Queen II is probably my favorite record in the world (Queen is my number 1 band!!!), I wish they would have kept on going with this sound a bit longer!
Looking forward to giving this a listen along with every other Queen album besides the Greatest Hits.
Curious to here your thoughts on March of the Black Queen which I think is just as amazing as Borap and may be his greatest musical achievement. Queen II is absolute magic.
Their best album, stunning - like entering a different world. Side one contains some of Brian's best ever work - Father to Son/White Queen/Some day, one day, and then you get Side two - my favourite side of any record ever! Freddie's genius on full display....
Unfortunately I’ve got all of Yes and The Who to get to first so I’ll get back to you in half a year or so but maybe I might give this a listen before then anyway.
It was great to see them reach so high, lyrically and musically, and triumph in all ways. They could never go so high again. They went to regular short songs that were radio friendly (and often brilliant), but this album hangs together as a whole. I don't think it's representative at all of what they became, but for me it's a go-to.
A member of this forum who has a 'particular set of skills' recently employed these skills which allowed me to listen to a UK Fame vinyl pressing and it blew me away with it's clarity... it was like I was hearing 'Ogre Battle' for the first time... like I said, blown away!
Queen II is my favourite Queen album, and has a secure place in my top ten albums outright. The March of the Black Queen is a standout (and unsurprisingly won the vote in the Queen album-by-album thread), but it's also a highlight of the band's entire recorded work. The iconography of the design, both cover and inner photos, along with the semi-concept feel and the fact that many of the tracks run in continuous sequence add to the aura of the whole album. I remember when the Queen Rocks compilation came out, Brian May made some comment along the lines that - as a showcase for Queen's heavier side - he'd be happier for people just to listen to Queen II. I've three or four versions on CD. I think the 2011 CD is regarded as one of the better releases from that remaster series. My go-to LP is the double vinyl from the Studio Collection box set (one one-sided white LP, one one-sided black LP).
I have been thinking of buying the box set, but its so damn expensive. How do you like the sound quality on those records?
Side 2 is mad as a box of frogs. I first heard this in early '86. It was a bit much too take in on first sitting. It soon became my favourite Queen album and remains in my top 3 of all time by any artist.
That's the spirit! Love this album too. I've got an UK 1st press and the white/ black double vinyl edition from the box but all these comments on this forum make me want to grab the next FAME version and the (first) CD edition I come across
I wish I had all The Who to listen to for the first time! Take your time and savour! As regards Yes, sounds like that could be torture after their classic period!
Haha, yeah, I’m thinking of finishing at Big Generator. Maybe a little bit earlier. Sorry for off-topic, btw.
My favorite Queen album. It takes you through many different moods yet the tracks flow together seamlessly.
It's this one or A Day at the Races for me, Queen-wise. I think I prefer the live versions of White Queen, but the overall album is superb. Not sure what the best CD pressing is?
Great album from when they were bringing us the godless thunder and not radio caca. Of course, I love Queen in all its phases (well, almost all; Hot Space)
