bigc 27.01.2005 17:56 |
Pompous, superficial, and shallow. Three words commonly used to describe Queen’s output. However, in this case, it could not be further from the truth. Innuendo, Queen’s 14th studio album, was released on February 4th 1991. At the time speculation was rife throughout the tabloids in regards to lead singer Freddie Mercury’s health. The main belief was that the star was dying of AIDS, despite personally declaring he was fine. He had become a virtual recluse however and the tabloids stalked him for the latest shocking pictures of his condition. The album itself had been a long and tortuous process. Recording had begun in March 1989 and wasn’t concluded till November 1990, which was due to Mercury’s rapidly declining health. Under these circumstances, it would be understandable to think the album to come out of this would be weak and lacking. Nothing could be further from the truth. The tracks on the album display far more depth and emotional context than any other Queen release so far. For many years known as a band which went for catchy anthems with little depth behind them, this was a radical departure. Musically the band are in as fine form as ever, including Mercury, whose vocal performance is astounding considering he was sometimes too ill to stand for more than 30 minutes at the microphone stand. There were 12 songs on the album. The title track, Innuendo, is a song rightly deserving the coveted “epic” label. Running in it over 6 minutes, it mixes a variety of styles, including a Spanish guitar solo part way through. The different sections to the song make it a truly exciting listen, from the opening drum roll which sets the scene, to Mercury’s final line in the song “whatever will be, will be”. These are the days of our lives, track 8 on the album, is a very poignant song. Lyrically it’s about someone looking back on their life, remembering the good old days and all they’ve achieved. When the album first came out, it was interpreted as simply a love song. However after Mercury’s death, it became clear the true meaning behind the song, which adds that extra dimension to it. The final line in the song, “I still love you”, spoken by Mercury, is often thought of as his goodbye. Despite this, the whole album is not a morbid listen. There are two trademark queen rockers early on in Headlong and I Cant Live with You. Fast paced, guitar led, these are throwbacks to the classic queen days. Track 9 is a true oddity, titled Delilah. Penned by Freddie Mercury, it is an ode to his cat. Its quirky and cute, some had reservations of this track, but on an album so full of strong feelings, it is a welcome interlude. His cats meant everything to him, so even the most cynical listener shouldn’t be critical of the inclusion of this track Don’t try so hard,(track 5), at first listen doesn’t even sound like Queen. A song which is pretty soft for the most part, bar a guitar solo towards the end, lyrically it is imparting simple advice for life. If life is feeling too much for you, don’t try so hard, there’s always tomorrow. Again, a radical departure from a band never considered sentimental or heart felt. This fact helps make it a very refreshing listen. All Gods People, sees the band venture into another musical dimension. The song is gospel based, but tinged with the usual Queen sound. The vocals on this track are very strong and the best on the album. Another radical departure from the accepting Queen sound, but an amazing song which has true power behind it. As the album draws to a close, the sense of finality begins to set in. after all, all four of them in the studio knew this would be their last album together. How to bring the end a 20 year career must have really pushed their musical limits. But after all the band had achieved, is it any wonder they rise to the occasion? Prior to the rather emotional ending, there is another rock tune. Entitled the Hitman, it could probably be classed as one of their tradition |
bigc 27.01.2005 17:56 |
The appeal of the album should not stop at fans. It is simply a true classic. It deals with an issue which confronts us all, the inevitable call of death. Through the course of the album you sense frustration, desolation, regret, as well as acceptance and the preparation to face the unknown. As well as that, there are some lighter diversions which help make the album listenable, the rays of light in amongst the darkness. Innuendo is not like any other of the preceding 13 queen albums. A fitting title, for Innuendo is implying something without spelling it out, which in essence is the entire album. I did this for english langaueg cw. please give me feedback. its only a first draft so it will be altered. |
flash00. 27.01.2005 20:22 |
wow well done!! that all sounded very profesional, as well as the track review it delves slightly into queen themselves and what they may or deffo! would of been going thru with regards to freddie, innuendo is my all-time gem i fucking love that album, its full of power and heartbreaking emotions, once again well done! |
flash00. 27.01.2005 20:22 |
wow well done!! that all sounded very profesional, as well as the track review it delves slightly into queen themselves and what they may or deffo! would of been going thru with regards to freddie, innuendo is my all-time gem i fucking love that album, its full of power and heartbreaking emotions, once again well done! |
flash00. 27.01.2005 20:23 |
oooooops sorry guy'z and galz a bit of a doubler(wiggles gigar) |
bigc 28.01.2005 12:14 |
anyone else who has any comments id welcome them thanks again:) |
Victoria 28.01.2005 12:53 |
You have done a wonderful job. Kudos and good luck! |
