Sometimes there's a moment in history that something truly unique and something spectacular happens and you know it won't happen again for another few decades. In 1975 one of these moments happened when Queen, one of the most talented and greatest bands ever, released their album A Night at the Opera. That album elevated the fame of Queen to worldwide success and takes rock music a whole other level. This album features an ecclectic blend of genres, themes, and sounds including sci-fi folk songs, romantic odes to love, and probably the most famous rock opera song ever.
This album was also grand technical achievement. Guitarist Brian May wrote the song "Good Company" with a Dixieland arrangment made by his guitar; he systematically tested sounds made by his guitar in order to sound like trumpets and such. The biggest example of this technical prowess is the very famous Bohemian Rhapsody that pushed the boundaries of 1970's recording technology. The chorus effects of the song were made by two overlapping tracks of Brian May, Freddie Mercury, and Roger Taylor singing in high pitched voices and overlapping that track with the same lyrics but in much deeper voices.
This album also showcased a pantheon of great music. Love of My Life is one of Freddie Mercury's great group of longing and unrequited love songs. It's filled with so much pathos and "please come back to me" without sounding like a soap opera track or a dang country song. Another great ode of love was Roger Taylor's unique track, I'm in Love with My Car. It has his ferocity and you feel the passion he has for his car. One of my favorite songs from this is '39, the folkie sci-fi tune by May. It is a cute story of space traveling astronauts who come back to a different earth.
In conclusion, A Night at the Opera is a great musical achievement that truly stands the test of time and relevance. Also, you have to respect the album that has the official Song of the Millennium.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment