Thanks, Brian.
Not sure why “Hammer to Fall” comes so late on The Works, with it’s big Red Special crunchy chords, the (long missed) multi-layered chorus, it’s classic Queen.
Freddie is in full snarl, the voice that made him one of the singularly greatest singers in rock history. The band sounds like they’re having a blast and then, after the bridge, a soaring guitar solo. One that sounds like it set the template for everything The Darkness tried to do. Then ANOTHER solo, a different one, a classically melodic one.
“Hammer to Fall” is a socially conscious song, very 80s in it’s fear of the apocalypse but, it’s a glorious trip. At about minute 3:05 “Louder and louder and louder…” as his voice trails off in surrender to the cynicism is nothing short of genius.
The rest of the song is a jam. About a minute plus. And, in contrast to just about every. other. song of the era it’s a welcome cacophony.
Even the moments of false stops at the end….perfect.
In an album full of retread and lack of innovation or invention, the song stands out as one of their best in years.
Grade: A+
