Tater Thoughts

It's creepy. I say that a lot in this random-tangent-thought episode, where I rave about the games I grew up with, and the ones I loved the most; including the immensely successful Doom and one of my favorite foes ever. Dive into nostalgia with me for all the incredible game soundtracks, impressive graphics, and massive online roleplaying you can handle.

Drummer Roger Taylor's contribution to Queen's third album, "Tenement Funster" is a little more complex but maintains the rock 'n' roll edge Roger's established in earlier compositions. Queen never performed it live, but Roger occasionally sang it during solo tours in the '90s. It stands out against the many dynamic styles of Sheer Heart Attack. Appropriately raucous and full of attitude, it includes one of my very favorite lyrics, ever.

We're in big hit territory now and it freaks me out. How do you pick apart something so many people love and know so well? By being way too enthusiastic, that's how. Triangle. Chimes. Jangle piano. There are so many clever surprises in "Killer Queen", and the lyrics are some of Freddie's best. This was a massive stylistic turn for the band, and it worked in their favor; especially when they appeared on Top of the Pops. It was such a big hit, they played it over 400 times live; their memorable '81 Montreal gig included.

We kick off Queen's game-changing album, Sheer Heart Attack, with the playful, poised, but still edgy "Brighton Rock". The boys' more polished sound is immediately obvious, and this song features a special (lengthy) solo that's celebrated by many. It made for a great live performance, too.

I'm back and excited to talk about Queen's fantastic and pivotal third album, "Sheer Heart Attack". Dive in with me as we go through the recording process, why this album was created so quickly, Brian's unique recording perspective and what the album's success meant for the boys.

When you're in a place or a frame of mind where your heart is wide open, that's a happy place. Maybe it's not just a place, but a way of life. You can certainly bloom where you're planted, but if there's a place where blooming comes without trying, perhaps that's where you should be, or what you should be.

The boys' sparkling closer on Queen II, and their first hit single, "Seven Seas of Rhye" is a short and sweet but impactful and effective rock number. It concludes one of my favorite song triads ever and makes me run faster. Freddie's brilliant lyrics here are some of my very favorites. The guys performed this on BBC's Top of The Pops in February '74, giving this track a boost and the band well-deserved attention. Find out what was so unique about that performance.

Recent permeating feelings of alienation have me playing this on repeat. "Tom's Diner", originally by Suzanne Vega, has an interesting and long history. According to one fan on YouTube, it's "the song everyone knows but can never remember the lyrics or title." It started as an a cappella charmer and (much) later became a worldwide hit. An expression in isolation that's incredibly relatable; especially now.

Here's a little gem in a style you'll never hear again from the boys. "Funny How Love Is" makes a vocal statement more reminiscent of The Beach Boys, and there's a big reason for that. Freddie's piano playing is lovely and the wall of sound production is entirely uplifting. An early rehearsal take exists!

...and we're doing it. This was an intimidating song to dive into. "The March of The Black Queen" isn't just one of Queen's longest songs, it's one of their most complex, with key changes and chords and scales that rival almost every other masterpiece; including the great "Bohemian Rhapsody". And I freely admit, I think I love it even more. Running with this in my ear? Power.