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    The Cosmos Rocks

    Queen - The Cosmos Rocks

    10/28/2008 | Hollywood Records 

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    All Music Guide Review

    Give Queen -- or Brian May and Roger Taylor, as that's who's left at this point -- and new singer Paul Rodgers this much credit: this awkward marriage of convenience winds up being more convincing on the 2008 studio effort The Cosmos Rocks than it did on the live album. Of course, this is almost entirely due to the fact that the songs here were written by and for Rodgers, a frontman who is a cosmos away from Freddie Mercury and never quite seemed comfortable taming Freddie's flamboyancy. Here, Rodgers effectively rules the roost, helping steer The Cosmos Rocks far, far away from the meticulous, grandiose sonic sculptures of Queen at the height of their reign and toward a humble boogie. At its best, this can sound a bit like a second-rate Bad Company, at its worst it feels like Free -- not quite like Queen, but not necessarily unenjoyable either, thanks in part to a Brian May who seems, frankly, thrilled to play new songs again. That none of these songs are good -- hell, some of them are frankly embarrassing, especially when Rodgers channels his inner David St. Hubbins to sing "The cosmos is rocking with the majestic power of rock" -- is almost beside the point. This is all clichés -- glittering gold, rock & roll and school's out -- but the band seems happy to shuffle the pieces and put them together in a slightly different order, to get whatever meager charge there is by following a 20-degree curve instead of a 15-degree one. There are hints of the old craziness -- thank the stars for "C-Lebrity," a monumentally silly satire of TMZ married to the only outsized arrangement here, but "Call Me" also comes close to capturing the bright pop of The Game -- but this is firmly Rodgers' show; it's all meat and potatoes, not champagne and caviar. And, truth be told, it's not all that bad. Certainly, it's not the embarrassment of the live album, but it has its own internal logic that keeps it humming along, and that's good enough for a listen and to get the band out on tour again, even it's not good enough for a second spin. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

    The Cosmos Rocks User Reviews

    • pieter cargill

      posted on Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:13:13

      A strong comeback...

      Those expecting this to sound like Queen with Freddie need to prepare themselves. This is essentially a new band, and what a band!!

      The opening track, Cosmos Rockin', is a throwback to 50s and 60s pure fun rock n' roll. A great album opener and surely a future great live track.

      Time to Shine is a departure for the band with U2'ish guitar and a simply amazing vocal performance by Paul. One of the highlights of the album.

      Still Burnin' is one of the weaker tracks on the album but is saved due to a fantastic guitar solo from Brian.

      Small is the highlight of the album for me. A simple acoustic number that builds into a wonderful chorus and beautiful guitar solo from Brian.

      Warboys started life as a Paul Rodgers solo track and finds a new lease of life here. The heaviest track on the album with a great military sounding drum beat.

      We Believe is as close to Queen with Freddie as the album comes. A 6 minute epic that touches on what is wrong in the world.

      Call Me is fun, lightweight and incredibly catchy. The guitar solo on this track sounds like it could have been from the A Night At The Opera days.

      Voodoo is a bit of a departure for Brian & Roger. This is a very bluesy track, but is one of the best tracks on the album. It sounds very organic, and was probably just recorded in a couple of takes.

      Some Things That Glitter is easily one of the best tracks that Brian has written in 20 years. With guitar that harks back to the 70s this is simply an outstanding track.

      C-lebrity is the lead single and is an commentary on all those reality stars who want their 15 minutes of fame. A heavy guitar riff and catchy chorus make this an obvious choice for the first single.

      Through The Night sounds very Bad Company'ish. One of the weaker tracks on the album but still a very enjoyable track.

      Say It's Not True was originally recorded for Nelson Mandela's 46664 campaign. Featuring lead vocals from Roger, Brian and Paul this is a touching track that builds into an epic conclusion in true classic Queen style.

      Surf's Up . . . School's Out ! is a pounding rocker in the vain of Headlong. Very Roger. Very cool.

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    The Cosmos Rocks Track Listing

  • Track#
  • Title
  • time
  • lyrics
  • 1
  • Cosmos Rockin'
  • 4:11
  • Sound Clip for Cosmos Rockin' from The Cosmos Rocks


  • 2
  • Time to Shine
  • 4:23
  • Sound Clip for Time to Shine from The Cosmos Rocks


  • 3
  • Still Burnin'
  • 4:03
  • Sound Clip for Still Burnin' from The Cosmos Rocks


  • 4
  • Small
  • 4:39
  • Sound Clip for Small from The Cosmos Rocks


  • 5
  • Warboys
  • 3:18
  • Sound Clip for Warboys from The Cosmos Rocks


  • 6
  • We Believe
  • 6:07
  • Sound Clip for We Believe from The Cosmos Rocks


  • 7
  • Call Me
  • 2:58
  • Sound Clip for Call Me from The Cosmos Rocks


  • 8
  • Voodoo
  • 4:27
  • Sound Clip for Voodoo from The Cosmos Rocks


  • 9
  • Some Things That Glitter
  • 4:02
  • Sound Clip for Some Things That Glitter from The Cosmos Rocks


  • 10
  • C-Lebrity
  • 3:38
  • Sound Clip for C-Lebrity from The Cosmos Rocks


  • 11
  • Through the Night
  • 4:53
  • Sound Clip for Through the Night from The Cosmos Rocks


  • 12
  • Say It's Not True
  • 4:01
  • Sound Clip for Say It's Not True from The Cosmos Rocks


  • 13
  • Surf's Up... School's Out!
  • 5:55
  • Sound Clip for Surf's Up... School's Out! from The Cosmos Rocks


  • 14
  • Small Reprise
  • 4:35
  • Sound Clip for Small Reprise from The Cosmos Rocks


  • 15
  • (CD-Rom Track)

    • Credits of The Cosmos Rocks

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