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UK Mall 1 - The Cosmos Rocks
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List Price: £14.99
Our Price: £3.84
Your Save: £ ( % )
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
Manufacturer: EMI
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Average Customer Rating:   
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 5099923702523
Format: Enhanced
Label: EMI
Manufacturer: EMI
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: EMI
Release Date: 2008-09-15
Studio: EMI
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Tentative Buying
Comment: I wasn't sure, I'm a huge Queen fan but the thought of Queen without Freddie made me shudder. I saw a performance of C-Lebrity on TV and found it very entertaining which convinced me that perhaps I should be thinking of Queen with Paul Rodgers as a new band and not comparing old with new. Glad I did, a cracking album! I write this after my second listen, very enjoyable, nothing particularly deep and meaningful IMO just the guys doing what they do best and having fun with it.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Queen still reign supreme.
Comment: When the remaining members of Queen decided to reform, record new material and then take it out on tour, they knew they'd have a massive pair of shoes to fill with Paul Rodgers, and that there'd always be long-term Queen fans who wouldn't be happy with any "replacement" they found for Freddie Mercury. I use that term in inverted commas because of course he's irreplaceable as not only we all know but the band and Rodgers too.
But they're not trying to replace him, and that's the key. That's why they bill themselves as Queen + Paul Rodgers. I saw them in concert before buying this album, and I took it all at face value. I am a Queen fan but not perhaps as stanchly as some people, and I had also never seen Queen live in concert; the closest I ever got was going to see We Will Rock You in the West End.
I know a lot of people dislike the title track. Yes, it's lyrically weak, but I really like it. It's just a great cheery glam-pop-rock track that doesn't need fancy lyrics to do its job.
Overall, it is what it is (putting aside the legend of Queen and of course Freddie Mercury); a great album. It's a slight departure from classic Queen but not too far removed; Call Me is the most Queen-esque song on the album, followed closely by C-Lebrity. If you can take it at face value, I think you'll enjoy it. It's lyrically a little weak in a few tracks but it's anthemic enough and has enough molton-lava guitar licks to smooth over these little cracks.
The Cosmos Rocks now Queen are back in town.
Customer Rating:
Summary: It's not Queen per se....
Comment: You have to try to listen to this album is isolation. It's not Queen, it's not Free/Bad Company/etc. There are some great moments: C-lebrity, Small & Some Things That Glitter for example. The biggest loss - apart from the obvious one - is the lack of input from a Mr J Deacon. The bass lines are perfunctory and the album lacks the pop touch that he would have brought. Queen was always greater than the sum of is parts but if you try to enjoy this album on its merits I'm sure you will.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The Cosmos Rocks? Yeah, it does... just a bit...!
Comment: It is very difficult to approach this album with anything close to objectivity. I have been a big Queen fan for close to twenty years now and, in my opinion, Queen without Freddie just wasn't an option and, after Brian, Roger & John dismissed rumour after rumour of replacing him with a plethora of different front men, I thought that Queen had all but been laid to rest. Then, of course, I heard that they were touring with Paul Rodgers on vocals and, to be honest, I was slightly nonplussed and had no interest in going to see them live. However, when news came of a new studio album with brand new songs - well, now I was interested. I still object to the use of the Queen name - without Freddie and John, it is tantamount to Paul & Ringo getting together with Elvis Costello and calling themselves Beatles & Elvis Costello... and, well, it would be nothing of the sort.
Having said that, Paul is an excellent vocalist, Brian is a superb guitarist and Roger a brilliant drummer - and, between them, they have written some absolutely wonderful songs in their lifetime - so I have done my best to put aside any reservations and annoyance at them persisting in using the Queen name and give this album a fair hearing. The musicians behind this album have nothing to prove and listeners owe 'The Cosmos Rocks' a fair hearing. After all ,it's not as if Queen have a flawless back catalogue, but I do love the majority of their work, despite the one or two duds on many of their albums.
So, the album itself. Well, it's pretty good. The first couple of songs, 'Cosmos' Rockin'' and 'Time To Shine' are solid tracks, the former a straight-forward, unremarkable, near-generic rocker and the latter being slightly more likable and aesthetically pleasing. 'Still Burning' has all the hallmarks of an above average, mid-tempo, driving Brian May composition and is cheeky enough to work in a 'We Will Rock You' handclap rhythm, reminding us of who we're (supposed to be) listening to. The acoustic-guitar based ballad, 'Small', is decent enough, but very ordinary. It's the kind of track that the word "inoffensive" was born to describe and even a nice solo from Brian doesn't lift it enough. Thankfully, after an unimpressive start, we get something approaching vindication for this project - 'Warboys'. This is the first track on the album which genuinely gets the blood pumping and it rumbles and blusters along with something approaching passion and excitement.
