Queen II  by Queen

About six years after their debut, the band Queen returns with their second album with the very simple title Queen II. Here the band seems to have taken many steps towards musical maturity and lavishly offers all those elements that would dominate their compositions and performances in the following years. The cover of Queen II has provided - perhaps - the most characteristic and recognizable image one has of the band. The inspiration for this particular photo comes from a pose by actress Marlene Dietrich in the 1932 film "Shanghai Express".

The majority of the songs are the work of Brian May and Freddie Mercury. Roger Taylor contributes with his own composition, The Loser In The End. Roy Thomas Baker is once again in charge of the album's production. The band - since they didn't have the best impressions from their collaboration with Baker on the first record - approached David Bowie to take on the production, but he was busy with the recordings of his own albums, Pin Ups and Diamond Dogs.

Queen II managed to enter the Top-10 in Britain, reaching No.5, and in the USA it climbed to No.49. These positions in these two important charts were clearly higher than those occupied by the first album. Queen II rightfully holds a place among the greatest works of the band.