Hot Space has a great production. The sound is excellent. Considering that the band were rarelly in the studio toghether when they´ve recorded this, i think it´s a miracle the way it sounds. Freddie´s voice and Brians guitar are perfect. And i like the songs too! I never thought that this was a bad album.
I agree that "News of the world" has a weak sound, and some of the songs sounds like demos, but when you have "We are the champions" or "We will rock you" you can´t choose "It´s late" as the strongest song! Just my opinion.
It seems to me that for some reason people tend to not like the 80´s stuff and i don´t understand why. Music it´s not supose to sound intellectually. It´s not a question of understanding, but a question of feelings, in this case good feelings.
I found fashinating that musicians with 40 years old could write stuff that even little kids liked. I remember that when the "live at Wembley" was bradcasted in Portugal i was less than 10 years old and kids with my age simply adored "A King Of Magic" and "Radio GAGA" I really think it´s fascinating!
Music is for entertainment only, and it was "The works" and "A Kind of Magic" that sent them again to the biggest audiences ever in their career. Hoe wrong can people be?
When asked about his own favourite song Eddward Van Halen (guitar player/ songwriter for Van Halen) said it was "Jump" simply because it has reached and touched more people than the others. His goal as a musician was achived.
I know this just a matter of opinion, but i found that people are becoming too "logical" about music these days. And this is not a Jazz forum ; ))
Take care
P.S- I´m gonna say something shoking for the most of you: I think that the first album by the spice girls is simply one of the greatest pop albums ever released.
I know what people are thinking - they can´t sing live, they have no voice, etc. The fact is, their first album is an excellent pop album.
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[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Bobby_brown wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Hot Space has a great production. The sound is excellent. Considering that the band were rarelly in the studio toghether when they´ve recorded this, i think it´s a miracle the way it sounds. Freddie´s voice and Brians guitar are perfect. And i like the songs too! I never thought that this was a bad album.
I agree that "News of the world" has a weak sound, and some of the songs sounds like demos, but when you have "We are the champions" or "We will rock you" you can´t choose "It´s late" as the strongest song! Just my opinion.
It seems to me that for some reason people tend to not like the 80´s stuff and i don´t understand why. Music it´s not supose to sound intellectually. It´s not a question of understanding, but a question of feelings, in this case good feelings.
I found fashinating that musicians with 40 years old could write stuff that even little kids liked. I remember that when the "live at Wembley" was bradcasted in Portugal i was less than 10 years old and kids with my age simply adored "A King Of Magic" and "Radio GAGA" I really think it´s fascinating!
Music is for entertainment only, and it was "The works" and "A Kind of Magic" that sent them again to the biggest audiences ever in their career. Hoe wrong can people be?
When asked about his own favourite song Eddward Van Halen (guitar player/ songwriter for Van Halen) said it was "Jump" simply because it has reached and touched more people than the others. His goal as a musician was achived.
I know this just a matter of opinion, but i found that people are becoming too "logical" about music these days. And this is not a Jazz forum ; ))
Take care
P.S- I´m gonna say something shoking for the most of you: I think that the first album by the spice girls is simply one of the greatest pop albums ever released.
I know what people are thinking - they can´t sing live, they have no voice, etc. The fact is, their first album is an excellent pop album.[/QUOTE]You make some interesting points, but I must disagree with you about “Hot Space”. Brian’s guitar always sounds great. I can’t think of a song where it didn’t. Freddie as well is usually phenomenal. The songs for the most part on that particular album are week by their standards. Plus I as I wrote; they sound uninspired and flat. I am not faulting them for trying new things, but there nothing new or innovative on that album. You take Freddie’s voice off most of those songs and you can’t tell them apart from any other techno/funk band of that time. I do enjoy the live renditions of “Staying Power”, “Calling all girls”& “Back Chat”. They actually show much potential and power. Had they recorded the songs with the same vast grandeur, depth & complexity of their earlier recordings and made that type of music their own, most Queen fans probably wouldn’t be having this discussion. Instead they simply copied what others were doing at the time. That's the real shame.
It’s probably the main reason most fans here in the USA don’t care for their output in the 80’s. Very bland & sub-par material for the most part. I am not faulting you for your tastes. What ever floats your boat. More power to you. If that album brings you joy, great! Just not my cup of tea.
