Any info on The Miracle Box Set

For a time I really didn't look upon The Miracle very favorably. For me, it seemed too poppy and light sounding and I dismissed it in favor of a more serious sounding record like Innuendo. But more recently, especially after seeing the entire album performed live at Freddie's 73rd birthday party in Montreux, it occurred to me that, yes, it was a return to form. Of course, it doesn't compare to classic albums like ANATO or ADATR, but it's a return to form in the sense that they were back on track and moving forward with a solid album with lots of guitar and excellent songwriting. I can't speak for what it must have been like at the time, but I imagine it was a breath of fresh air to hear this record after A Kind of Magic, which was a bit patchy if you ask me. Over time, I think The Miracle is slowly creeping into my top 5 Queen albums. 

I think both of us. For me, you're right, I'd been awaiting a return to a more rock based format, which indeed had been promised in the lead up to the album, and IWIA initially satisfied that anticipation, but sadly most of the rest of the album didn't. As I previously said, this was largely because of the production, and the use of processed drums on many of the tracks was a real let down. Even IWIA sounds dated now. I think the biggest disappointment was Breakthru, imagining how good it could have been with proper drums and a thicker guitar sound. The 12" mix was something of an improvement, in that the drums were louder, but they were still processed. WIAWI was as exasperating as it was brilliant, as it just showed how the album could have sounded, in a "Here's what you could have won..." kind of way.

As for Hot Space in 1982, whilst the disappointment was huge, I don't think expectations were all that high, as following Flash Gordon, the band had largely fallen off my radar at that time, given it seemed apparent that they weren't going to produce anything of the magnitude of the first five albums again.

What would make me extremely happy with the box set would be if Brian and Roger had secretly been in the studio and re-recorded their drum and guitar parts, using real drums and a fuller, more 70s, guitar sound, but I think there's about as much chance of that as there is me running a marathon and not dropping dead within the first 100 yards!

I agree with the point that The Miracle was certainly an improvement on Hot Space and AKOM (save for One Vision). I quite like(d) The Game though. At least it had real drums and a good guitar sound, and I rather like the sparseness of the production.

For me, I think a lot of the issues relate to the fact that I fell in love with the band in 1974 because they were producing the sort of music I really enjoyed. The kinds of music I like have broadened over the years, but I'm still drawn to music played on real instruments, rather than processed or electronic stuff.

Queen's music changed, and it seemed they weren't doing what I wanted them to do and what I fell in love with them for. I still adore the earlier albums, because I'm from that time, but I'll never have the same love for most of the later material.

now you've gone and done it. remember - when this comes to pass, it's ALL your fault.

These Amazon links - does anyone know if are they new ones or from last year when it was rumoured to be released but got mysteriously pulled??

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Conversely, I've never understood people complaining about newer versions (such as remasters, remixes, re-records, etc) of older material. The older material still exists, so those that don't like the updated versions can simply play their old CDs, or format of choice.

Given this is slated to be a nine disc box set, even if they were to offer up a revised version of the album, then there would be plenty of room for the original as well. Best of both worlds. 🙂

Did I mention that re-recording music is a very lazy attempt to create something new that isn't new? I rather see them recording an album with Adam Lambert as there was one with Paul Rodgers too!

The band has said that there was something like 30 songs thrown out. It’s not the worst idea for a boxset. Hell many of the innuendo songs had there start during the miracle session

I'd argue that it's a case by case basis.

Party is in my top 20 Queen songs. I love it!

I definitely hear good things on Party, but no way is it on the level of Mustapha and POTU. Those were great Freddie songs, Party has grown on me over the years, along with the rest of The Miracle, but I still think It's their weakest opening song.