pretazzo

(I haven't read all the comments because I get annoyed just thinking about it)...A hagiographic review, but accurate...As for the album, what can I say? Another album, other memories (I have several for each work of the Queen). When I think of this album, I recall elementary school, when Freddie was leaving us and the Queen of the '80s was a staple on the radio and TV. Compared to Works, this is a notch above: more inspired in the compositional realm, more guitar-oriented, and better produced (although One Vision could have been even more explosive). I've never understood the animosity from many (both critics and the public) towards the hits from this album: Kind of Magic is an excellent blend of pop, rock, and funk; Forever is one of the most intense ballads (far less pompous than many other orchestral ballads); Friends is sugary, but infectious. One Year of Love has always tugged at my heartstrings, one of the saddest melodies from Deacon; Pain/Pleasure might be as kitsch as you want, but I've always enjoyed it (an ideal song while soaking in a warm, bubbly bath after a nice Sunday spent skiing); Don't lose your head is their most nocturnal track. They are all deeply winter or autumn pieces, suitable for cold and rainy days (read: Brianzole). Metalheads go crazy (rightly so) over the guitar that opens Gimme the prize, but I prefer Princes, one of Mercury's most successful compositions from the lean decade (the '80s), baroque to the nth degree: nonetheless, two great tracks EVVIMMEDDALLLLLLL!!!!!!!

Mission Impossible was a TV series from the 60s... The movie with Tom Cruise is a remake (with the same soundtrack) :-)

Well... it may be true that Apres with their second album haven't lived up to their debut, but you, dear Krystal, absolutely have: another beautiful review, never boring, always enjoyable, full of tact, balance, and critical spirit... A delightful glimpse of the South... (I'M NOT KISSING ASS, I SWEAR!!!!!!) ;-D (the previous comment is still this, I just found it cut out...)

Well... it may be that the Apres of this second album haven't lived up to the debut... but you, dear Krystal, definitely have: another beautiful review, never boring, always full of tact, balance, critical spirit... A delightful glimpse of the South...(I'M NOT KISSING ASS, OK!!!!!!!) ;-D

Why does Elisabetta's link take me to the Lucidcaffe website???

So many memories with this album... My friends and I (all Queen fans) used to tease it constantly in high school... Then when you see the video for Body Language with John Deacon snapping his fingers and the big girl falling into the cake, you can't help but feel fondness for this album, which falls into the category of kitsch/cult albums – the kind that are musically lacking, but you listen to with a smile. Let's analyze the tracks: 1) Staying Power (a nice funky piece; very energetic live, where May remembers he's a guitarist); 2) Dancer (Queen imitating the Bee Gees: sable vobis...); 3) Back Chat (the semi-serious version of MJ); 4) Body Language (good groove...nothing else); 5) Action This Day (for better or worse, Taylor proves once again to be the most ridiculous of the four); 6) Put Out the Fire (forgettable hard rock); 7) Life Is Real (a decent tribute to Lennon, with an accusatory arrangement); 8) Calling All Girls (filler, but which I remember loving back in high school); 9) Palabras (the worst ballad of the Queen); 10) Cool Cat (warm soul, finally some fresh air); 11) Under Pressure (one of the best pop songs ever and, for once, a well-matched collaboration). I give it a 3...in memory of the good old days... But I didn't like the review: too many rants... (with all due respect)

Odra, check out the live "Space Ritual," and if you want to dive deeper, grab this one and "Doremifasollatido." However, it's worth mentioning that "In Search of Space" seems to be recorded live; it just lacks the sound of the cheering crowd!

@Punisher: you're right, I should go back to proposing reviews that are a bit less technical and more emotional, like those of Squirrel Bait E.P. and Atomizer... maybe next time! @Antmo: regarding stoner, maybe Blue Cheer were the true pioneers; Hawkwind were a bit too ethereal... at least that's how it seems to me...

Great album! And intriguing review! I'm a bit perplexed by the associations with kraut and post-rock, but I'll discuss it more when I've listened more closely to the tracks you've mentioned. Just one thing: which band are you referring to specifically when you talk about kraut-rock? The reference to English post-punk is spot on; they remind me quite a bit of the Pop Group. They don't sound Californian at all. Their strong point is the tribal aspect, the use of percussion. A primitivist band, in every sense, that has managed to use rock (rooted in new wave and psychedelic) to connect with African culture. When I listen to it again with attention, maybe I'll talk about the songs in more detail.

Beautiful Caligari!