The truth of the matter is, Queen stood out right from their beginnings: a British group that, despite its ups and downs, always maintained the essence of sounding like a band. Once they found the right personnel, there were no lineup changes as long as the great Freddie Mercury was alive. There has never been, nor will there ever be, a band like Queen. They were innovative from the start, creative, collaborative, and simply genuine.
Today, we’re discussing Queen’s self-titled debut album, where we hear the band more connected than ever. Five songs were written by Freddie, and the rest by the band, mainly by guitarist Brian May.
“Queen” is the band’s most rock-oriented album, interestingly rejected by several record labels that didn’t believe in them, as they compared them to bands like Genesis. They were in for a surprise when Queen started to take off…
What can we hear?
It’s an incredibly rock-oriented album, which is why we like it so much. Listening to Freddie Mercury with these arrangements is a real delight because he handles it wonderfully. Although Queen was always known as a rock band, their debut album tackles the genre from a more hard-hitting standpoint, with guitar riffs evoking a much heavier sound. However, what’s musically enriching about this is how they combine it with their unique style, largely thanks to Freddie’s voice and Brian’s guitars.
In “Queen,” we hear a band that managed to ground its signature sound from the start. That ‘theatrical opera’ vocal style in “Liar,” Brian May’s characteristic guitar harmonies in “Great King Rat,” John Deacon‘s ever-present bass lines in all the songs, and lastly, Roger Taylor’s finely crafted drums, there’s even a solo in “Keep Yourself Alive.” All of this, combined with Freddie Mercury’s incredible voice and his ever-present piano, makes them a rock band with this series of distinguishing features that had never been heard before.
We hear Queen with a cohesive sound, and although Freddie Mercury deserves much credit for his obvious virtuosity, this sound wouldn’t have been possible without the help of the other band members (something he himself expressed on numerous occasions).
One of Queen's Best Works
Each song has a special essence, taking you through marked rock paths. One of our favorites is ‘Doing Alright,’ as it presents two sides of the coin passages with Freddie Mercury on the piano contrasting with the madness of fast rhythms, distortions, and Brian May’s guitar solos delivering an energizing hard rock vibe.
It’s commendable how an emerging band dared so much. The album delves into many ‘theatrical’ touches that were risky at the time. That’s why, back then, the genre was termed ‘Rock Opera,’ even though its meaning evolved over the years.
What to say about Freddie Mercury? On this album, we practically hear a debut filled with glory a young musician showcasing all his virtuosity. Perfect pitch, vocal arrangements that not every musician could conceive, and even lyrics that are incredibly imaginative. A one of a kind guy who seems to have recorded dozens of albums before this.
In the second part, the work delves into experimentation, making it even more daring. We hear this in “The Night Comes Down,” with an intro and outro very out of the ordinary, discreetly echoing some influences from Progressive Rock. Following this song, we have a great contrast with ‘Modern Times Rock N’ Roll,’ clearly influenced by Heavy Metal, sung by Roger Taylor. It’s always appreciated to have songs where other band members sing, making the listening experience more diverse.
One of the Best Debut Albums in Rock
Despite focusing on rock, listening to this self-titled album is very dynamic. Despite its limited instrumentation, the band maximizes each of its working tools. The songs are very different from each other, the melodies are very special, quite uncommon for the time. The instrumental bridges are energetic. Listening carefully to this work for the first time is a guarantee that it will surprise you.
The album finally ends on a high note with “Seven Seas Of Rhye,” an instrumental piece that emphasizes that this work has EVERYTHING, audibly. This song is fully explored in their next album, which seems highly strategic, a subliminal message that there will be more music in the future.
Definitely one of our favorite works, representing Queen very well, an elite start. What do you think? Leave us your comments!
