Queen
Sheer Heart Attack

THE REVIEW

November 1st, 1974: Pure heart attack!!

After two albums of decent success, filled with fairy tale characters and dark echoes, Queen decisively change direction with 'Sheer Heart Attack', laying the foundations of rock and the Queen style that would make the group famous worldwide!

A complete, mature work, marking a turning point in the conception of the tracks and the development of themes linked to them, rich with ideas that would be revisited by the British group in the years to come. It starts strong right from the first track, which takes us directly to a merry British fair, where children happily clamor and someone whistles a cheerful tune, while Brian's captivating riff gradually rises... "Brighton Rock" is undoubtedly a broad demonstration of Brian May's solo prowess—in this case superb—offering a thrilling performance, where the Red Special seems to converse with itself, the melodies skillfully crafted by Brian intertwine and mesh sublimely! Exhilarating! Excellent Roger Taylor.

More tranquil and delicate is "Killer Queen"—extraordinary as always Freddie—the dizzying harmonies and distortion at the end (a typical Queen effect) make this piece an authentic and absolute glam pearl. The usual vocal performance by Taylor, "Tenement Funster", is more convincing than the previous ones, thanks to a more refined and incisive instrumental part. What can be said about "Flick Of The Wrist"? Meowing guitar, sudden rhythm changes, relaxing and intense... Simply splendid. And yet again Freddie, surpassing himself in "Lily Of The Valley", where his voice becomes incredibly high and unattainable, almost angelic!
Immediately a change of register, decidedly more rock, with the beautiful "Now I’m Here", where Brian May finds ample space (once again splendid the initial riff, later copied by many other artists) and Freddie seems to play hide and seek with the listener! The next track, however, starts with a lovely shout from one of the chorus (what pleasure these choruses!), and a driving piano, culminating in Freddie's distorted and lowered voice, which creates a very strange effect... Certainly, "In The Laps Of The Gods" is an atypical piece, but interesting.

Like "Stone Cold Crazy", an angry precursor of heavy metal (once again May!). At this point, I prefer to skip the brief interlude "Dear Friends" to move on to John Deacon's cheerful composition, "Misfire", a true dose of lightheartedness! After that, Queen put on tails and white gloves and take us back to the '30s with "Bring Back That Leroy Brown", crazy but delightful! Brian May then wants to sing and does so with "She Makes Me", becoming a bit boring and melancholic, but the piece is supported by a majestic and distant drum. The album closes beautifully with "In The Laps Of The Gods... Revisited", a true liberating anthem, entrusting us to the hands of the Gods.

What an album! Absolutely unmissable and to be reassessed as one of the peaks of Queen's output. Magnificent!!