The Cosmos Rocks
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| The Cosmos Rocks | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
|||||
| Studio album by Queen + Paul Rodgers | |||||
| Released |   September 12, 2008 September 15, 2008 September 17, 2008[1] October 28, 2008 |
||||
| Recorded | 2006–2008 at The Priory recording studio | ||||
| Genre | Rock | ||||
| Length | 58:46 | ||||
| Label | Parlophone, Hollywood | ||||
| Producer | Brian May Paul Rodgers Roger Taylor co-producers: Joshua J Macrae Justin Shirley Smith Kris Fredriksson |
||||
| Professional reviews | |||||
|
|||||
| Queen + Paul Rodgers chronology | |||||
|
|||||
| Singles from The Cosmos Rocks | |||||
|
|||||
The Cosmos Rocks is the debut studio album by Queen + Paul Rodgers released on 15 September, 2008 in the EU and 28 October, 2008 in North America.[5] It contains 14 new tracks written by Brian May, Paul Rodgers and Roger Taylor. This is the first album of new material from the two active former members of Queen since 1995's Made in Heaven, and is the only studio collaboration with Paul Rodgers.[6]
Contents |
[edit] History
The band entered Roger Taylor's Priory studio in late 2006 having completed the American leg of their world tour. Sessions were initially scheduled around Rodgers' other touring commitments. On the previous tour the band had debuted a new song, "Take Love", which didn't make the album. Throughout the promotion for his solo tour, Rodgers' also debuted songs such as "Warboys", and "Voodoo". John Deacon's continued retirement meant that bass duties are shared between Rodgers and May. The first single, "Say It's Not True" was released 9 months before the album was released. The second single, "C-lebrity" was previewed on Al Murray's Happy Hour in April, 5 months before the album was released.
[edit] Track listing
All songs written and composed by Queen + Paul Rodgers, except where noted.
| # | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Cosmos Rockin'" | 4:10 |
| 2. | "Time to Shine" | 4:23 |
| 3. | "Still Burnin'" | 4:04 |
| 4. | "Small" | 4:39 |
| 5. | "Warboys" | 3:18 |
| 6. | "We Believe" | 6:08 |
| 7. | "Call Me" | 2:59 |
| 8. | "Voodoo" | 4:27 |
| 9. | "Some Things That Glitter" | 4:03 |
| 10. | "C-lebrity" | 3:38 |
| 11. | "Through the Night" | 4:54 |
| 12. | "Say It's Not True" | 4:00 |
| 13. | "Surf's Up... School's Out!" | 5:38 |
| 14. | "Small Reprise" | 2:05 |
| 15. | "Runaway" (Shannon/Crook, iTunes exclusive bonus track) | 5:28 |
[edit] Limited edition bonus DVD (Super Live in Japan – Highlights)
- "Reaching Out" (Hill/Black)
- "Tie Your Mother Down" (May)
- "Fat Bottomed Girls" (May)
- "Another One Bites the Dust" (Deacon)
- "Fire and Water" (Rodgers/Fraser)
- "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" (Mercury)
- "Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together)" (May)
- "These Are the Days of Our Lives" (Queen)
- "Radio Ga Ga" (Taylor)
- "Can’t Get Enough" (Ralphs)
- "I Was Born to Love You" (Mercury)
- "All Right Now" (Rodgers/Fraser)
- "We Will Rock You" (May)
- "We Are the Champions" (Mercury)
- "God Save the Queen" (trad.)
note: Japanese edition includes a cd audio version instead of the dvd
[edit] Song information
 |
This article's section called "Song information" does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2008) |
[edit] Cosmos Rockin'
This is a song dealing with partying and generally having a good time. Its working title was "Whole House Rockin'". May confirmed it was written by Taylor. Paul Rodgers sings all the lead, with the chorus vocals dominated by Taylor.
[edit] Time to Shine
This track was written by Rodgers, according to an interview with the three of them published on Brian May's website. It also features him singing all vocals. The song bears a slight U2-esque style in terms of sound and technique.
[edit] Still Burnin'
This song was written by Brian May. It briefly samples the famous "stomp, stomp, clap" of the band's previous 1977 hit "We Will Rock You" from the album News of the World, also written by May. The song features Rodgers on lead vocals, coupled with Taylor who also sings during the 'call and response' style chorus.
[edit] Small
This song was written by Taylor, and is a commentary on nature.
[edit] Warboys
"Warboys" was written by Rodgers as a protest song against war. It was given the subtitle "A Prayer for Peace" to make it clear as to what the intention of the song was. It was debuted as one of two new songs by Rodgers on his 2007 tour of Britain, although it was unclear whether this new song had been written for the then upcoming Queen + Paul Rodgers album. It first appeared on Rodgers' solo live album and DVD Live in Glasgow, and was later performed solely by Rodgers on acoustic guitar on a radio show after listeners called in to request something to be played from the new album. It was officially revealed as an album track in August 2008. It features Paul Rodgers playing acoustic guitar, and also samples many rifle noises. Roger Taylor also sings additional vocals on this track along with Rodgers' lead.
[edit] We Believe
"We Believe" was written by Brian May. It is the longest song on the album. It is mainly sung solely by Rodgers, but the end does feature singing from all three band members. An edited version of the song has been released as a promo single in Italy.
[edit] Call Me
Written and sung solely by Rodgers, this song is a bluesy anthem. The vocals are a lighthearted take on love.
[edit] Voodoo
The second new song written by Rodgers which debuted on his 2007 tour of the UK. It features a very spooky vocal performance by Rodgers, in which he showcases a great range of notes, even using falsetto.
[edit] Some Things That Glitter
A love song/piano ballad penned by Brian. The track features Rodgers on piano.
[edit] C-lebrity
Roger Taylor wrote the song about the current obsession with instant stardom, such as getting fame by merely appearing on a reality TV show such as Big Brother, or by winning the X-Factor. It received its live debut on the series finale of ITV's Al Murray's Happy Hour. It was released as the second single from the album on September 8, 2008. Rodgers sings lead vocals, Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters sings additional backing vocals, and Brian May plays bass guitar on the track.
On August 4, 2008 the track was premiered for the first time on Ken Bruce's radio show on BBC Radio 2. It was given a 0/10 on Planet Sound. The single reached #33 in the UK pop singles chart and #1 on the UK Rock Charts.
[edit] Through the Night
Notable as a very depressing song about someone who believes their life is almost at an end, and asks the person they are in love with to help them through their hardship. It was written by Rodgers.
[edit] Say It's Not True
"Say It's Not True" was originally written by Taylor for Nelson Mandela's 46664 anti-AIDS campaign, and was debuted at the November 2003 concert. It features the two remaining members of Queen and Paul Rodgers on lead vocals. It was released as a single on New Year's Eve 2007, but despite the fact that all proceeds went to 46664, it only peaked at #90 in the UK charts.
[edit] Surf's Up... School's Out!
Written by Taylor, this harks back to the old Roger Taylor-written songs about youth and rebellion.
The song is sung as a duet between Rodgers and Taylor, and also features Rodgers playing harmonica (a skill showcased on several Paul Rodgers-era Bad Company songs, including "Oh, Atlanta" from 1979's Desolation Angels). It is also the only Queen song to feature this instrument.
[edit] Small Reprise
A slower, shorter, mostly instrumental version of the earlier album track.
[edit] Runaway
Originally written by Del Shannon and Max Crook and released as Shannon's hit debut single in 1961, this was originally planned to feature on the album but was later omitted, instead featuring as an iTunes store exclusive bonus track.
[edit] Omitted tracks
[edit] Take Love
Believed to have been written by Rodgers, this song was debuted on the North American and Japanese legs of 2005/2006 Queen + Paul Rodgers Tour. The band attempted to record it for the album but couldn't quite get it to sound right, so they decided to leave it unrecorded.
