The Game

As a group determined not to repeat itself, Queen entered the ‘80s with an ear cocked towards sounds that would leave their ‘70s selves behind. They were accomplished musicians who could adapt to any genre and all of their studio albums feature an amalgam of styles that only seasoned professionals could dare. The Game is no exception. While the band jettisoned the longer, progressive heavy-metal-styled tunes, its members learned the fine art of succinct powerful songwriting. The younger Queen would never have tried something as accessible as “Rock It (Prime Jive)” or “Need Your Loving Tonight.” “Another One Bites the Dust” was a monster hit, and along with “Dragon Attack” continued the band’s dalliance with funk. The Elvis Presley-rockabilly of “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” was a convincing blast from the past. “Save Me” is exactly the melodramatic ballad that singer Freddie Mercury was born to sing. The 2001 Deluxe Version features re-mastered sound, solid live versions of “Save Me” and “Dragon Attack,” an early take of “Sail Away Sweet Sister,” a great little improvised piece, and the B-side “A Human Body.”