Flick of the Wrist ���
Taylor’s drums are particularly prominent here on this brisk and
urgent number. Pure rock. ‘Flick of the wrist – he’ll eat your heart
out, A dig in the ribs and then a kick in the head.’
Lily of the Valley ���
One of two short, but sweet, piano ballads on ‘Sheer Heart
Attack’, ‘Lily of the Valley’ is one of May’s favourite Mercury
penned tracks. ‘Messenger from Seven Seas has flown, To tell the
King of Rhye he’s lost his throne, Wars will never cease, Is there
time enough for peace, But the lily of the valley doesn’t know.’
Now I’m Here ���
One of the best tracks on the album, Brian May’s ‘Now I’m Here’
is a heavy rocker featuring more multi-tracked guitars, as well as
stereo panning vocal effects. Possibly a little too over-produced,
the subtle use of organ is a nice touch. Mercury’s high notes are
something special.
In the Lap of the Gods ���
The direct prelude to ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’? So says Freddie
Mercury. I’n the Laps of the Gods’ is all fast piano arpeggios and
operatic screams. ‘Think all my thoughts with you and only you,
Anything you ask I do for you, I touch your lips with mine, But
in the end I leave it to the Lords, Leave it in the lap of the Gods,
What more can I do?’
Stone Cold Crazy ����
An underrated gem, ‘Stone Cold Crazy’ predates thrash metal by
ten years. Credited to all four members of the band, this is a two
minute crackerjack and features some impressive lyrical work from
Mercury. A huge influence on metal, this is almost a five-starrer,
but not quite.