A Day At The Races.....Failed attempt at ANATO or Part 2 of greatness?

Let the debating Begin! A failed attempt at re creating their biggest album? Or do you consider It one of their best?

I wouldn't say it was an attempt to recreate, but the methodology certainly was similar.

There was less diversity of genres, but it was no less creative or impactful. The Millionaire Waltz is one of the finest pieces in the canon.

But - put a gun to my head and ANATO wins every time. Everything anyone needs to know about Queen is on side 2 of that album. It is perfect.

^I agree with almost every word. Part 2 of greatness.

To me, The Millionaire Waltz is pretty much on the Bohemian Rhapsody level.

Perfection on ANATO starts a little bit ealier - from Seaside Rendezvous.

Part 2. I always see them as sister albums.

[QUOTE] [b]The Real Wizard wrote:[/b]

I wouldn't say it was an attempt to recreate, but the methodology certainly was similar.

There was less diversity of genres, but it was no less creative or impactful. The Millionaire Waltz is one of the finest pieces in the canon.

But - put a gun to my head and ANATO wins every time. Everything anyone needs to know about Queen is on side 2 of that album. It is perfect.
[/QUOTE]

This. I absolutely agree.

I've read a couple of times recently people citing side 2 of ANATO being their greatest side. It's not one I stick on much: BR - overplayed, GSTQ - boring GC - filler, LOML - too twee, Prophets Song - sheeesh

Side one however... delicious.

I think it was discussed quite recently - my opinion is ADATR seems much more 'slight' that ANATO. Trying the same trick again (package / name) was never going to work so it just gets overshadowed for me despite the fact it has a couple of my all time favs. And I've said it before, but having YTMBA 2nd just kills the albums for me. It just stops it dead. ANATO flows. ADATR is too jumpy in that track order.

ADATR is a masterpiece, many see it very wrong, since the previous album had Bohemian Rhapsody etc. But ADATR has the spirit of Queen II and Anato, it show very clearly how pioneer Queen were, what Queen music is, not just a feeling, or expirience but something more, a emotion! That was their creative phase.

In terms of music it needs time for the average listeners to understand. Freddie wrote one of the best vaudeville music. It is classically influenced melodicism of this album. It is not easy album like Queen II and Innuendo.

ADATR is a masterpiece, many see it very wrong, since the previous album had Bohemian Rhapsody etc. But ADATR has the spirit of Queen II and Anato, it shows very clearly how pioneer Queen were, what Queen music is, not just a feeling, or expirience but something more, a emotion! That was their creative phase.

In terms of music it needs time for the average listeners to understand. Freddie wrote one of the best vaudeville music. It is classically influenced melodicism album. It is not easy album like Queen II and Innuendo.

[QUOTE] [b]dysan wrote:[/b]

I've read a couple of times recently people citing side 2 of ANATO being their greatest side. It's not one I stick on much: BR - overplayed, GSTQ - boring GC - filler, LOML - too twee, Prophets Song - sheeesh

Side one however... delicious.

I think it was discussed quite recently - my opinion is ADATR seems much more 'slight' that ANATO. Trying the same trick again (package / name) was never going to work so it just gets overshadowed for me despite the fact it has a couple of my all time favs. And I've said it before, but having YTMBA 2nd just kills the albums for me. It just stops it dead. ANATO flows. ADATR is too jumpy in that track order.[/QUOTE]


I know you're just giving your own personal tastes but I think it;s a bit unfair to dismiss Bo Rap for being overplayed. There is a reason it's overplayed, and that's because it remains one of the great rock songs of all time.

I can't agree that Good Company is filler. The way Brian constructed the guitar orchestra is amazing and that talent is one of the reasons he is admired not just by other guitarists but by virtuosos like Vai and Malmsteen, both of whom, technically, are better players than he is.

Agreed on both counts Holly. Just personal opinion. In fact, Bo Rap / GSTQ and LOML are in the small club of Queen songs I don't have on my MP3 player despite having all the albums on there for shuffle purposes.

RE GC: it can still be filler despite having a lot of work put into it. I was trying to think up an analogy using different London bridges, but it got a bit messy.

Anato sister piece is all. No failure in trying to recapture. Has some magnificent work on it.
Could've even been a double album with ANATO in fact.

Just imagine if it had actually been a double album. Amazing.

SIDE ONE

Introduction/Death On Two Legs
Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon
I'm In Love With My Car
You And I
Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy
Sweet Lady

SIDE TWO

You Take My Breath Away
'39
You're My Best Friend
The Millionaire Waltz
Good Company
Teo Torriate (Let Us Cling Together)

SIDE THREE

Somebody To Love
The Prophet's Song
White Man
Love Of My Life
Long Away

SIDE FOUR

Seaside Rendezvous
Drowse
Tie Your Mother Down
Bohemian Rhapsody
God Save The Queen

As someone pointed out recently, ADATR has a little to much vaudeville for my liking.

[QUOTE] [b]The Real Wizard wrote:[/b]

I wouldn't say it was an attempt to recreate, but the methodology certainly was similar.

There was less diversity of genres, but it was no less creative or impactful. The Millionaire Waltz is one of the finest pieces in the canon.

But - put a gun to my head and ANATO wins every time. Everything anyone needs to know about Queen is on side 2 of that album. It is perfect.
[/QUOTE]

Absolutely agree apart from that bit where somethings makes me think Races is slightly less bombastic, a little more restrained and a better sounding (warmer?) production, so I tend to go against conventional wisdom and say for me ADATR is slightly better.

In terms of live legacy, BR apart, ADATR has it, especially; STL, TYMD, but ANATO is without doubt a better studio album

The problem with ADATR as already pointed out, is the running order imho, more thought could have gone into that; YTMBA is a nice enough song but the album may have been better if it was placed elsewhere, or dropped altogether
...and I don't get White Man....pretty sure BM could have come up with something better

I remember getting it when it came out, let's just say it remains in pristine condition