Sheer Heart Attack Review

07/13/2005 5:30 AM, AMG


Queen's second album of 1974 (and third overall), Sheer Heart Attack, helped bridge the gap between the mystical heavy metal of their early years and the hard rock/pop perfection of future releases. The main reason why Queen issued another album so soon after Queen II (only eight months apart) was due to guitarist Brian May's hepatitis, which had forced the band off its touring schedule. Instead of waiting, Freddie Mercury and co. used their time wisely and worked diligently on their third record. The result was what many fans consider Queen's first true classic, featuring their U.S. breakthrough single "Killer Queen" (which almost reached the top of the charts in England) and the radio/concert favorite "Now I'm Here." Also included is a song that Metallica would later cover (and win a Grammy Award for), "Stone Cold Crazy," as well as the impressive opening guitar showcase, "Brighton Rock." Besides including the expected ballads ("Dear Friends," "Lily of the Valley") and hard rock ("Flick of the Wrist," "Tenement Funster"), Queen take on musical styles previously unexplored by hard rock bands -- uplifting sounds from the Caribbean ("Misfire") and a ragtime ditty ("Bring Back That Leroy Brown"). Closing with the epic composition "In the Lap of the Gods...Revisited" (the set-closer on the ensuing tour), Sheer Heart Attack captured Queen's first true U.S. success. But their next album would make them a worldwide phenomenon. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide