Queen - The Works
List Price:
Our Price: $26.32
You Save: $11.66 (31%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $25.12 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more new music releases
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Music CD Cover
Artist: QueenEdition: Music CD
Format: Import, Limited Edition, Original recording remastered
CD Release Date: 2004-03-08
Music Label: Toshiba EMI Japan
Soundtracks:
- Radio Ga Ga
- Tear It Up
- It's a Hard Life
- Man on the Prowl
- Machines (Back to Humans)
- I Want to Break Free
- Keep Passing the Open Windows
- Hammer to Fall
- Is This the World We Created...?
Free Music Notes for The Works
Free Music Review: One of the many wrongfully-maligned eighties Queen albums
Hit: 5 Stars
The Works (1984.) The eleventh Queen studio album.
INTRODUCTION:
It was the middle of the eighties. And by this time, most people's musical interests had changed immensely. Most of the so-called classic rock bands who had dominated the musical scene in the seventies had either died out, or become mere shadows of their former selves. Queen was one of the most popular musical artists of the seventies, but by the eighties, they had faded out of the spotlight. Despite the band not being as well recognized as they had been in the past, they continued right on making music. The band tried plenty of new things come the eighties, including experimenting with the trends of the day, and unfortunately, many fans who were expecting the seventies all over again were disappointed. This was a shame, since the music they were creating was still excellent. The band's eleventh album, The Works, arrived in 1984. Read on for my review!
OVERVIEW:
Queen released The Works on February 27, 1984. As usual, the band consisted of the standard cast of characters, featuring Freddie Mercury, Brian May, John Deacon, and Roger Taylor. Guest musicians include piano/synthesizer player Fred Mandel. The band produced the album, along with producers Mack and David Richards. Tracklist consists of Radio Ga Ga, Tear It Up, It's A Hard Life, Man On The Prowl, Machines ( Or `Back To Humans'), I Want To Break Free, Keep Passing The Open Window, Hammer To Fall, and Is This The World We Created...?.
REVIEW:
The material Queen released in the eighties is definitely among their most heavily neglected material. Why? The band's eighties material is all great, and it's such a shame that fans overlook and bash it just because it sounds different from their seventies stuff. It's called trying something new, people! And in this case, there are both eighties-sounding songs, as well as songs that reprise elements of their old seventies rock material. The Works is actually one of my personal favorite Queen albums, because the title is very accurate. For this record, the group takes a plethora of different sounds, and puts them all on a single record. From hard rockers to ballads, and everything in between, The Works has a little bit of everything. It's one of the band's most diverse efforts! Interestingly, despite every song on the album being released as a single A-Side or B-Side, the album still didn't do that well. Read on for my track-by-track analysis of this underrated gem of an album.
-SIDE A-
-Radio Ga Ga (Taylor):
The album's opening track, penned by Roger Taylor, was destined to become one of the band's biggest hits. This is straight-up eighties pop, but at the same time, it's distinctly a Queen song. Although definitely a far cry from the hard rockers we're used to hearing from Taylor, it still stands as a classic.
-Tear It Up (May):
If the opening track was a little too poppy for you, the band will instantly redeem themselves here. Brian May is up to his old tricks again, and by that, I mean rocking hard. Featuring a hard-rocking track on an album such as this, in an era when the band's reputation was becoming questionable, just goes to show how diverse the band can be. One of my favorite Queen tunes, and with good reason.
-It's A Hard Life (Mercury):
It wouldn't be a Queen album without a Freddie Mercury ballad, now would it? As with most Mercury ballads, this one is piano-intensive, and sounds like it had some latter-day Beatles influence. Mercury was one hell of a singer and a songwriter, and on this track you get to hear just how talented a guy he was.
-Man On The Prowl (Mercury):
Another Freddie Mercury piece, and another display of his diversity. On this track, he mimics Jerry Lee Lewis vocally, and uses a rockabilly sound. This is one of the many demonstrations of Mercury's talents and diverse musical nature. Definitely another excellent track.
-SIDE B-
-Machines (Or `Back To Humans') (May/Taylor):
Brian May and Roger Taylor collaborated on this track. As such, you get the best of both of their talents. The song combines elements of the band's seventies and eighties song alike, featuring some straightforward hard rock, as well as eighties elements like the synthesizer playing. If ever there was a song that combined Queen's seventies and eighties sounds perfectly, this was the song.
