Best five of the many magnificent Queen studio albums

2 - Sheer Heart Attack

For me, this one from 1974 is Queen at their early best. It highlights their musical range and showcases several styles as they develop and progress forward. In places, it’s a real stepping stone from their heavier past to the style, class, and frivolity of albums to follow. It provided a further breakthrough and chart success in the UK, and US, helping establish Queen as a top upcoming band. 

The rock sounds of the gutsy “Now I’m Here” and May’s stunning and extended guitar solo on “Brighton Rock” are mixed in with the good time fun of  “Bring Back That Leroy Brown”, the intensity of “Flick Of The Wrist” and a bit of almost thrash metal in “Stone Cold Crazy”. What a combination. 

That's all before we even consider the classic “Killer Queen”. A wickedly good and typically Queen song bringing their first US single hit and a number two in the UK charts. There are more great songs on the album beyond these standouts and in my mind, no skips at all. A special mention also for “In the Lap Of The Gods” and its tremendous chorus. The whole album is one of my main go-to’s for a Queen listening session. 

1- A Night At The Opera

For its impact on music and myself at the time. For its variety. For its ingenuity, class, innovation, and style. And for so many great tracks, number one has to be A Night At The Opera. I still remember buying it, rushing home, and putting it on my stereo. It was an exploration of music as the tracks unfolded and most were heard for the very first time.

Again it’s quirky, rocky, progressive, vaudeville, folky, and much, much more. All four band members contribute great songs they've written. The album flows through all those different tones and styles superbly. It was a revelation at the time and still is now.

To a great extent that could all be just for side one. Before we get to the vocal magnificence of “The Prophets Song” and the rock classic “Bohemian Rhapsody” more folk style from “39” and a bit of Dixie jazz on “Good Company”. Even the UK national anthem “God Save The Queen” has its place there.

The album brings back memories at each play. It also seems to reveal something new each time too, there is so much complexity in the musicianship throughout. It was reported to be one of the most expensive albums ever recorded at the time. It’s worth every penny. 

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