What's so special about Queen II?

Hi guys,
I of course love Queen II, but I wouldn't really rank it as one of the best Queen albums. Reading the board for some time now, I've noticed that many of you, probably a big majority, seem to place it at the top of the list of their Queen favorites. So I'd like to know why you think it is so much better than the others, and what makes is so special. Maybe I can learn to appreciate it more?...

Fairy

I think it's the fact that it's so over the top...
Usually if you used words like naive and pretentious to describe something that would mean it's bad. Queen II I think can be described like that but that somehow works on its advantage!!!
And let's not forget the fact that it was the first Queen record with this almost orchestral Queen sound, based only on piano and Brian's guitar. And all those vocal harmonies!!!
They really let themselves go in the studio- the more the better seemed the credo. I don't think they have ever done anything as bombastic as Queen II. Even including ANATO. The latter one seems much more mature, yet there is something exciting about the band discovering all the possibilities that studio gives.

It's not my favourite album. Sheer Heart Attack is. I also prefer ANATO or even ADATR. But it's up there with those, it's extremely exciting and full, FULL of ideas. Some bands don't have that many of them in their entire careers- Queen managed to squeeze them all on one record...
And however big BoRhap was/is- I still prefer "The March Of The Black Queen"- maybe more naive but on the other hand- a bit less accesible as well...
And (but that applies to few Queen records)- how many bands would put a heavy riff of "Ogre Battle" and something like "Fairy Feller's..." on one record? If someone needs to know what eclectic means should look no further than ANATO or Queen II...

What a great review, Fenderek! Especially considering that you're not a real Queen fan....:-)))
Thanks for that one. I really had not been able to appreciate Queen II that much before I joined the board and heard from other fans. I agree with many things you said, and I'll listen to Queen II in this perspective.

I seem to prefer Freddie's more mature voice, without too much falsetto. Maybe that's a reason why I'm not particuarly intrigued by Queen and Queen II...but again, I agree on lots of what you said.

Take care

i like Queen II its so grand and filled with lots of lyrics that one only has in their imagination. the songs are fun, and queen have explored their lyrical talent and dug down deep in their imaginations to find some thoughts that could only possibly be seen in fairy stories, such as the fairy fellers master stroke, which was inspired by a painting but the words are very fun to listen to.

yes fenderek good review, i liked it

Sometimes I get excited about an album (no matter what band or music), just for a while, but soon get bored of it. Other music I have to listen to more often before I even like it, but the more I listen the more I appreciate them. Those mostly are the more complex compositions. They keep me interested for a long time just because there's so much to discover. Everytime I listen to them, it's more fun. One of those albums is Queen II. It took a while to get used to that music – I already knew Live Killers, ANATO, The Game, News Of The World and Jazz – but after maybe a year it was my favourite Queen album.
Apart from the complexity there's another thing about Queen II: There's almost no song I want to skip, maybe because of the "concept-like" arrangement of the songs. On every other Queen album there are many, esp. on the 80's albums.

Bye,
Nummer2

I must agree with Fenderek. Except for that part about it not being his favorite record, because it is. And I know it - he told me one night while drunk. "Lester, ol' buddy ol' pal," he slurred to me, "I sure do love Queen II. It's my favorite record."

He tried to take it back almost immediately, but I could see in his eyes that he really meant it. Those beautiful eyes of his. They wouldn't lie to me, even through all the tears and wine. And then, when he vomited all over my sweater, it reeked of the opening power chords of 'Father To Son'. I wept right then and there.

Or maybe that was because I knew how much it would cost me to get that sweater cleaned. Speaking of which, you owe me $35, Fenderek.

I actually like A Day At The Races more

[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Lester Burnham wrote: [/QUOTENAME]I must agree with Fenderek. Except for that part about it not being his favorite record, because it is. And I know it - he told me one night while drunk. "Lester, ol' buddy ol' pal," he slurred to me, "I sure do love Queen II. It's my favorite record."

He tried to take it back almost immediately, but I could see in his eyes that he really meant it. Those beautiful eyes of his. They wouldn't lie to me, even through all the tears and wine. And then, when he vomited all over my sweater, it reeked of the opening power chords of 'Father To Son'. I wept right then and there.

Or maybe that was because I knew how much it would cost me to get that sweater cleaned. Speaking of which, you owe me $35, Fenderek.[/QUOTE]
Lester- I'm speechless... I forgot all about it... But you said the morning after you're not going to tell anyone...
Come to think of it- I recall you saying that FLASH is the biggest masterpiece ever commited to tape... I think you said that exactly as the Procession was finishing... Hmmm......
And do I really owe you 35 dollars? I thought I send you the copy of hidden 1982 BBC session and we were even...

Queen II turns the normal song structure on its head with some really subversive arrangments, the piano, vocal and guitar harmonies and layering all add to something more than the whole. MOTBQ and FHLI are my favorites, and LITE has some pounding drum lines. The segues make it seem like the album is one big song, almost symphonic. Fenderek's right on! All the Queen signature sounds erupt on Queen II.

[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Fenderek<br><h6>Not a REAL fan</h6> wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Lester- I'm speechless... I forgot all about it... But you said the morning after you're not going to tell anyone...
Come to think of it- I recall you saying that FLASH is the biggest masterpiece ever commited to tape... I think you said that exactly as the Procession was finishing... Hmmm......
And do I really owe you 35 dollars? I thought I send you the copy of hidden 1982 BBC session and we were even...
[/QUOTE]

All of this is true. My apologies. And, if you really think about it from a philosophical standpoint, I didn't really tell anyone, now did I?

And I think you misheard me when I said "masterpiece", as it was followed by "of shit". The "masterpiece" was used as sarcasm.

lol! Hahaha, you guys rock. I can always come to QZ for a good laugh!

Queen II is very overrated. I mean it's good but it's not nearly as good as Innuendo, The Miracle, or The Works IMO. Don't get me wrong, it has great songs. The March Of The Black Queen, White Queen (As It Began), and The Fairy Feller's Master Stroke are great, but the rest is sub par I think. But I still like to listen to it now and then so I'm not bashing it, I just don't think it ranks higher than the Queen albums I mentioned.

I totally agree with Fenderek's review up to the part where he says the album isn't his favourite. It's because of the sheer brilliance of it that it's my favourite. I could honestly listen to Queen II for ages and the music would never get dull or boring to me.

thats funny because i was going to ask that question about 2 weeks ago and forgot all about it. Its not my favourite album either, if i had to choose between Queen & Queen II, i would pick Queen. I know that doesnt have anything to do with your question :P