KILLER QUEEN: A TRIBUTE TO QUEEN
I recently purchased Killer Queen and thought I might start a discussion on it (I haven't seen one around lately).
I'll go through each track individually and leave my thoughts and opinions. Feel free to comment as I'm sure many of you might dissagree with some of the things I have to say upon the matter. We Are The Champions - Gavin DeGraw
Personally, this song struck a chord for me. You can tell Mr. DeGraw put something special into his interpretation of the song, however it's still not as powerful as its original. The ending of the song was kind of overkilled, but that's how Queen always did it. Only they could actually pull it off. Tie Your Mother Down - Shinedown
This cover version of Tie Your Mother Down is as hard rocking as ever and you can definetly feel that contemporary vibe. My opinion is subject to change, but it is one hell of a cover. Bohemian Rhapsody - Constantine M. Featuring The Cast of We Will Rock You
I've felt skeptical about any one covering this song before ever having even listened to this version. It ain't half bad, and I must commend Constantine for his wonderful vocals. It's worth a lesson, but needless to say it's nothing like its original (as to be expected). I must say that the cast of We Will Rock You made a wonderful contribution. Stone Cold Crazy - Eleven With Joshua Homme
I was taken back slightly when hearing how slow the tempo was in this cover version. I do respect their unusual choice in tempo change, as it does create for a unique feel. I guess it's just not what would have been expected, I mean it was a thrash metal tune, wasn't it? Where's the climax of this cover version? It's just so flat and smooth if you know what I mean. Oh well, I guess this cover will grow on me over time. Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy - Jason Mraz
Wonderful! I've always loved this song to begin with and Jason Mraz brought that romantic feel straight to the listener. The one thing I'll say is that this song feels rather relaxed, which is slightly different than the original, but that's alright because it still sounds splendid! Under Pressure - Joss Stone
I recall hearing this song on my local hard rock station and they said "I bet Freddie is turning in his grave." I wouldn't be too sure about this song, it does demonstrate a unique twist. I guess it has an R&B feel to it. This isn't my style of music, but it's still nice. 'Nice' being the key word. I'll leave it at that. Who Wants To Live Forever - Breaking Benjamin
I love the acoustic! So what if it's missing that great big symphony orchestra, it sounds beautiful and in a word 'intense.' It's a nice approach, then again I've always admired Breaking Benjamin. Bicycle Race - Be Your Own Pet
What in the hell is this? It's not my cup of tea, but at least they kept the bicycle bells. It's cute though. lol Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Josh Kelley
I admire the pop feel, it's awesome. I still prefer the rockabilly feel, but this is still a nice interpretation. In a word I guess it's 'refreshing.' Sleeping on the Sidewalk - Los Lobos
I couldn't stop laughing for some reason when I first heard this track. It's very tongue in cheek, but kind of stale. It was interesting how they changed the lyric from "I was sleeping like a princess" to "I was sleeping like a king." Just thought I'd point that out. Killer Queen - Sum 41
A lovely cover of Killer Queen. The vocals, the harmony, and the percussian stayed true to the original. Oh, and I love the entrance, it's similar to the ending of the original song done by Queen.
deleted user 05.07.2007 12:17
I only heard this album once, in school as "background music".
But I remember I enjoyed the cover of "Bicycle Race" (that was the kind of death-heavy-metal-y one, right ?) - because it was so different and it didn't feel like they were trying to match Queen or best them - just totally doing their own thing with the piece of music. Which, though I never listen to that kind of music, I respect and enjoy that much more than someone trying to be "faithful" to the song.
I did not like the "We Are the Champions" very much, on the other hand.
I don't understand why people hate Joss Stone so much. I just listened to her singing "Under Pressure" at the Diana Concert on YouTube, and I can't see why a man who liked Aretha Franklin and Dusty Springfield would roll in his grave because of that. I think she did a great job. Thanks for bringing her up, I never gave her a chance before, but I think I'll have to now.
<font color=FF0033 face=symbol>Freddie wrote: Stone Cold Crazy - Eleven With Joshua Homme
I was taken back slightly when hearing how slow the tempo was in this cover version. I do respect their unusual choice in tempo change, as it does create for a unique feel. I guess it's just not what would have been expected, I mean it was a thrash metal tune, wasn't it? Where's the climax of this cover version? It's just so flat and smooth if you know what I mean. Oh well, I guess this cover will grow on me over time.
Please don't take me wrong, I'm not critisizing you or anything, I respect your views... But are you aware that Stone Cold Crazy used to be slower? It's well known among fans that Queen used to perform it live even before the first album was released, and it used to be slow. But the song changed a lot through the years until they recorded it for "Sheer Heart Attack". They credited the song to all the four members because all of them changed parts of songs. I read somewhere (I hope it was QueenConcerts.com, *not* Greg Brooks' book, but I can't remember well now...) that the song changed so much that the band members don't even properly know/remember who made each change, who wrote/rewrote each part of the song, etc.
I'm still hoping someday an early live recording (did they play the slow SCC during the infamous Marquee'72 gig?) will leak from the vaults and we'll all know what the song was like 3 years before it was released, how it was planned to be, and if it actually sounds good when performed slowly... By Queen, instead of Eleven, Joshua-who-knows-him, or whatever. ;)
<font color="lime">Raf840 wrote:
Please don't take me wrong, I'm not critisizing you or anything, I respect your views... But are you aware that Stone Cold Crazy used to be slower? It's well known among fans that Queen used to perform it live even before the first album was released, and it used to be slow. But the song changed a lot through the years until they recorded it for "Sheer Heart Attack". They credited the song to all the four members because all of them changed parts of songs. I read somewhere (I hope it was QueenConcerts.com, *not* Greg Brooks' book, but I can't remember well now...) that the song changed so much that the band members don't even properly know/remember who made each change, who wrote/rewrote each part of the song, etc.
I'm still hoping someday an early live recording (did they play the slow SCC during the infamous Marquee'72 gig?) will leak from the vaults and we'll all know what the song was like 3 years before it was released, how it was planned to be, and if it actually sounds good when performed slowly... By Queen, instead of Eleven, Joshua-who-knows-him, or whatever. ;)
No offense taken whatsoever!
I was aware of the fact that Stone Cold Crazy had gone through various changes since it was first composed by Freddie Mercury and Wreckage in the early to mid 1960's up until the final studio recording in 1974. I suppose what I was trying to say was that it became universally known as a thrash metal tune when Sheer Heart Attack was released in 1974. Therefore, it was odd that Eleven With Joshua Homme would choose to make such a drastic flash back when it's well known as being one of the first, if not the first, 'thrash metal' song.
Thanks for pointing that small little detail out though and sorry for being so vague. ;)
Take care!