Jazz has been ranked highly on Ultimate Classic Rock - number three out of the fifteen Queen studio albums (admittedly, this is a slightly peculiar ranked list - The Miracle behind Flash Gordon, and Innuendo behind The Works and AKOM).
Nonetheless, it seems to be an album that some fans love, and one that others aren't so keen on. I've seen it ranked fairly highly in some places, and low in others.
Being as most people consider Hot Space to be one of Queen's worst, maybe it's Jazz that really divides opinion?
What's do you folks think of Jazz on this forum? One of their best - so so - or a bit of a dud?
Personally, I didn't care for it when I first heard it, but these days I think it's alright.
Sebastian · Member since
I love the album. It's got some of their best songs. It's got weak moments as well, obviously, but not as much as other albums.
Bike It 80 · Member since
I like it, as it is one of their last albums to feature different musical styles. It's kind of a farewell to the craziness of the 70's. On The Game and afterwards, the albums tended to be less diversified.
mooghead · Member since
Sounds to me like the poll was done by about 5 staff members who are giving their opinions on what they think the list should be by looking at the track list...
thomasquinn 32989 · Member since
One of my favorites. I think if I made a ranking of the studio albums, it'd come fourth with me (after Queen II, Innuendo and A Day At The Races, in that order).
Oscar J · Member since
I kind of agree with those rankings, probably would have moved the two first albums and Innuendo a little higher, but overall a logical ranking. Jazz is a superb album - I only have a problem with Fun It and More Of That Jazz, really. Sure, some less cheesy lyrics in If You Can't Beat Them, and Freddie replacing Brians wimpy vocals in Leaving Home would have been great, but they're still pretty good numbers. Pretty much each and every other song on the album are absolute highlights for me.
mooghead · Member since
Too much filler for me... make a few good singles and pad it out... the ridiculous 'montage' at the end of More of that Jazz is embarrassing....
brENsKi · Member since
everything that came out of the 70s was superior to what came from the 80s
jazz is a very good album...only let down by a couple of weak spots - In Only Seven Days & More of That Jazz.
Jazz 78 · Member since
I grew up with this album when it came out so it brings back great memories of being a young Queen fan. I agree there are some weak spots here. The running order wasn't so great and the sound of the drums was tinny and thin! There are some fantastic performances such as Dead on Time and Let Me Entertain You and Queen trademarks are heard all through it. Though More Of That Jazz isn't popular with a lot of people I personally like it... it's just so Roger. Overall, I've always enjoyed this album!
matt z · Member since
Terrible mastering, considering they were working again with RTB you'd have figured there'd be a more comprehensive sound. Some elements sound lacklustre. (Especially drums) everything sounds as itf it's gone through a final processing to deprive it of vitality.
Album tracks?
Eh. For their 70's stuff it ranks low for me. A couple singles in FBG, BR & DSMN, good rockers in LMEY, DOT, and MOTJ... jealousy is beautiful but the song isnt on par with Freddie's best.
Dreamers Ball is a wonderful song, Mustapha is a bold way to open but just being honest. .. It's not all that great. Piano probably sounds low in the Mix until a full minute in when Brian's guitar comes in
Duds: If you can't beat them/em
in only seven days
Fun it.
It's the incredible amount of coverage and intricate arrangements that make the album sound great. Song wise it's just okay.
But you don't have to take. ... MY word for it.
(Doo doo doot!)
The King Of Rhye · Member since
Probably my least favorite Queen album from the 70s but I still like it a lot. The only song I really dont care for much is Fun It, and I've always thought the running order should have been shuffled around, it just doesn't "flow" as well as some other albums do.
brENsKi · Member since
[QUOTE] [b]matt z wrote:[/b]
Mustapha is a bold way to open but just being honest. .. It's not all that great. Piano probably sounds low in the Mix until a full minute in when Brian's guitar comes in
[/QUOTE]
something i noticed about the piano (and to a lesser extent the bass)...there's a similarity in the playing (note NOT notes/chords/melodies) - the playing style to
The Fairy Feller's Master Stroke
Holly2003 · Member since
I love everything about it from start to finish. Some songs that others don't like are actually really good. IYCBT is a great little rocker, and Brian's outro guitar solo is very melodic. Fun It is one of Queen's best attempts to capture a funk/disco sound, and it really grooves. Some nice funky riffs by Brian. Great vocals by Fred and Rog. I always liked the few occasions when they shared vocals. LHAE has beautiful vocals by Brian, although I would like to hear a version sung by Fred. Then again, I could say that about every Queen song on which Fred didn't sing. I think the misjudged compilation of songs on More of that Jazz (an otherwise really groovy song, with some of Rog's typically disaffected lyrics, and great vocals) was designed for radio play as a taster for the album.
Dim · Member since
The sound of drums and the overall sound was a "try" to create similar sound with the current bands like The Cars. They were latest album production of Roy and Queen wanted to sound different than their previous "big sound" albums. I rate Queen's Jazz as the white album of the 70s. It has made its impact and influenced many artists (Slash, Steve Vai, The Darkness, Foo Fighter's e.t.c)