I agree that "News of the world" has a weak sound, and some of the songs sounds like demos, but when you have "We are the champions" or "We will rock you" you can´t choose "It´s late" as the strongest song! Just my opinion.
It seems to me that for some reason people tend to not like the 80´s stuff and i don´t understand why. Music it´s not supose to sound intellectually. It´s not a question of understanding, but a question of feelings, in this case good feelings.
I found fashinating that musicians with 40 years old could write stuff that even little kids liked. I remember that when the "live at Wembley" was bradcasted in Portugal i was less than 10 years old and kids with my age simply adored "A King Of Magic" and "Radio GAGA" I really think it´s fascinating!
Music is for entertainment only, and it was "The works" and "A Kind of Magic" that sent them again to the biggest audiences ever in their career. Hoe wrong can people be?
When asked about his own favourite song Eddward Van Halen (guitar player/ songwriter for Van Halen) said it was "Jump" simply because it has reached and touched more people than the others. His goal as a musician was achived.
I know this just a matter of opinion, but i found that people are becoming too "logical" about music these days. And this is not a Jazz forum ; ))
Take care
P.S- I´m gonna say something shoking for the most of you: I think that the first album by the spice girls is simply one of the greatest pop albums ever released.
I know what people are thinking - they can´t sing live, they have no voice, etc. The fact is, their first album is an excellent pop album.[/QUOTE]You make some interesting points, but I must disagree with you about “Hot Space”. Brian’s guitar always sounds great. I can’t think of a song where it didn’t. Freddie as well is usually phenomenal. The songs for the most part on that particular album are week by their standards. Plus I as I wrote; they sound uninspired and flat. I am not faulting them for trying new things, but there nothing new or innovative on that album. You take Freddie’s voice off most of those songs and you can’t tell them apart from any other techno/funk band of that time. I do enjoy the live renditions of “Staying Power”, “Calling all girls”& “Back Chat”. They actually show much potential and power. Had they recorded the songs with the same vast grandeur, depth & complexity of their earlier recordings and made that type of music their own, most Queen fans probably wouldn’t be having this discussion. Instead they simply copied what others were doing at the time. That's the real shame.
It’s probably the main reason most fans here in the USA don’t care for their output in the 80’s. Very bland & sub-par material for the most part. I am not faulting you for your tastes. What ever floats your boat. More power to you. If that album brings you joy, great! Just not my cup of tea.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]louvox wrote: [/QUOTENAME
You make some interesting points, but I must disagree with you about “Hot Space”. Brian’s guitar always sounds great. I can’t think of a song where it didn’t. Freddie as well is usually phenomenal.[/QUOTE]
I was just talking about the way it was recorded. Of course Brian allways sounded great, but for example his guitar sound on "News of the World" sucks big time (my opinion). And this album has probably the best Freddie ever capturated on tape (along with the "Game").
But it´s just opinions, and in the end we all love them ; )
Take care
You make some interesting points, but I must disagree with you about “Hot Space”. Brian’s guitar always sounds great. I can’t think of a song where it didn’t. Freddie as well is usually phenomenal.[/QUOTE]
I was just talking about the way it was recorded. Of course Brian allways sounded great, but for example his guitar sound on "News of the World" sucks big time (my opinion). And this album has probably the best Freddie ever capturated on tape (along with the "Game").
But it´s just opinions, and in the end we all love them ; )
Take care
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]louvox wrote: [/QUOTENAME]
A kind of magic
This album is just plain BORING. More of the same tripe from four uninspired individuals. There is nothing interesting or innovative on the entire thing. Did someone crazy glue synthesizers to their fingers?
Strongest song: None
[/QUOTE]
I like what you said about the earlier albums, particularly A Day At The Races, this is an albulm that as you said was greatly overshadowed by A Night At The Opera, which was a shame because there were some great songs on it. I think however that to call A Kind of Magic boring might be a little harsh.
Take 'One Vision' for instance, one of their better songs of the period and imho one of the best rifts from that period as well. Whilst A Kind of Magic was continuing with the pop sound, it was one of their better songs, and One Year of Love, although it might be considered corny now days is for me one of their most beutifuly written songs.
Now, Pain Is So Close To Pleasure is where the albulm falls down a little, but it is important to note that Freddie really gets some high notes with this one. I must admit whilst I wouldn't turn it of, it isn't a song I would rate as one of their best.
