| LittleSilhouetto 11.03.2010 09:39 |
OK, I'm putting my head on the chopping block here, and if anyone wants a fight with me, just remember, I'm only 5' 1" and I wear glasses. And bear in mind that I've only been a Queen fan since last year, not since the 70s. My question is : why oh why oh why does EVERYONE except ME like "A Night at the Opera"? I bought it recently. I already have Bo Rap. on other CDs, the ONLY song it I really like is "Love of my LIfe" which I think is beautiful. As for the rest - I DON'T LIKE IT ! It was a waste of money . "I'm in love with my Car " is passable, but Roger dear, you could get counselling you know. I just can't see what there is on it to make it "one of the best albums " etc. etc. |
| mike hunt 11.03.2010 09:46 |
why does everyone like ANATO?.....Because it's a bloody good record my dear!..... Why else would everyone (except you) like it?.....Maybe it will grow on you, maybe not. They're are tons of songs and albums that i didn't like that eventually grew on me. If it doesn't grow on you that's fine. Everyone has their opinions....I'm curious, what's some of you're favorite queen albums?...I have a gut feeling it's the 3 greatest hits releases. |
| dragon-fly 11.03.2010 09:57 |
LOL Maybe because it has high quality, no synths, tricky harmonies, a lot of creativeness, fresh ideas, strong vocal, really good guitar etc etc.... There's really nothing to explain 'cos it's about your taste. Even if I analyze every song, I doubt it would change your mind. |
| emrabt 11.03.2010 10:07 |
I don’t like it either, I can see why people do and it certainly deserves its place in history but I listen to songs from it less than the other albums. Maybe it’s because the market has been oversaturated with bohemian rhapsody / ANATO, nothing like having an album shoved down your throat whenever u mention a band to turn you off of it. |
| Kamenliter 11.03.2010 10:25 |
To each his own, but ANATO pretty much defines the Queen sound, imho....I can understand you might not like a song or two, but the whole album? You don't like '39? Seaside Rendevous? Death On Two Legs? Since you seem to be a big enough Queen fan to become a member of this site, I guess I just find that a bit odd. |
| emrabt 11.03.2010 10:31 |
Kamenliter wrote: To each his own, but ANATO pretty much defines the Queen sound, imho....I can understand you might not like a song or two, but the whole album? You don't like '39? Seaside Rendevous? Death On Two Legs? Since you seem to be a big enough Queen fan to become a member of this site, I guess I just find that a bit odd. hmm, i thought we were talking about the album as a whole, not the songs from it, I prefer the live versions of those songs, but its been about 8 years since i listened to the album. |
| The Real Wizard 11.03.2010 10:57 |
Indeed, to each their own. But it's the one album that encompasses absolutely everything that Queen were all about: Diversity of musical styles, harmonies, quality songwriting from all four band members, accessibility, and top notch production. It's the pandora's box of Queen goodness. |
| master marathon runner 11.03.2010 12:25 |
Are you sure you've got the right website? Master Marathon Runner. |
| pittrek 11.03.2010 13:03 |
One of the best albums of the 20th century |
| thunderbolt 31742 11.03.2010 14:45 |
It's the pinnacle of Queen's career. While I prefer Queen II by a slight margin overall, ANATO was when all the sounds they had polished on the previous 3 albums came together. If we're getting into specific opinions here, I pinpoint the operatic section of BoRhap as the "moment." Without the opera, BoRhap is still a great piece of music, but it would never have achieved the same level of fame. The opera was the hook. You would have a fairly standard ballad linked to a fairly standard hard rock number, then back to a ballad. That was nothing new--imo, without the opera, the finished product would've ended up sounding a lot like Paul McCartney's "Live and Let Die" (though I doubt that LALD was an inspiration for BoRhap). The opera made it happen. Radio listeners must have been shocked to hear a standard ballad with a killer guitar solo abruptly switch to seemingly dozens of voices engaged in a minute-long operatic interlude, and equally shocked to hear that change into a blazing hard rocker. I often wonder if the earliest listeners of BoRhap, back when Kenny Everitt was sneaking it into his radio sets, weren't so much saying, "Wow, this is a masterpiece!" as they were saying, "Hey, come here, you've got to hear this!" Without the opera, I doubt that would've happened. The band would've had a fairly standard piece, a proto-power-ballad, if you will. So why do people (or, more specifically, I) love ANATO? Well, in my honest opinion, it's not Queen's finest effort musically. It's undeniably great, but Queen II edges it out for the sheer experimental nature of that record, and how skillfully the band pulled it off. Beyond the great music, I also love listening to it all the way through, so I can hear, once again, the moment that everything came together, and Queen went from an underground prog-rock group to absolute superstars. Simply put, the pivotal moment in Queen's career comes 3:03 into BoRhap, at which point the band shot for the moon--and landed it. |
| vagabond+outcast1985 11.03.2010 21:41 |
