Jimi wrote:musicalprostitute wrote:
I know what you are saying, but I still maintain even stating something is better is still a subjective thing; I mean, how does one define what 'better' actually is with regards to a band's output over the years? 'Better' to you and I could be 'not too great' to someone else.
As for the reviews? Balanced or not (normally not with Queen, let's be honest) they are still the mere opinions of so-called music experts: I have never had any faith or trust in any review of anything, unless it truly is an impartial, unbiased review - which is very rare (especially regarding Queen).
Saying all that, I, personally, prefer much of the 70's output too - although there are moments from Innuendo (namely, Innuendo, Slightly Mad and The Show Must Go On) which I feel are as strong and original as anything they did in the earlier days.
And of course you are entirely correct. There is no absolute right answer.
I think the most telling thing however is that Innuendo always comes across as an album that MOST Queen fans are very very happy with and that suggests that there is a signature sound to it that represents the gut feeling of what a Queen album is. I think they got pretty close to it with Innuendo and it does give more than a nod and a wink to the heyday of the mid 70's. If that is any sort of conclusion I'm happy with it
I would agree with you that, yes, the band have a definite 'signature sound' and that those albums many of us fans love the most are those where that particular, unique Queen sound is very present and strong.
Innuendo really was a return to form. It is an album that fills me with both joy and melancholy: the joy because here are the band still proving they have got it, still creating mini masterpieces and still able to surprise even the diehard fans; the sadness because this return to form came right at the very end of their majestic career and that they were back on the up again after a run of very mediocre, painting by numbers, albums. But, on a positive note, at least they bowed out with fucking style.
