QueenZone discussion #1253614
Innuendo: mediocre album?
| MmP 29.12.2010 20:24 |
Not long ago this week I wondered about the quality between the two last albums from Queen in the 80’s. I felt that The Miracle had an obvious edge to A Kind of Magic in possibly every aspect. Although very moving and great improvement from a bleak and very boring álbum as “The Works, AKOM was stunted by a very creative, deep and what seemed to be a return to the musical roots with TM. I wanted to know if any of you agreed with this idea after listening both albums carefully. To my surprise most of the answers were positives, I was actually waitiing for a more reluctant turn. Some of the answers caught my attention because they tended to speak up about the next álbum to TM: “Innuendo” when I never even mentioned it but the turn was natural. Some of the post were: -“When first listening to Innuendo on day of release, I hadn't felt that kind of exhilleration since The Game.” -“I absolutely agree that Innuendo stands shoulder-to-shoulder with their '70's work” -“And to this day it's a real "Miracle" to me how they could come up with a strong album like "Innuendo" after this. “ -“Innuendo was the real miracle.......” Which led me to another dilema that has circled my mind in various ocations following the quality topic: Was Innuendo really that good?. Why Queen fans claim this álbum was the biggest since the 70’s? Of course If you listen it (despite some exceptions) this seem to an even more moving, deep and back to the roots álbum. And has some mistery too, not only in the words “Innuendo” or “I ll soon be turning round the corner” the music has it’s mistery as well. Roger Taylor says it well when asked about the álbum after the release :(regarding TM ) “It’s less poppy, but it’s deeper musically. We feel this is one of our finest Works lately” Well, you gotta believe the drummer don’t you? And I do. I’ve belived him since I’ve Heard people telling me this álbum competed with any of the 70’s work. Even watching video reviews on TV, praising works such as Innuendo, The Show must go on, The Hitman, and on. Especially in the conditions Freddie recorded. So the notion of a great album standed for years. I wanted to see what other people thought about this álbum when it came out, If they were as astonished as I am right now. Even if they caught the bands blink of Freddie’s near departure and how corauge he had. Or if they agreed with what most of Queen fans think. So I checked the press releases from 1991: 02-01-1991 - Innuendo - The Orange County “(…)Unfortunately, too much of "Innuendo" is given over to would-be arena roof-raisers such as "Headlong," "I Can't Live With You" and "Hitman," all ordinary rockers. (…) Queen is a figurehead these days -- its brand of progressive rock is hardly progressive anymore -- but it looks as if it will clamber back on the album-rock radio throne.” ---------------- 02-15-1991 - Innuendo - LA Times “(…)The rest of the time, Queen puts on its customary regal garb for heroic statements about undying love, lust for life, belief in God and other grand notions. It's typical Queen, full of theatrical sound and fury with massed choruses of whooshing voices and treated guitars, all huff and puff. You know, the sort of bollocks the Sex Pistols quite rightly told us to never mind. “ --------------- 04-01-1991 - Innuendo - People Weekly “(…)And, as a bonus, the album's best tune is the lounge-lizardish "I'm Going Slightly Mad," on which lead singer Freddie Mercury croons uneasily, like a cocktail jazz singer crazy after one too many requests for"Feelings."(…)If this is cartoon rock and roll, at least it's good and brazenly cartoonish.” --------------- 03-15-1991 - Innuendo - St. LouisPost-Dispatch “(…)Innuendo isn't likely to turn around Queen's decade-long downward spiral of popularity, but the album has a few semiprecious gems: Freddie Mercury singing a love song to his cat on Delilah, lead guitarist Brian May kicking in with unrestrained axing on the hard-hitting The Hitman and serving a brisk metal set on Headlong, drummer Roger Taylor and bassist John Deacon jolting a spirit of abandon into Ride the Wild Wind. “ ----------- 03-07-1991 - Innuendo - Rolling Stone (Issue 599) “(…)Innuendo is so lightweight you'll forget it as soon as it's over – which, with this band, should go without saying anyway – but there's nothing cynical about it. Unlike most fortyish rock relics, the boys in Queen are still too kooky and insincere to settle for any of that "well-earned wisdom of middle age" bunk. They just throw food at the wall, and if it sticks, fine. And if it doesn't stick, well, that's fine too. But the remaining tracks are disappointing, and generally Innuendo is yet another misfire in the group's slumping output. “ ...Well, most of the reviews tells us this is a mediocre álbum at best. These reviews got me real confused and popped some questions in my head: - How come most of the articles I read dismiss Queen’s great comeback and degrade it to a mere “recurrent decline since the 80’s”? -How come non of the reporters were moved when listening “Inside my heart is breaking, my make up maybe flaking but my smile still stays on” or the final “I still love you” from Freddie.? I mean how could they not even notice some kind of message in Queen music, that this is their final stance. And the effort the band was making by recording this one? Im just too Young to know what people thought about this álbum when it came out. Thats why I turn to all of you to ask: Did you all think that this could be a great álbum when it came out? Of course to answer I ask you guys to leave the illness factors aside. Just the music in terms of quality. Here’s what I think: I think this press releases are pretty much accuratte. Innuendo without the fact that Freddie was in a critical situation never had much appeal, sadly. Left alone, to me, this is GREAT álbum in every aspect: sound, lyrics, creativity, Freddie’s voice, band’s cooperation., etc. But this is my opionion as a fan, to the world wide conception this is probably (excluding Innuendo track) another álbum. BUT when you start putting the ties together it’s when you realize how VALUEABLE this álbum is and was. Freddie’s condition, the stenght he had to record, the bands cooperation and still making a great work is what I think puts the álbum as one of the finest Queen works. Unfortunatly the álbum alone cannot make and impact by it self if you don’t tie it to the bands situation and that is what I think the reporters didn’t see then but today they do. They just heard the songs but never put their minds into it and when you do that is WHEN you realice the complexity of this work. How is all greatly put, how to close brillantly a legendary musical carrer that sadly shined most in the 70’s and dissappointed in the 80’s but ended correctly in 1991. Sorry for the long post, but I really wanted to express myself and Im looking forward to know what you think. Cheers. |
| Makka 29.12.2010 23:18 |
I don't mind it but seriously, tracks like All God's People and Delilah just destroyed this album. The track Innuendo itself was a fantastic opener which did take me back to their 70's work...but there's some big lemons spattered amongst the gems that's for sure. But, I guess you could say that for nearly any album. But those two tracks especially, All Gods People and Delilah, elink terrible. |
| Sebastian 29.12.2010 23:38 |
Those reviews are mostly done by and for ignorants anyway. Regarding the album, YMMV. I think it's great: Roger's playing is excellent (way better than machines), Brian also played what I think was his best solo on a Queen song (TAtDoOL, plus some others which are close behind), John played wonderfully, Fred sang really well, Brian's harmony vocals (and Roger's, for less extent) were top notch, they used synths quite well, production's great, songwriting's fabulous, there are some really nice classics out there (Show Must Go On) as well as some underrated gems (Bijou, Don't Try So Hard), and I do like All God's People, especially for Freddie's flawless voice. |
| Soundfreak 30.12.2010 02:15 |
I would not overrate reviews in magazines etc. People writing them were and are usually flooded with new albums and do not have the time to really listen. Also they do not get paid very well for few lines. So in fact those journalists can only write a review after a first listening experience. But the general experience is, that albums having a real lasting effect need four or five times of listening before you "get" it. While those albums that sound great when listening first time sometimes become rather boring after repeated listening. So I do not blame the journalists, the fault is in the system proven by so many reviews that turned out wrong. So to me a review is nothing more than a hint, that something has been released. |
| The Real Wizard 30.12.2010 10:20 |
As far as I'm concerned, it's in the top three Queen albums, behind Queen II and A Night At The Opera. It's the closest they ever came to reaching the heights of ANATO, as it has all the trademarks - using the studio to ifs fullest capabilities, the sheer bombast, quality of songwriting and arrangements, genre diversity, and it's ever so vocally strong. It has a depth that cannot be grasped upon only one or two listens. There's a good reason why it took nearly two years to complete. In 25 years when I listen to Queen again for nostalgia purposes, this very well may be the first disc I grab. |
| dowens 30.12.2010 11:46 |
What these reviews fail to realize is that Queen wasn't interested in regaining popularity with Innuendo, they were recording their final album. I think any serious Queen fan has to appreciate Innuendo for all it is, Freddie's final album. It's very eerie to think how he crafted everything together, how he said goodbye on Days of Our Lives, etc. I think the band sounds better than ever on this album. It only makes me sad to think how they would sound today if Freddie were still alive. I personally like their last two albums, The Miracle and Innuendo. Innuendo is a musical masterpiece (and I do have a degree in music education)! |
| Ghostwithasmile is BACK! 30.12.2010 11:57 |
Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder... I think it;s a great album. |
| YannickJoker 30.12.2010 14:04 |
I think it was their best album since ADATR and a wonderful swan song from Freddie. At first I couldn't really get into The Hitman but it grew on me and I like it very much now. The one sad thing about the album to me is 'Delilah', but I think it definatly belongs on there to clear the dark sad mood created by the previous songs and make you ready for more sadness to come. It's a piece of comic relief and I think it helps the record along. |
| kosimodo 30.12.2010 14:12 |
Cant blame the critics. Didnt we all understand the album better after His death? Love the album from the start...... |
| matt z 30.12.2010 15:40 |
Heard the album at least 10 years after it was released. BUT as a general rule of thumb... critics are people who say but can't do. and DON'T do... therefore you can glean what you want from a review... but often times it's a critics blatant way of being self important and verbose... I've noticed that Rolling Stone (USA) is currently pandering to "artists" like Taylor Swift in it's THOROUGHLY GREAT coverage of her "GREAT, NEWEST WORK"... so obviously "taste" has something to do with public consumption and trends (as well as outright numbers) Consider that Queen really didn't stick with conventional music and were glaringly different (exceptions being so called plagiarized themes on "Just Keep Passing the Open Windows" and Breakthru... trying to emulate other works' "feel") from conventional bands....MOR rock... like "Bad Company" (not that they were big during INNUENDO)...and that they frequently got backlash for being different like that. Also consider that popular music in USA at the time (i'm not sure of British music...as a general rule of thumb.. what's big here is big THERE 10 years later) .... was "grunge rock" etc... so... it's safe to say that it was taken in the light of all that. response to another post: I LOVE "All Gods People"...AND "delilah"... i think they're spiritual (although it IS a complex arrangement and not appreciated by many people probably because of that) and hilarious/heartfelt, respectively. The whole album has that sense of epic/eeriness to it... maybe part of the mixing and mastering or really... just the strength of the songs.. IMO the weakest are probably "I Can't Live With You" and Headlong (which felt like a take on a vibe from the band THE CULT) |
| Soundfreak 30.12.2010 15:57 |
Didnt we all understand the album better after His death? Love the album from the start...... <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< The rumours of Freddie suffering from AIDS were already around when the album was released. And the fact that their 3D video for "Innuendo" was cut from archive material added more credibility to those rumours. So I think many "understood" the album from the days of release.... |
| PrimeJiveUSA 30.12.2010 18:40 |
I bought the album on day of release. I had bought a few weeks before the cassette single of "Headlong" and was pretty excited to hear the whole album, I was FLOORED by it. Dark, with tons of gravity...I instantly thought it was their most artistic statement since ADATR and best overall album since NOTW/Jazz/The Game. As an American, I had NO IDEA about Freddie's health until the day before his death with his worldwide press release(my mom phoned me while I was at college). Tracks like Innuendo, IGSM, Don't Try So Hard and Ride The Wild Wind instantly stuck with me and made me feel like Queen were entering a new phase of excellent artistry. Innuendo is a masterpiece EVEN IF you DON'T know about the heroic fight for life that Freddie was going through. Subsequently, having that knowledge, the album is even that much stronger. Like I've stated before...Innuendo stands shoulder-to-shoulder with their great '70's works. |
| Ray D O'Gaga 30.12.2010 22:47 |
Innuendo is a great album. Ranks among their very best. |
| Sheer Brass Neck 30.12.2010 23:14 |
Very good album, but IGSM, Delilah and Hitman wouldn't have been B-sides on first 6 albums, let alone made the album. All God's People is great musically and vocally, but ultimately ridiculous. Good songs are very good, not so good songs are tons worse than songs on the first albums that may have been considered weaker tracks. IMHO. |
| joesilvey 31.12.2010 00:41 |
I think it's an amazingly good piece of work for a band 20 years into their career.... a collection of fine songs, mixed with some mediocre ones, and some worse like Delilah (I am among the most forgiving, longsuffering Queen fans out there - i find moments of genius on Hot Space for crapping out loud)... but overall: imho, Innuendo suffers from dated production and mastering, and just sounds flat and small today, save The Show Must Go On and perhaps Innuendo. TATDOOL on the Singles Collection 4 (say what you will) sounds BIG and present... everything i wanted it to. ICLWY (rocks re-take) shows what a little revisiting can accomplish. Hitman SHOULD be a punch-in-the-face rocker, but it sounds like AM radio. The whole record needs some delicate EQing and compression in re-mastering. It's too passionate not to be punchy. In terms of songwriting, it's closer to the top of their work than the middle or bottom, for sure. I find myself more forgiving of its quality simply as i am aware of the circumstances and realities of the band members, tho i know that's not the angle the original poster wanted this to be about... for me, it's an integral part of experiencing the album: awareness that Freddie was running out of time and knew it. one of my favorites... |
| plumrach 31.12.2010 02:54 |
I like it |
| Thistle 31.12.2010 07:05 |
I heard the full Innuendo album for the first time in 1996 and it was an absolutely unforgettable experience. I was so excited , refreshed and exhilarated by the album, the music and especially Freddie's voice that I had goosebumps! The hairs on the back on my neck completely stood on end, I was so charged it took me ages to actually get to sleep afterwards. It really was an emotionally charging bit of listening for me, I literally couldn't get it out of my head. Still get the same sensations from it today. Admittedly, not so keen on The Hitman or All God's People anymore, but the LP takes me through a full range of emotions, from being pumped up by the title track, actually feeling the imagery of I'm Going Slightly Mad, the pain of The Show Must Go On and I still cry at Days Of Our Lives. I've never actually made it through that song without the tears streaming from my eyes. Don't Try So Hard is a roller-coaster in itself and a real stand out vocally - and Delilah is a real belly-laugh, IMHO. Agreed about the Rocks version of ICLWY from '97, but overall, Innuendo is one of my favourite albums. Can you tell? |
| Ale Solan 31.12.2010 11:07 |
"MmP I like HotSpace FunIt &Delilah" |
| 12yrslouetta 31.12.2010 12:01 |
I think that the reviews are very typical and irrelevant in many ways really. Queen were a big band (a la genesis for example) that no one was, press wise anyway, interested in. But i think thats the same with most artists with longevity. Initial great press turning into utter ambivalence. Oh what was the question again?? Ahh yes, Innuendo is just brilliant. The overall tone of the album is wonderful. |
| bigV 31.12.2010 18:25 |
Have the critics EVER been objective when it came to Queen? Nope, I don't think so. To me this album is the real "sequel" to ANATO (and not ADATR). This album was a return to the 70s form, but at the same time it sounded very much "of its time" - fresh and new and exciting. Amazing piece of work. Easily one of their top 3 albums in my list. V. |
| MmP 31.12.2010 18:53 |
Alex Solan. "MmP I like HotSpace FunIt &Delilah" I don't get what you're trying to say quoting my signature. Anyway Im not stating that Innuendo is a bad/mediocre album, at all. I think is a great album but my inquire was leaning towards the placement the fans and the people gave the album afterFreddie's death, and if it somehow upgraded it and made it had more success or public attention overall. Would any of you think the same of this album if Freddie was still alive? Or would be it critized just as The Works or AKOM? That's why I asked what you all first thought when you listened after it's realease in 1991. This thread actually goes more towards this question: kosimodo Cant blame the critics.Didnt we all understand the album better after His death? |
| qrock 31.12.2010 19:40 |
I think it was good way to finish a career but personally I think the album is very mixed. There are some fantastic tracks like Innuendo, The Show Must Go On, These are the Days of Our Lives, Headlong and even I Can't Live With You (if it were not for the fake drums). Queen had a very difficult task in creating this album. They had to create a piogant album (and close a legendary career), incorporate a wide array of musical style and theatrical themes like A Night at the Opera era and still have the poppy, synth sound of the 80s and like every Queen album experiment and change their style to suit the music at the time. Innuendo could have been a real classic if it were not for some poor tracks and Roger's Laziness with not playing the drums. However the album had more than 10 tracks (as albums like the Works and Magic had 9 tracks) and Queen sounded more lack a band again. What disapointed me about albums after The Game ane before The Miracle is how quiet and restricted the band were (particulary Brian and Roger) compared to Live concert when they ran riot. Overall, the 80s was a mediocre decade and unbalanced. Innuendo, was a mixed album musically but it's role was to close the career of the band and Freddie's final goodbye. |
| April Lady 31.12.2010 19:54 |
The Miracle sounded like parts of it had been hard work - a little forced even. Innuendo sounded natural and like it was coming from a band that was comfortable with itself. |
| Major Tom 01.01.2011 12:48 |
