Queen - Innuendo
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Free Music Notes for Innuendo
Free Music Review: Epic
Hit: 5 Stars
It still suprises me to think that Freddie was dying when he made this because this is one of the greatest albums ever. You might expect someone who is dying of such a terrible disease such as AIDS to complain or stay in bed but not Freddie he had to go out on top, and that he did. It begins with "Innuendo" a six minute progressive epic song that went straight to number 1 in England. The song probably has alot to due with Freddie dying even if it was mostly written by Roger. Regardless who wrote it is the best song Queen has written since Bohemian Rhapsody. The following hit is a weird one. "I'm Going Slightly Mad" has a playful video and music yet its lyrics are depressing. The song talks about what Freddie was going through during his illness with lines such as "I'm one card short of a full deck" and "I'm one wave short of a ship wreck". Depressing indeed. Next is the rocker "Headlong" which is one of the most upbeat songs on the album. I have no clue what the song is about but I sure do love it. "I Can't Live With You" is the next rocker song, while better on the later Queen Rocks album this song is pretty good with catchy lyrics and a nice rock stance to go along with it. "Don't Try So Hard" is a ballad that is very powerful with Freddie singing in falsetto for some of it and it the middle is very strong "Oh what a beautiful world / this is the life for me" that part gives me shivers everytime. Next is the Roger penned "Ride the Wild Wind" and Queen vets will know this is a Roger song right away with the fast tempo and the race car sounds. It also has some very catchy YEAH YEAH YEAH's in it. The next is the Barcelona album demo "All God's People" and since Tim Rice worked with Freddie on Barcelona and he also did the Lion King it makes me wonder if he was inspired by this song because they sound very similiar. Overally it's a good song with a powerful beginning but kind of dies off towards the end. The next is one of the tearjerkers on the album called "These Are The Days Of Our Lives". It features a video with Freddie's last on screen appearance and animation from Disney. The song is beautiful and the final line "I Still Love You" is very emotional to any Queen fan. Now for a complete change of pace we go to "Delilah" which is a song about Freddie's favorite feline companion. Not a very good song, kind of poppy and features the band mates with some terrible "Meows". Roger hated this song and I can't blame him, yet I still respect Freddie that he wanted to write a song for his beloved cat. The next is a little better, Brian May's "Hitman" is one of Queen's heaviest songs yet has some of the worst lyrics. The Hitman referred to in the song can be a reference to the AIDS virus that was killing Freddie. It's a fun song to bang your head too just don't listen to the lyrics too carefully. Now we close out the album with two magnificent songs. "Bijou" has one of the best guitar solos i've heard. It does not have many lyrics but it does not need them as that guitar is just amazing and very sad. It sets up the next song perfectly too. Now for Queen's last epic song "The Show Must Go On". Ask any Queen what their favorite Queen songs are and more than likely they will say this one. It is an intense song about life continuing after Freddie was gone. Freddie delivers on this song as his vocals really lift the song to an incredible high. Overall if you're not sold yet than you probably won't be. Innunedo is an album that defines a group like Queen. It shows what kind of character they have, that they can go into the studio and create such a wonderful album with only a little time remaining. What a fabulous group they were, and what a fabulous album this is.Free Music Review: Queen's best album. No question.
Hit: 5 Stars
There is no word in the English dictionary that accurately describes this work of genius. It is absolutely amazing, unbelieveable, incredible. I have almost every Queen album, this was the first one I purchased aside from the greatest hits, and it still reigns supreme over all the other Queen albums. "Innuendo" (the song) is my favorite Queen song, it is amazing. It opens with a drum roll which makes you jump upon first listen. Freddie Mercury sounds better than ever before. The highlight of the track is the "wandering minstrel" guitar interlude beginning at 3:16, it starts out in 5/4 time, then goes into 6/4 after a couple of choruses. Absolutely amazing. "I'm Going Slightly Mad" is a humorous track, which is somewhat Noel Coward-ish. "Headlong" is an excellent rocker, will please metalheads everywhere with its heavily distorted guitar riffs and excellent solos. "I Can't Live With You" is a fantastic song, with great lyrics and instrumentation. "Don't Try So Hard" features one of Freddie Mercury's ultimate vocal performances, absolutely beautiful, will bring tears to some eyes, no joke. Roger Taylor must have been the primary force behind "Ride The Wild Wind," as his drums really stand out on this fast, heart-pumping track. "All God's People" is classic Freddie Mercury, with its complex, multilayered vocals ala "Somebody To Love" or "Bohemian Rhapsody." Next is the haunting track "These Are The Days Of Our Lives," a song about looking back on childhood and enjoying life as an adult. This song was also the last music video filmed by Queen as a foursome with Freddie. "Delilah" is a cute, little ditty about Freddie's favorite cat of the same name. Then in charges "The Hitman," which rocks and reels us all like just like the album's earlier track "Headlong." Next is "Bijou," an instrumental with a brief lyric from Freddie. This track features incredible guitar work by virtuoso Brian May himself, beautiful.