If there's a particularly strong song on this albulm it would definetly be 'Who Wants To Live Forever', and in someways whilst there are other songs from the eighties period that are closer to my heart, this one is just amazing. Everything needed in an emotional rock balad is there, just a brilliant piece of work. I am also a huge fan of the Highlander film (not so much the sequles)and this song for me made that film, the emotional attachment to Connor's wife dying was suberb.
'Gimmie The Prize' was the song that attracted me to Queen. My mum played the tape whilst I was doing homework or something, and then this song came on and I was instantly hooked. The guitar is amazing and it was good to hear Queen doing something heavy again, with that sense of grandure which as you said yourself was lost from Hot Space and The Works (but I think that It's A Hard Life and Hammer To Fall had it though).
The last two songs on the albulm, Don't Lose Your Head and Princes of The Universe, are the perfect of example of how Queen had changed, from the hard rock songs like Princes to the Pop tunes like Dont Lose Your Head. I think princes is one of the best songs on that albulm, and it's a shame that it wasn't included on Greatist Hits II, whereas Dont Lose Your Head wasn't particularly awful but certainly not a highlight.
When the CD was released I was a little bemused as to why they had remixed A Kind of Magic and Friends Will Be Friends, there was really no need to have these on there, of all the extra tracks on the CD, only Forever should have been on there, but overall the original track listing should have been kept.
It could be said that I am bias as this is the first albulm I heard, but it does have some of the better songs from that decade on it. I agree with you, Queen did loose an element that not only mad them popular during the seventies, it made them different, and that was what made Queen great, the fact that they were different.
Anyway thanks for the starting this topic, it's always good to review the albulms.
Take care all...
M.H
A kind of magic
This album is just plain BORING. More of the same tripe from four uninspired individuals. There is nothing interesting or innovative on the entire thing. Did someone crazy glue synthesizers to their fingers?
Strongest song: None
[/QUOTE]
I like what you said about the earlier albums, particularly A Day At The Races, this is an albulm that as you said was greatly overshadowed by A Night At The Opera, which was a shame because there were some great songs on it. I think however that to call A Kind of Magic boring might be a little harsh.
Take 'One Vision' for instance, one of their better songs of the period and imho one of the best rifts from that period as well. Whilst A Kind of Magic was continuing with the pop sound, it was one of their better songs, and One Year of Love, although it might be considered corny now days is for me one of their most beutifuly written songs.
Now, Pain Is So Close To Pleasure is where the albulm falls down a little, but it is important to note that Freddie really gets some high notes with this one. I must admit whilst I wouldn't turn it of, it isn't a song I would rate as one of their best.
If there's a particularly strong song on this albulm it would definetly be 'Who Wants To Live Forever', and in someways whilst there are other songs from the eighties period that are closer to my heart, this one is just amazing. Everything needed in an emotional rock balad is there, just a brilliant piece of work. I am also a huge fan of the Highlander film (not so much the sequles)and this song for me made that film, the emotional attachment to Connor's wife dying was suberb.
'Gimmie The Prize' was the song that attracted me to Queen. My mum played the tape whilst I was doing homework or something, and then this song came on and I was instantly hooked. The guitar is amazing and it was good to hear Queen doing something heavy again, with that sense of grandure which as you said yourself was lost from Hot Space and The Works (but I think that It's A Hard Life and Hammer To Fall had it though).
The last two songs on the albulm, Don't Lose Your Head and Princes of The Universe, are the perfect of example of how Queen had changed, from the hard rock songs like Princes to the Pop tunes like Dont Lose Your Head. I think princes is one of the best songs on that albulm, and it's a shame that it wasn't included on Greatist Hits II, whereas Dont Lose Your Head wasn't particularly awful but certainly not a highlight.
When the CD was released I was a little bemused as to why they had remixed A Kind of Magic and Friends Will Be Friends, there was really no need to have these on there, of all the extra tracks on the CD, only Forever should have been on there, but overall the original track listing should have been kept.
It could be said that I am bias as this is the first albulm I heard, but it does have some of the better songs from that decade on it. I agree with you, Queen did loose an element that not only mad them popular during the seventies, it made them different, and that was what made Queen great, the fact that they were different.
Anyway thanks for the starting this topic, it's always good to review the albulms.
Take care all...
M.H
Oh yey, you said that the video for I want to break free wasn't the reason they declined in popularity in the US, what do you think it is then?
Thanks
M.H
Thanks
M.H
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]M.H wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Oh yey, you said that the video for I want to break free wasn't the reason they declined in popularity in the US, what do you think it is then?
Thanks
M.H[/QUOTE]Queen went from grand over the top virtuoso rock n'roll to week sub-standard synth/pop. Take Freddie's voice off most their tunes from "Hot Space to "The Miracle" and couldn't tell them apart from any other crappy Euro synth/pop band of that era. Most fans here (USA) thought thier music in the 80's was a joke.
Thanks
M.H[/QUOTE]Queen went from grand over the top virtuoso rock n'roll to week sub-standard synth/pop. Take Freddie's voice off most their tunes from "Hot Space to "The Miracle" and couldn't tell them apart from any other crappy Euro synth/pop band of that era. Most fans here (USA) thought thier music in the 80's was a joke.
Yeah right. I might've thought about your point, had you not included The Miracle.
Adam.
Adam.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Adam Baboolal wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Yeah right. I might've thought about your point, had you not included The Miracle.
Adam.[/QUOTE]What is so great about that CD?
Although the production and sound is better than their three previous releases, most of the songs are week. It also contains two of their worst songs (Rain must fall & My baby does me)
Adam.[/QUOTE]What is so great about that CD?
Although the production and sound is better than their three previous releases, most of the songs are week. It also contains two of their worst songs (Rain must fall & My baby does me)
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]louvox wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME] [/QUOTENAME]
[/QUOTE]Queen went from grand over the top virtuoso rock n'roll to week sub-standard synth/pop. Take Freddie's voice off most their tunes from "Hot Space to "The Miracle" and couldn't tell them apart from any other crappy Euro synth/pop band of that era. Most fans here (USA) thought thier music in the 80's was a joke.[/QUOTE]
I know what you mean about the synths, they did use a lot during the eighties. But, whilst they probably used the synths on most albulm songs, tracks like Tear It Up, Hammer To Fall, Is This The World We Created (to my knowledge)didn't use so many synths, so it they did reduce it to an extent, and then on the next two albulms there was more of a balance between synth heavy songs and not so synth heavy songs. On my music program I've got, it has a review of all the albulms from hundreds of thousands of bands, and it talks about how Hot Space was a drastic change in Queens style and so on...So I understand that a change in music could alienate audiances, and the fact that there was no Works tour in America didn't help either, so I understand your point. Another question though, the music program has a review for Innunedo and how Queens popularity returned with this albulm, but then when Made In Heaven came out Queen had once again been forgotten. With all the albulms being re-released and the Q+PR tour going arouned, has Queen become more popular in the US, or just among the faithful fans?
Thanks again,
M.H
[/QUOTE]Queen went from grand over the top virtuoso rock n'roll to week sub-standard synth/pop. Take Freddie's voice off most their tunes from "Hot Space to "The Miracle" and couldn't tell them apart from any other crappy Euro synth/pop band of that era. Most fans here (USA) thought thier music in the 80's was a joke.[/QUOTE]
I know what you mean about the synths, they did use a lot during the eighties. But, whilst they probably used the synths on most albulm songs, tracks like Tear It Up, Hammer To Fall, Is This The World We Created (to my knowledge)didn't use so many synths, so it they did reduce it to an extent, and then on the next two albulms there was more of a balance between synth heavy songs and not so synth heavy songs. On my music program I've got, it has a review of all the albulms from hundreds of thousands of bands, and it talks about how Hot Space was a drastic change in Queens style and so on...So I understand that a change in music could alienate audiances, and the fact that there was no Works tour in America didn't help either, so I understand your point. Another question though, the music program has a review for Innunedo and how Queens popularity returned with this albulm, but then when Made In Heaven came out Queen had once again been forgotten. With all the albulms being re-released and the Q+PR tour going arouned, has Queen become more popular in the US, or just among the faithful fans?
