This is my next to last review, the most widely criticized of all Queen's albums (not counting Flash Gordon). Here, I will rate the songs out of 10, explain the rating and then rate the album as a whole.
1. Staying Power - The album version is a little weak and it lacks something. It has a good bass in it but needs to sound more like it does on Milton Keynes. The live version is fantastic and is a 10 but the studio version is an 8/10
2. Dancer - Also has a good beat and drums in it, but the song is very weak lyrically speaking. Just not much too it. 6/10
3. Back Chat - Another song that is much better live. Many fans don't like the drum machines on this album but I think it gives it a unique sound. The live version is better, this one's a 8/10.
4. Body Language - A terrible attempt at Queen being "sexy". Good bass by John, but the song is terrible and the lyrics are cheesy. 5/10
5. Action This Day - Personally I don't care for this song, studio or live. For me it just doesn't do anything. Mediocre song. 6/10
6. Put Out The Fire - A good rock track which is also good live (Japan '82). The band shows they didn't forget their rock and roll sound. 9/10
7. Life Is Real (Song For Lennon) - Great song. Moving ballad and great lyrics. Dedicated by one music icon to another. Fantastic song. 10/10
8. Calling All Girls - I've read many people bashing this song but I think it's good. The guitar strum before the chorus is fun and the lyrics are nice and upbeat. 8/10
9. Las Palabras De Amor (The Words Of Love) - My personal favorite on the album. The lyrics are gentle and moving and Freddie really puts his all into the song. Would have loved to hear this live with Freddie singing it. Another awesome number. 10/10
10. Cool Cat - When I first bought this album I hated this song. But after a while it grew on me, and now I really like it. It's catchy and Freddie's falsetto is great. Good song. 8/10
11. Under Pressure - Fantastic song with Queen recording with another artist for the first time. This is the song that will make people buy the album but the heart and soul of Hot Space is in tracks 6-9 imo. Great bass line and fantastic song to close the album. 10/10
Ok all you Hot Space bashers, there's my review. Overall I think the album is incredibly underrated. Yes it has it's share of junk songs but it's got some really great songs as well. Overall I give it an 8/10. My next review (Queen II) is my last one (sigh). Hope you enjoy it. Take care.
i'm not a hot space basher, but it's still their weakest studio album.
staying power-8
dancer-6
back chat-10
body language-5
action this day-8
put out the fire-9
life is real-10
calling all girls-8
words of love-10
cool cat-10 (for some reason i love this song)
under pressure-10
1. Staying Power - 7/10
2. Dancer - 5/10
3. Back Chat - 8/10
4. Body Language - 3/10
5. Action This Day - 6/10
6. Put Out The Fire - 4/10
7. Life Is Real (Song For Lennon) - 6/10
8. Calling All Girls - 6/10
9. Las Palabras De Amor (The Words Of Love) - 7/10
10. Cool Cat - 3/10
11. Under Pressure - 10/10
A nice review - it's good to see the underrated Hot Space getting the recognition it deserves.
Though I agree with TQ that Sweet Lady sounds awkward on ANATO, I must say that I love Cool Cat.
A question: Does anyone else feel that The Miracle is a little overrated? A few awesome tracks, of course (Was It All Worth It, I Want It All etc), but it seems that Khashoggi's Ship, Party, Rain Must Fall and My Baby Does Me are only really saved by Brian's lead work. Thoughts?
Looking forward to the Queen II review!
I dont understand how some folks can say that Hot Space was Queen's weakest album. I think it had a lot of heart, and some great sounds. Yes, there are a few weak tracks like Cool Cat and Dancer, but you have to respect what they were trying to do.
Now, if you want to talk about a weak studio album, look no further than A Kind of Magic. Songs like Who wants to Live Forever and One Vision are great, but i think the rest is crap. Face it, Pain is so close to Pleasure, Friends will be Friends and Dont lose your head are terrible.
just my 2 cents
deleted user 13.11.2005 11:27
1. Staying Power 7/10
2. Dancer 6/10
3. Back Chat 8/10
4. Body Language 9/10
5. Action This Day 7/10
6. Put Out the Fire 5/10
7. Life is Real 8/10
8. Calling All Girls 7/10
9. Words of Love 8/10
10. Cool Cat 8/10
11. Under Pressure 10/10
83/110=75% C
People say body language should've been a Freddie solo song... I wont argue that but Staying Power IS a Freddie solo song, it's just him on a syntha in't it. The bass is a synth, no guitar, electronic drum loops. It's a pretty different sounding song that others in the Queen catalogue.
I just got this cd. i'm listening to it for the first time right now. i can't really give a full review but so far i've generally liked it. it's very different from what we're used to from queen but even a weak queen album is better than others bands at their strength. i like the general overall feel and i like the diversity it adds to my queen selection.
Hot Space is not Queen's shiniest moment, but it has some good moments.
I seem to be the only person on earth who likes Body Language. It's a very original production, and has some great vocal harmonies. I'm serious. One of Queen's best electronic songs. Staying Power is amazing also.
This album is known as Queen's disco album, but several songs contain some of May's heaviest guitar sounds until then (for instance Dancer and Put Out The Fire).
Under Pressure is one of their best. Personally, I think it's better than any song they recorded after it.
Most embarassing moment on a Queen record ever (not counting their science-fiction soundtrack rubbish) must be the drumsolo in Back Chat.
Other weak spots are Action This Day, Calling All Girls and Cool Cat (nice song, but the production sucks). These songs really put the album down and make Hot Space one of their weakest records. (5/10)
Staying Power - 8
Dancer - 7
Back Chat - 6
Body Language - 1
Action This Day - 4
Put Out the Fire - 6
Life is Real - 7
Calling All Girls - 4
Las Palabras de Amor - 8
Cool Cat - 4
Under Pressure - 10
Not THAT bad, but not good either...