The way we Listen

Legendary rock band Queen is finally back ! After resetting with Paul Rodgers on vocals, Queen will release a new album in September, 1st 2008, titled : The Cosmos Rocks

Meanwhile, the band goes for a European tour! That will visit countries from September to November 2008.

Some of you may have recognized the Eagle Nebula on the album cover, probably in relation to the astrophysics Ph.D thesis completed by guitarist Brian May in 2007.

He left the Ph.D programme in 1974 when he decided to concentrate on music. But he took back the course a few years ago and completed his thesis (demonstrating that solar dust clouds are moving in the same direction than the planets) in October 2007.

I also learned that in 2006 he co-wrote a book about astronomy for general public, entitled "Bang! – The Complete History of the Universe".

That makes Brian May the most graduated musician of all times. He was recently graduated in the Imperial College of London, which is one of the highest rank scientific school in the world.

Official website : Queen+Paul Rodgers

I do like Top 5s… I know they are personal tastes, therefore there can be millions of Top 5s out there. But through I can express my favorite feelings. I’d like to talk about my favorite rock intros. There are several intros that give me thrills each time I hear them. To me, they are so well constructed that they can fit in any kind of situation. I’ve always love long live intros that smoothly gives you hints about the next song that will be played… and when you recognize the song you get that “Oh my god!!” kind of feeling.

I tried to find my 5 favorite intros and order them… Of course this is my current feeling, and it can changes :p Anyway let’s see if you agree that these intros are really GREAT intros…

5. Money for Nothing - Dire Straits

A really progressive intro with special guest Sting singing “I want my MTV” in background. Then great drums… Then the guitar comes in… Mark Knopfler is really brilliant !

4. The Show Must Go On - Queen

It gives me this feeling of majesty. This is the kind of epic intro that shows you instantly that the song is heavy, phenomenal and grandiose.

3. Baba O’Riley - The Who

The Who’s songs always get good intros (”Who are you”, “Won’t get fooled again”). This one is just weird organ notes and a piano… three simple chords, but what a great intro! I think that it’s its simplicity that makes it wonderful. The greatest Who live moment !

2. Hold The Line - Toto

One of the best… Anytime I hear this single snare drum hit and this piano line I smile instantly : )! It gets its real effect when played live, following any other song it’s still a incredible joy.

1. Where The Streets Have No Name - U2

Wow, this one is incredible. The chord progression (in 6/4, please) is really moving and then leads to an epic guitar riff, which is so inimitable. Live, the lighting effects adds up another thrilling level.

You too, share your favorite rock intros, and tell us what you think about these ones !

Well that’s great news ! QueenOnline.com just announced that the new form of the band starring Brian May, Roger Taylor and Paul Rodgers will release a new album September 1st, 2008. This is the first album with brand new material since Made in Heaven in 1995. The title is to be announced in a few weeks.

The other great news is that Queen + Paul Rodgers is heading to a new world tour in support of this new album!

Here are the dates of the European Leg :

EUROPE LEG 1:

RUSSIA
Tuesday 16 September : Moscow - SCO Olympic Arena
Wednesday 17 September : Moscow - SCO Olympic Arena

POLAND
Saturday 20 September : Gdansk - Shipyard

GERMANY (1)
Sunday 21 September : Berlin - Velodrom

BELGIUM
Tuesday 23 September : Antwerp - Sportspaleis

FRANCE
Wednesday 24 September : Paris - Bercy

ITALY
Friday 26 September : Rome - Palalottomatica
Sunday 28 September : Verona - Arena

SWITZERLAND
Monday 29 September : Zurich - Hallenstadion

GERMANY (2)
Wednesday 1 October : Munich - Olympiahalle
Thursday 2 October : Mannheim - SAP Arena
Saturday 4 October : Hannover - TUI Arena
Sunday 5 October : Hamburg - Color Line Arena

NETHERLANDS
Tuesday 7 October : Rotterdam - Ahoy

UK
Friday 10 October : Nottingham - Arena
Saturday 11 October : Glasgow - SE&CC
Monday 13 October : London - 02 
Tuesday 14 October : Cardiff - Arena
Thursday 16 October : Birmingham - NIA
Saturday 18 October : Liverpool - Arena

SPAIN
Wednesday 22 October : Barcelona - Palau Sant Jordi
Friday 24 October : Murcia - Estadio Municipal
Saturday 25 October : Madrid - Palacio de Deportes

HUNGARY
Tuesday 28 October : Budapest - Sportarena,

SERBIA
Wednesday 29 October : Belgrade - Arena

CZECH REPUBLIC
Friday 31 October : Prague - 02 Arena

AUSTRIA
Saturday 1 November : Vienna - Stadthalle

I’m definitely going! What about you?