Finally, the all-out finale "The Show Must Go On" closes the album. This song is most likely the track that defines the Innuendo album. As most of you know, this was the last album Queen released before Freddie Mercury died. He said to his bandmates that he wanted to keep on making records until he was no longer alive to record more music. This song speaks of his attitude toward his state. Freddie was extremely ill with AIDS at the time of recording this album, and was determined to give it his all. "Inside my heart is breaking, my makeup may be flaking but my smile still stays on." This lyric speaks of his exact feeling, sometimes it got so bad he had to prop himself up on the desk and sing. It means that AIDS is taking over him, but he will ignore it and keep going, "I'll face it with a grin, I'm never giving in, on with the show...."
Innuendo was released on February 5, 1991. On November 24th of that same year, Freddie Mercury was dead. He left this world after he and his bandmates released an album of the most incredible music they could ever do. They knew they were on borrowed time, so they pushed themselves to the limits, and by doing so, they did it better than they ever could have done, with one simple thought of determination, "the show must go on." They continued right up until Freddie was to ill to work. Now and forever, the show will go on, go on, go on, go on, go on, go Music Review: The "REAL" Miracle...
Hit: 5 Stars
All you have to do is look at the album cover to see Queen was back at producing fine works of art. Like the Beatles of the mid 60s (with their experimental and sophisticated music) everyone was wondering where Queen could have gone if they had stayed the course of their 70s sound with a more mature and updated approach (not to say some of their 80s experiments were bad nor were the Beatles back to basic records after Magical Mystery Tour).
Queen shyed away from progressive rock in the 80s with occasional hard rock songs from time to time such as "Hammer To Fall", "Tear it Up", "One Vision" and mixing in some new wave "Radio Ga Ga", "I Want To Break Free", "A Kind of Magic" along with funk/disco "Another One Bites the Dust", "Body Language", and back to roots rock n roll "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" and "Man on the Prowl" all to great effect, but I think we all wanted something more "QUEEN".
"Innuendo" is Queen finally realizing their potential at creating stylish masterworks that only they can offer. The title track is an epic song with different sections including an operatic section. The Spanish guitar part is something very unique and Queen make it appear as if it's naturally supposed to be a part of the song, not just a cheap gimmic. "I'm Going Slightly Mad" has a great atmosphere to it's sound with the sampled voices synth effect. Out of any Queen song they ever did with a synth, this is clearly their best use of one. The lyrics are clever and is pure Freddie.
"Headlong" and "I Can't Live With You" were amazingly written at the same time by Brian after he had locked himself in the studio and feature some of the best guitarwork and vocal harmonies in any Queen song and believe it or not, there's no synths in either song. My favorite part of "Don't Try So Hard" is the middle eight part ("Oh What a beautiful world..."). There are such deep and powerful vocals in that song from a man who would be dead just a few months later.
"Ride the Wild Wind" definately sounds like Roger's writing and believe it or not has Freddie doing his best baritone (other than his Barcelona album). "All Gods People" has "incredible" harmonies in it (maybe the best since "Bicycle Race"). Great piano playing by Mike Moran is also featured on that track. "These are The Days of our Lives" is Queen doing an Adult Contemporary anthem if there ever was such a thing. "Delilah" always brings a smile to my face when I hear it. It's so full of love, joy and humor.
The "Hitman" sounds like it belongs as a theme song to some TV series about a hitman. "Bijou" is the prettiest song Queen ever recorded with flawless vocals and Brian's best guitar tapping. Where do you ever hear a song with guitar tapping like that that isn't a fast heavy song but instead it's a soft ballad? "The Show Must Go On" couldn't have been a more fitting ending to such an inspiring album. Unfortunately, the show didn't go on for Freddie. The remaining members of Queen would go on to release a solid album of his final recordings, but since Freddie wasn't there to oversee this and make his own final decisions on those tracks, this is truely their last album together.
God Save the Queen!
Free Music Review: The one album every fan should own.
Hit: 5 Stars
This is definitely Queen's best studio-recorded album ever made. From the sublime title track to the haunting THE SHOW MUST GO ON this is a whirwind ride through all aspects of Queen music. There are ballads, rockers, guitar solos and of course Queen's trademark gospel choir-ish backing vocals. For an album containing five greatest hits, two of my five favourite Queen songs and a world-famous epic (THESE ARE THE DAYS OF OUR LIVES), I was expecting some pretty impressive music. However I would never have expected such a mind-blowing performance from the band who, it has to be said, were supposedly in decline at the time. The title song, INNUENDO, is no ordinary opening track. Clocking in at six minutes thirty-one seconds and spanning more rhythms and styles of music than most groups would start to consider including in a whole album, it is up there with WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS and BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY in my humble but usually damn accurate opinion. The best bit is the Spanish guitar interlude and the subsequent Brian May imitation on the electric guitar, although the deep and meaningful part sandwiching it is world class. I'M GOING SLIGHTLY MAD is a dreamy, off-the-wall effort by Freddie, who alludes to his mental state ("I'm one card short of a full deck") with startling and laughable clarity and honesty. HEADLONG, a top-twenty blockbuster in Great Britain, is the first of four fantastic rockers and probably the best of the lot. The lyrics don't make much sense but the same can be said for all the riptide efforts. I CAN'T LIVE WITH YOU follows suit with a catchy riff and superb vocals from the band. The beautiful DON'T TRY SO HARD features Freddie trying his hand at a falsetto, an area where he has excelled himself many times before. On RIDE THE WILD WIND you have to pinch yourself repeatedly to realize just how fast it is. The song is basically a thumping beat combined with the odd twinging of the guitar strings and powerful lyrics from Freddie. ALL GOD'S PEOPLE is the only calamity on this otherwise immaculate album, as Queen (and Mike Moran who contributes to the song) scrape the bottom of the lyrics barrel quite unnecessarily. The album is steadied by the classic tear-jerker THESE ARE THE DAYS OF OUR LIVES, a song that comes with the band's last video as a foursome, and DELILAH, a short ditty on par with I'M GOING SLIGHTLY MAD in the weird stakes and apparently about Freddie's cat, gets it back on track. THE HITMAN offers some of the heaviest Queen sounds ever recorded to go with a riff that mixes the traditional Queen sound with an experimental and futuristic ambience. The result: an extraordinary rocker that inexplicably never became a hit. BIJOU is a beautiful instrumental but for a brief lyric from Freddie about the usual lurve sort of thing, featuring mind-boggling strumming from the talented Mr May, which, despite being able to walk into any other groups repertoire no problem, does not prepare the listener for the blood-curdling finale, THE SHOW MUST GO ON. Everything about this song is perfect: the opening organ loop, the incredible vocal gymnastics from Freddie, the quality of the lyrics, the drumming... well, this is quite simply the best Queen song ever, full stop.Free Music Review: Innuendo - Queen
Hit: 5 Stars
By 1991, Freddie Mercury was close to death. The AIDS related virus that would eventually kill him had well and truly settled in to his body, and he would die in November of that year.It is therefore fitting that the album that closed out his time with Queen - `Innuendo' - was the very best album they'd done since `A Day At The Races'.
From the moment you hit play, it is clear that you are in for one hell of a musical ride. The opening track, `Innuendo' itself, is the very best on the album. As Roger thunders out a drum roll, the song begins, and you are immediately somewhere else. `Innuendo' is a six and a half minute long opus that carries you away from whatever it is you are concentrating on. I first heard it on the compilation `Greatest Hits II' and I was so caught up in it that I completely missed the fact that the phone rang out three times. It more than deserved to go into the charts in January '91 at no.1.
As the album continues on to track two, you can't help but smile at `I'm Going Slightly Mad', Freddie's last ever single. It's something only he could write, with silly lyrics put to surprisingly serious music. As with `Innuendo' before it, it just carries you away, and when you come back in time for track three, you'll be laughing.
Track three is `Headlong', a hard and heavy Brian May inspired rock track. In contrast to the synthesizer filled track that precedes it, `Headlong' is all electric guitars and drums, and it's video clip was Queen's last performance clip. (Excluding `No-one But You', which came out six years later)
Finally, we get away from the singles with `I Can't Live With You', a typically classic Queen song, sounding like something out of the `News Of The World/Jazz'
era, and the beautiful `Don't Try So Hard', which is one of Innuendo's finest songs.
`Ride The Wild Wind' is vaguely reminiscent of songs like `Hammer To Fall' and `Tie Your Mother Down', with loud guitars and a great drum line - not surprising as the main writer was drummer Roger Taylor.
`All Gods People', a Freddie Mercury/Mike Moran (not a member of Queen) collaboration, is a great track which sees Freddie appeal to humanity in the only way he knew how - through his music.
Famous as the last video clip in which Freddie appeared is `These Are The Days Of Our Lives', a beautiful song about reflecting on the past. Truly a peak of the album, it was on top of the charts for longer than all but one other single in 1992 (the other being Bryan Adams `Everything I Do'), which is quite an effort.
The album closes with `The Show Must Go On', famous for it's retrospective video clip and eulogy-like quality - the video showed the best of Queen on film through the `80s. From the haunting violin opening through to the continuos echoes of the quartet's vocals, `The Show Must Go On' is one of the greatest songs of the nineties, and was the last single to be released before Freddie's death.
Other tracks include `Delilah', `The Hitman' and `Bijou'.
All up, `Innuendo' is the very best album by Queen through the `80s and `90s, and should always be remembered as the great, final curtain from Freddie, Brian, Roger and John. Even though `Made In Heaven' came some years later, `Innuendo' was the last album.