r/queen • u/ApprehensiveNatural9 Sheer Heart Attack • 10d ago
Music A Day At The Races Review - Queen Discography Review #5
I'm really enjoying seeing everyone's feelings on my write-ups. Getting this much involvement and sharing in everyone's enjoyment of this band's discography is really special to me, just like the band themselves are. All of the albums that have been reviewed so far have been so special to me for quite a while, and I love hearing all of you guys' thoughts too!
This one will maybe be a slight bit of a hot take? It's not exactly negative of a review, definitely not. It's far from it. But I don't give this one as much praise as the last three. Read at your own risk, I guess.
A Day at The Races Review
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With having finally broken out of a terrible manager, as well as managing to save themselves from the brink of being flat-out completely broke has-beens in the footnotes of history, Queen had finally made it. Sheer Heart Attack and A Night at the Opera were extremely important albums in the band's history, because it allowed them to be themselves and find their footing. Queen II made sure that they had three masterpieces in music under their belt. So what was the next logical step? Well, Roy Thomas Baker decided to leave since his four-album contract had been done, he had produced their albums up to this point and make them sound very great on the previous two. This was a bit frightening of an idea, and rather than evolve more, they chose to do a similar approach to using various styles of music as well.
Some say this is just a rinse-and-repeat of A Night at the Opera, others treat it as the equally good sister album and in the band's top two. Both share a Marx movie name after all, and an extremely similar cover. But both of these are a disfavor to an album that should stand in its own right. Truth be told, this isn't nearly on the level of the previous three albums, but it is still great nonetheless and even with its weaknesses it is definitely one of the best of 1976, even though it isn't one of the best of alltime. If anything, this was Queen finally throwing away their status as underdogs and sitting comfortably on their throne in rock. The production isn't terrible either; for being the band's first self-produced album, it does seem they learned a lot from working on the last record, because it still manages to balance out the sound of multi-tracking instruments, backing vocals that demand perfect mixing, and makes it sound beautiful.
While not as heavy as Sheer Heart Attack or Queen II, it still keeps a variety of musical styles to keep things interesting. It reached number 5 on the US Billboard and Queen had mastered the ability of writing singles, granting them their most singles on an album to this point. Seriously. Five of the ten tracks were released as such.
"Tie Your Mother Down" is a stadium rock heavy anthem penend by May with a multi-tracked guitar intro reminiscent of later song "White Man" and is followed by a Shepard tone reprised at the end of "Teo Torriatte" to make a bookend. The second part of the intro is done by reversing a recording of a descending scale on harmonium. The aggressive vocals by Mercury and slide guitar solo by May make this an irresistible slice of hard rock goodness. This is one of Queen's most bombastic and loud tracks, and is an absolutely perfect album opener. "You Take My Breath Away" follows with a more pleasantly relaxed feel to it, with utilizing the rarely used harmonic minor scale in rock and pop. It's done only on piano and guitar and features heart-wrenching vocals of dedication to one's lover, and Mercury's vocals are triple-tracked to make a solo vocal that holds its own against the chorus, ending with a steadily increasing repeat. This song is a masterwork of art, and one of Freddie's most intimate songs, this one moved me and I'd go as far as to call it his best ballad he'd ever written, the lyrics are gorgeous as well.
"Long Away" is composed by May using a 12-string electric guitar for the rhythm parts rather than the Red Special. However, this is the only song in which I'd state that the production faulters. It is trying to imitate wall-of-sound but each instrument sounds too close together and ends up in a volume war where everything frequently peaks and fights in the mix rather than being in unison, and allowing you to appreciate them. Especially the drums which feel a bit heavier than necessary for a song of this style. The lyrics are nice though, but this feels like knockoff Yardbirds stuff, rather than, well, a Queen song.
