The Game, Queen, 1980, :35
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
This is an interesting album. The first five tracks by themselves would make one of the best rock EPs ever. The last half… doesn't live up to the promise of the first. They're not bad songs, just to be tolerated among such greats as the opening tracks. Contemporary critics were not impressed with this album upon its first release, but it's really hard to see what they could have objected to. Minor carps, at best. "Rock It (Jive)" sounds like a bad Rod Stewart imitation. "Don't Try Suicide" is a very noble sentiment but with an earnest, literal delivery that comes off as goofy. Favorite tracks: what a lineup! "Play the Game," "Another One Bites the Dust," "Crazy Little Thing Called Love," "Need Your Loving Tonight."
