While the first four records are my favorites, I really like the Flash Gordon soundtrack. There are lots of synths on that.
I think what I like about the earlier albums is the attention to the order of the songs as well as the non-cyclical nature of Freddie's songs. IT seems to me that later albums teneded toward a more normal, verse/chorus/verse/chorus/bridge/verse/chorus style of songwriting.
I personally have nothing against synthesizers. I especially like them when they have their own identity, as opposed to sounding exactly like some other instrument.
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I agree with twowaymirrormountainman. Brian would never have picked up the guitar again if he tried to make that soundtrack with multi-layered guitars. I don't think Queen abused synths, but I'm glad they used them or they would have definately continued in the same vein and just become another rock dinosaur. That's boring. I hate bands that don't change. Look at how much AC/DC sucks, for example. They've been re-recording the same song for 30 years.
"Look at how much AC/DC sucks, for example. They've been re-recording the same song for 30 years."
They're forumlaic, but it's a good forumla, and there's enough talent in that band to keep it fresh.
Not that Queen couldn't have done the same...however, Queen just wasn't forumalic. They liked diversity in their music and it was probably only natural that they veered off in the early 80's. By the late 80's I think they came to terms with their original 'roots' as a band.
So, while I don't necessarily care for a lot of what they put out in the 80's, it certainly wasn't bad music, nor do I knock them for giving it a shot.
Still, very little compares to their early stuff.
They're forumlaic, but it's a good forumla, and there's enough talent in that band to keep it fresh.
Not that Queen couldn't have done the same...however, Queen just wasn't forumalic. They liked diversity in their music and it was probably only natural that they veered off in the early 80's. By the late 80's I think they came to terms with their original 'roots' as a band.
So, while I don't necessarily care for a lot of what they put out in the 80's, it certainly wasn't bad music, nor do I knock them for giving it a shot.
Still, very little compares to their early stuff.
Makes no difference to me. There's good and not as good in most of the albums. Without syths, my beloved "I Want to Break Free" certainly wouldn't be the same. A real guitar solo wouldn't hurt, but the beautiful extended/single intro would be lost.
And a song like 'Machines' really requires synths to get its point across.. Going back a bit, the beautiful, swirling keyboards of 'Las Palabras De Amor' are nice to have, and many later tracks are just perfect as they are.
I pretty much agree that their use on 'The Game' wasn't very brilliant and sometimes quite annoying. But that was the first and they had to jump in somewhere and learn what worked best. I think they did eventually :)
And a song like 'Machines' really requires synths to get its point across.. Going back a bit, the beautiful, swirling keyboards of 'Las Palabras De Amor' are nice to have, and many later tracks are just perfect as they are.
I pretty much agree that their use on 'The Game' wasn't very brilliant and sometimes quite annoying. But that was the first and they had to jump in somewhere and learn what worked best. I think they did eventually :)
True. Machines couldn't have been if there were still 'No synths'
Queen had always been good and so are all their albums but they were slightly better when it was human beacause they had great natural talent.
I`m surely being a smart-ass today but I have to point out that...
Three-layers were so usual. What dissapeared almost completely was five or six layers (only in some cases like the intro of Breakthru).
Various Japanese Instruments - Actually it was just one, not various. And it wasn`t even an instrument in all sense of the word, it was a toy. Btw electric piano is not a string instrument (acoustic pianos are), kazzo isn`t either.
I agree it was a stupid step. All songs in The Works were released as single either as A or B side. Only four songs in A Kind Of Magic aren`t singles, only four in The Miracle...
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Anyway, what I think is that their quality didn`t decrease, they just focused in different aspects. Queen II is like they`re showing and demonstrating everywhere that they can write complex stuff and do weird noises and stuff. `Staying Power` on the other hand does have a clever structure, but it`s "hidden", so the song is catchy but it tends to be overlooked. Same happens with a lot of post-Races material. I love the Jazz album, it was the second I got from that band, and I like the way they mixed those styles together in an original and yet subtle way, so much that at some point (when I got to know II and Races) I did underrate Jazz and consider it "too easy".
Innuendo has a good mixture of everything: the synth-orchestra in the title track is great as well as the guitars. Don`t Try so Hard hardly has over two guitar tracks but Brian could "colourize" the song with only those. In a way it seems to me he did a different approach in the later albums: he showed he didn`t need 10 or 12 tracks to put a good guitar part. With one or two he also could do it, he only depended on himself. Same for vocals: Days Of Our Lives has very few harmonies, it`s mostly just the lead vocal, but what a lead vocal!. But all in all I do think their post Races stuff is almost as layered as their pre News era, only that this time they didn`t "expose it", just left it as a "bijou"
The three layer vocal harmonies virtually disappeared in the Synth era.
Three-layers were so usual. What dissapeared almost completely was five or six layers (only in some cases like the intro of Breakthru).
The use of different unusual string instruments (harp, ukulele, various Japanese instruments, electric piano, kazoo, banjo etc) disappeared in the Synth era.