Closing side one is "The Millionaire Waltz" which is similar to "Bohemian Rhapsody" in having a multi-key and multi-meter that features abrupt changes and May performing multi-tracked guitar choirs. The 3/4 waltz is interrupted with a 12/8 hard rock segment and has John Deacon doing rare lead bass. It is a masterpiece to rival the two standouts of the last album, and truthfully I do wish John got to lead with his bass more, as this is an exemplary showing at how he is extraordinarily talented at playing bass. "You and I" is by Deacon and isn't anything noteworthy, but makes a fun party song, it's a feel-good song, nothing more and nothing less. I wouldn't say it reaches the heights of the songs he did prior to this album.
"Somebody to Love" starts side 2 strongly with a gospel-tinged Aretha Franklin-esque vocals and great harmonies, making it a worthy single though slightly overrated as it really doesn't deserve to eclipse the rest of this record's shine. Turning the spotlight over to "White Man", it is about the suffering of Native Americans at the hands of the Europeans, being heavy lyrically and musically. It is one of the greatest songs the band has ever put out, and one of their heaviest! It features one of Brian's most aggressive solos that blitzes with ferocious intent, and Freddie's vocals wail and yell with the perfect anger that matches the subject. Roger Taylor pounds his drums into oblivion, destroying his kit with some brilliant fills as well.
"Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy" is genius and takes influence of ragtime, while the lyrics are simple, the song gradually builds itself up from just being Freddie and piano to the bass and guitar coming in until the bridge adds a unique part to throw you off guard, it's possibly their best song in this style, truthfully. and his vocals have a flair and charm to them. The superior single honestly, while "Drowse" follows with 6/8 time and lyrics of nostalgic reminiscing on simpler times in life with a very relatable melancholy on chances that have passed and times that have gone. It sounds like Pink Floyd, but is amazing and one of my personal favorite Roger songs.
"Teo Torriatte" was written as a tribute to Japan, where Queen was large in from the get-go and accepted faster than in Britain. I am going to be the monster here though, and say that it's a pretty boring slow song coming off the heels of everything else, and while I appreciate how close they studied Japanese language to pronounce things right which shows deep respect, it ends the album on a snooze fest of a note, and very cheesy lyrics that make me wince. What saves it from being atrocious is the way it, as mentioned before, bookends the album to make it a complete experience to loop back into "Tie Your Mother Down".
Queen had been big by this point and were sitting on their rightfully acquired throne, they knew what they were doing, and they once again made something great. This one doesn't quite measure up to par and is held back by a couple songs, and the quality doesn't truly ever reach the towering heights that you'd expect, but that shouldn't matter much because at least in terms of being one of their albums, it's a top-shelf one in their discography.
Rating: ★★★★☆
TRACKLIST RATING:
- Tie Your Mother Down: ★★★★★
- You Take My Breath Away: ★★★★★
- Long Away: ★★
- The Millionaire Waltz: ★★★★★
- You And I: ★★★
- Somebody To Love: ★★★★
- White Man: ★★★★★
- Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy: ★★★★★
- Drowse: ★★★★
- Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together): ★
THE JOURNEY SO FAR (Other Reviews):
Queen review (4/5 stars)
Queen II review (5/5 stars)
Sheer Heart Attack review (5/5 stars/BEST ALBUM)
A Night At The Opera review (5/5 stars)
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u/Fantastic-Floor-2548 10d ago
brian's solo on the millionaire waltz is probably my favorite solo by him other than brighton rock. it sounds really nice actually
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u/ApprehensiveNatural9 Sheer Heart Attack 10d ago
Yeah! It's one of his best to me too. I really like the sound of it as well, it reminds me of "Little Black Rain Cloud" from Winnie the Pooh, which I'm sure probably isn't intentional but its a thing that makes me love the song even more.
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u/Strange-Public1107 10d ago
As soon as I opened this review, “You and I”popped on my stereo. A magnificent track imo. Very positive and uplifting.
Gosh, I think the whole album is magical . It just seems like it comes so easy for them at this point . All 4 albums previously to me really had this impression that they wanted to see how diverse and musical they could be almost to the point that they were trying to prove it to the listeners. Day at the Races for me is “this is us we got this “ It’s more relaxed and more pop oriented and this is probably why it is so overlooked. Of course, through time and years and the passing of Freddie and the tributes, “Somebody to Love” became a significant track from their repertoire.