[edit] Singles
Three singles were released from the album:
- "Say It's Not True" was the lead single from the album, released in the UK on December 31, 2007; it reached #90 in the British charts although had been available as free download for some time. Its video features many clips of the suffering in South Africa as well as clips from Nelson Mandela's 46664 concerts. The single was released for the 46664 charity, with all proceeds being donated there.
- "C-lebrity" was released as the album's second single on September 8, 2008, reaching #33 in the UK singles charts. Its B-side was a recording of "Fire and Water" live in Japan.
- "We Believe" was released as a promo single in Italy, and reached #1 in th Virgin radio charts. It was edited down from its original 6 minute album version to a more manageable 3 minutes.
[edit] Critical reaction
Cosmos Rocks received a Metacritic score of 42/100.[7] According to Metacritic, the Cosmos Rocks holds the 24th place in the 'worst-reviewed' albums list.[8]
[edit] Personnel
- Brian May – Guitar, bass, vocals, keyboards
- Paul Rodgers – lead vocals, bass, guitar,, keyboards, harmonica
- Roger Taylor – drums, percussion, vocals, keyboards
- Taylor Hawkins – backing vocals on C-lebrity[9]
[edit] Charts
| Country | Charts | Sales | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak position | Weeks | Certification | Sales | |
| Estonia | 1 | 10 | - | - |
| Czech Republic | 4 | 7 | - | - |
| Germany | 4 | 7 | - | - |
| Switzerland | 5 | 7 | - | - |
| United Kingdom | 5 | 6 | - | - |
| Italy | 6 | 5 | - | - |
| Netherlands | 8 | 7 | - | - |
| Greece | 9 | 1 | - | - |
| Austria | 11 | 8 | - | - |
| Hungary | 15 | 1 | - | - |
| Finland | 15 | 2 | - | - |
| Belgium Wa | 16 | 4 | - | - |
| Belgium Vl | 18 | 4 | - | - |
| Spain | 20 | 6 | - | - |
| Denmark | 24 | 1 | - | - |
| Sweden | 24 | 5 | - | - |
| Portugal | 25 | 1 | - | - |
| France | 28 | 4 | - | - |
| Norway | 31 | 1 | - | - |
| Canada | 33 | 1 | - | - |
| Japan | 40 | 6 | - | - |
| Malta | 20 | 2 | - | - |
| United States | 47 | 2 | - | 37,144 |
| Ireland | 47 | 1 | - | - |
| Australia | 49 | 1 | - | - |
[edit] Formats
- Standard CD
- Special Edition CD and DVD
- Tour Edition (Queen Online only)
- Gatefold Vinyl
- iTunes Music Store edition
[edit] Tour
The "Rock the Cosmos Tour" began in September 2008 to promote the release of this album. The opening date was recorded for a DVD release, and was broadcast across digital video theaters across the United States on November 6, 2008 under the title "Let the Cosmos Rock". The tour included one of the largest open air concerts in Kharkiv, Ukraine which garnered 350,000 people. Over the course of the tour, Queen played to just short of a million viewers.
[edit] External links
- Queen Archives – The Cosmos Rocks interviews and reviews
[edit] References
- ^ EMI Music Japan
- ^ Classic Rock, October 2008.
- ^ Record Collector, November 2008.
- ^ Total Guitar, October 2008.
- ^ "New North American Release Date." queenonline.com, 15 August 2008
- ^ "Queen plot return with new album." BBC, 20 March 2008
- ^ metacritic.com: Cosmos Rocks by Queen + Paul Rodgers
- ^ metacritic.com: Bottom 100 Scores: The Worst-Reviewed Albums
- ^ "Foo Fighters Taylor Hawkins Guests On Upcoming Queen + Paul Rodgers Album." Komodo Rock, 3 September 2008
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
