The Works - Queen

When the untimely death of Freddie Mercury came on the 23rd of November 1991, it marked the close on one of the worlds greatest musical chapters. Queen, throughout their expansive career had become the second British group to have universally sold so many records next to The Beatles. They had delighted, inspired and enlightened millions across the seas in over thirty years, and continue to sell as many records even today. Freddie Mercury, a showman, eccentric, clown and theatrical genius was admired, respected and bowed down to by some of the greatest names in music. With his personal touches, no matter how enormous they became, they didn’t forget their ...  Read the complete review

The not so secret weapon in Queen's armoury was their promiscuous approach to music. The undisputed strumpets of song had solicited their roaming spirits through the streets of several genres since 1970. Be it operatic forays through Bohemia or down and dirty distorted guttural pub rock in shady back alleys, we can all pick our preferred gem from Her Majesty's mightily glistening crown. Spearheaded by the inimitable Farrokh Bulsara (Freddie Mercury), their allure was their unpredictability. If you didn't like a particular song then hang about you'll probably like the next one. With an enjoyable degree of playful decadence they brought a little artistic glint ...  Read the complete review

The Works is the 11th album by the band Queen and was released in Feb. 1984. The album marked Queen's return to its roots of Rock and Pop after the pervious disco style album "Hot Space" which did not go down to well with fans. The album as recorded between August of 1983 to January 1984. Before recording the album all 4 members of Queen opted to take a break from the band and when into solo projects. This enabled them to come back to the band with fresh minds. The idea for album's title came from Queens drummer Roger Taylor. Before recording began he stated "Let's give them the works!" and this stuck to give the album title. After ...  Read the complete review

The Works sees Queen go back to some of their 'rockier' roots after the more 'funk' Hot Space album which left many fans bewildered with the fans new direction. Although The Works does see the band revisit some of their earlier ways, it also sees them trying out a vast amount of different styles. There's the synth heavy 'Radio Ga Ga' penned by Roger Taylor, the heavy rocking 'Hammer To Fall' penned by Brian May, the camp but fun 'I Want To Break Free' penned by John Deacon (and not by Freddie Mercury which is so often widely believed) and the operatic ballad written by the moustached one. In fact it's a very Freddie heavy album, with him also taking the writing credits ...  Read the complete review

After the self imposed 2 year exile Queen returned with a bang with the release of Radio Ga Ga. This was the song that brought about the raising of arms and clapping of hands when played at Live Aid and in stadiums elsewhere. A bit of rock (Hammer to fall) and bit of social comentary (Is the world we created) but most of all were the videos for Radio Ga Ga (John Deacons hair), Its a hard life (Freddi looking like a peacock) and I Want to break free (The classis Coronation Street parody) For those that bought and disliked Hot Space, this was Queen back on top where they belonged. ...  Read the complete review