There were times later in Queen’s career, as they crafted relentless hits ranging from disco to cabaret to whatever Flash was, when it was difficult to remember they’d begun as a heavy, genuinely ablaze rock band. Their 1973 debut album bore trademarks of its time – dynamics influenced by Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple, lyrics tapping into the swords-and-sorcery areas of prog – but bristled with freshness and invention. They were hungry, and every track was honed for maximum cheap thrills.
Given the recent passing of producer Roy Thomas Baker, it’d be unforgivable not to eulogise his part in this. His ramping up of every climb and descent, every leap and swoop taken by four fine players, was key to how Queen inhabited their noise, how they grasped the horsepower they were working with. Even at this point the singer and guitarist didn’t need much encouragement to show off, and the rhythm section were shrewd enough to travel with them while ensuring they didn’t topple the songs’ strengths.