Victoria 28.01.2005 13:49 |
I knew I was gonna come back to add something cause I forgot it. Anyhow, I noticed that you didn't mention I'm Going Slightly Mad or Ride the Wild Wind. I could understand not mentioning the latter (it's not one of my favorites), but did you intend to leave out Slightly Mad? It showcases their incredible diversity in composition (sounds a bit like Andrew Lloyd Weber if you ask me). You could add Ride and make Delilah a new paragraph. Op! You forgot a period at the end of that paragraph. :) In the third paragraph, I'd suggest that you say in the previous decade (you know, the 80's). It's a bit much to compare the 70's and 80's songs and say they are so similar. The 70's have so much integrity, and depth (Bohemian Rhapsody, Love of My Life, Liar, You Take My Breath Away, the album A Night at the Opera). Surely you don't mean all these are piddly, emotionless anthems. It is true that Innuendo "display(s) far more depth and emotional context than any other Queen release so far". So keep in mind that Freddie's vocal performance is epitomized (if that's a word) on this album (esp. in The Show Must Go On). The sentence regarding his performance "...whose vocal performance is astounding. (Then something to the effect of...) even more so considering he was sometimes...". You can really tell he's giving it his all and that shouldn't be down played in the review. I'm confused in the first paragraph "despite personally declaring" do you mean publicly? For descibing Innuendo (the track) I would take out the 'in it' in the 3rd sentence. For the Don't Try So Hard you make your argument again that Queen wasn't "sentimental or heart felt". Again, I ask you to consider Love of My Life, You Take My Breath Away, or other songs about love. Grammar-wise, I don't see any problems. Hope my ideas help. Let us know how you do! |
bigc 28.01.2005 13:55 |
well I started it initally and tried to write about Im going slighty mad. and it was a bit chaotic. I just couldnt get the words out, so I deleted it and didnt risk trying again as I got stuck first time. I wrote it in about an hour, so it is a bit muddled till the final paragraph. Stereotypically queen arent thought as heartfelt and sincere. I know there were the few 70s songs, but it rather loses its impact when I acknowledge it. |
7Innuendo7 28.01.2005 17:37 |
*WOW* awesome post |
Victoria 28.01.2005 20:22 |
I thought you were omitting those sentimental songs to make your argument stronger. I see your point and am not going to tell you you have to change eveything about your review. It is very good. Too bad about Going Slightly Mad. That's one of my favourites. From the context of your review, I'd love to read your thoughts on that one. Perhaps you could post just the Slightly Mad part so we could read it. Who knows, maybe we can help you with that too. :) |
chiflaco 28.01.2005 23:33 |
This was a good read, well done. |
Freddie-B 29.01.2005 04:24 |
It's very good, my only criticism would be that it's a bit one-sided perhaps? But that's opinion anyway, if you think that all the songs are good, then of course it's fine, but I'd have reserved some criticism for some of the songs. |
ryancoke 29.01.2005 04:35 |
I concur, nice job! Innuendo is truly magnificent...I think I'll listen to it when I wake up tomorrow. |
Oberon 29.01.2005 08:17 |
A very good review. Off topic a little, I have never understood why there seem to be several people who don't like Ride the Wild Wind. It's one of my favourites on Innuendo. I love the beat and rhythm to it. Just like Breakthru - love the rhythm to that as well. I'd have liked to have heard the live interpretations of these two songs. Brian, Rog and Paul are you listening? Won't the same without Fred singing them, but that ain't gonna happen, so we have to hope for the closest we can get... |
bigc 29.01.2005 09:50 |
Freddie-B wrote: It's very good, my only criticism would be that it's a bit one-sided perhaps? But that's opinion anyway, if you think that all the songs are good, then of course it's fine, but I'd have reserved some criticism for some of the songs.I would also criticise some aspects...however..its was written with a brief to persuade. So I needed to be as positive as possible. Im going slighty mad..I kept getting stuck, because I wanted to say clever metaphors for someones descent into madness, and it just didnt seem to work. cos then i'd have done quotes from the lyrics. |
lyricalassasin77 29.01.2005 17:06 |
Well done BigC. You are a true Queen fan for sure. By far this album was there best work and the sum of all there knowledge and experience. I agree though that "Ride The Wild Wind" doesn't get it's just due. A great song, especially to listen to on a cool summer's night with your windows down in your car and being to yourself. Try listening to the song in those surroundings and you will find a new appreciation for it...........Peace |
deleted user 30.01.2005 09:02 |
Well done BigC. That was a really really good review. I loved reading that. It goes into quite alot. Well Done! |
Lady Cool Cat 30.01.2005 10:32 |
I love Innuendo's songs, but the album is so sad...And I wonder why it was called Innuendo. |
GonnaUseMyPrisoners 31.01.2005 01:10 |
Hi - I was drawn to this paper of yours because what you've done so far is pretty good (especially in contrast to much of the insanity and inanity that's posted here on QZ...) and I happen to share many of your same views of the subject. So please accept these (biting, harsh, and DAMNING!!!... I'm only joking!) criticisms in the spirit of community and friendship, and in the hopes of a more positive outcome for your paper. Cheers!
