the chance to adapt his vocals to the new arrangement. I hate to say it, really.

Cheers,

Ogre-

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Agree 100% with your post.