And lastly, sadly like many others, I strongly disagree with your take on “Teo Torriate”. This to me is a mind blowing track that significantly ends this album. And I’m not even Japanese… insert smirk 😏
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u/ApprehensiveNatural9 Sheer Heart Attack 10d ago
I think that it doesn't reach the exact heights of Queen II which manages to sound like a very cohesive album and has one of the most unique Side 1 and 2 premises, or the artistry that Sheer Heart Attack has alongside its heaviness and guitar work, or the expanse of A Night at The Opera, all 3 of which I commonly see listed among the best albums of alltime, and I consider them as such too.
This one gets listed more than Queen II as one of those, but it never seemed to be one of the alltime best to me. I still think it's great as a Queen album, and prefer it over their debut, but it sounds a lot more like a compilation of songs than a cohesive album, which both helps and hurts it. I do think a couple songs suffer a bit but for the most part, its a very great album. I love hearing how special it is to you! I love it as well, perhaps not as much, lol.
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u/Strange-Public1107 10d ago
Well, Queen II happens to be my favorite Queen album and one of my all time favorite albums. Sheer Heart Attack is second best for me
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u/ApprehensiveNatural9 Sheer Heart Attack 10d ago
Sheer Heart Attack was what I rated as their peak but I LOVE queen II too!! I have it on CD :)
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u/ApprehensiveNatural9 Sheer Heart Attack 10d ago
Yeah, I really do adore this album a lot, it was the first album by Queen I got on CD. It still holds a very special place in my heart to me. I will say that even if I don't put it on the same pedestal as the previous three albums, it is one I still listen to regularly, its a bit easier to pick out a single song to listen to as a favorite off of it since it flows more like a collection of songs than a unified album too.
This will be my last review I post for a few days, I have a lot I gotta do at my job the next couple of days, lol. I hope you guys like it.
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u/Fun_Business2616 Ogre Battle 10d ago
CAN ANYBODY FIND MEEEEEEEEEE
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u/ApprehensiveNatural9 Sheer Heart Attack 10d ago
SOMEBODY TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVVEEEE
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u/lyricweaver 10d ago
One of my favorite Queen albums! It's always up against Queen II for me.
I love that you're really diving into these; and not just the sounds and production but the way things feel. For such an expressive band like Queen, it's almost necessary to get into the emotion of what was created. Even if it was tongue-in-cheek or ridiculous! The whole point was to express something — and do it with such bombast there was never any question what the intention was.
I agree with you on many songs ("You Take My Breath Away", Drowse"). Your take on "Teo Torritatte" is surprising! But I can agree in the sense that, while it's beautiful and has such a heartfelt delivery, it's never impressed me as much as some of their other reflective numbers.
From a production standpoint, for me, this album has always been pristine Queen. I love the balance of sound and how they treated the instruments in the mix. Considering the self-production, that makes the whole thing shine all the more to my ears. A major achievement in creation, performance and production. It shows incredible artistic self-awareness, which I greatly admire.
Can't wait to read your next album breakdowns!
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u/ApprehensiveNatural9 Sheer Heart Attack 10d ago
I think that its impressive that they managed to sound about as good as they did on A Night at the Opera and Sheer Heart Attack without Roy Thomas Baker. They really must have learned a lot on how to work things and managed to do it. It sounds incredible. Thank you by the way!! I really am excited to post News of The World in a few days.
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u/Longawayy 9d ago
I've been enjoying reading these reviews, whether I agree, or not. This time, I feel compelled to speak up.
You and I is one of, if the the, best song written by John Deacon. Unlike most of his poppier songs, here the sweetness is balanced by stabs of harder rock ("You know I never could foresee the future years"), keeping the sweetness from turning treacly. It's dynamic in a way he never really tries to do again, employing the "modular" approach of BoRhap, or The Prophet's song, in the confines of a more traditional pop song. If ever there was a Queen deep cut that deserved to be called one of there best, this is that song.
