Queen II Appreciation

Queen II Appreciation thread

Yes, it's probably been discussed before, but I would still like to share with others why this masterpiece is my absolute favourtite Queen album!

The main reason: this album was produced and recorded just after Queen's debut album Queen, with the forementioned album containing mostly songs from their live set - leaving this album for the more adventurous material. Multi-layered vocal tracks - Multi layered guitar tracks - the Deaky amp (Procession - say no more!) and complex song structures with a few tracks mixing directly into others (TFFMS - Nevermore) etc etc.

Another reason: I belive that Queen were more expressive at this period as they were not quite a commercial success at this point and were really experimenting and expressing themselves without a "commercial guideline" so to speak. Lyrically, they didn't really dwell on the everyday stuff, and chose to follow a fantasy-type theme involving fairies and ogres etc for a lot of the songs - I don't know many bands who have done that!!

Last readon: I think Freddies voice is at it's best in this album - very pure and clean without any straining in high notes or gruff/huskiness.

Anyhow, I've said my bit - I am sure a lot of people will disagree with my opinions here, but this is a discussion group after all, and I am very keen to hear other opinions on this fantastic musical gem!

Jim

YAY! I love Queen II, wonderful album! Fairy-Feller/MOTBQ/Nevermore/Funny How Love Is are so great...*sigh* and Someday One Day is just epic...*sighs again*

Oh yes I absolutly agree. I can listen to White Queen [as it bagan] for hours. And lets not get started on Some Day One Day. The whole album is just great.

One of the Queen albums many fans pass by. I dont have a clue why. Just for the black side alone makes it a masterpiece.

Freddies voice is pitch perfect, clear and overpowering. The guitar work by Brian and Jon is amazing and the percusion by Roger.

The lyrics are incredible. My fave album, the best song Fairy Feller: good god its quick, how can any1 sing that fast

Simply my favorite album, which contains my favorite song: Ogre Battle. I believe Brian once said it was his favorite as well. The man has a taste. :)

Cheers,

Ogre-

Not sure if it is overlooked. Back in the day (2001/02 time) it was the favourite album of the majority of people on here (including me).

One of those albums where you can't listen to one track on its own, you have to listen to the whole thing. And you couldn't choose a track to show people the album, they would have to listen to the whole thing. Agreed, its Queen without any boundries, wanting to prove a point after the delayed release of the first album, they wanted to fully show what they could do as a band in the studio.

I just love the opening three tracks, they are right up there as my favourite Queen songs of all time, although all my favourite albums have bum tracks on them and the one on Queen II is The Loser In The End.

I certainly agree. Queen II is my favorite album. It’s truly is testament to their creativity and guineas. The sounds, textures and feel of that particular album is proof their unique sound and style and all with out a synthesizer! Something they heavily relied on in the latter years much to my dismay (No pun intended). Play any of their albums from 1973 to 1980 and it’s instantly recognizable as Queen. Play anything from Hot space on and you couldn’t tell them apart from any other techno band of that era.

Louis

There are no proper words for this album in my opinion.
Its a masterpiece from start to finish...
Freddies vocals are flawless... I dare anyone to say otherwise... Who wouldnt want a set of pipes like this lovely??? And his lyrics are so fun and gorgeous... And always fun to sing along with... but some songs come on and you simply just have to keep quiet... Nevermore has been known to bring a tear to my eye...
Brian's playing is just amazing and emotional as always... I always feel exactly what he was going for on the Opening of White Queen alone... I always shiver... And could listen to it for hours...
Rogers Drumming and Vocal back up give me chills everytime and drive me to pick up a set of sticks and take a whack at it... although i could NEVER touch his skills...
And Deaky doesn't get enough credit. For me he's the Top bassist of all time... He always gives the music the extra punch and pulse... His playing here is like the heartbeat to Roger's bloodflow...

And i could also go on and on about each song individually...

Definatly One of their best. I ADORE the experimentation and layers to death...

Sheer Perfection...

Cheers

Guys (Hi Im new by the by) DONT forget March of the Black Queen. Pure Genius!!

this album is one of my favorites too.
my top 3
1..a night at the opera,1975
2..the miracle,1989 (my first queen cd)
3..queen 2,1974

the best tracks are
ferry feller’s master stroke
(song structure,harmony effects,freddie singing)
the march of the black queen
(great song)
white queen(a nice relaxing song)
seven seas of rhye (a short and strong song)
the others are great too but these are highlights.

i can’t get used to HOT SPACE,sorry

March of the black Queen is pretty good I guess, other than that Queen II...

IS THE FUCKING BEST ALBUM EVER

March of the Black Queen rapes all

Ogre Battle is one of the heaviest songs Queen has done

The entire white side is played beautifully

The epic porpotions of the album as a whole is one of the most epic albums of all time

Freddie's voice and piano are amazing

Rogers voice and drums are amazing

Brian's voice and guitar are.. you guessed it amazing

And John Deacon plays bass btw

I agree. Best Queen Album Ever!

its kinda cool too how almost every song flows right into the next one as well...like one continueing album instead of seperate tracks.

Queen II is great, not my personal favorite, but great. It's like an album of different types of Bohemian Rhapsodies, in my opinion. But the tracks wern't really radio friendly, and maybe that's why it lacked singles.

I don't get tired of listening to this one. It's a masterpiece. Extremely unique. When Freddie says that Queen is 4 people together this album clearly shows it. Each member shines brilliantly.