Customer Reviews

Innuendo

5 star:		(131)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There is no word in the English dictionary that accurately describes this work of genius. It is absolutely amazing, unbelieveable, incredible. I have almost every Queen album, this was the first one I purchased aside from the greatest hits, and it still reigns supreme over all the other Queen albums.

"Innuendo" (the song) is my favorite Queen song, it is amazing. It opens with a drum roll which makes you jump upon first listen. Freddie Mercury sounds better than ever before. The highlight of the track is the "wandering minstrel" guitar interlude beginning at 3:16, it starts out in 5/4 time, then goes into 6/4 after a couple of choruses. Absolutely amazing. "I'm Going Slightly Mad" is a humorous track, which is somewhat Noel Coward-ish. "Headlong" is an excellent rocker, will please metalheads everywhere with its heavily distorted guitar riffs and excellent solos. "I Can't Live With You" is a fantastic song, with great lyrics and instrumentation. "Don't Try So Hard" features one of Freddie Mercury's ultimate vocal performances, absolutely beautiful, will bring tears to some eyes, no joke. Roger Taylor must have been the primary force behind "Ride The Wild Wind," as his drums really stand out on this fast, heart-pumping track. "All God's People" is classic Freddie Mercury, with its complex, multilayered vocals ala "Somebody To Love" or "Bohemian Rhapsody." Next is the haunting track "These Are The Days Of Our Lives," a song about looking back on childhood and enjoying life as an adult. This song was also the last music video filmed by Queen as a foursome with Freddie. "Delilah" is a cute, little ditty about Freddie's favorite cat of the same name. Then in charges "The Hitman," which rocks and reels us all like just like the album's earlier track "Headlong." Next is "Bijou," an instrumental with a brief lyric from Freddie. This track features incredible guitar work by virtuoso Brian May himself, beautiful.

Finally, the all-out finale "The Show Must Go On" closes the album. This song is most likely the track that defines the Innuendo album. As most of you know, this was the last album Queen released before Freddie Mercury died. He said to his bandmates that he wanted to keep on making records until he was no longer alive to record more music. This song speaks of his attitude toward his state. Freddie was extremely ill with AIDS at the time of recording this album, and was determined to give it his all. "Inside my heart is breaking, my makeup may be flaking but my smile still stays on." This lyric speaks of his exact feeling, sometimes it got so bad he had to prop himself up on the desk and sing. It means that AIDS is taking over him, but he will ignore it and keep going, "I'll face it with a grin, I'm never giving in, on with the show...."

Innuendo was released on February 5, 1991. On November 24th of that same year, Freddie Mercury was dead. He left this world after he and his bandmates released an album of the most incredible music they could ever do. They knew they were on borrowed time, so they pushed themselves to the limits, and by doing so, they did it better than they ever could have done, with one simple thought of determination, "the show must go on." They continued right up until Freddie was to ill to work. Now and forever, the show will go on, go on, go on, go on, go on, go on...........

It's hard to believe that this is the last album Queen released as a foursome. Released in 1991, not too long before Freddie's death, this truly shows Queen at their finest. It's one of those albums you can listen to all the way through. Starting with the six-minute epic "Innuendo", and ending with the powerful "The Show Must Go On," this album is a must have for any Queen fan, or any rock fan for that matter.
1. Innuendo (10/10)
2. I'm Going slightly Mad (10/10)
3. Headlong (8/10)
4. I Can't Live with You (7.5/10)
5. Don't Try So Hard (9/10)
6. Ride the Wild Wind (8/10)
7. All God's People (7.5/10)
8. These Are the Days of Our Lives (10/10)
9. Delilah (8/10)
10. The Hitman (8.5/10)
11. Bijou (9.5/10)
12. The Show Must Go On (10+)
The last song on the CD is, in my opinion, one of the best Queen songs ever. As you listen to Freddie sing, it's not apparent in any way he was ill. His voice was still as beautiful as ever, and he went out at the top. It pains me to listen to the song, because it seems like a song Freddie wrote about his battle with his illness. "The Days of our Lives" seems like Freddie's farewell song. When he says at the end, "I still love you," I tear up. Freddie Mercury was the best songwriter/singer/performer that I have ever known, and I will remember him forever!

Forget everything you know about Queen and Freddie Mercury. Buy this CD for the brilliant music alone...

This is simply rock music at the highest level - a great band probably playing at its peak. Every song is a masterpiece, pure and simple.

And then remember Queen and Freddie Mercury. They knew this CD would probably be their last as Queen. And they, as a group, gave it their all. Music, lyrics, performance -its all here.

Listen to the CD again. And then you can cry for what we have lost.

PREAMBLE RAMBLE

You will know I love many eclectic styles of music when I say that my current CD changer is occupied by Astrud Gilberto, Hank Williams, Louis Prima, Brothers Johnson, Johnny Cash, and Queen. And while these may seem to be hopelessly disconnected, I realized with a start today that the Cash and Queen CDs actually did share one bittersweet connection: both are sad but stirring farewells from artists of unparalelled excellence.

Of course, the particular Queen CD occupying my CD changer at this time is INNUENDO, and it has ranked as my favorite Queen CD during the past 15 years. Though it may not be as consistent as, say, NIGHT AT THE OPERA, it does hit several high points that continue to be deeply moving and revelatory in their brilliance.

THE SONGS

This CD does really hold together strongly thematically, as Freddie Mercury ponders the most profound issues of life and death, and does so with a determined--even hopeful--gleam in his eye. The Zepplin-esque leadoff title track is as epic and powerful as anything the band has ever done, Mercury's vocals soaring on waves of sonic blasts courtesy of Brian May's guitar symphonics and guest guitarist Steve Howe's Spanish-style picking.

"I'm Going Slightly Mad" is somewhat chilling in light of reality, but Mercury infuses it with his usual tongue-in-cheek defiant humor, and "Headlong" is a pleasingly crunchy rocker highlighted by Queen's groovy rhythm section of Taylor and Deacon. Other highlights include the exhilirating "Ride the Wild Wind" and the beautifully lilting "These Are the Days of Our Lives" (one of the band's finest ballads, and one that is not maudlin in any way).

As brilliant as all of the above are, the coup de grace is "The Show Must Go On," where Mercury faces his fate "with a grin," and sings "on with the show" with such conviction, passion, and pathos that it both breaks your heart and causes the hair on your arm to rise. The lush instrumentation here is incredibly powerful--only a voice like Mercury's could keep up with, and even transcend it.

RECOMMENDATION

Absolutely, I give this my highest recommendation for a symphonic rock album--it's a classic of the genre and still holds up brilliantly today. Great music, regardless of style, is both timely and timeless. INNUENDO is a moving document of the passing of one of music's finest vocalists, the incomparable Freddie Mercury, and for that reason alone, makes this album indespensible. But beyond that, it is a stellar collection of songs, masterfully performed, by a powerful band at the top of their game.

To this day-and this is after having had-and loving 'Innuendo' for almost twelve years now-this album still blows me away for many reasons. One? The songs. (&) Two? The collective brilliance of how Brian May,Roger Taylor,John Deacon-and most stupefyingly-Freddie Mercury defied the odds and crafted such a stirring swan song as 'Innuendo'. How Is It that one man can sing better than he ever had (oh,did he...) and be thisclose to succumbing to terminal illness? My Lord: "Innuendo","The Show Must Go On","Headlong","I'm Going Slightly Mad","Delilah","All God's People","These Are The Days Of Our Lives"....

It's been said that upon learning his time was very limited here on earth,Freddie insisted he and Queen return to the studio pronto and do as much work as God would give them time-wise... As Brian May has said in interviews following Freddie's passing in autumn 1991,Freddie was typically only physically able to sing what he did an hour or two at a time each recording session until he was unfortunately spent by the rigors of his illness.. Only to try again until he just couldn't do anymore that day by propping himself up against the console and having a crack at it all again: Never Giving In. Let THAT be a lesson to ANYONE about it not being how much time you put into something you do,but How Much The Time Vested COUNTS. Freddie could sing in an hour's time in a studio what ten vocalists couldn't in a week's time... Need a better picture of what I mean here? Then hear 'Innuendo' front to back: from the amazing opener "Innuendo" through to the more-apt-than-apt album closer "The Show Must Go On"(which features some of Freddie's most...unreal yet very real....singing ever heard).

Amazing,AMAZING stuff. Let there be no mistake though: as fine as everyone's performances are on 'Innuendo',Freddie basically steals the show here with 'Innuendo' as being as super-human a vocalist and spirit as he so certainly does on 'Innuendo'. Don't be swayed by all of these 5 star reviews and have a cynical tongue in that cheek there: Freddie never sang this amazingly; his range even got more broader and intense than at any other time in Queen's history... But moreover,'Innuendo' contains some of THE Very Best Queen material ever released. Period. (And,no,I'm not being too sentimental in light of how the band ended with Freddie's death. This Record-By Itself-Is Brilliant. Period. ) Every element that ever characterized Queen up until 'Innuendo' with all sorts of facets that seal the deal in how 'Innuendo' is as timeless and solid a Queen album as even 'A Night At The Opera','Sheer Heart Attack','The Game' or 'Queen II'. Perhaps moreso 'Innuendo' than the other albums for it's overall scope of content and it's true from-the-gut intensity. I can't say enough words that hit the mark enough to give this album justice. I can only hope any one of you reading a review like this here can find out for yourself by buying and listening to 'Innuendo' for yourselves...