Reading the forementioned article , in regards to ANATO i must say that im not a big fan of it either but i wouldn't go as far to say that i don't like it at all!!!! , every Queen album has it's merits for lots of different reasons, ANATO is a very complete record ,very story like it also show the bands identity at the time, i think a lot of peoples favourite albums are the ones they first bought or heard , mines innuendo my first ever cd , got it for my 6th birthday on december the 3rd 1991 ironic as i found this music , Freddie was taken from us, but i can pay my own special tribute too him , my first born child Peter jnr was born on the 5th of september 2005 Freddies birthday, god bless all xxxx |
| queensox 11.03.2010 23:15 |
Car was and is my least fave song on the greatest recording of all time |
| tcc 11.03.2010 23:28 |
Car may not be a great song but I like the idea of it. I like driving, so I am also in love with my car :-) |
| mike hunt 12.03.2010 02:20 |
when i see bon jovi and GNR albums ahead of A night at the opera on these stupid greatest albums lists it makes me realize how underated the album is. My second favorite Queen album only slightly behind the great Queen2. Least favorite song on the album is sweet lady. Then I'm in love with my car, though the latter is still a cool tune. The second side of the album is among the best in their history. only Freddie's side black edges it out for me. |
| Bad Seed 12.03.2010 06:39 |
Never been a fan of ANATO. Quite possibly my least favourite album. Love some of the tracks on it but as a whole I find the album a bit of a mess. To me it sounds like an album full of fillers. |
| LittleSilhouetto 12.03.2010 08:02 |
I've been reading your comments with interest. I'm not doubting the MUSIC. , I'm saying I'm really not all that keen on it. But, I do adore BoRap and Love of my Life. Yes, there are different styles of music on the same album, but I find them SO different that the album doesn't flow. And I respect that Queen are so capable of different types of music, unlike so many singers/groups of today , who are only capable of churning out exactly the same thing time after time. (Which is fine if you like it, but boring if you don't). Someone asked which albums I DO like. Oh dear, I'll be in trouble again.......My favourites are Hot Space and Freddie's Mr. Bad Guy. Thought as yet, there are some albums I haven't heard at all. I am also an art lover, but do I have to LIKE every work of art I see? Can I appreciate something without having to like it? I can appreciate The Mona Lisa, but I wouldn't want it hanging up in my flat. That reminds me, I like "Delilah" from Innuendo. It's whimsical, and it's the LAST time we hear Freddie being HAPPY. But apparently, many Queen fans don't like that and put it in their list of "worst". It would be a boring forum if we all thought the same. |
| ILoveQueen20 12.03.2010 09:27 |
I think Death on two legs is great, the piano as it goes into rock & The lyrics amaz me. The Prophets song is one of my favourites s aswell as it amazez me how they did'nt use syntheisers on it & its so varried. Oooooo & your by best friend is a classic! :) altough Im not to keen on LOASA or SR as they do seem like fillers, yet there fun songs. Its considered one of the best albums because it used no snyatheisers or tricks & it has the one, the only Bo Rap on it. & this is the album when Queen became more regonised. I LOVE 'Im in love my car' I think its a great song & I love the live verision at Montreal were Freddie goes 'OOoo yes yes yes!'..am I the only one that thinks this? haha In my Opinion It wasnt a waste of money, as it is a classic Queen album but yeah its down to everyones tastes. & I agree Love of my Life is a beatiful song the second best on the album imo. |
| the dude 12.03.2010 10:24 |
Queen absolutely rool with many o's. But I still don't know why they let Freddie do "Delilah". The "meow's" make me cringe. It's like the Yoko Ono of Queen. |
| mike hunt 12.03.2010 10:33 |
songs like lazing on sunday afternoon and SR are among my favorites on the album. Those are the songs along with some of the obvious ones that make the album special for me. Not everyone has the same taste. I know some beatle fans who don't like the later stuff like the white album or let it be, or even sgt pepper...... They only like the first couple and that's it. the same for queen....some fans arn't gonna like the classic era, but love the 80's stuff. For each their own. For me early Queen is it, but I'm one of the lucky ones that also enjoys a lot of the 80's stuff. |
| Major Tom 12.03.2010 12:57 |
pittrek wrote: One of the best albums of the 20th centuryAgreed. Sit down with a cup of tea and just listen to it from start to the end. I'm sure it'll grow on you. |
| steven 35638 12.03.2010 14:24 |
A Night at the Opera isn't my favorite album either. To be honest, I would prefer listening to A Day at the Races or Queen II any day. But I do like it a lot more than Jazz or A Kind of Magic. I think that all 12 songs are fantastic, but as someone mentioned above, the album doesn't really flow. But that's ok, it is still a masterpiece which deserves a great deal of recognition for its influence on future generations. |
| QUEENexpert 12.03.2010 17:32 |
It's ok. Everyone has their own opinons. I just get mad if someone disrespects them. But I like this album because it's actual music. And it can't be recreated by anyone. I just think it's a very unique album filled with talent. |
| *goodco* 13.03.2010 02:08 |
Not everyone likes 'Sgt. Pepper'.........15 M copies of the album were sold that year without a single release from it. There are many who prefer 'Abbey Road' or The White Album, or Revolver, or Rubber Soul.........over the 'ultimate' pop release... ANATO? Side Two is my ultimate, I prefer Sheer Heart Attack, yet......ya had to be there at the time. It blew so many boats out of the water with its ...its....stuff. Vocals, guitars, vocals, production, nonrock ballroom blasts and ballads. Oh, and have I mentioned vocals? Anything ahead of its time cannot be as totally appreciated 20 or 30 years later as at the time of release. The classics never sound dated. Thus, you have, Queen's greatest album. The best is the best. Maybe you are burnt out on the overkill. Give it another go six months or years from now. The light will go on. |
| mike hunt 13.03.2010 03:29 |
*goodco* wrote: Not everyone likes 'Sgt. Pepper'.........15 M copies of the album were sold that year without a single release from it. There are many who prefer 'Abbey Road' or The White Album, or Revolver, or Rubber Soul.........over the 'ultimate' pop release... ANATO? Side Two is my ultimate, I prefer Sheer Heart Attack, yet......ya had to be there at the time. It blew so many boats out of the water with its ...its....stuff. Vocals, guitars, vocals, production, nonrock ballroom blasts and ballads. Oh, and have I mentioned vocals? Anything ahead of its time cannot be as totally appreciated 20 or 30 years later as at the time of release. The classics never sound dated. Thus, you have, Queen's greatest album. The best is the best. Maybe you are burnt out on the overkill. Give it another go six months or years from now. The light will go on. "the light will go on"....In this case I'm not so sure about that, lol. He or she said they like "mr. Bad guy' better than A night at the opera. This one might never see the light! |
| dastard 13.03.2010 04:29 |
Not like TNOTO, it is the 2nd best next to Queen II. Who cannot like The Prophet Song (this is one of the best Queen songs ever) Love Of My Life (the lovely harmonies) Good Company (all those guitar harmonies sounding like a dixie band) You should listen it over and over again, until you like it :-D |
| Amazon 13.03.2010 14:38 |
Sir GH wrote: Indeed, to each their own. But it's the one album that encompasses absolutely everything that Queen were all about: Diversity of musical styles, harmonies, quality songwriting from all four band members, accessibility, and top notch production. It's the pandora's box of Queen goodness. I completely agree. ANATO is both my favourite Queen album (followed by SHA) as well as IMO their masterpiece. Whenever I think of Queen, I think of ANATO, not just because it encompasses everything they were about but alsoy since IMO it featured them at the peak of their powers; in terms of music, vocals and song-writing. There is not one song I would get rid of. Yes, I'm not a big fan of Sweet Lady or I'm in Love with My Car, but I wouldn't replace either. Here are my thoughts on each song: 1)Death on Two Legs- arguably Queen's greatest ever album opener. I don't mean their best opening song, but rather the Queen song which most brilliantly opened an album. The idea that a major rock band would open an album with such a vicious song is extraordinary, and truly Queenian. A masterpiece. 2)Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon- the perfect song to follow DOTL. I think it's a great song, and it's one of my favourite songs off ANATO. In fact for a while, it was close to being my favourite song off this album. 3)I'm in Love With My Car- Roger has always been my least favourite song-writer, and with a few exceptions, I don't think he became a great song-writer until the 80's. Anyway, this is my second least favourite song on ANATO, but I still enjoy it. I usually skip it, however I do think it's fun and it adds favour to the album. 4)You're My Best Friend- gorgeous, and confirmation (following Misfire) that John was one hell of a song-writer. It's astonishing to consider how many great songs John has written, since he has written so few songs. Pound for pound, he may be almost as good as Freddie and Brian. 5)39- a masterpiece, it features incredibly vocals from Brian. He has always been my second favourite vocalist, and on 39, he delivers one of his greatest ever performances. Brilliant. 6)Sweet Lady- my least favourite song on the album. Still, it has a great solo from Brian and terrific drumming from Roger. 7)Seaside Rendezvous- a masterpeice and a magnificent way to conclude arguably the greatest first side in Queen's history. I adore this song, and it has always been my favourite of Queen's music hall songs. I think it's one of their very best songs and the fact that Freddie and Roger verbally replicated instrumentation is evidence of both Queen's talent, as well as its creativity and experimentation. 8)The Prophet's Song- my all-time favourite Queen song. Yes, it's flawed (I could have done with a much shorter middle section), but its strengths far surpass its weaknesses and they make it into one of the most thrilling and electric songs of all time. If I had to pick one favourite song, from any artist, it would probably be this. 9)Love of My Life- probably Queen's greatest ballad (with Save Me the only real competition), LOML remains among Queen's most beautiful songs. Freddie's vocals are astonishing. 10)Good Company- an amazing example of Brian's guitar genius, I must admitt that this is not one of my favourite songs. I think it is very good, but it doesn't excite me as much as some of the other songs on ANATO do. BTW, I remember a discussion a while ago in which it was suggested that Freddie should have sung this song. I'm happy that Brian sang it; his vocals are perfect for it. Anyway, while not one of my favourite songs, it is still terrific. 11)Bohemian Rhapsody- Queen's masterpiece. Enough said. 12)God Save The Queen- which other group would conclude an album with a musical interpetation of a national anthem? I think it's interesting, and I love that it concludes ANATO on a royal note. A magnificent album. I think it's as close to perfection that Queen ever got. |