Name: Sheer Heart Attack
Brand: Queen

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

D004065001

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

180 Gram, Half-Speed LP

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Format Music US

Limited edition

Release date

2022-12-02

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier US

Unive­rsal

Tax rate US

Sales:8.875

UPC / Barcode

050087511111

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Total Cap

1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Queen

Genre US

60s & 70s

Label US

Hollywood

Queen is a legendary rock band that rose to fame in the 1970s. With their unique blend of rock, opera, and glam influences, they became one of the most iconic and influential bands in history. Led by the charismatic Freddie Mercury, Queen produced hit after hit, including "Bohemian Rhapsody," "We Will Rock You," and "Another One Bites the Dust." Their electrifying live performances captivated audiences around the world, solidifying their status as one of the greatest live acts of all time. Even after Mercury's untimely death in 1991, Queen's music continues to resonate with fans old and new.
Queen's innovative sound pushed boundaries and defied genres. Their ability to seamlessly transition from hard-hitting rock anthems to tender ballads showcased their versatility as musicians. Each member brought their own unique talents to the table - Brian May's virtuosic guitar playing, Roger Taylor's powerful drumming, John Deacon's melodic bass lines - creating a dynamic chemistry that set them apart from other bands.
Throughout their career, Queen released numerous critically acclaimed albums and received countless awards for their contributions to music. Their impact on popular culture cannot be overstated; they have inspired generations of artists across various genres. Whether you're a long-time fan or just discovering their music for the first time, Queen's timeless songs are sure to leave an indelible mark on your musical journey.

​Queen's third album Sheer Heart Attack was where the band started to gel. It followed quickly on the heels of the second record — just by a matter of months; it was the second album they released in 1974 — but it feels like it had a longer incubation period, so great is the progress here. Which isn't quite to say that Sheer Heart Attack is flawless — it still has a tendency to meander, sometimes within a song itself, as when the killer opening "Brighton Rock" suddenly veers into long stretches of Brian May solo guitar — but all these detours do not distract from the overall album, they're in many ways the key to the record itself: it's the sound of Queen stretching their wings as they learn how to soar to the clouds. There's a genuine excitement in hearing all the elements to Queen's sound fall into place here, as the music grows grander and catchier without sacrificing their brutal, hard attack. One of the great strengths of the album is how all four members find their voices as songwriters, penning hooks that are big, bold, and insistent and crafting them in songs that work as cohesive entities instead of flourishes of ideas. This is evident not just in "Killer Queen" — the first, best flourishing of Freddie Mercury's vaudevillian camp — but also on the pummeling "Stone Cold Crazy," a frenzied piece of jagged metal that's all the more exciting because it has a real melodic hook. Those hooks are threaded throughout the record, on both the ballads and the other rockers, but it isn't just that this is poppier, it's that they're able to execute their drama with flair and style. There are still references to mystical worlds ("Lily of the Valley," "In the Lap of Gods") but the fantasy does not overwhelm as it did on the first two records; the theatricality is now wielded on everyday affairs, which ironically makes them sound larger than life. And this sense of scale, combined with the heavy guitars, pop hooks, and theatrical style, marks the true unveiling of Queen, making Sheer Heart Attack as the moment where they truly came into their own.

Sheer Heart Attack

Music US

Buy Queen - Sheer Heart Attack (Vinyl, CD) now from Rough Trade - independent purveyors of great music, since 1976.