Thanks again,
M.H
I agree partially with the whole synths stuff because although most of it sounds a bit wierd, sone songs in those albums with sytnths can sound amazing...Besides that, i think that Queen's getting more popular with a little bit of both the US and us strong fans. Most people in the US have only heard songs such as We Will Rock You and We Are the Champions and not many others. They are finally starting to realize what amazing artists these guys were, and they want to hear more of their music. Also i think its becoming more popular with us Queen fans because for a while, you didnt hear too much about Queen and when you start to hear more, you get excited and you get more into the music again... thanks
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]M.H wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME]louvox wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME] [/QUOTENAME]
[/QUOTE]Queen went from grand over the top virtuoso rock n'roll to week sub-standard synth/pop. Take Freddie's voice off most their tunes from "Hot Space to "The Miracle" and couldn't tell them apart from any other crappy Euro synth/pop band of that era. Most fans here (USA) thought thier music in the 80's was a joke.[/QUOTE]
I know what you mean about the synths, they did use a lot during the eighties. But, whilst they probably used the synths on most albulm songs, tracks like Tear It Up, Hammer To Fall, Is This The World We Created (to my knowledge)didn't use so many synths, so it they did reduce it to an extent, and then on the next two albulms there was more of a balance between synth heavy songs and not so synth heavy songs. On my music program I've got, it has a review of all the albulms from hundreds of thousands of bands, and it talks about how Hot Space was a drastic change in Queens style and so on...So I understand that a change in music could alienate audiances, and the fact that there was no Works tour in America didn't help either, so I understand your point. Another question though, the music program has a review for Innunedo and how Queens popularity returned with this albulm, but then when Made In Heaven came out Queen had once again been forgotten. With all the albulms being re-released and the Q+PR tour going arouned, has Queen become more popular in the US, or just among the faithful fans?
Thanks again,
M.H[/QUOTE]I think the synths had something to do with it, but more so it was the songs they were producing. Although I do like some songs from that era (Hammer to fall, Was it all worth it) to name a few, the majority of their material was considered weak by most fans here (USA)
It seems that they were trying to write "hit songs" all the time to accommodate what ever tastes happen to be in vogue instead of foring new ground. Also the producing was just plain terrible. They had created such a distinct sound early in their career that set them apart from everyone else. Then suddenly they just abandoned it. They used to take things and make it their own and the all of a sudden they just start mimicking what others were doing at the time. All that didn't change until "Innuendo" but by then it was too little, too late. Not touring in the USA and basically ingnoring this part of the world didn't help. Radio in the US sucks! especially now. Back in the 80's most radio DJ's laughed and rarely ever played their latter stuff. The only song you ever hear played from thier 80's era is "Under pressure". I will admit that the live versions of thier 80's songs sound much better than the studio versions and show potential. Had they had a stronger producer or recorded their material with a more edge, things may had been different.
[/QUOTE]Queen went from grand over the top virtuoso rock n'roll to week sub-standard synth/pop. Take Freddie's voice off most their tunes from "Hot Space to "The Miracle" and couldn't tell them apart from any other crappy Euro synth/pop band of that era. Most fans here (USA) thought thier music in the 80's was a joke.[/QUOTE]
I know what you mean about the synths, they did use a lot during the eighties. But, whilst they probably used the synths on most albulm songs, tracks like Tear It Up, Hammer To Fall, Is This The World We Created (to my knowledge)didn't use so many synths, so it they did reduce it to an extent, and then on the next two albulms there was more of a balance between synth heavy songs and not so synth heavy songs. On my music program I've got, it has a review of all the albulms from hundreds of thousands of bands, and it talks about how Hot Space was a drastic change in Queens style and so on...So I understand that a change in music could alienate audiances, and the fact that there was no Works tour in America didn't help either, so I understand your point. Another question though, the music program has a review for Innunedo and how Queens popularity returned with this albulm, but then when Made In Heaven came out Queen had once again been forgotten. With all the albulms being re-released and the Q+PR tour going arouned, has Queen become more popular in the US, or just among the faithful fans?