Drowse, while a fine song, I feel you've completely overrated it. A bit of a change of pace for Roger, in hindsight it was a precursor of Roger's penchant for ballads and nostalgia that would come to define his writing.
Teo Torriatte being rated at one star is simply a criminal action. Subjectively, I can understand not liking the song: it has a niche target audience and intent. Objectively, however, while I wouldn't rate it as one of the best songs in the catalog, it is far, far, from one of the worst, which a single star indicates.
Long Away - Right up front I will admit that this is one of my favorite songs on the album, and of the band. I find it to be the flip side of '39. Where the precusor was science (fiction?), this is spiritual and emotions. Where '39 is, essentially, a folk song, this is folk rock. The hotter mix, and louder drums, make sense in these contexts. Calling it a Yardbirds knockoff is non-sensical, as Long Away is as much Brian as '39.
To be frank, it took me quite awhile to warm up to this album, as a whole, much less the individual ballads and lighter pop (I think we are of similar minds, preferring the heavier, more ROCK songs). Once I "got it", I really got it. Races is definitely a diptych with Opera, with the focus being more on the album tracks, rather than the "statement" songs. If you combine the albums into one, it's much more apparent. Give this a listen, if you get a chance:
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u/Laney20 8d ago edited 8d ago
This one is, imo, the best queen album. I won't argue with anyone about it - they're pretty much all great. But to me, this one is top to bottom great songs. The best songs are absolutely fantastic and the "worst" songs on the album are still really really good (tbh, most times I think about it I have to argue with myself to even pick "worst" songs and have yet to find a good way to narrow to less than 3).
I'm surprised that production choices made you take long away down to 2 stars. It is a different sound, but they do that so much, it's part of the joy of loving queen. And I think the writing is lovely and clever.
I really do like your take on millionaire waltz, though. It might be my overall favorite queen song. I think it's brilliant start to finish and should get more attention. We should hear more John for sure.
I also really really like "you and i" and think it's more than just a fun party song. Speaking of leading with the bass??? Come on.
I would agree somebody to love maybe shouldn't outshine the rest of the album, but only because the rest is so good. Not because somebody to love doesn't deserve the praise it gets. It certainly does.
Drowse is my favorite Roger song. No doubt. I love everything about that song.
But your take on Teo Torriatte is honestly shocking. At least you recognize your monstrosity lol. That song is gorgeous and sweet and honestly a bit haunting, too. "Boring slow song" is just... Like, yes it's slow and not a rocker, but not every song needs to be. Snooze fest and cheesy?? This just feels like an immature take. (ah, I see you're 21. This makes a bit more sense with that context. Maybe come back to this one when you're older, lol.)
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u/ApprehensiveNatural9 Sheer Heart Attack 8d ago
I like slower and softer songs. Love of My Life, '39, Nevermore, and Lily of the Valley i all gave 5 stars those are masterful
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u/Laney20 8d ago
So what is different to you about teo torriatte that takes it into cheesy?
Not gonna beat you up about your opinion! It didn't land emotionally for you, and that's fine. Just curious to understand, I guess.
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u/ApprehensiveNatural9 Sheer Heart Attack 8d ago
Lily of the Valley is metaphorical for Freddie's sexuality and is presented in a way that makes it feel very human and real as the struggle around those feelings at that time was a very real thing. Nevermore is a great song that is rather short and I wish it was longer (only now remembering i gave it 4 stars, lol) being a nice full-circle moment lyrically to the last song on the album with its reference to the seas that also ties it in with the more fantasy-esque Side Black, plus its inspired by Edgar Allen Poe's poem "The Raven".
