Lord

And what about a talent like Collins that's been wasted for years? And the Pooh? They haven't hit the mark since "Viva." There are plenty of capable people who aren't being utilized anymore.

You're right, it's not on the level of those you mentioned, but he is definitely one of my all-time favorite drummers: recognizable among a thousand. Alan White is also a bit underrated; with Bruford being there before in Yes, people tend to forget the later years.

In my previous post, the word "demlice" appeared: I meant "simple."

Exactly, just listen to Live Killers: check out "We Will Rock You," the fast version on the first disc. I play the drums, and I assure you that Roger Taylor has a punch like few others; he's a whirlwind, hammering away as if he has a double kick, and what's more, despite the speed, he still manages to do his typical quick open and close on the hi-hat in sync with the snare hit. Still in Live Killers, listen to the song "Sheer Heart Attack" (maybe not one of Queen's best...): it seems to have a double kick, but he does everything with just one foot; and the amazing thing is that he never misses a beat, he sounds like a metronome. Often in live performances, you hear some drumming mistakes; Ian Paice gives us a few on Made in Japan (and I remind you that Paice is much, much more technically gifted). Then, listen to him again in Live Killers on the song "Now I'm Here": as he explodes into those super-fast rolls, mixing toms and roto-toms (I have them; they’re a delight): we're at Collins' level here. And then he's a very modern drummer, leaving behind the clichés of blues and jazz for drumming that’s both delicate and powerful, dynamic and varied: listen to him on "White Man" or "The Prophet's Song," the way he stops the cymbals, the intensity on those powerful toms. Oh, also check him out on Jazz, the album where he truly shines; it’s one of my favorite Queen albums. Who else at the time had such a sound, such dynamism, such punch? It’s called STYLE, something that many technically more skilled drummers lack. I agree with you about his voice, which has a spectacular range, especially in the high notes. Not to mention Roger Taylor as a composer... my goodness... He was fundamental in Queen, plain and simple.

Well, Battiato is not about the rubbish: he has modernized the sound (I don't like how the modern Battiato "sounds" either), but in terms of composition and lyrics, we're at more than acceptable levels. Works like "Ermeneutica" or "La Cura" I believe are great compositions, and moreover, you can't say "bah, Battiato has become too commercial," since he has always been commercial even when he wasn't. However, I believe his masterpieces are to be found in the period from '72 to '90: "Sulle corde di Aries," "Clic," "L'era del cinghiale bianco," "Patriots," "La voce del padrone," "Orizzonti perduti," "Mondi lontanissimi" (incredible), "Fisiognomica." Personally, I would also add "L'Egitto prima delle sabbie" (but that's a very personal opinion) and "L'arca di Noè" (not such a brilliant work yet, it has some gems). After that, he hasn’t really had any major peaks, although for me, he’s still a decent artist.

Roger Taylor is less technical than Cozy Powell, but he's more imaginative and has a very, very personal style (he's one of those drummers you immediately recognize): this makes him a great drummer (for me at least), perhaps my favorite alongside Barriemore Barlow, Phil Collins, and Keith Moon.

Sufficient disk, May's voice works well only in the choruses: despite having a good range, it is too weak and lacking in emphasis for hard rock. In fact, I believe that her best vocal performance is the country of '39.

This is indeed a masterpiece, the review is very good as well.

But do you really not like it?

No, "Lost Horizons" is stunning. Usually, electronic music drives me crazy, especially if there are drum machines involved, but I don’t know how that album won me over. It may seem like a piece of crap to the rest of the world.