It varies of course, but Innuendo is always on my top 3 Queen albums. I agree that "Delilah" and "Hitman" are fillers, and should not be on it. From the outtakes and demos I've heard, there are stuff much more fitting than these two tracks. Something I can't wrap my head around, is how strong and powerful Freddie sound. It might just be me, but I tend to like latter albums by bands that has been around awhile. I.E. I like "A matter of life and death" and "Brave new world" by Iron Maiden better than "Fear of the dark" and "Voodoo Lounge" by RS better than "Sticky fingers". |
| PrimeJiveUSA 01.01.2011 16:55 |
MmP...even IF Freddie were still alive I don't think people would equate Innuendo with albums like The Works Or A Kind Of Magic. There is NO denying the artistry and POWER that permeates Innuendo as opposed to The Works OR AKOM...I love those albums...but c'mon...they stand in the shadow of Innuendo. It's a towering album...and I thought that when it was released and didn't know about Freddie's illness back in early '91. |
| Sebastian 01.01.2011 18:04 |
From the very moment the drum fills give start to the title song, you already know something huge is going to happen. |
| bigV 01.01.2011 18:38 |
Sebastian wrote: From the very moment the drum fills give start to the title song, you already know something huge is going to happen. It's only January 2nd and already we have a "post of the year" nominee! :) V. |
| Dan C. 02.01.2011 01:17 |
I love Innuendo from start to finish. For my money, it's a perfect album. |
| mike hunt 02.01.2011 08:05 |
Loved Innuendo the first time I heard it, and bought it the first day it was released. it was pretty shocking hearing the title track because I personally thought they were washed up after The Miracle. Definitely their best since the late 70's, but wouldn't say it's on par with the first 6 albums. I don't think any of those albums had ordinary rock songs like Headlong and the hitman or a average ballad like Delilah (though I don't hate these songs). Overall, the album is great. In my top 7. |
| Johnny 1989 02.01.2011 11:54 |
My personal feeling on Innuendo: I think it's a great little album of which when I was younger I never fully appreciated it, to me now it is an album with 11 great tracks & Delilah (sorry just don't like that one, like the others but think don't really like Delilah). Innuendo is an immense track, as are the other tracks that were released as singles (especially The Show Must Go On & These Are The Days Of Our Lives) I also rather like I Can't Live With You, Ride The Wild Wind & The Hitman, OK they're not ground breaking Queen tracks but are enjoyable enough. Don't Try So Hard & Bijou I never liked when I was younger but now at 27 I think they are both great tracks, especially DTSH, which leaves us with All Gods People, hmm, I do Freddie's voice on this one but it's an OK-ish song. Would I put this up there with A Night At The Opera, of course I would, I personally think it's one of their best albums. |
| Bigfish 03.01.2011 10:41 |
I've never been interested in press critique of the band. Music journalists really are the lowest rung on the writing ladder. Music taste is so subjective, why bother with anyone elses opinion ? Innuendo came out to mixed reviews - so what ? so did all Queens albums. With hindsight I'd say that Innuendo had some brilliant highs (Innuendo, Days, Bijou, Show, Can't live with you, Slightly Mad) and some horrible lows (Hitman, Delilah, Gods people) but it was the first album for a long time that felt like a real collection of songs and not a singles rag-bag - no easy feat in the Cd age when the Record company want the four best songs at the front. By far their best album since Jazz. |
| PrimeJiveUSA 03.01.2011 20:32 |
Agreed..their best since Jazz. |
| Sebastian 04.01.2011 00:37 |
Also, keep in mind the impressive work Freddie did here, not only as a singer (for which he's been praised a lot - of course, he deserves it!), but also as songwriter. Even though he was so ill, he managed to be the dominant songwriter on one of the band's best albums. And what he wrote was top notch. |
| Gilen 04.01.2011 01:30 |
Hello First, excuse my english. Innuendo had very good critics in all the world. Fortunately, the world isn't USA. And Queen vs Rolling Stone Magazine is old war since News of the World. For me, Innuendo is excellent. I'm Queen fan since Innuendo (single) release, I was child and I didn't know who are Queen. regards |
| mike hunt 04.01.2011 01:53 |
Sebastian wrote: Also, keep in mind the impressive work Freddie did here, not only as a singer (for which he's been praised a lot - of course, he deserves it!), but also as songwriter. Even though he was so ill, he managed to be the dominant songwriter on one of the band's best albums. And what he wrote was top notch. I agree!....i find Queen's best albums were dominated by Freddie, followed by Brian. A kind of magic suffered from a lack of freddie because most of his idea's were spent on Mr. Bad Guy. If freddie's songwriting was lacking like on Hot space or didn't write a lot like on A kind of magic the album usually didn't turn out so strong. |
| AlexakaRosco 04.01.2011 05:16 |
Disagree with your last statement, mike. AKOM is by far their strongest album of mid 80s. My 2nd all-time favorite Queen album's ADATR where dominated both Brian and Fred, with four of them showed us mastership of songwriting, arrangements and musicianship. |
