SE 2, EP 24: Queen - A Day at the Races
05/24/22 • 96 min
On this episode, we discuss the fifth album by Queen, 1976’s A Day at the Races. The band blended elements of hard rock, prog rock, power pop, glam rock, and even opera into their own unique rock-n-roll stew. While this often makes Queen’s music difficult to categorize, there is little doubt that what they created was a sound that was completely and uniquely their own.
A Day at the Races was the follow-up to their previous and most well-known LP, 1975’s A Night at the Opera. With its grandiose use of multi-tracked vocals, especially on the ambitious “Bohemian Rhapsody,” Queen A Night at the Opera stretched studio production to the limit. It became at the time the most expensive rock album ever recorded. It's easy to dismiss A Day at the Races as more of the same; a sequel with nothing new to offer. To do so does a disservice to both the album and the band. Instated of treading the same ground, the band tones down the pomp a couple of degrees (for Queen a least). As such, the album really showcases the band. Several tunes feature Brian May's layering technique (dubbed "guitar orchestra" in the credits) and singer Freddy Mercury uses his amazing four-octave range to full effect and contains some of his most beautiful vocals. All band members contribute songs and stray from their usual instruments (drummer Roger Taylor, in fact, plays most of the guitars on one song). A Day at the Races has some of the band's most enduring tunes. It has hard rockers, gorgeous ballads, playful odes to the 1920s, and even an amazingly soulful nod to Aretha Franklin.
Visit us at www.tappingvinyl.com.
On this episode, we discuss the fifth album by Queen, 1976’s A Day at the Races. The band blended elements of hard rock, prog rock, power pop, glam rock, and even opera into their own unique rock-n-roll stew. While this often makes Queen’s music difficult to categorize, there is little doubt that what they created was a sound that was completely and uniquely their own.
A Day at the Races was the follow-up to their previous and most well-known LP, 1975’s A Night at the Opera. With its grandiose use of multi-tracked vocals, especially on the ambitious “Bohemian Rhapsody,” Queen A Night at the Opera stretched studio production to the limit. It became at the time the most expensive rock album ever recorded. It's easy to dismiss A Day at the Races as more of the same; a sequel with nothing new to offer. To do so does a disservice to both the album and the band. Instated of treading the same ground, the band tones down the pomp a couple of degrees (for Queen a least). As such, the album really showcases the band. Several tunes feature Brian May's layering technique (dubbed "guitar orchestra" in the credits) and singer Freddy Mercury uses his amazing four-octave range to full effect and contains some of his most beautiful vocals. All band members contribute songs and stray from their usual instruments (drummer Roger Taylor, in fact, plays most of the guitars on one song). A Day at the Races has some of the band's most enduring tunes. It has hard rockers, gorgeous ballads, playful odes to the 1920s, and even an amazingly soulful nod to Aretha Franklin.
Visit us at www.tappingvinyl.com.
Previous Episode
SE 2, EP 23: Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul - Men Without Women
On this episode, we finally complete our look at the Holy Trinity of the Jersey Shore sound by diving headfirst into the 1982 debut by Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul - Men Without Women (We talked about the other two on Episode 34 - Springsteen and Episode 38 - Southside Johnny). It is not hyperbole to say that Steven Van Zandt has likely done more to promote rock-n-roll and rhythm and blues than any other musician alive today. A fine musician in his own right, Van Zandt cut his teeth working with Springsteen in several bands before joining the E Street Band as a rhythm guitarist and horn arranger. He’s also a top-notch songwriter, having written a great many of Southside Johnny's best songs.
On Men Without Women Van Zandt uses his horn arranging skills to full effect. Little Steven is deadly serious about his rock-n-roll. Backed by the Miami Horns and getting some assistance from fellow E-Street band members (including Springsteen himself), the songs on this album are powerful and earnest. Fortunately, they are also flat-out fun.
Visit us at www.tappingvinyl.com.
Next Episode
SE 2, EP 25: Roxy Music - Avalon
On this episode, we dive into the last album by the highly influential band, Roxy Music, 1982’s Avalon. Avalon was free of the experimentations found on the group's earlier records. The synthesizers are more atmospheric and provide the bed where the other instruments can find space and be heard. Sonically, it is beautiful, and the musicianship and recording are first-rate. Roxy Music, now down to a trio of Bryan Ferry (keyboards and vocals), Phil Manzenara (guitar), and Andy Mackay (saxophone) are augmented by over a dozen supporting musicians. The album is as influential as anything the band ever did, and its fingerprints are all over the New Romantic movement of the early 80s. The songs are full, at times propulsive, and even danceable at times, though it is probably not an album to play while you're drinking beers with your buddies.
Visit us at www.tappingvinyl.com.
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