Queen – Sheer Heart Attack : Half-speed Mastered (Vinyl LP)

Somewhat of a departure from their first two albums, Queen’s Sheer Heart Attack (1974) had much more of a group feel about it and ultimately gave rise to a strong and greatly diverse piece of work containing several of the band’s best loved classics. Sheer Heart Attack is also a more ‘pop’ orientated work than its two predecessors, and “Killer Queen” was the song that provided the band with an international hit. It may be the best known song on the album, but opener “Brighton Rock” is archetypical early Queen and would soon become a favorite and firm fixture of the live show of the day.

Other lesser known but equally accomplished tracks are Freddie Mercury’s piano ballad “Lily Of The Valley,” “In The Lap Of The Gods,” “In The Lap Of The Gods…Revisited” and the jovial “Bring Back That Leroy Brown.” John Deacon’s first ever composition for Queen, the charming “Misfire,” on which he plays almost all guitars, appears here, as does Roger Taylor’s intriguing “Tenement Funster” with Roger providing the lead vocal. Brian May’s often overlooked “She Makes Me (Stormtrooper in Stilletoes),” and the sublime “Dear Friends” with Brian on piano and a heart rending vocal delivered by Freddie, also highlight the album.

The Sheer Heart Attack album was released in November 1974 and reached No 2 in the UK, achieving gold status. It would also be the first Queen album to reach the Top 20 in the US, achieving a very impressive No. 12 position (also earning gold status), and attaining high positions in other international charts too.

1. Brighton Rock
2. Killer Queen
3. Tenement Funster
4. Flick Of the Wrist
5. Lily of the Valley
6. Now I’m Here
7. In the Lap of the Gods
8. Stone Cold Crazy
9. Dear Friends
10. Misfire
11. Bring Back That Leroy Brown
12. She Makes Me (Stormtrooper in Stilettos)
13. In the Lap of the Gods…Revisited