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Queen: Freddie Mercury (vocals, piano); Brian May (guitar, harp, ukulele, background vocals); John Deacon (electric piano, acoustic & electric basses); Roger Taylor (percussion, background vocals). Recorded at Sarm Studios, Roundhouse ... Full DescriptionStudios, Olympic Studios, Scorpio Studios, Landsdowne Studios, London, England and Rockfield Studios, Wales.
Though they began their career practicing an artier, more theatrical variant on Led Zeppelin's heavy rock sound, Queen was always capable of much more. Ultimately, Freddie and the boys were popsters at heart, and capable ones to boot. A NIGHT AT THE OPERA is where they begin to show their eclecticism and compositional facility. The album title is probably a reference to the FM rock anthem "Bohemian Rhapsody," which begins as an existential ballad before moving into a mock-operatic section featuring scores of overdubbed Freddie Mercurys.
"Rhapsody" is just the tip of the iceberg here. "Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon" is a music-hall ditty that owes a debt to the Kinks. "'39" is a surprisingly poignant folk-rocker written and sung by Brian May. "You're My Best Friend" is pure '70s AM melodic pop. Queen even ventures into vaudeville territory (given Mercury's show-biz leanings, not as much of a stretch as one might think) on the fatalistic, old-timey "Good Company." There are several souped-up rockers here as well, but it's A NIGHT AT THE OPERA's winning stylistic experimentation that makes it a milestone in Queen history.Q (p.129) - Ranked #2 in Q Magazine's "10 Essential Reissues Of 2006."
Q (6/00, p.72) - Ranked #41 in Q's "100 Greatest British Albums"
Q (12/93, p.143) - 3 Stars - Good - "...Even 'Bohemian Rhapsody' pales into significance next to the epic eight-minute toss of 'The Prophet Song'..."
Q (12/93, p.143) - 3 Stars - Good - "...Even 'Bohemian Rhapsody' pales into significance next to the epic eight-minute toss of 'The Prophet Song'..."
Uncut (p.85) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[L]istening again to A NIGHT AT THE OPERA is a reminder of the extent of the band's barmy diversity."
Mojo (Publisher) (7/02, p.27) - "...An imperial extravaganza, a cornucopia; a band of hungrily competitive individualists on a big roll of friendship and delight..." Hide Description Queen Night At The Opera Songs Buy Night At The Opera CD Purchase Night At The Opera CD To buy, Click on price to add to cart
Night At The Opera Music Review Average Rating: (4.8 out of 5 stars)    List All Reviews memories
this cd brought back a lot of great memories. i still knew most of the words. great music.
Submitted by mrnb8ol (whittier, ca) 
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 2 of 2 found this helpful. A RETURN TO THE PAST
A Night at the Opera was one of my favorites back in the day, and it still sounds as good today.
Submitted by sherrybwm (Orangeburg,SC, USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No A MASTERPIECE ON SO MANY LEVELS
Simply awesome.
Submitted by e (Cabo Wabo, Mexico)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Listen with 70's ears.
You are sitting in your parents living room. Your fathers headphones are clamped to your head. Queen's NATO is blaring into your skull at pain level. The year is 1976 and this is some of the greatest music out for its day. Put yourself in our high school years before you wish this was more like the pop Queen you know. Listen again and again and hopefully you'll realize what a great album this really was, and still is. There's a style for everyone in here whether you're 14 or (ahem) 44.
Submitted by Shaun (Leonardtown, MD)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Good lord
I cannot believe I didn't review this one yet!! Queen is one of my favorite bands of all time, and this album blows me away. This album was released loooong before my time, but I am grateful to have found this. Great, great, great album.
Submitted by Tiffany (Flint, MI, USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No List All Reviews | Have you heard this album? |  |
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