queen

Live Review: Queen + Adam Lambert, The Hollywood Bowl, 26 June 2017

/ Tayler Anne Robinson

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There are few acts that I would consider worthy of the caliber that the Hollywood Bowl holds. On June 26th the Bowl was lucky to host actual Legends of rock Brian May and Roger Taylor as Queen with current frontman Adam Lambert.

The mere fact that I had tickets to begin with was a miracle, as both shows at the Bowl quickly sold out. I inherited the tickets with eyes-wide from ticket holders who couldn’t make the show, and before I knew it I was in velvet and red lipstick, seated (but only just) at the Hollywood Bowl, waiting to hear classic tracks that had been an integral part of my childhood.

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40th anniversary of Bohemian Rhapsody

/ James Fenney

bohemian_rhapsody

“Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?” Queen’s magnum opus this year celebrates it’s 40th anniversary. At the time it was released ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ was the most expensive single ever made, and at nearly six minutes long it still holds the record for longest song ever to make it to number one. It has been Christmas number 1 twice and is the UK’s third best selling single of all time. Although at the time of the release it was considered too long and too bizarre for radio airplay, today it is considered one of the finest songs ever written.

Must Own Albums: Best of British

/ James Fenney

ziggy-stardust-album-coverDavid Bowie – The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars

A concept album that tells the tale of Bowie’s greatest musical alter ego; a bisexual alien rock superstar that is here to present mankind with a message of hope. The story is rather vague but you don’t need to follow it to enjoy some of Bowie’s biggest hits, such as ‘Starman’, ‘Moonage Daydream’ and the title track ‘Ziggy Stardust’.

Elton_John_-_Goodbye_Yellow_Brick_RoadElton John – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

Elton’s finest work and one of the best double albums ever produced. The wonderful lyrics by Bernie Taupin come together with the music to craft magical imagery to tell various tales of larger than life figures; be they cowboys, gangsters, glam rock stars or real life icons such as the Marilyn Monroe tribute ‘Candle in the Wind’. Most double albums cannot maintain good quality music consistently throughout, but here it seems effortless and there is never a dull moment.

Dark_Side_of_the_MoonPink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon

One of those most iconic images in the history of music, and one of the finest concept albums ever produced. Rogers Water’s lyrics cover themes such as life and death, conflict, greed, mental illness and the passage of time. It was produced using some of the most advanced recording techniques of the time and even today there is nothing that quite matches it’s unique sound. It’s no wonder that it spend around 14 years in the album charts, a feat that has never come close to being matched.

queenQueen – A Night at the Opera

At the time it was the most expensive album ever produced, and it’s worth every penny. The album is summed up in it’s pinnacle, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. There’s tender moments of heartache, frenzied moments of anger, a fair bit of lunacy and a whole heap of fun. Each member pulls his weight and makes valuable contributions towards making this Queen’s best album.

rumoursFleetwood Mac – Rumours

This band has a rather mixed parentage but I certainly believe that it holds a British passport first and foremost. Music is about passion, It’s about putting your emotion into the songs and having other people feel that way when they listen. Rumours was written with nothing but passion of one form or another. The band members at the time were falling in and out of love, experiencing joy and sorrow in equal measures and you can feel it in every song