Various Japanese Instruments - Actually it was just one, not various. And it wasn`t even an instrument in all sense of the word, it was a toy. Btw electric piano is not a string instrument (acoustic pianos are), kazzo isn`t either.
Queen after the No Synth era, generally took fewer risks and were more of a singles oriented band.
I agree it was a stupid step. All songs in The Works were released as single either as A or B side. Only four songs in A Kind Of Magic aren`t singles, only four in The Miracle...
---
Anyway, what I think is that their quality didn`t decrease, they just focused in different aspects. Queen II is like they`re showing and demonstrating everywhere that they can write complex stuff and do weird noises and stuff. `Staying Power` on the other hand does have a clever structure, but it`s "hidden", so the song is catchy but it tends to be overlooked. Same happens with a lot of post-Races material. I love the Jazz album, it was the second I got from that band, and I like the way they mixed those styles together in an original and yet subtle way, so much that at some point (when I got to know II and Races) I did underrate Jazz and consider it "too easy".
Innuendo has a good mixture of everything: the synth-orchestra in the title track is great as well as the guitars. Don`t Try so Hard hardly has over two guitar tracks but Brian could "colourize" the song with only those. In a way it seems to me he did a different approach in the later albums: he showed he didn`t need 10 or 12 tracks to put a good guitar part. With one or two he also could do it, he only depended on himself. Same for vocals: Days Of Our Lives has very few harmonies, it`s mostly just the lead vocal, but what a lead vocal!. But all in all I do think their post Races stuff is almost as layered as their pre News era, only that this time they didn`t "expose it", just left it as a "bijou"
I'm not sure really. Alot of my fav Queen songs were done after The Game and with synths.
I'm not sure I'd say I'm that picky about their use of synths, but I do think that the FLAVOUR of their albums changed as they got into synths more. I'm not crazy about most of the Hot Space songs I've heard, but that's more because of it being a funk/pop album than anything (though I have to admit the percussion solo in "Back Chat" would have impressed me if it was a real drum kit!).
For instance, "Scandal" and "Breakthru" use synth to a large degree, as do Innuendo songs like "These Are the Days of Our Lives", but while they're not my favourite songs from either album I still like them because they're fun or dramatic songs that are either stirring or just plain fun to listen to.
And as for the orchestra stuff -- I LOVE "The Show Must Go On", and I think it would sound better with a full orchestra accompanying Queen (but I just being in the background, not as upfront as "Who Wants to Live Forever?").
For instance, "Scandal" and "Breakthru" use synth to a large degree, as do Innuendo songs like "These Are the Days of Our Lives", but while they're not my favourite songs from either album I still like them because they're fun or dramatic songs that are either stirring or just plain fun to listen to.
And as for the orchestra stuff -- I LOVE "The Show Must Go On", and I think it would sound better with a full orchestra accompanying Queen (but I just being in the background, not as upfront as "Who Wants to Live Forever?").
I'm not sure if I would use the word "better," but I would definitely use the words "more distinct." Queen were real musical chameleons throughout their entire run together, always wearing the hats of different musical styles. All of the multi-part, operatic, diverse sounding stuff during the no synths era really set Queen apart from the rest of the music scene, and it also explains their tremendous staying power among music listeners.
However, if I'm going to chalk up the no synths era as brilliant experimentation, then I have to say that the use of synths was just as much about experimentation (not totally about commericalism) as well. Some say that Queen stopped taking risks during the synths era and became formulaic; I would say that their biggest musical risks arose from their use of synths. Think about the Flash Gordon soundtrack: it wasn't common for a rock band to compose an entire soundtrack then, and it's even more rare now. Think about Hot Space: it's maligned by rock purists, but showed Queen's willingness to branch out and try different musical styles (somewhat reminscient of the no synths era!).
I agree that Queen became much more singles-oriented once they started using synths, but let's be honest: many of those are great, anthemic singles. To me, Queen were about great entertainment, with few high artistic pretentions. The progression into heavier use of synths and a more streamlined pop sound only further illustrated why I love Queen: incredible diversity and growth, even if we were left with bombs like Don't Lose Your Head.
However, if I'm going to chalk up the no synths era as brilliant experimentation, then I have to say that the use of synths was just as much about experimentation (not totally about commericalism) as well. Some say that Queen stopped taking risks during the synths era and became formulaic; I would say that their biggest musical risks arose from their use of synths. Think about the Flash Gordon soundtrack: it wasn't common for a rock band to compose an entire soundtrack then, and it's even more rare now. Think about Hot Space: it's maligned by rock purists, but showed Queen's willingness to branch out and try different musical styles (somewhat reminscient of the no synths era!).
I agree that Queen became much more singles-oriented once they started using synths, but let's be honest: many of those are great, anthemic singles. To me, Queen were about great entertainment, with few high artistic pretentions. The progression into heavier use of synths and a more streamlined pop sound only further illustrated why I love Queen: incredible diversity and growth, even if we were left with bombs like Don't Lose Your Head.