I'm still blown away by what Freddie had pulled out of his soul for 'Innuendo'(he and all of Queen),and the heartwarming fact that all four members bandied together as productively as they had and brewed up such a potent,potent album that has all of their whimsy,humor and good spirits served up with a fitting,superbly-poignant overall-dose of grasping one's own mortality-staring in the face of it as if to say "I dare ya to take me when I've got THIS to do yet!" -and THEN creating said album. (If you should find yourself into 'Innuendo',the posthumously-released 'Made In Heaven' record from 1995 is worthy of mention; for it contains the very last studio sessions of what began with 'Innuendo'.. Fine album in itself..)

Above ALL else: one of the best pop/rock star personalities ever; one of the most naturally-charismatic frontmen of any genre of music (And Queen is many genres; as 'Innuendo' but one example attests...) and above any tragedy or any sexuality,Freddie Mercury was,is and remains one of the most gifted vocalists,musicians and songwriters ever. But Mostly,after knowing him through the music and times of Queen,he stands tallest as being as truly beautiful a person as he was. Period. Ask any self-respecting singer in just about any band or outfit and I'm sure they'll be quick to give Freddie his due props in admiration,affection,respect and awe for the vocal chops and command Freddie Mercury most certainly had (and has; as records=immortality). God Bless You Always: Freddie and the surviving members of Queen. 'Innuendo' is as good as it gets in serving up an unfortunately-premature salvo to such a legendary career. Yep; 'Innuendo' is one of the most solid,all-around brilliant records Queen has EVER made. ANd imagine that it was the last one made and released while Freddie Mercury was alive...

Who better than them to lay claim to that? After all,they've created so many timeless and incredible songs and albums since 1973.. It's so beautiful that they captured every element of joy and duress as they have with 'Innuendo' and with Freddie hanging on as brilliantly as he did while having the grace to accept his fate as he did.

Brilliant album overall. Do yourself a favor and check it out/buy it.

Thank You,
Tim Goyer
USA

It still suprises me to think that Freddie was dying when he made this because this is one of the greatest albums ever. You might expect someone who is dying of such a terrible disease such as AIDS to complain or stay in bed but not Freddie he had to go out on top, and that he did. It begins with "Innuendo" a six minute progressive epic song that went straight to number 1 in England. The song probably has alot to due with Freddie dying even if it was mostly written by Roger. Regardless who wrote it is the best song Queen has written since Bohemian Rhapsody. The following hit is a weird one. "I'm Going Slightly Mad" has a playful video and music yet its lyrics are depressing. The song talks about what Freddie was going through during his illness with lines such as "I'm one card short of a full deck" and "I'm one wave short of a ship wreck". Depressing indeed. Next is the rocker "Headlong" which is one of the most upbeat songs on the album. I have no clue what the song is about but I sure do love it. "I Can't Live With You" is the next rocker song, while better on the later Queen Rocks album this song is pretty good with catchy lyrics and a nice rock stance to go along with it. "Don't Try So Hard" is a ballad that is very powerful with Freddie singing in falsetto for some of it and it the middle is very strong "Oh what a beautiful world / this is the life for me" that part gives me shivers everytime. Next is the Roger penned "Ride the Wild Wind" and Queen vets will know this is a Roger song right away with the fast tempo and the race car sounds. It also has some very catchy YEAH YEAH YEAH's in it. The next is the Barcelona album demo "All God's People" and since Tim Rice worked with Freddie on Barcelona and he also did the Lion King it makes me wonder if he was inspired by this song because they sound very similiar. Overally it's a good song with a powerful beginning but kind of dies off towards the end. The next is one of the tearjerkers on the album called "These Are The Days Of Our Lives". It features a video with Freddie's last on screen appearance and animation from Disney. The song is beautiful and the final line "I Still Love You" is very emotional to any Queen fan. Now for a complete change of pace we go to "Delilah" which is a song about Freddie's favorite feline companion. Not a very good song, kind of poppy and features the band mates with some terrible "Meows". Roger hated this song and I can't blame him, yet I still respect Freddie that he wanted to write a song for his beloved cat. The next is a little better, Brian May's "Hitman" is one of Queen's heaviest songs yet has some of the worst lyrics. The Hitman referred to in the song can be a reference to the AIDS virus that was killing Freddie. It's a fun song to bang your head too just don't listen to the lyrics too carefully. Now we close out the album with two magnificent songs. "Bijou" has one of the best guitar solos i've heard. It does not have many lyrics but it does not need them as that guitar is just amazing and very sad. It sets up the next song perfectly too. Now for Queen's last epic song "The Show Must Go On". Ask any Queen what their favorite Queen songs are and more than likely they will say this one. It is an intense song about life continuing after Freddie was gone. Freddie delivers on this song as his vocals really lift the song to an incredible high. Overall if you're not sold yet than you probably won't be. Innunedo is an album that defines a group like Queen. It shows what kind of character they have, that they can go into the studio and create such a wonderful album with only a little time remaining. What a fabulous group they were, and what a fabulous album this is.