Thanks again,
M.H[/QUOTE]I think the synths had something to do with it, but more so it was the songs they were producing. Although I do like some songs from that era (Hammer to fall, Was it all worth it) to name a few, the majority of their material was considered weak by most fans here (USA)
It seems that they were trying to write "hit songs" all the time to accommodate what ever tastes happen to be in vogue instead of foring new ground. Also the producing was just plain terrible. They had created such a distinct sound early in their career that set them apart from everyone else. Then suddenly they just abandoned it. They used to take things and make it their own and the all of a sudden they just start mimicking what others were doing at the time. All that didn't change until "Innuendo" but by then it was too little, too late. Not touring in the USA and basically ingnoring this part of the world didn't help. Radio in the US sucks! especially now. Back in the 80's most radio DJ's laughed and rarely ever played their latter stuff. The only song you ever hear played from thier 80's era is "Under pressure". I will admit that the live versions of thier 80's songs sound much better than the studio versions and show potential. Had they had a stronger producer or recorded their material with a more edge, things may had been different.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]The Head Shredder wrote: [/QUOTENAME] i think that Queen's getting more popular with a little bit of both the US and us strong fans. Most people in the US have only heard songs such as We Will Rock You and We Are the Champions and not many others. They are finally starting to realize what amazing artists these guys were, and they want to hear more of their music. Also i think its becoming more popular with us Queen fans because for a while, you didnt hear too much about Queen and when you start to hear more, you get excited and you get more into the music again... thanks[/QUOTE]
This is good to hear. Where I am, people have only heard those two songs as well, and it's so fustrating when people here don't appreciate them, but I am certainly glad that in the US they are remembering what a good band they were, and I certainly hope that it continues.
Thanks for leting us know :)
M.H
This is good to hear. Where I am, people have only heard those two songs as well, and it's so fustrating when people here don't appreciate them, but I am certainly glad that in the US they are remembering what a good band they were, and I certainly hope that it continues.
Thanks for leting us know :)
M.H
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]louvox wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME]M.H wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME]louvox wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME] [/QUOTENAME]
[/QUOTE]Queen went from grand over the top virtuoso rock n'roll to week sub-standard synth/pop. Take Freddie's voice off most their tunes from "Hot Space to "The Miracle" and couldn't tell them apart from any other crappy Euro synth/pop band of that era. Most fans here (USA) thought thier music in the 80's was a joke.[/QUOTE]
I know what you mean about the synths, they did use a lot during the eighties. But, whilst they probably used the synths on most albulm songs, tracks like Tear It Up, Hammer To Fall, Is This The World We Created (to my knowledge)didn't use so many synths, so it they did reduce it to an extent, and then on the next two albulms there was more of a balance between synth heavy songs and not so synth heavy songs. On my music program I've got, it has a review of all the albulms from hundreds of thousands of bands, and it talks about how Hot Space was a drastic change in Queens style and so on...So I understand that a change in music could alienate audiances, and the fact that there was no Works tour in America didn't help either, so I understand your point. Another question though, the music program has a review for Innunedo and how Queens popularity returned with this albulm, but then when Made In Heaven came out Queen had once again been forgotten. With all the albulms being re-released and the Q+PR tour going arouned, has Queen become more popular in the US, or just among the faithful fans?
Thanks again,
M.H[/QUOTE]I think the synths had something to do with it, but more so it was the songs they were producing. Although I do like some songs from that era (Hammer to fall, Was it all worth it) to name a few, the majority of their material was considered weak by most fans here (USA)
It seems that they were trying to write "hit songs" all the time to accommodate what ever tastes happen to be in vogue instead of foring new ground. Also the producing was just plain terrible. They had created such a distinct sound early in their career that set them apart from everyone else. Then suddenly they just abandoned it. They used to take things and make it their own and the all of a sudden they just start mimicking what others were doing at the time. All that didn't change until "Innuendo" but by then it was too little, too late. Not touring in the USA and basically ingnoring this part of the world didn't help. Radio in the US sucks! especially now. Back in the 80's most radio DJ's laughed and rarely ever played their latter stuff. The only song you ever hear played from thier 80's era is "Under pressure". I will admit that the live versions of thier 80's songs sound much better than the studio versions and show potential. Had they had a stronger producer or recorded their material with a more edge, things may had been different. [/QUOTE]
Fair enough, I can see your point, I think one of 'The Works' interviews is Freddie with Molly Meldrum, and he's discussing their music, and he does say something like 'we're aware of the current trends and we're changing accordingly'. Another interesting quote is on the Live At The Bowl DVD extras, when Brian talks about getting bored with what they were doing and moving onto something else. As you said when they started returning to their rock sound, it was tragicly to little to late, but, they ended on one hell of an albulm.