Unfortunately, we're brought straight back down with the trite, almost painfully clichéd and, frankly, awful 'We Believe'. Although the music does a little to redeem this song, it is without doubt my least favourite track on the album. The album takes a more positive turn with 'Call Me', which is charming, catchy, gets the toes tapping and the sins of the previous song are soon forgotten. 'Voodoo' is a genuinely good track, a minor key, bluesy, soulful song with a slightly latin feel and some fine, understated guitar work from Brian. 'Some Things That Glitter' is also very laid-back, classy Brian May song and probably the best ballad on the album. 'C-lebrity' is a scathing attack at those who want to be famous for being famous and is a good song, lyrically, although nothing special, musically. 'Through The Night' is a downbeat song and, unfortunately, drags a little bit but is brought back to life with a beautiful piece of guitar work from May.
The first thing that strikes you about 'Say It's Not True' is how good it is to hear Roger Taylor & Brian May doing the lead vocals - it makes the album feel a little more like Queen than it did before that moment. It's a really lovely track too, a light, breezy track, gently pushed along by an acoustic guitar until, just over halfway through the song, it explodes into a full-blown rock song - perhaps the highlight of the album. Now if there is any track on this album that cries out for Freddie's vocals, it is 'Surf's Up... School's Out' - he could have vamped and given vocal characterization to this song it desperately needs. Paul's vocals are just a little bit flat for this powerful, stomping rocker. It's still a fine track, though. 'Small Reprise' is a nice instrumental which provides a gentle, pleasant bookend to the album.
So - 'The Cosmos Rocks'. Well, it's neither as good nor as bad as I'd hoped or feared. There are some great moments on this album, but there are also some painful ones too. There are echoes of Queen past, but this is a new incarnation of the group and, I have to say, the trio have acquitted themselves well. The Paul Rodgers songs, such as 'Warboys' and 'Voodoo' provide some of the highlights on this collection, so he has definitely added an extra, pleasing dimension to Brian and Roger's music. They haven't completely won me over. It's not Queen without Freddie, but they have proved that they can make a decent album without him. It's not exceptional, it's not terrible, it's simply good. Sometimes very good. Despite my reservations, I'm glad they made this album and I'm glad that these guys are still making music. Put it this way - I'll buy the next one if and when it comes out.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The Cosmos may rock but I'm afraid this doesn't..sadly
Comment: I considered myself the biggest Queen fan, saw them first as a support group to Mott the Hoople back in 74 or 75. I have every album released (and a few never officially released!). Even bought the back catalogue on Hollywood records after Freddies death because of all the bonus tracks that never made it onto EMI records. I have even bought all the solo projects
I really can't articulate how disappointed I am with this album.
Guns and Roses continue to be GNR without Slash (Chinese Democracy is superb) but I'm afraid just like Freddie, Queen are no more...
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Editorial Reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Tentative Buying
Comment: I wasn't sure, I'm a huge Queen fan but the thought of Queen without Freddie made me shudder. I saw a performance of C-Lebrity on TV and found it very entertaining which convinced me that perhaps I should be thinking of Queen with Paul Rodgers as a new band and not comparing old with new. Glad I did, a cracking album! I write this after my second listen, very enjoyable, nothing particularly deep and meaningful IMO just the guys doing what they do best and having fun with it.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Queen still reign supreme.
Comment: When the remaining members of Queen decided to reform, record new material and then take it out on tour, they knew they'd have a massive pair of shoes to fill with Paul Rodgers, and that there'd always be long-term Queen fans who wouldn't be happy with any "replacement" they found for Freddie Mercury. I use that term in inverted commas because of course he's irreplaceable as not only we all know but the band and Rodgers too.
But they're not trying to replace him, and that's the key. That's why they bill themselves as Queen + Paul Rodgers. I saw them in concert before buying this album, and I took it all at face value. I am a Queen fan but not perhaps as stanchly as some people, and I had also never seen Queen live in concert; the closest I ever got was going to see We Will Rock You in the West End.
I know a lot of people dislike the title track. Yes, it's lyrically weak, but I really like it. It's just a great cheery glam-pop-rock track that doesn't need fancy lyrics to do its job.
Overall, it is what it is (putting aside the legend of Queen and of course Freddie Mercury); a great album. It's a slight departure from classic Queen but not too far removed; Call Me is the most Queen-esque song on the album, followed closely by C-Lebrity. If you can take it at face value, I think you'll enjoy it. It's lyrically a little weak in a few tracks but it's anthemic enough and has enough molton-lava guitar licks to smooth over these little cracks.
The Cosmos Rocks now Queen are back in town.
Customer Rating:
Summary: It's not Queen per se....
Comment: You have to try to listen to this album is isolation. It's not Queen, it's not Free/Bad Company/etc. There are some great moments: C-lebrity, Small & Some Things That Glitter for example. The biggest loss - apart from the obvious one - is the lack of input from a Mr J Deacon. The bass lines are perfunctory and the album lacks the pop touch that he would have brought. Queen was always greater than the sum of is parts but if you try to enjoy this album on its merits I'm sure you will.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The Cosmos Rocks? Yeah, it does... just a bit...!
Comment: It is very difficult to approach this album with anything close to objectivity. I have been a big Queen fan for close to twenty years now and, in my opinion, Queen without Freddie just wasn't an option and, after Brian, Roger & John dismissed rumour after rumour of replacing him with a plethora of different front men, I thought that Queen had all but been laid to rest. Then, of course, I heard that they were touring with Paul Rodgers on vocals and, to be honest, I was slightly nonplussed and had no interest in going to see them live. However, when news came of a new studio album with brand new songs - well, now I was interested. I still object to the use of the Queen name - without Freddie and John, it is tantamount to Paul & Ringo getting together with Elvis Costello and calling themselves Beatles & Elvis Costello... and, well, it would be nothing of the sort.
Having said that, Paul is an excellent vocalist, Brian is a superb guitarist and Roger a brilliant drummer - and, between them, they have written some absolutely wonderful songs in their lifetime - so I have done my best to put aside any reservations and annoyance at them persisting in using the Queen name and give this album a fair hearing. The musicians behind this album have nothing to prove and listeners owe 'The Cosmos Rocks' a fair hearing. After all ,it's not as if Queen have a flawless back catalogue, but I do love the majority of their work, despite the one or two duds on many of their albums.
So, the album itself. Well, it's pretty good. The first couple of songs, 'Cosmos' Rockin'' and 'Time To Shine' are solid tracks, the former a straight-forward, unremarkable, near-generic rocker and the latter being slightly more likable and aesthetically pleasing. 'Still Burning' has all the hallmarks of an above average, mid-tempo, driving Brian May composition and is cheeky enough to work in a 'We Will Rock You' handclap rhythm, reminding us of who we're (supposed to be) listening to. The acoustic-guitar based ballad, 'Small', is decent enough, but very ordinary. It's the kind of track that the word "inoffensive" was born to describe and even a nice solo from Brian doesn't lift it enough. Thankfully, after an unimpressive start, we get something approaching vindication for this project - 'Warboys'. This is the first track on the album which genuinely gets the blood pumping and it rumbles and blusters along with something approaching passion and excitement.
Unfortunately, we're brought straight back down with the trite, almost painfully clichéd and, frankly, awful 'We Believe'. Although the music does a little to redeem this song, it is without doubt my least favourite track on the album. The album takes a more positive turn with 'Call Me', which is charming, catchy, gets the toes tapping and the sins of the previous song are soon forgotten. 'Voodoo' is a genuinely good track, a minor key, bluesy, soulful song with a slightly latin feel and some fine, understated guitar work from Brian. 'Some Things That Glitter' is also very laid-back, classy Brian May song and probably the best ballad on the album. 'C-lebrity' is a scathing attack at those who want to be famous for being famous and is a good song, lyrically, although nothing special, musically. 'Through The Night' is a downbeat song and, unfortunately, drags a little bit but is brought back to life with a beautiful piece of guitar work from May.
The first thing that strikes you about 'Say It's Not True' is how good it is to hear Roger Taylor & Brian May doing the lead vocals - it makes the album feel a little more like Queen than it did before that moment. It's a really lovely track too, a light, breezy track, gently pushed along by an acoustic guitar until, just over halfway through the song, it explodes into a full-blown rock song - perhaps the highlight of the album. Now if there is any track on this album that cries out for Freddie's vocals, it is 'Surf's Up... School's Out' - he could have vamped and given vocal characterization to this song it desperately needs. Paul's vocals are just a little bit flat for this powerful, stomping rocker. It's still a fine track, though. 'Small Reprise' is a nice instrumental which provides a gentle, pleasant bookend to the album.
So - 'The Cosmos Rocks'. Well, it's neither as good nor as bad as I'd hoped or feared. There are some great moments on this album, but there are also some painful ones too. There are echoes of Queen past, but this is a new incarnation of the group and, I have to say, the trio have acquitted themselves well. The Paul Rodgers songs, such as 'Warboys' and 'Voodoo' provide some of the highlights on this collection, so he has definitely added an extra, pleasing dimension to Brian and Roger's music. They haven't completely won me over. It's not Queen without Freddie, but they have proved that they can make a decent album without him. It's not exceptional, it's not terrible, it's simply good. Sometimes very good. Despite my reservations, I'm glad they made this album and I'm glad that these guys are still making music. Put it this way - I'll buy the next one if and when it comes out.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The Cosmos may rock but I'm afraid this doesn't..sadly
Comment: I considered myself the biggest Queen fan, saw them first as a support group to Mott the Hoople back in 74 or 75. I have every album released (and a few never officially released!). Even bought the back catalogue on Hollywood records after Freddies death because of all the bonus tracks that never made it onto EMI records. I have even bought all the solo projects
I really can't articulate how disappointed I am with this album.
Guns and Roses continue to be GNR without Slash (Chinese Democracy is superb) but I'm afraid just like Freddie, Queen are no more...
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