Although it's more than 20 years since his death, Freddie Mercury's ghost looms large over this new compilation from Queen. Given Queen's success over the years, especially as one of the stadium rock bands of the 80s, and a slew of greatest hits albums since, what makes this new release a standout? For a start we get to hear previously unreleased Freddie Mercury vocals, which in itself sets Forever apart from the previous hits albums.
One thing that strikes you straight away with Forever is the musicality, not just from the preciously talented Mercury, but from the whole band.
You won't hear a tighter unit than Queen in their 80s heyday. Interestingly, the lyrics particularly the Freddie Mercury-penned songs, are mostly variations on a love-angled approach. Love Kills, It's a Hard Life, Love of my Life, Lily of the Valley, and his duet with Michael Jackson, There Must Be More to Life than This.
Along with the Mercury tracks, mostly ballads, there's the Brian May-written Let Me in Your Heart, which opens Forever, and Queen hits including You're My Best Friend, Who Wants to Live Forever, Somebody to Love and Crazy Little Thing Called Love. In other words if you're a Queen fan Forever is a must-have, for the unreleased and compelling new songs sung by Freddie Mercury.