bigc wrote: (3rd paragraph) The tracks on the album display far more depth and emotional context than any other Queen release so far. For many years known as a band which went for catchy anthems with little depth behind them, this was a radical departure.While I realize this is an opinion paper, let me say that the first sentence above unnecessarily picks on Queen's legacy in order to prop up your support of Innuendo. Why is it necessary to slam earlier efforts to make your point? Why not focus on the CONTRAST or DEPARTURE FROM PREVIOUS STYLES as the reason to take note of the album, rather than accuse the other output of being shallow? The nakedly personal and candid nature of the lyrics truly did endear fans to the album, I agree with you - why tarnish the rest, though? Also, are you saying Bohemian Rhapsody, You're My Best Friend, Love Of My Life, Somebody To Love, We Are The Champions are just catchy, shallow anthems devoid of human emotion? If so, I urge you to listen to them again before you print your final copy. Or maybe you've got other songs in mind that you failed to include as examples? The only shallow catchy Queen anthems I can think of came exclusively from the 80's... but why mention them at all? But that's MY opinion, and I realize it's YOUR paper. Just consider this: Just because he wasn't dying at the time didn't mean his heart & soul didn't go into the timeless lyrics of those classic songs. bigc wrote: These are the days of our lives, track 8... When the album first came out, it was interpreted as simply a love song.By whom? Are you trying to speak for others? Don't. I advise you to speak from your own perspective, or don't include at all. Instead, tell us that's what YOU initially thought. Or maybe you mean "without the benefit of the back-story of Freddie's decline, one might interpret the lyrics to be a love song"... but when you say "when the album first came out", it sounds as though you took surveys at the time... and though I love you like a distant aunt, I doubt very much that you did! ;-) bigc wrote: Track 9 is a true oddity, titled Delilah. ... Its quirky and cute, some had reservations of this track, but on an album so full of strong feelings, it is a welcome interlude. His cats meant everything to him, so even the most cynical listener shouldn’t be critical of the inclusion of this track.So you don't think that other listeners are entitled to a critical opinion of the track? And if they don't like it they're automatically cynical? Perhaps for some listeners, who don't see a need for a "welcome interlude", it is out of place in "an album so full of strong feelings". Look, I appreciate what you're trying to do here, belive me. It's a track which I have routinely dismissed and skipped when listening, but you're simply pushing too hard. Why not simply describe WHY YOU have forgiven the track's personal indulgences and how YOU welcome the break in the mood. That way, it's not quite so bombastic. bigc wrote: Don’t try so hard,(track 5), at first listen doesn’t even sound like Queen. ... Again, a radical departure from a band never considered sentimental or heart felt.I personally think it DOES sound like EXACTLY like Queen - who else but Freddie would sing such a gentle, high falsetto like that? In these |
GonnaUseMyPrisoners 31.01.2005 01:50 |
p.s. Here's an idea for IGSM. Does no one find it incredible that a slowly dying man could be staring death in the face and yet still carry off (and possibly help compose?) songs with such a wonderful sense of humor? |
bigc 31.01.2005 17:11 |
the reason its kinda biased and lack of evidence is because i dont believe the negative side i include. I simply put it to further contrast the truth. the essay was written with a brief to persuade. My audience is the general public. I can misinform them.lol |