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THE REVIEW
The London band known as Queen, left without their legendary leader, decided a few years after his death to close their two-decade-long career, marked by victories and defeats, falls and comebacks, without ever losing their magical touch that has characterized them since the beginning.
"Made In Heaven" is certainly an album full of pathos; not so much for the tracks (most are vocal tracks that needed reworking) but more so for the period that both the fans and the band themselves were experiencing. It was a time of sadness and melancholy for the loss of a companion and a person dear to them and to us. However, Freddie had an ambition: to create a universal art that united music with the art and magic of theater, and he did not want death to destroy his desire. Brian, Roger, and John, aware of this, wanted to complete the work started a long time ago. Therefore, in 1993, Queen went back to work for the last time in honor of their lost companion, as the bold title attests.
The unreleased tracks are actually only three but they testify to Freddie's love for life (the crescendo of "It's a Beautiful Day"), for sweet maternal love (the acoustic ballad "Mother Love" in duet with Brian), and finally, for the splendid landscapes of Montreaux, a place he loved very much (the Christmas-like "A Winter's Tale"). "Too Much Love Will Kill You" and "Heaven for Everyone" are tracks present in various solo albums of Brian and Roger, but it is Freddie's interpretation that makes them truly unique, among the best in Queen's career. Also interesting is "You Don't Fool Me," dating back to the Innuendo sessions: Deacon opens with a bass line, Freddie sings a hypnotic and repetitive melody, and finally, Brian shows us his boundless skill in a devastating solo. Even "My Life Has Been Saved" isn't unreleased because it appeared as the B-side of the single "Scandal" but in a much less convincing version. Thus emerges the boundless talent of the remaining Queen in improving and always seeking perfection.
The true gem is "Let Me Live," dating back to 1983, a soul-gospel anthem where for the first time the three Queens (John Deacon is out of tune) sing together in the same track; monumental! For the rest, re-arrangements of tracks proposed by Freddie in a dance-pop style ("I Was Born To Love You" and "Made In Heaven"), which, revisited with pompous arrangements, radically change their face, especially in the title track.
This album closes with the rock version of "It's A Beautiful Day" with two "yeahs" that cut through the song, one of which is a separate track lasting 4 seconds (!?).
One cannot curb an artist's desire to do what they were born to do; despite the criticisms, "Made In Heaven" is a great album (even if the title is the most wrong thing about the entire operation), the last gift from Queen to the audience that has always supported them and allowed them to live life to the fullest, and Freddie, unfortunately, paid the price with his life.Loading comments slowly
Summary by Bot
Queen’s 'Made In Heaven' serves as a touching farewell to their iconic lead singer Freddie Mercury, blending reworked vocals with original recordings. The album reflects sadness, nostalgia, and a celebration of life through emotionally charged tracks. Standout songs showcase the band’s dedication to perfection and tribute. Despite some criticisms, it remains a significant and moving closure to Queen’s storied career.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
Queen
British rock band formed in London in 1970. Core classic lineup: Freddie Mercury (lead vocals), Brian May (guitar), Roger Taylor (drums) and John Deacon (bass). Known for genre-crossing albums and stadium anthems such as "Bohemian Rhapsody", and for legendary live performances (notably Live Aid 1985). Freddie Mercury died in 1991.143 Reviews
Other reviews
By zuckina
Listening to it gave me magnificent emotions; it didn’t seem real to me.
His immortal spirit powerfully lives again through his last and old works, unexpectedly delivering to history one of the greatest singers and showmen in the history of music.
By claudio1
MADE IN HEAVEN... is a worthy conclusion to the story of Queen!
I like to believe that Heaven For Everyone and Too Much Love Will Kill You are two gift-tributes from Roger and Brian to Freddie.
By Josh
“The sun is shining, and no one can stop me” takes on a courageous and moving connotation.
One perceives the heartrending communicative necessity of one of the greatest musicians of the century.
By Old King Cole
These clever guys thought it wise to mix everything together and create a new album, passing off the songs (sung by Mercury) contained within it as new.
For a band whose strength lies thus in live performances, what sense does it make to release an album that can never be brought onto a stage, as it is 'sung by a DEAD person'?! Well, the answer is so simple… Money, money, money!
By Frenk
This album cannot and must not be interpreted as an album... This is a goodbye, this is a 'hey people, this is us, we are Queen, this was Freddie.'
'Mother Love... The most emotional moment... a spine-chilling solo, completely clean, there is nostalgia, pathos, suffering, fear, the end.'
