Queen

Generally considered one of the greatest rock albums of all time, A Night at the Opera's overlaying of heavy metal, genius stereo gimmickry, Broadway swish and British pomp is as vital and riveting to listen to today as when it was released in 1975 (and went triple platinum). "Bohemian Rhapsody" is beyond unique, but so is the zillion angel chorus that provides Freddie Mercury's backing vocals and the instantly identifiable warble of Brian May's guitar. "Sweet Lady," "Death on Two Legs," "I'm in Love with My Car" -- these are some of Queen's absolute best songs.

In less than three years, with four albums, Queen has risen from the heavy-metal minor
leagues to a position approaching that of Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple. But the group has
some annoying weaknesses, notably a tendency toward lyrical abstraction. In addition, the
imagination that inspired the slick ragtime jazz (with vaudeville overtones) of Sheer Heart
Attack's "Bring Back That Leroy Brown" becomes obsessive on A Night at the Op... More >

This is near enough to the reported mishmash to make me doubt that it sells for what's good about it. Which is that it doesn't actually botch any of a half-dozen arty-to-heavy "eclectic" modes--even something called "Prophet's Song" sounds OK--and achieves a parodic tone often enough to suggest more than meets the ear. Maybe if they come up with a coherent masterwork I'll figure out what that more is. Maybe if they come up with a coherent masterwork they'll figure out what that more is. (Grade - B-)