336 of 1001 Albums: Queen's A Night At the Opera

Queen takes full form with the unique sounds they are capable of on A Night at the Opera. It's a little bit rock, and showtunes, and maybe even some sort of folk mixed in. Freddie Mercury just lets his vocals take over, and unlike previous albums you feel like you are getting that sound that you were wanting from Queen to exhibit. Not every song will have that flare that makes you recognize this album, but the ones that do far make up for the lack of notice the others give.

The first song almost sounds like the classic Queen I was listening to in the first two albums. "Death On Two Legs" is good, but when you know a song like "Bohemian Rhapsody is coming up you are way more anxious to hear that sort of stuff instead. It's like the last song on the album so you'll be waiting awhile. There are some really good songs that stand out on the album, and as always they provide an array of very short songs, and some longs ones that are showcasing the guitar skills here and there.


"'39" is another song that really is great. It is different than the other songs on the album, because it doesn't get carried away on vocals on guitar that they are known for, but stays almost like a subdued folkish type song. It's chill, and sounds good. "Love of My Life" is also a very unique song on the album as it almost sounds like a piano ballad at times. It's intense, somber, and just has a different mood overall that you will like.

"Bohemian Rhapsody" is probably one of the most known songs off this album, and in their whole career. When listening you can tell why. It starts off very slow, and then builds up in this huge ballad that showcases all the band is really good at as far as musical and vocal talent. It also sounds like nothing else out there to this day. It sounds like so many styles mixed together.

The previous Queen albums were good, but this is the album that sets the band apart from any other rock at out there. It is a little bit show, and a little bit rock along with a bunch of other things. Mostly the guys just sound like they are having fun playing which also causes the listener to enjoy to. There are a few songs that stand way out as something that really makes the album something classic, and some of those are worth checking out as you may have not heard them.

Rating 8 of 10.
Recommended Listen: '39