10 Most Underappreciated Rock Albums
3. Queen - A Night At The Opera
Underappreciated? The album with Bohemian Rhapsody on it? Queen? What are you talking about?
Indeed, but despite them being one of the biggest bands in the entire world, ever, and despite Bohemian Rhapsody basically being the greatest single ever released, Queen are, generally speaking, not known as an “album band”. Which, admittedly, isn’t the criticism it once was, as we’re no longer living in a era where the album is the big end product of the streaming age. They are, nevertheless, known primarily for their impressive array of top selling singles and their reputation as a premier live act. Their best known and top-selling record is the 1981 Greatest Hits compilation, which emphasises the point nicely.
A Night At The Opera, their fourth record, should be widely renowned, not only as the album that birthed Bohemian Rhapsody and You’re My Best Friend, but as a record that deftly mixes the music hall absurdity of The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper’s era with the hard riffing rock of Thin Lizzy and Black Sabbath, and the showstopping West End power balladry of Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman.
Standout Tracks: Death On Two Legs, You’re My Best Friend, 39, Love Of My Life, Bohemian Rhapsody