'39 is just genius in the allegory usage about a sailing trip across the seas to describe time travel and coming back to see everyone grown up without you and losing loved ones, its a beautiful tale. Love of My Life also is just better lyrically
Teo Torriatte comes after "Drowse" and "Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy" which while soft are also still a bit more energetic thereby making it feel very out of place to the rest of side 1. It also just doesn't hit home with the lyrics being very streamlined in comparison
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u/Laney20 8d ago
Thanks for answering! I guess to me, the streamlined nature is very intentional and works well for the goals of the song. The song was written to be a singalong with their Japanese fans, which requires some level of simplicity and space in the arrangement. It also is a lot more direct than the other slower songs you enjoyed, more accessible. Again, on purpose because they wanted to share it with their fans. And I think they managed to create all that while keeping a poetic feel and emotional intensity.
I guess my evaluation includes "what were they trying to do here". And they absolutely achieved what they were attempting with Teo Torriatte.
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u/DarkEden71 10d ago
I'm enjoying all of these Queen reviews of yours - they're very thoughtful, thorough and well-written. And I largely agree with you most of the time.
I disagree with you about Teo Torriatte, though. I don't think the lyrics are 'cheesy' - I find it to be a genuinely beautiful song. I've always been fascinated by it though, because those lyrics do walk a fine line, and could easily cross over into being somewhat sentimental or cheesy - but what saves them for me is that there's a genuine sincerity to them - a concise, direct, heartfelt clarity. And I think Brian pulls it off beautifully. A few albums ago you praised Brian's lyric writing - rightly so - and I think he handles the lyric writing very well in this song. I find it to be genuinely moving without crossing a line into being overly sentimental - for you it obviously does cross over that line! But for me, he judges it perfectly. And I love the 'heavy' section in this song - one of my favourite moments on the album.
I've always felt that Freddie's songwriting was at its strongest on this album - each of his four songs is masterful. I don't think Somebody to Love is slightly overrated - I think it's one of the greatest songs ever recorded.
I think the issue I have with this album is its disparate nature - although every Queen album is somewhat disparate in nature, it feels a little more so here, which weakens the album overall for me. I've never really felt that Drowse fits well on this album - in a different context, it could work better, but does it work on THIS album? And White Man is a track I absolutely love, and it's great to see you praise it so highly, but again does it gel well with rest of this album? These shifts in tone and mood and style just feel a little bit more jarring here than they did on previous Queen albums - for me they do anyway.
I think this is a slightly less cohesive album than the previous Queen albums, but it's still a fantastic album. Freddie's songwriting was never better and there are moments of genius all over the album. Great to hear your thoughts about it - really enjoying your reviews.
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u/ApprehensiveNatural9 Sheer Heart Attack 10d ago
Brian is my favorite songwriter in Queen for the most part. I really loved his writing on every album he's written songs for. Freddie is also incredible, though. I do agree overall that this album is a bit less cohesive, I think I mentioned that in the review. It's still great, just not one of the best of all time like the last three.
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u/jcrawford79 Hot Space 10d ago
Great review. This is an interesting album for me because, while I like most of the songs on their own, I generally don’t rank the album very highly. It’s almost like none of the songs seem like they should’ve came from the same album. I get the same kind of feeling about The Works and A Kind of Magic.
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u/ApprehensiveNatural9 Sheer Heart Attack 10d ago
That's pretty surprising. I find that their 70s work is very clearly their best, and soars above most of their catalog. I do agree that this sounds more like a collection of songs but I think it helps it in how its easier to pick a favorite
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u/pjtrpjt 7d ago
You're on your own with Teo Torriate here. I always loved the song, practically every song since Queen II until News of the World.
I find most of Queen around and above 4/5
To me all are 5/5, except some:
Misfire 4/5
Long Away 4/5
And that's that.
And on Jazz:
In Only Seven Days 4/5
Dreamer's Ball 4/5
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u/Deluxe_24_ Jazz 10d ago
Teo Torriate at a one star is one of the craziest takes I've seen about any Queen song. It's one of Brian's most beautiful songs and feels like a real journey. The "when I'm gone" bit is one of the best moments in their discography as it just hits you all at once with the heaviness and is very satisfying.
I respect the honesty though, but man that's crazy.