New Queen album, The Cosmos Rocks, released in October. Bovvered?
Just when you thought they’d cashed in on the Queen name enough, Brian May and Roger Taylor (along with not-quite-Freddy frontman Paul Rodgers) are squeezing a few quid more out of fans desperate to hear a bit more Queen.
The new album – the first since their Made In Heaven album in 1995 – is to be called The Cosmos Rocks. Looking back to when we first talked about the possibility of a new album in November last year, we were obviously pretty excited.
However, after hearing the dreary dirge of Say It’s Not True shortly afterward, there’s no sign of the rock genius that was Queen’s trademark in their original incarnation. Even John Deacon’s walked away!
What we’re left with is two guys (May and Taylor) rampantly demolishing the Queen name. Shit, if they wanted to start a band with Paul Rodgers, but call it something else. Start something new.
Yes, we understand that Say It’s Not True is written about a serious issue, but it’s also a preachy, unsubtle piece of cliched nonsense. Band Aid, Part 76. Have you heard it yet? Before you click the play button on the video below, you’ll need a couple of ProPlus washed down with a triple Espresso. That’s if you want to listen all the way to the end.
We can but pray that The Cosmos Rocks will be a winning album. But without Freddy Mercury and judging on the evidence above, it’s more likely that the Cosmos will be silently weeping for what these guys are doing now.
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It’s Freddie, not Freddy.
If you don’t like it before you’ve heard it then don’t review it.
But when you do try to be a little more proffesional.
Dear P Cook
Thanks for the comment, but I prefer to be professional (note the spelling, mate!) and I do listen to albums before I review them.
This is not an album review – it’s me saying that Queen is not Queen without Freddie (thanks to Bob). It’s also me saying that after listening to two songs from the album, I despair for the obvious cash-in that the band has become.
As I said in the post: “…if they wanted to start a band with Paul Rodgers, but call it something else. Start something new.”
What i was meaning was that if you don’t agree with the bands new format
then how can you give a fair comment. This recording is a lot different from your
average Queen album but in fairness its alot better than some of their releases in
the 1980s. I’ve always been a big Freddie Mercury fan and agree with you that Queen
are not Queen without him but its the next best thing.
Also their live shows are terrific and they work well together.
It’s not a cash-in its just what they do.
Alright, but why didn’t they just start a new band? It’s not like Taylor and May haven’t had their solo projects in the past.
If they’d branded it differently, they’d have got a lot more respect and less comparisons with old Queen material.
I must admit i’m still on the fence about that point. I think their reason for keeping the Queen name was simply
to use it as a platform for their new projects to be viewed. Very few Queen related solo projects have been a great success. Without the Queen name what chance would they have of filling Wembley Arena or the N.E.C etc. I don’t think that is cashing in but more a case of saying “Remember us, we’re still about”
Bought the album today, special edition with dvd. May and Taylor are really pathetic! Queen is my favourite band, but what they are doing now shouldn’t be allowed to be called Queen. It has got nothing to do with Queen. It’s a massive crap.
got to agree that Brian and Roger are quickly dimming the legend that WAS queen.That comment in no way questions Paul Rogers talent but why brand this stuff with the name that created countless classics.If Brian and Roger couldnt atrract enough media interest without using the name then rightly question this stuff as being of merit.Glad John had the balls to walk away with his dignity and memories of bygone halcyon days intact.Please follow suit chaps or risk being mentioned in the same breath as Quo
go and fuck yourself. Queen sounds different now and seems like even not want to resurrect glam-rock era
Deem dont know your comment was aimed at but of course they sound differnt now they are no more!When the band was a foursome they were unique with four supreme talents combining as ONE but now even the name Queen and Paul Rogers sounds embarrasingly apologetic as if THEY recognise that without John and Freddie they are using a brand name without inviting their new singer to be a part of it.The whole thing is a total farce and they would have achieved much more credibility by starting again with a different name and trying to attract new fans on their talents alone not by drawing in old diehards atrracted to a band that sadly cannot exist.Freddie will be turning in his grave at the thought of this and I have certainly changed my opinions of them because of their relentless cashing in.
Thanks for that reply Phil, I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Personally, I don’t want to be down on Brian and Roger, but they’ve gone a very undignified route with this project. It should never have been associated with Queen.
Funnily enough, when you look at how stridently Jim Morrison’s family have defended the remaining members of The Doors from performing under the band’s name, you have to wonder who’s doing the same thing for Freddie Mercury?
As you say, Freddie would be turning in his grave at this pale immitation of Queen.
Glad someone agrees with me Gerard your point was spot on re The Doors try to imagine The Stones without Jagger or Keef The Who without Daltrey or Townsend the list is endless,the tribute concert to Freddie after his tragic and untimely demise should have been the final closure for Queen and the legion of fans(myself included)who loved them for what they were.Endless compilations and rebranded remixed releases just serve to cheapen the whole aura and legend of this wonderful band.Maybe Freddie doesnt have such support as Jim Morrison from family and friends because ultimately he never took himself too seriously and thats what endeared him to a lot of people unlike the McCartneys and Elton Johns of this world and one would have hoped this same modesty would have rubbed off(calm down Freddie)on the others as it clearly did with John
Blah, Blah, Blah….get a life folks and quit harping on about history this, turning in grave that. God, talk about negative. I loved queen, listened to them all my life and freddie’s death was a tragedy. You know something? I’ve moved on and i’ve actually bought the new album, listened to it in great anticipation but with an open mind and it really doesn’t disapoint. Top quality music with enough signatures from both parts to keep everyone happy. Stop crying into your cornflakes over a name… it’s their right—remember THEY are Queen, they make the familiar sound we all love and it continues in this album in a new sense. Fantastic….buy it!
Thats the great thing about discussions and opinions they are varied and invariably differ alike.I also listened to the album a bit like the curates egg imo good in parts very weak and cliched in others nothing new under the sun as they say.Still not a patch on the decent Queen productions and quite predictable sounding but I suppose Brian’s guitaring will always have that effect even with the late great and much lamented Freddie adding his vocal prowess.Still glad you enjoyed the album your point about moving on was not really valid though because as much as I loved Queen I think had Freddie been alive they couldnt have continued as they were for a great deal longer anyway without becoming repetetive and boring and I enjoy listening to all musical genres on their merit alone often without knowing the band behind the sound which I find refreshing and often surprising
I seem to remember Freddies mum and his sister gave them their blessing and went to see them at Sheffield in ‘05.Perhaps they’re part of the big cash in you’re all talking about.As i’ve said i’m on the fence with the name but the new album is fantastic and can’t wait to see them live next month.