| mike hunt 04.01.2011 07:34 |
AlexakaRosco wrote: Disagree with your last statement, mike. AKOM is by far their strongest album of mid 80s. My 2nd all-time favorite Queen album's ADATR where dominated both Brian and Fred, with four of them showed us mastership of songwriting, arrangements and musicianship. let's not make this a freddie vs the rest of the band thread.....Of course they're all great, but songwriting was dominated by freddie and brian. Ususally when one of those guy's was lacking the album suffered big time. jazz had two weak songs from roger but the dominate songwriter's freddie and brian made up for it, and the album was still very good. Hot space and 'the works' Both freddie and brian had mixed results. Both albums were average by Queen standards. A kind of Magic was a cool record....I like it better than The miracle, but if freddie's best idea's wern't spent on his solo album it would have been light years better. Remember, Mr Bad guy wasn't a weak album because the songs sucked, it's the musical direction he took with some those songs that sucked. Anyway, back to Innuendo. The best queen album since jazz/The Game era. How does it compare with those two albums?...i think those three (Jazz, The Game, Innuendo) were about even. |
| 1*queen-collector 04.01.2011 16:08 |
Innuendo is a brilliant album and is totally unnapreciated world wide as most of the other Queen albums. I think there should be a new review on "Hot Space" totally trashed by critics & fans alike but was it really that bad? most people will automatically say yes it was but there are some great songs on there such as "Put out the Fire" and "Las Palabras de Amor " and of course "Under Pressure" to name just three. This album was put out before its time, if you have not listened to this album for a very long time then I urge you to do so, Freddies vocals are special. Music critics opinions are like arseholes, we all have one. |
| PrimeJiveUSA 04.01.2011 18:07 |
I respectfully disagree that Freddie's songs were "weak" on Hot Space. Staying Power, Body Language and Life is real are ALL steller imo. It's Brian's songs on Hot Space that are the worst...Dancer is awful...Put Out The Fire is a real ho-hum rocker...and Las palmbras De Amour is bland and uninspired. Hot Space is Brian's worst record (songwriting-wise). The Works is a bit better (especially Hammer To Fall) but Tear It Up is horrid. |
| Johnny 1989 04.01.2011 18:28 |
1*queen-collector wrote: Innuendo is a brilliant album and is totally unnapreciated world wide as most of the other Queen albums. I think there should be a new review on "Hot Space" totally trashed by critics & fans alike but was it really that bad? most people will automatically say yes it was but there are some great songs on there such as "Put out the Fire" and "Las Palabras de Amor " and of course "Under Pressure" to name just three. This album was put out before its time, if you have not listened to this album for a very long time then I urge you to do so, Freddies vocals are special. Music critics opinions are like arseholes, we all have one. I think Hot Space is great little album, not their best but not their worst either, and I say that as someone who rates ANATO, AKOM, The Miracle, Queen, Innuendo, Jazz, NOTW & The Game as excellent albums. There's just something so unique about the album that makes me like it, the only dud on there for me is Body Language (which I think is perhaps their worst single ever, Sorry Freddie). Back in the mid 90's when I first purchased it I never liked it & it more or less sat on the shelf untouched for years, then they released "Live At The Bowl" a few years back & I heard Back Chat, Action This Day & Statung Power and liked all three songs so I decided to dust off Hot Space & give it a listen and as I said above, apart from Body Language I really liked it, then again I like such a wide range of music these days which may explain why I've completely changed my opinion of the album. |
| mike hunt 04.01.2011 21:37 |
I like most of Hot space, but the songs i don't like are Dancer, body language, and put out the fire. Calling all girls is average I guess. I do like staying power and cool cat, under pressure, back chat. like i said before, a mixed bag. |
| Gilen 05.01.2011 02:29 |
I think that Hot Space's Songs are much better in Live at the Bowl, with Brian and Roger playing that songs. |
| Bigfish 05.01.2011 03:07 |
AlexakaRosco wrote: Disagree with your last statement, mike. AKOM is by far their strongest album of mid 80s. My 2nd all-time favorite Queen album's ADATR where dominated both Brian and Fred, with four of them showed us mastership of songwriting, arrangements and musicianship. AKOM strongest album of the mid 80's? You have GOT to be having a laugh.... |
| mike hunt 05.01.2011 03:41 |
Bigfish wrote: AlexakaRosco wrote: Disagree with your last statement, mike. AKOM is by far their strongest album of mid 80s. My 2nd all-time favorite Queen album's ADATR where dominated both Brian and Fred, with four of them showed us mastership of songwriting, arrangements and musicianship. AKOM strongest album of the mid 80's? You have GOT to be having a laugh.... It's all opinions......I think Magic has some real good tunes, and it might be Queen best mid 80's album. What is the compitition?....The only other album that they released during that period was The Works. IMO, both albums are on the same level. Both Inconsistent, but has some great moments |
| mike hunt 05.01.2011 04:01 |
PrimeJiveUSA wrote: I respectfully disagree that Freddie's songs were "weak" on Hot Space. Staying Power, Body Language and Life is real are ALL steller imo. It's Brian's songs on Hot Space that are the worst...Dancer is awful...Put Out The Fire is a real ho-hum rocker...and Las palmbras De Amour is bland and uninspired. Hot Space is Brian's worst record (songwriting-wise). The Works is a bit better (especially Hammer To Fall) but Tear It Up is horrid. agree with staying power, body language is not good. Life is real is pretty good, but not nearly as good as his 70's ballads. cool Cat (with john) is a guilty pleasure. love the feel of that song. Brian's tunes, I agree dancer and put out the fire are not good. I love Las Palmbras De Amor, So yea, Hot Space is brians worst album as a guitar player and songwriter. The Works wasn't much better for him. Tear it up and machines are average. Hammer to fall is very good. That's why in the 80's Queen lost their edge. The two dominate songwriter's wern't what they were in the 70's, and roger and john were only good for one or two songs per album. The only albums that roger wrote more than one good song was Innuendo and NOTW. |
| Bigfish 05.01.2011 04:49 |
Sorry - Dancer is a great groove (oops - sorry if that word offends all you rockers out there). Excellent use of slowed up drum track, great solo, dynamic hook. The dogs bollocks really - real shame they never played it live. When I'm Djing I quite often slip it on, always gets a good reaction. |
| Johnny 1989 05.01.2011 07:07 |
I think Dancer, Put Out The Fire & Calling All Girls are great little tracks, although Under Pressure, Staying Power, Action This Day, Back Chat, Life Is Real & Las Palabras De Amor are the best tracks, although the rest aren't bad either, except Body Language. I gave the album a listen again last night & apart from Body Language I enjoyed it all. |
| john bodega 05.01.2011 11:29 |
*shrug* I don't think it's mediocre. But then I've always thought Hitman was the weak point of the album as opposed to Delilah which everyone seems to hate. I can't stand All God's People but one has to acknowledge that as a production, it's pretty much the most elaborate and layered thing on the album, so it at least has that going for it. Even on the songs I don't like, it can't really be said that they're mediocre. Queen may have done some dodgy songs in their day, but at least they did it loudly and proudly. |
| 7Innuendo7 07.01.2011 19:04 |
still love the album, imho Innuendo single = thunder wrapped in silk. the mere idea of Freddie hitting the high notes in TSMGO is heroic, and given the illness and how it was handled at the time of release, easy to understand why critics just don't get it. would trade Delilah for Lost Opportunity though. imho maybe better as a b-side, but it's tough to fault Queen for including it on the album. artwork on the back cover absolutely brilliant -- Granville's 'Opheidicle' -- ? something bursting from too much harmony ? Bijou. what a precious love-letter |
| 1*queen-collector 09.01.2011 14:56 |
Glad my Hot Space piece got some good feedback, I read Brian was hampered by the others on his guitar pieces for this album, Roger hated the cover so all in all I think this album was put out without everybody being totally happy with it, probably why the band were really arguing at this point in there career, who really knows? If it was redone with the full Queen rock thing going on and not a dance inspired album then this album would really have hit the mark, I can say I love this album, all the songs in my opinion are better than Jesus, what was going on when this come to the table? Mad the Swine would have been better even though it is another biblical song, I wasn't keen on Get down Make Love, especially at the concerts but this is my opinion, A kind of Magic by the way is one of my favourite Queen albums, this was the Album that got me into Queen way back in 1986. I think that 99.9999% of Queen songs are magical, lyrics arn't that important most of the time, it worked for Robbie Williams spouting none sensical lyrics for Bismillahs sake so Queen did it 20 years before him. All we need now is the Queen box set of unrealesed and demo items, I emailed Brian about this and he says when time allows he will get onto it. This would be a great discussion. |
| Farrokh The Great 10.01.2011 22:33 |
