Made In Heaven - Queen > Reviews > Supreme Swan-Song Sorrow

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	A last slice of 'real' Queen
Disadvantages:	That was the last slice .  .  .

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

A last slice of Queen for the masses. We all wondered how they could manage it and we all desperately wanted something more from Freddie. It was a bleak time for Queen fans. Then it was announced that there was an albums worth of unreleased material. Woo Hoo!!!!

This album is a mixture of old tracks from solo projects that have been given a Queen revamp and new gems. The knowledge that Freddie was dying makes this a very poignant album, with all the lyrics changing meanings as you listen. It's a competent Queen album and has royalty seeping from it's pores. It's also good to hear Freddies versions of some old favourites... Now if only we can get someone to release his 'New York, New York' from Highlander

Snap Judgements

1. It's A Beautiful Day
a good start, a good sentiment. Short and Sweet.
length - 2:32

2. Made In Heaven
A re-working of one of the hits from 'Mr Bad Guy'. This version is substantially more rocky, with typically atypical chord changes from Brian
length - 5:25

3. Let Me Live
Originally written for 'The Miracle'. Gospel choiring that sets Freddies voice off a treat. some nice piano work, and it's always a treat to hear Rogers dulcet tones. Brain finished off the vocal duties and takes us into a guitar solo
length - 4:45

4. Mother Love
Dark and moody texture. This is the last song Freddie put his vocals on which lends it a poignant note. Brain finished the vocal work for this as Freddie was too ill. Look out for snippets of Freddie's live crowd interactions.
length - 4:49

5. My Life Has Been Saved
A re-working of the B-side to "Scandal." Starts with some worryingly Richard Cladermanesque piano then ups the tempo.
The lyrics work particularly well with the theme of this album. (but I do skip this to get to Number 6)
length - 3:15

6. I Was Born To Love You
An excellent re-working from 'Mr Bad Guy' shows how much you can add to a track without changing it's essential character. Before this album I thought this song couldn't get any better...I was wrong. Watch for the bass riff from 'Kind of Magic' and some lyrics nabbed from 'Living on my Own'. The guys are obviously having a heap of fun.
length - 4.49

7. Heaven For Everyone
Originally a track from the Roger Taylor band "The Cross" album called 'Shove It!'.
Oddly the US release of this album has Roger Taylor on vocal duties, but the UK and European version has Freddie.
This vocal track has been dusted down, polished off and magnificently worked into the new Queen backing track.
Has everything you'd expect from a classic Queen track
length - 5:36

8. Too Much Love Will Kill You
Originally written for "The Miracle" but held back and used on Brian's solo album "Back To The Light". Sad and Melancholic and...well, I thought this was sad enough with Brian singing it but when put in context, Freddie's vocals bring a whole new meaning to it. Some have said it's a tactless and ill-chosen track for this album. It's not. Getting to hear Freddie sing this is a treat.
length - 4:20

9. You Don't Fool Me
When the bass kicks in, you know this is a song written by John :) This has a funky disco dance feel to it (and probably wouldn't be too out of place on 'Hot Space'). Brian is let loose midway through for a 1:30 solo. Fantastic.
length - 5:24

10. A Winter's Tale
The last song written by Freddie before he died. It was written during the last vocal sessions in Montreaux. A lovely song with a classic Queen choral backing and a light solo from Brian.
length - 3:49

11. It's A Beautiful Day (Reprise)
A reprise of track 1, Its A Beautiful Day. Same beginning, rockier and heavier ending. Look out for snippets of "7 Seas of Rhye" in the cacophonic ending.
length - 3:01

There's 20 minutes worth of ambient music on the last track...can't tell you a lot about it really as I normally pop the CD out. I have to be in the right mood for ambient, and I don't find I am after listening to a Queen album.

All in all this probably has more to offer an existing Queen fan than a newbie but it's a damn fine album nontheless.