Innuendo is a special album. Most people will agree that although Queens 1980s work produced some great songs, it was largely inferior to their 1970s output.

Fortunately Queen managed to wrap things up with Innuendo, an album with an almost magical quality about it. Almost everything that made me love mid 70s Queen is back again. The overblown theatrics, the heavy, flat out rockers, the slight ballads. Even the album cover wouldn't look out of place on a 70s Queen album.

Perhaps most poignantly though, this is an album made by a band who know that one of their members is dying. Some parts of the album are very obviously Freddie Mercury reminiscing on life. Don't Try So Hard, All God's People, Days Of Our Lives and The Show Must Go On are all songs that in all honestly I can't listen to lightly, as they are almost harrowingly beautiful. But Freddie was never without a sense of humour and I'm Going Slightly Mad is wonderfully goofy, something akin to Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon from A Night At The Opera. And no Queen album would be complete without the Brian May metal, here displayed by Hitman.

There is a small problem. Delilah is a cute little song, but I wouldn't want to listen to it more than once.

Overall an eclectic album with some great music on it. It will rock you (as Queen so famously promised) it will raise a smile (albeit a metaphorical one-probably) but above all it will, I hope, move you. It's not an album to play at any old time though. It's an involving album that has a lot of emotion behind it.

Queen must've known that Innuendo was likely to be their final album (Made In Heaven doesn't count), and as a result they gave it their all. There are many songs that harken back to the theatrical period of the band's career, but the material comes off as relevant instead of nostalgic. Not only was Freddie on fire, the entire band was in top form as well. Even some of the weaker tracks (like "Delilah" and "Bijou") have something worth listening to...the atmospheric elements will tantalize your ears. Queen was primed for a comeback in the US with Innuendo, but...well, we all know what (sadly & unfortunately) happened. A winner of an album, and their best since the "glory days". Get it NOW...

After finishing "The Miracle", the boys went straight to recording this priceless album.This is quite possibly Queen's most personal work as it was recorded during Freddie's last days.Freddie was reported to have said to the rest of the band (para-phrasing) "Write something for me to sing, I don't care what." He was in incredible pain throughout and often had to rest for long periods. Queen did not know if Freddie would even live long enough for the album to be completed.He did and we are richer for it.The album, comprised of songs dealing with mortality, sadness and yet, the light at the end of the tunnel, leaves you with mixed emotions. Not to the quality of the songs but what you actually feel inside.It all begins with the epic, title track "Innuendo", recalling the glory days of "Bohemian Rhapsody" with it's THREE styles of music included...it's lyrical nature very Zeppelin-esque."I'm Going Slightly Mad" sounds like The Cure with pep.The album's emotional weight comes from two main tracks. "These Are the Days of Our Lives" has Freddie "going back through life on a roller-coaster ride", reliving his past joys. "The Show Must Go On"...even with AIDS ravaging his body, his voice was never stronger singing with courage "My make-up may be flaking but my smile still stays on..." & "I'll face it with a grin, I'm never giving in.."This album isn't all morbid as evidenced by the all for nothing rockers "Headlong" and "The Hitman". Even silliness reigns with Freddie's own dedication to his favorite cat in "Delilah".The shame of it all...this was released with much fanfare as it was the first from a new contract with the Disney owned Holywood Records. Queen were getting good reviews...videos played on MTV and their new rock tracks finding heavy rotation on America's AOR stations. Sadly, Freddie died some nine months later at his home in London.Freddie shone through here, facing it all...wearing a grin. This entry in Queen's catalog is a must for any "music fan".

I was glad to see all of the good reviews for this album, it deserves it! Freddy sings with such joy for life even though he knew he was dying. Maybe that's why he could see the beauty of this world that many of us take for granted. But then again the man always seemed to enjoy life to the fullest. This album is solid from start to finish. Brian May's guitar playing is as tasty as ever. Freddy has got to be one of the greatest vocalists ever (next to RJD, Rob Halford, Chris Cornell, and Paul Stanley). His melodies and phrasing are superb. Almost all of Queen's albums should be in your collection but this one has a special place in my heart. The Show Must Go On!