The album is not the best but Innuendo (the song) is the best song since Somebody To Love or The Millionaire Waltz and Freddie was so GREAT that he gave himself the luxury of to include a bad song like Delilah in the album, other good songs: The Show Must Go On, These Are The Days Of Our Lives , Headlong, Dont Try So Hard. All Gods People include great harmonies and good rhythm changes! even I’m Going Slightly Mad is an interesting song, other bad songs Hitman, I Can’t Live With You |
| Day dop 18.07.2012 08:17 |
This is an old post I've dug up! Anyway, I always thought Innuendo is an extremely atmospheric album, probably the most out of all Queens work - that's what hit me about it when I first heard it back in '91. I guess over the years you get kinda used to it, so you don't recognise that quite as much. Btw, for anyone else here that's from the UK and bought it when it first came out - wasn't it snowing over here? Or it had just stopped snowing or something? That might sound an odd thing to say, but it somehow adds to my memory of first hearing that album.... even the weather fitted the mood of the album perfectly.... especially knowing now what came after... |
| waunakonor 18.07.2012 10:14 |
Innuendo--love it I'm Going Slightly Mad--really like it Headlong--love it I Can't Live With You--like it. The Queen Rocks version is better. Don't Try So Hard--love it. Ride the Wild Wind--love it All God's People--love it. The last part of the song is so epic. These Are the Days of Our Lives--love it Delilah--eh... The Hitman--love it. Really gets me going. Bijou--love it The Show Must Go On--love it Don't listen to what the critics say, and don't let professional reviews that you've read convince you that this is what a significant part of Queen's fan base thinks, because it rarely is. Critics were never real fond of Queen, and Queen never really cared. They only cared what their fans thought. I like seeing an older post like this dug up sometimes. It's interesting seeing what people on here were talking about long ago, even though this one is only from about a year and a half ago. |
| Day dop 18.07.2012 10:38 |
It's also got some of my favourite artwork for a Queen album too. |
| DLCVinnuendo 18.07.2012 11:24 |
fuck these critics, innuendo, for me, is the best album of the band since jazz, and it is in third place of my list of favorite albuns of the band, he lost only for queen II and ANATO |
| radiogugu 18.07.2012 18:10 |
OK, BS. The simple fact is, music reviews is entirely worthless. Led Zeppelin has crap reviews for their albums as well. Then later on every magazine retracted their original reviews (including lolrolling stone) Innuendo is a masterpiece and Queens best work since The Game. |
| Missreclusive 18.07.2012 19:47 |
Agrees with Waunakonor, the only song I feel is so-so is Delilah. |
| AdamMethos 18.07.2012 20:58 |
Aw, Delilah is hysterical. I just imagine Freddie cuddling his kitty cat and singing to her whenever I hear the song. ;-) |
| YAFF 19.07.2012 11:39 |
Nope. Great album. Could do without "Delilah" but it was their best effort since their prime. I feel AKOM and The Miracle had some great singles but padded with too much filler and I rank those two at the bottom along with "Flash Gordon", which should have never been released as a proper Queen LP. But, "Innuendo"? Best LP since "NOTW" |
| Holly2003 19.07.2012 12:34 |
There's a certain coldness to Innuendo that means it doesn't rank among Queens top albums. It may be the production or the drum sound or the guitar sound -- I can't quite put my finger on it. The songs vary a lot in quality, but at least they are mostly interesting. I personally can't stand Hitmanand Headlong though -- two truly awful "rawk" songs. Delilah is also dreadful. But I suppose you can't really complain too much about an album that contains Innuendo, These Are the Days of Our Lives, Bijou and The Show Must Go On. However, if you lookat what remains -- I'm Going Slightly Mad I Can't Live With You* Don't Try So Hard Ride the Wild Wind All God's People* -- can you really say these songs rate with anything from the first six albums? (* interesting, and not by any means bad, but not epic) |
| malicedoom 19.07.2012 13:54 |
I can hear I'm Going Slightly Mad on A Night at the Opera, sure. |
| conejo29 19.07.2012 13:58 |
It's a excellent album .. Innuendo The show must go on I'm Going Slightly Mad Bijou Headlong are the soul |
| Holly2003 19.07.2012 14:19 |
malicedoom wrote: I can hear I'm Going Slightly Mad on A Night at the Opera, sure. Ha! Actually, that's a fair point. It's weird enough to be on there I suppose. Let me put it another way: which song would you remove from any of the first 6 albums and replace with I'm Going Slightly Mad? |
| dowens 19.07.2012 20:45 |
Innuendo is my favorite. I always tell people who are getting into Queen to check out their albums, but make this one your last. It is incredible, especially when you understand the journey of Freddie. Delilah is a welcomed breather from a very heavy album. Upon first listen, I thought it was hilarious. Especially the "meows" from Brian's guitar work. The best beginning and ending tracks to any Queen album. Just brilliant. Listening to the end of TSMGO taped sequences repeated just leaves you breathless. Vocals are incredible. Just incredible. Ok, so I like it. :) |