Customer Reviews

The Cosmos Rocks

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(28)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

You can't compare this to classic Queen or Paul Rodgers. This is 2 talented forces combining to create 1 enjoyable disc. It has something for the fans of both bands, and also something for anyone who appreciates good adult rock n' roll. From the beginning in your face rock, all the way thru a roller coaster of melodies, this disc is just plain enjoyable. Yes I do want to hear Queen with Freddie again, but we must move on, and this is about as good as it can get without him. It would be an absolute shame if the remaining members of Queen never recorded again in memory of the late freddie, you talk about a waste of talent. The tightest sounding band ever, combined with rocks second greatest voice (freddie was first). DO NOT COMPARE this to their previous works. Just enjoy it for what it is!

First, of all I wanted to say that the "Enhanced" version is simply a link to a web page which has links to Facebook, Myspace, iTunes etc. like I couldn't find these links on my own. There's no extra hidden tracks or videos, although there are videos on the YouTube link of course, but will they be available indefiintely? So, buy the regular version and not the enhanced version unless there's no price difference.

Now for the cd itself, after one listen it's quite good. It really does sound more like a Paul Rodgers record but you can very much hear Queen. I know Queen fans are struggling calling this band Queen (+ Paul Rodgers) but the bottom line is the music and it's good to hear these rock legends putting out quality new music. If you don't espect this to be A Night at the Opera and if you like Paul Rodgers in his Free or Bad Company days, you should like this CD. I expect too.

After one listen many people may conclude that Paul Rodgers of Bad Company dominated this CD. A few more plays will reveal that this is indeed a Brian May and Queen CD featuring exemplary vocals from Paul Rodgers and Roger Taylor. May's exquisite and majestic guitar tones and riffs gloriously resonate throughout this album. There are some incredibly poignant songs herein including "Small," We Believe," "Some Things That Glitter," and the brilliantly emotive "Say It's Not True," wriiten by Taylor and May. Paul Rodgers resonant vocals are excellent and guitar virtuoso and writer Brian May makes sure that the quality of this CD is akin to bona fide Queen Royalty.

I find it sad that because of Freddie's death too many people think that he was all there was about Queen..I've been a fan for decades and have enjoyed soo much of their music and not all of it was Frieddie's songs. Brian May is a huge contributor to Queen's history of music and he and Roger should not have to change the name of the group because Freddie died. I find all the negativity sad as I really enjoy Cosmos Rocks it had what was still alive of Queen and Paul Rogers mixed in for a truly enjoyable album there were evena couple songs I could really imagine Freddie singing.

I was a sceptic too a few years back but then I saw them live in 2006 and there was soo much respect for Freddie and no one tried to imitate or copy him. I think some of you out there are not looking at the big picture..Queen still lives!
How sad that many of you seem to think it is all for the money but you are wrong, neither Brian May not Roger Taylor are hurting for money they do it because they love to make music and Freddie's death ripped a sizable whole in their lives but they can't just stop nor do I think they should have to lose the name Queen...there were there from the begining too and have right to continue to call themselves Queen.

I miss Freddie's voice soo much but I do not think that the rest of the band has to change their name just because of that loss. The album gets a solid 4 stars from me I'm pleased they made it and I enjoy it. Without Freddie it is hard to give 5 stars but I can at least appreciate the quality and strength of the surviving members work as well as Paul's great vocals and talent as well.

This album is bloody fantastic. This is not a Queen album. This is not a Paul Rodgers solo album. This is an album by Queen + Paul Rodgers. That means it's not an album that is going to sound or be entirely like a `classic' Queen album, or an album that is a Bad Company knock-off. From their inception, the group has made it crystal clear it is not going to try and be something it ain't, or replace something that can't be replaced. So with that in mind, this is brand new classic rock n' roll with touches of that classic Queen flair, and steeped deep with Rodgers blue-eyed soul. The real star on this album is Brian May. His guitar playing drives this album from beginning to end, with his instantly recognizable solos, and his sweet guitar tone is a breath of fresh air throughout. Any guitar rock fan will appreciate Brian's playing as his stamp is all over this. That is not to say that Paul and Rogers are left in his dust, Paul sounds terrific as always, an ageless wonder on the microphone, hard to believe he started singing 40 years ago with Free, his voice is still a gift to behold and listen to. Roger's main strengths on this album are his songwriting contributions and the choral harmonies. 2 of his songs (which he primarily wrote) C-Lebrity and Surf's Up...School's Out are quirky numbers and it's a thrill to hear Paul singing them, he sounds up for the challenge and it's musically something thats not in Paul's comfort zone. 2 of the biggest surprises for me on this album are the 2 tracks I had already heard. Say It's Not True from the live album 2 years ago, I was initially not turned on by it, but since it's now recorded properly, it's an amazing track, and with Paul sharing the lead vocals at the end just adds so much more dynamics and is a real winner. The other, Warboys, was from Paul's live album last year, again not impressed initially, but now with the entire band at work, it's excellent. A nice driving tune that kicks, and, is special for all the troops at war overseas. Elsewhere, the Queen-style numbers Cosmos Rockin' and We Believe could have been 80's Queen numbers and would have fit Freddie's style nicely. All-in-all an excellent, 4-star debut studio album from Queen + Paul Rodgers. A pleasant surprise and my expectations were blown away.

I'm a huge Queen fan. Always liked Paul Rodgers' voice. Good combo. This is a new band. Don't expect to hear re-hashes of their old stuff. Elements are there; Brian's guitar, Roger's booming drums, big, choral harmonies & Paul's voice...well, he sounds incredible...no change in quality - a very big plus indeed as so many just can't do it like they used to.

All of that said, I kept wanting it to sound like Queen w/ Freddie & John's input. It doesn't. They're both out of the mix. So you get more rock & blues which is what Roger & Brian brought to the band all along. It truly is a collaboration between them & Paul. I like the new blend. I like that they didn't do the predictable, re-writes of old songs to simply cash-in on the Queen or Bad Co./Free/Paul Rodgers history & reputation.

Listen to it from that perspective. It's new music from 3 of rock's most gifted & talented; Royalty to use the familiar term. Can't wait to see them on tour. Well done, Gents! 4 pints out of 5.

I guess I am in the minority of reviewers here when I say I am a Paul Rodgers fan first, Queen a distant second. So all the reservations that Queen fans had about the band recording new material without Freddy, I felt the same for Paul. Why would he do it and open himself up to the criticisms that are sure to follow? Well, he's an artist and he likes to make new music and he wanted to try something with Roger and Brian and I think Cosmos Rocks is a pretty good effort from the three. I have to admit, the first listen through, I didn't much care for it; where Queen fans heard "too much Bad Company", I heard way too much Queen and not enough of Paul's influence. After several listens though, I developed an appreciation for most of the songs, particularly We Believe, Some Things That Glitter, Voodoo, Warboys, (which Paul wrote and first recorded on his Live in Glasgow solo cd), and Cosmos Rockin'. All in all I think it's a nice combination of the musical styles of the three men and in my opinion worth owning for both Queen and Paul Rodger fans.

I don't know what it is with Queen and the USA, but it seems they've always been underrated here. I've been a fan since Killer Queen first came out and have loved their work ever since! I never followed any kind of news, so it was a shock to me when I heard over the radio in my car that Freddie Mercury was dead. I knew then that my wish to see the band again would never come true.

However, out of the blue, I found Brian May's website and discovered that he and Roger Tayler were touring with Paul Rodgers back in 2006 and jumped at the chance to get tickets. The performance was awesome and I was so happy to see the guys having fun on stage. The promise of an album kept me itching to hear something new, so when the album finally came out, I bought it from amazon uk. I just couldn't wait another minute to hear what they came up with!

I'm glad to say that the whole album is a true hybrid of Paul Rodgers and Queen sound. This is something I never expected, but truly love and am so thankful for. Out of 13 songs, I think 10 are really tops. Sure the guys are old like me, and not as pretty as they used to be, but heck, they still have creativity and lots of spunk. I'm thankful that they came out of retirement to color my world with new material that I can enjoy. Thanks dudes! You rock!

I have to laugh at the criticism that TCR is "over-produced". To me, there IS no such thing. I expected nothing less than the lavish layers that are so characteristic of Queen in the studio, especially the 70's works. I wasn't disappointed in that respect. In fact, after playing the album daily for two months, one day I discovered the melodic bassline in Time To Shine.

It's hard to pick a favorite track. A lot depends on my mood at the time.. I think TCR should come with a warning label - This CD should be played at 11! (If you don't get the joke, it's from the satirical film, This Is Spinal Tap, and it means the highest possile volume.) 'Voodoo', and 'Through the Night', both reportedly Paul's compositions, are at the top of my list. 'TTN' seems to be written about his wife Cynthia, but to me, it is also a prayer (or a psalm, as it's set to music). 'Surf's Up... School's Out' is so different, and it's really grown on me. LOVE the harmonica and synthesizer on it. Though I have a hard time understanding the line following "wanna ride with you", supposedly "this ride still runs", but it sounds more like "this ride's too rough".
My least fav is 'Small'. I have difficulty identifying with the sentiment, and I don't care much for the Macbeth-ish synthesizer in it. And the chorus sounds a bit like a bunch of drunken blokes in a pub. 'Call Me' has the catchiest hook on TCR, and sounds like a Deacy ditty. The line "get myself a wife or two" is classic; and the laugh at the end sums it all up for exactly what it is, a lighthearted, fun, silly piece. But the kind of "cheesy" guitar solo throws it off a bit, like it tries a little too hard to be what my brother deemed as "a goofy song". And while 'Warboys' kicks some serious guitar a**, I can't listen to it when I'm fighting a migraine (but it's not as "bad" as Chinese Torture). It's a shame 'We Believe' didn't come out six months prior to the album, beause it seems to be written for President Obama, and would've made a great campaign theme song. The structure is deceptively simple, and builds powerfully, like Ravel's 'Bolero'. Some feel it's "too preachy", but I don't find that the case. 'Time To Shine' is also a great, uplifting number that would've been Obama worthy. And 'All Things That Glitter' would be a nice one for some female figure skater to use (as have 'Who Wants To Live Forever' and other Queen songs over the years).

On the negative side, I don't care for 'small reprise' at all. Maybe minus the vocals it would be okay. But I think the sea sounds of waves and gulls would've made a stronger "organic" ending, just fading soothingly off, and harkening back to the sounds of the creation and the eerie whale noises at start of TCR.

I also wish that Brian sang 'Still Burnin'. It kind of sounds like him on the first few lines. And it would've been nice to hear more of Roger's singing, too. I'm glad they took turns on 'SINT', even though I think it's more poignant when Rog sang it alone in concert. But I'm happy they kept it to that one song. I think even more vocal harmonies throughout might've made it feel more like a Queen album. I really like the way Bri's voice pops out on C-lebrity. There are other moments like that on TCR, but you have to really listen for them. I can understand when Freddie was terminally ill why they "let" him sing almost all the vocals, but maybe a little more B+R on TCR would've made it more Q + PR, instead of the reverse.

I think they were wise to drop the cover version of 'Runaway' from TCR. I like the guitar work, but it wouldn't have added anything to the flow. On the whole, this album has made me a very happy camper, getting me through what is turning out to be one of the snowiest and coldest winters on record. I'm hoping that there will be more to come, including a tour on the other side of the pond!

I'm listening right now to this album and you know I enjoy every single song on it. Now this is about my fourth time hearing it and I enjoy/appreciate it more each time. I believe it would have been more aptly titled Paul Rodgers, Brian May and Roger Taylor, The Cosmos Rocks. This is their album delightfully prepared for you. This is where they are now - not Queen not Bad Company but Rodgers, May and Taylor. Appreciate it on its own merit for today. It's a great listen. Enjoy.