-I Want To Break Free (Deacon):
The other big hit on the album, this one is typical John Deacon - and I mean that in a good way. Upbeat, poppy, and optimistic, the song utilizes everything that the band does well. It's distinctly an eighties-style pop tune, but Deacon's songwriting makes it a damn good one. A Queen classic, and there's no denying it.
-Keep Passing The Open Windows (Mercury):
Freddie Mercury creates a pop-rocker, and it's a solid one. Essentially, this is an upbeat tune that is heavy on the eighties pop elements the band was experimenting so heavily with in this era. It's a catchy, all-around excellent song, and it's only a shame it didn't become as popular as some of the other pieces on the album.
-Hammer To Fall (May):
A Queen album wouldn't be a Queen album without some straight-up rockers from Brian May. So here, he shells one out. It's straightforward guitar-intensive rock, although it does feature synthesizer backing. Surprisingly, this actually works pretty well! It ends up being another one of the many great May-penned rockers.
-Is This The World We Created (May/Mercury):
For the closing track, Brian May and Freddie Mercury collaborate. It's a very slow and melodic tune. Both of these musicians has the ability to create excellent ballads, and here they combine those skills to a single track. All in all, it makes for a damn good album closer.
OVERALL:
In the end, we're left with another great Queen album. The band has never created a bad album, and this is no exception. However, this definitely is one of their most wrongfully-neglected records, merely because some fans can't give the eighties stuff a chance. Nonetheless, this is a diverse and awesome record that is well worth adding to your collection if you're a true fan. It's arguably the best eighties record the band recorded. If you're already a tried and true Queen fan, this one is highly recommended!
EDITION NOTES:
This album was reissued in the nineties by Hollywood Records. The reissued versions of the albums on Hollywood feature bonus tracks. These are usually nothing remarkable, being that they usually are just bland remixed, but occasionally you'll get a good little rarity like a B-Side or an alternate take. There are also slightly-expanded liner notes and lyrics. And since these compact discs are the readily-available versions of the albums in America, they're the obvious choice to buy.
The Works Poster
Japanese remastered (2001 digital remastering) reissue of 1984 album packaged in a miniature LP sleeve, features 9 tracks. Virgin. 2004.Digitally Remastered Japanese Limited Edition in an LP-STYLE Slipcase.
Pop Music CDs
Music Genres
Top music charts in Queen's Top Studio Albums
Queen - Flash GordonPublished: 1994; Music CD
Best price: $9.41
Queen - Hot SpaceRelease date: 1991-03-05; Music CD
Best price: $9.89
Price in other shops:
Queen - Made in HeavenRelease date: 1995-11-07; Music CD
Best price: $8.39
Price in other shops:
Queen - The MiracleRelease date: 1991-10-22; Music CD
Best price: $8.95
Price in other shops:
Queen - A Kind of MagicRelease date: 1991-06-17; Music CD
Best price: $9.21
Price in other shops:
Queen - The WorksRelease date: 2004-03-08; Music CD
Best price: $28.92
Price in other shops:
Queen - InnuendoRelease date: 1991-02-05; Music CD
Best price: $9.25
Price in other shops:
Queen - JazzRelease date: 1991-06-17; Music CD
Best price: $9.89
Price in other shops:
Queen - QueenRelease date: 1991-06-17; Music CD
Best price: $9.88
Price in other shops:
Queen - The Game (+ Bonus Track)Release date: 1991-06-17; Music CD
Best price: $9.88
Price in other shops:
Top Rated Albums
Queen - Live MagicRelease date: 2004-11-08; Published: 2004; Music CD
Best price: $16.72
Price in other shops:
Queen - Made in HeavenRelease date: 2004-03-31; Published: 2004; Music CD
Best price: $28.82
Price in other shops:
Queen - The MiracleRelease date: 2004-03-08; Published: 2004; Music CD
Best price: $26.51
Price in other shops:
Queen - InnuendoRelease date: 2004-03-08; Published: 2004; Music CD
Best price: $28.82
Price in other shops:
Queen - A Kind of MagicRelease date: 2004-03-08; Published: 2004; Music CD
Best price: $26.98
Price in other shops: