Sheer Heart Attack Review:

Synopsis:

Sheer Heart Attack is the third studio album by the British rock band Queen, released on 8 November 1974 by EMI Records in the United Kingdom and by Elektra Records in the United States.

Brighton Rock:

Writer: Brian May

Written: 1973

Recorded: Thursday, July 18, 1974

Released: Friday, November 8, 1974

Duration: 5:10

Key: B Minor

Tempo: 137

Popularity: 51 / 100

Energy: 85 / 100

Happiness: 34 / 100

Catchiness: 36 / 100

This song is a very catchy and energetic song. The solo is one of the greatest live solos in history. This song seems to be about two young lovers named Jenny and Jimmy meeting in Brighton, England on a public holiday. According to the written lyrics, Jenny doesn't her mother to know how she spent her holiday making out with her destined lover so she starts declining Jimmy's amorous requests until he realizes her mother might discover their affair.

Rating: 75% - Amazingly energetic!

Killer Queen:

Writer: Freddie Mercury

Written: 1974

Recorded: Tuesday, July 31, 1974

Released: Friday, November 8, 1974 & Friday, October 11, 1974 (as a single)

Key: Bb Major

Tempo: 117

Duration: 2:59

Popularity: 61 / 100

Energy: 64 / 100

Happiness: 60 / 100

Catchiness: 57 / 100

Killer Queen. A classic from Queen! This started the 40 year long breakthrough of the band. This song is a very joyful song. The lyrics sing about a prostitute who is considered upper class and will kill you with her very attractive looks. This song is one of their best songs. It's really a great classic and its close to underrated since it doesn't receive as much attention as We Are The Champions or Bohemian Rhapsody. The lyrics are pretty complex so you might need to use google for this one.

Rating: 90% - Catchy and complex!

Tenement Funster:

Writer: Roger Taylor

Written: 1973

Recorded: Wednesday, August 7, 1974

Released: Friday, November 8, 1974

Key: E minor

Tempo: 84

Duration: 2:46

Popularity: 32 / 100

Energy: 69 / 100

Happiness: 55 / 100

Catchiness: 30 / 100

This song seems to be about a man who's just trying to fit in with the crowd but can't. His popularity got him into this situation that he can't get out of. He just wants to be normal again. This song really isn't popular and 95% of the words are not really spoken in the normal modern day English language anymore.

Rating: 56% - Barely Understandable but still good musically.

Flick Of The Wrist:

Writer: Freddie Mercury

Written: 1973

Recorded: Monday, August 12, 1974

Released: Friday, November 8, 1974 & Friday, October 11, 1974 (as a single)

Key: E Minor Tempo: 149

Duration: 3:17

Popularity: 34 / 100

Energy: 83 / 100

Happiness: 57 / 100

Catchiness: 33 / 100

This song is very disturbing lyrically. It's about a beast that has tendencies and if you don't follow them, you'll be decapitated and your heart will be consumed. It gives very disturbing details on how the victim feels. All of this with just the Flick Of The Wrist. Musically, this song is something you can really bang your head to.

Rating: 72% Disturbing but catchy..

Lily Of The Valley:

Writer: Freddie Mercury

Written: 1973

Recorded: Friday, August 23, 1974

Released: Friday, November 8, 1974 & April 1975

Key: A Minor

Tempo: 79

Duration: 1:44

Popularity: 33 / 100

Energy: 29 / 100

Happiness: 44 / 100

Catchiness: 24 / 100

This is the last song in the Killer Queen, Flick Of The Wrist, & Lily Of The Valley medley. It's one of the most depressing songs from Queen I've ever heard. It's basically hinting private thoughts Freddie was having at the time of writing it. It's really a beautiful song on piano and guitar. It also refers back to Seven Seas Of Rhye.

Rating: 78% - Short, Depressing, & Beautiful.

Now I'm Here:

Writer: Brian May

Written: 1974

Recorded: Wednesday, September 25, 1974

Released: Friday, November 8, 1974 & Friday, January 17, 1975 (as a single)

Key: E Major

Tempo: 133

Duration: 4:12

Popularity: 47 / 100

Energy: 76 / 100

Happiness: 53 / 100

Catchiness: 49 / 100

This song is one of their more well known songs.. It's really catchy and fun! Especially for a heavy song. It may not be well known in the common music industry today but its very well known to Queen fans. Lyrically, Brian May wrote about his fond experiences of the band's US tour earlier in 1974.

Rating: 84% - Energetic & Catchy!

In The Lap Of The Gods:

Writer: Freddie Mercury & Roger Taylor

Written: 1973

Recorded: Sunday, September 2, 1974

Released: Friday, November 8, 1974

Key: D Major

Tempo: 132

Duration: 3:46

Popularity: 29 / 100

Energy: 59 / 100

Happiness: 48 / 100

Catchiness: 42 / 100

OK, lets begin by saying Roger's vocals are getting a little crazy. Roger is basically smacking his balls off of something when singing this because these vocal notes are unbelievable. It may seem like a woman is in the recording studio but really its Roger. Then we get this strange voice after this intense intro. We get a chorus with the song title an in a repeat as Roger is singing those unbelievable notes. This song seems to be about a woman who has left a man and he wonders what will happen in his future. I guess his future is In The Lap Of The Gods.

Rating: 60% - Confusing & Awing at the same time.

Stone Cold Crazy:

Writer: Freddie Mercury

Written: 1969

Recorded: Friday, September 6, 1974

Released: Friday, November 8, 1974

Key: G Major

Tempo: 240

Duration: 2:13

Popularity: 51 / 100

Energy: 93 / 100

Happiness: 46 / 100

Catchiness: 43 / 100

This song is just filled with energy. It's one of the most intense thrash metal songs ever. It was made before thrash was even considered a genre so this is the first thrash metal song ever. Lyrically, this very rapid paced song deals with gangsters, making a reference to Al Capone.

Rating: 85% - Intense & Energetic! Truly a thrash masterpiece.

Dear Friends:

Writer: Brian May

Written: 1974

Recorded: Wednesday, September 11, 1974

Released: Friday, November 8, 1974

Key: D Major

Tempo: 82

Duration: 1:07

Popularity: 28 / 100

Energy: 5 / 100

Happiness: 56 / 100

Catchiness: 29 / 100

This song is really short and uplifting. It is most likely acoustic. The song deals with the loss of a loved one. It seems to have a lullaby style so it would make me fall asleep more than dance.

Rating: 72% - Beautiful & Uplifting.

Misfire:

Writer: John Deacon

Written: 1974

Recorded: Thursday, September 12, 1974

Released: Friday, November 8, 1974

Key: Eb Major

Tempo: 126

Duration: 1:49

Popularity: 28 / 100

Energy: 86 / 100

Happiness: 96 / 100

Catchiness: 61 / 100

Who knew the least popular member of the band could make such a catchy and estatic song. This is the most joyful song in Queen history used with the most romantic key (which would be meant for slower and romantic sound).

Rating: 89% - Joy Everywhere!

Bring Back That Leroy Brown:

Writer: Freddie Mercury

Written: 1974

Recorded: Wednesday, September 18, 1974

Released: Friday, November 8, 1974

Key: C Major

Tempo: 118

Duration: 2:15

Popularity: 28 / 100

Energy: 66 / 100

Happiness: 87 / 100

Catchiness: 66 / 100

This song is very out of its time. The song style was a style that died 90 years ago. Or in their time 50 years. Its pretty energetic and catchy though. It seems to be about a Leroy Brown that was shot by Big Mama Lulu & they want him back to life.

Rating: 66% - Confusing..

She Makes Me [Stormtrooper In Stilettos]:

Writer: Brian May

Written: 1974

Recorded: Monday, September 23, 1974

Released: Friday, November 8, 1974

Key: D Major

Tempo: 77

Duration: 4:09

Popularity: 27 / 100

Energy: 54 / 100

Happiness: 38 / 100

Catchiness: 46 / 100

OK.. Let me just say, after listening to this fear inducing song, there is a 100% chance I'm having nightmares tonight. This uncomfortable and monotonous song is way too long to be considered good. It really would have been better if Dear Friends was this long and this song is less. This song seems to be about a man who loves a woman that makes him do things to the point of leaving. Even if he leaves he still will love her. It would have also helped if you removed the screeching and sirens which are accompanied by deep breaths.

Rating: 17% - Looks like I'm having nightmares tonight.

In The Lap Of The Gods.. Revisited:

Writer: Freddie Mercury

Written: 1974

Recorded: Sunday, September 29, 1974

Released: Friday, November 8, 1974

Key: D Major

Tempo: 132

Duration: 3:46

Popularity: 29 / 100

Energy: 59 / 100

Happiness: 48 / 100

Catchiness: 42 / 100

This was Freddie's attempt to make a memorable chorus that the audience could sing along. To me, the attempt was a humongous success! This song is super amazing and is terribly underrated. Lyrically, it seems to be diametrically opposed to its forbear; it therefore comes as no surprise to read about people comparing the two songs as two opposing sides to the same story..

Rating: 90% - Amazing and memorable. Very underrated.

Whole Album Rating: 78% - I really enjoy this album because it has plenty of good songs!