QUEEN - Queen II: Rock as Gesamtkunstwerk?

QUEEN - Queen II: Rock as Gesamtkunstwerk?

Author: Tim, Shaun and Peter March 16, 2026 Duration: 40:17
This week Tim did a monologue on the newly-re-released second album by Queen, otherwise known as Queen 2. Topics covered include: whether the critical consensus on this album is accurate, why the band called one side white and one side black, the extent to which the album can be considered a concept album, whether this album is an originator of the later British heavy metal scene, and whether Queen in their turn were influenced by Gentle Giant. Also, has a worse acronym ever been invented than NWOBHM? What was the name of the film whose title track was “Flash”? How many proto-Bohemian Rhapsodies did Queen produce? How bad are the lyrics to Loser In The End? And how much is it possible to complain about Queen whilst both celebrating and lauding one of their key works?

The Classic Rock And Prog Almanac is a conversation between three longtime friends, Tim, Shaun, and Peter, who share a deep, personal history with the music that shaped them. This isn't a formal review show or a dry historical lecture. Instead, each episode feels like pulling up a chair in a familiar pub or a cozy living room, where the discussion naturally flows from a specific album into the memories, stories, and tangential thoughts it provokes. You'll hear genuine camaraderie and differing perspectives as they dig into the classic rock and progressive canon, exploring why certain records endure and what they reveal about the times they came from and the people we became. The podcast thrives on the digressions-the related matters-that make any great chat among friends memorable. It's about the connection between life and the soundtrack that runs through it. So, the invitation is simple: put the kettle on, find a comfortable seat, and join a warm, thoughtful, and often humorous dialogue that treats these albums not as museum pieces, but as living, breathing parts of a shared cultural and personal journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Classic Rock And Prog Almanac
Podcast Episodes
BRIAN ENO - Before And After Science: Rock as quantum physics? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:41
This week Tim discussed Brian Eno’s fifth album Before And After Science. Topics discussed include: the influence of Erik Satie on Brian Eno, the role of humour on the album, the Talking Heads connection, the extent to w…
FLEETWOOD MAC – Rumours: A paean to the drama of love? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:59
This week Peter and Tim discussed the eleventh studio album by Fleetwood Mac, Rumours. Topics covered include: the continuity between this album and the so-called California sound, whether this is Fleetwood Mac’s best al…
DAVID BOWIE - Hunky Dory: Bowie as Superman? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:28
This week Tim had a conversation with himself about the fourth David Bowie album, Hunky Dory. Topics covered include: whether this is Bowie’s best album, which Beatle he is closest to in style, Bowie’s exceptional lyrica…
RANKING: Our top ten favourite side-long epics [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:01
This week, Shaun and Tim ranked their Top Ten side-long rock epics. Topics covered include: what constitutes a side-long track, how many different ways there are of structuring such a track, what differentiates normal ar…
RANKING: Rush studio albums [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:25
This week Tim ranked the Rush studio albums, from 19 to 1. Topics covered include: Tim’s Rush autobiography, Rush’s exceptional arrangement skills, the quality of Rush’s lyrics, whether Rush work better in minor or major…
RANKING: Our favourite songs about animals [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:21
This week, Peter and Tim discussed their favourite songs about animals. Which produce the best material, vertebrates or invertebrates? Which period produces the best animal songs? What do animals mean in art? What did Ka…
When prog bands do punk and punk bands do prog: Peter Hammill and DEVO [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:42
This week Tim discussed the connection or otherwise between prog and punk, with particular reference to Peter Hammill’s album Nadir’s Big Chance and Devo’s album Q. Are We Not Men? A. We Are Devo! Topics for discussion t…