M.H
[/QUOTE]Queen went from grand over the top virtuoso rock n'roll to week sub-standard synth/pop. Take Freddie's voice off most their tunes from "Hot Space to "The Miracle" and couldn't tell them apart from any other crappy Euro synth/pop band of that era. Most fans here (USA) thought thier music in the 80's was a joke.[/QUOTE]
I know what you mean about the synths, they did use a lot during the eighties. But, whilst they probably used the synths on most albulm songs, tracks like Tear It Up, Hammer To Fall, Is This The World We Created (to my knowledge)didn't use so many synths, so it they did reduce it to an extent, and then on the next two albulms there was more of a balance between synth heavy songs and not so synth heavy songs. On my music program I've got, it has a review of all the albulms from hundreds of thousands of bands, and it talks about how Hot Space was a drastic change in Queens style and so on...So I understand that a change in music could alienate audiances, and the fact that there was no Works tour in America didn't help either, so I understand your point. Another question though, the music program has a review for Innunedo and how Queens popularity returned with this albulm, but then when Made In Heaven came out Queen had once again been forgotten. With all the albulms being re-released and the Q+PR tour going arouned, has Queen become more popular in the US, or just among the faithful fans?
Thanks again,
M.H[/QUOTE]I think the synths had something to do with it, but more so it was the songs they were producing. Although I do like some songs from that era (Hammer to fall, Was it all worth it) to name a few, the majority of their material was considered weak by most fans here (USA)
It seems that they were trying to write "hit songs" all the time to accommodate what ever tastes happen to be in vogue instead of foring new ground. Also the producing was just plain terrible. They had created such a distinct sound early in their career that set them apart from everyone else. Then suddenly they just abandoned it. They used to take things and make it their own and the all of a sudden they just start mimicking what others were doing at the time. All that didn't change until "Innuendo" but by then it was too little, too late. Not touring in the USA and basically ingnoring this part of the world didn't help. Radio in the US sucks! especially now. Back in the 80's most radio DJ's laughed and rarely ever played their latter stuff. The only song you ever hear played from thier 80's era is "Under pressure". I will admit that the live versions of thier 80's songs sound much better than the studio versions and show potential. Had they had a stronger producer or recorded their material with a more edge, things may had been different. [/QUOTE]
Fair enough, I can see your point, I think one of 'The Works' interviews is Freddie with Molly Meldrum, and he's discussing their music, and he does say something like 'we're aware of the current trends and we're changing accordingly'. Another interesting quote is on the Live At The Bowl DVD extras, when Brian talks about getting bored with what they were doing and moving onto something else. As you said when they started returning to their rock sound, it was tragicly to little to late, but, they ended on one hell of an albulm.
M.H
That's the beauty and frustration of Queen. It's one of the rare bands that lasted long enough to have different styles. Lots of people love the rawness of Queen I, and feel Queen II was too proggy for them. Others love everything from the first album to Jazz, then dislike the funk/keyboard era from The Game to The Miracle, then liked Innuendo. Newer fans may not get into the heavy stuff as they may have come on board during the 80s pop stuff. I think no matter the era, every one of the guys in the band would say that their 70s stuff was far superior. Band rifts, partying, lack of hunger contributed to a lack of focus in the 80s and it showed. No shame there, but the quality of albums top to bottom really fell off and bottomed out at The Miracle.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Boy Thomas Raker wrote: [/QUOTENAME]That's the beauty and frustration of Queen. It's one of the rare bands that lasted long enough to have different styles. QUOTE]
Well said, well said indeed. It's funny though, the albulms and songs I enjoy listening to the most are from the seventies, but I have all the albulms from The Game onwards (just the way it's worked out with certain CD's not being in stock when I had cash), and those are the songs that I listened to before I bought ANATO and Queen and Jazz, which I love dearly. Seems like I've left the best till last! =)
M.H
Well said, well said indeed. It's funny though, the albulms and songs I enjoy listening to the most are from the seventies, but I have all the albulms from The Game onwards (just the way it's worked out with certain CD's not being in stock when I had cash), and those are the songs that I listened to before I bought ANATO and Queen and Jazz, which I love dearly. Seems like I've left the best till last! =)
M.H