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Zero 7
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
Cosmos Rocks
EMAILPRINTby Queen + Paul Rodgers
Mixed or average reviews
Based on 10 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 36 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Hollywood
Release Date: 28 October 2008
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Rock
Summary
The debut album for Paul Rogers as the lead singer is Queen's first album of new material in more than 10 years.
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
PopMatters
Although his ghost pleasantly haunts the album in some ways (The Cosmos Rocks is actually dedicated to him), Paul Rodgers breathes new life into Queen, while still keeping the band’s tremendous legacy intact as they soldier forth with new material into the 21st century.
Read Full Review >Mojo
Occasionally they stumble, as on the clunky 'Warboys.' But with Rogers imperious, Queen's second coming is vindicated. [Oct 2008, p.100]
Uncut
This ill-fitting rebirth, fronted by the defiantly ungay, unIndian and uneccentric Paul Rodgers, can be seen as an attempt to ditch the Mercury-inspired absurdity and bolster Queen’s hard 'rawkin’credentials.
Read Full Review >The Guardian
As with a lot of The Cosmos Rocks, you listen to Warboys boggling that Queen--famously intelligent men--didn't at any point notice that the lyrics were stupid, trite, a bit offensive and bound to have an undermining effect on whatever musical efforts they put behind it.
Read Full Review >All Music Guide
Certainly, it's not the embarrassment of the live album, but it has its own internal logic that keeps it humming along, and that's good enough for a listen and to get the band out on tour again, even it's not good enough for a second spin.
Read Full Review >Billboard
It's a shame that the end result, the first under the Queen name in 13 years, is not very memorable.
Read Full Review >Rolling Stone
Queen 2.0 are competent enough to rock arenas, but don't expect a repeat of the glory days.
Read Full Review >Observer Music Monthly
What an astronomically bad parallel universe. Queen's star is dead.
Read Full Review >Blender
This mismatched combo brings out the best in each other only on the refreshingly lightweight 'Call Me.' [Nov 2008, p.76]
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 7.0 (out of 10) based on 36 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Mike Musicguy gave it a3:
I like Paul Rodgers and was very fond of Queen. I don't expect mensa lyrics but I want fun sassy and something great. The songwriting is appalling everything about it is trite and hackneyed. It tries to hard rock like old queen but second rate melodies, I really wanted to like it. Honest. It is awful. I didn't download a single song into my MP3 player I'd everwant to hear again. Tie your mother down? Tie this crap to a raft and float it out to sea.
Joe gave it a10:
Paul Rodgers has long been a moving force (Free, Bad Company, The Firm, The Law, solo projects, etc.) that this is a surprisingly good fit for both Rodgers and Queen. No, he's not Freddie Mercury, nor is anyone quite as vocally unique as Paul Rodgers. Cosmos Rocks allows Rodgers to flourish and he's surrounded by a quality, creative and extremely talented group of musicians. Stop dreaming of a Queen without Freddie. Instead, imagine a reborn Bad Company with rich guitars, powerful musical arrangements, and outstanding vocals by Rodgers. Any fan of his voice will not want to miss this disc.
Claude S. gave it a10:
Don't compare it with the old band... this new combo is definately worth a listen. They do make the Cosmos rock.
Ivan K. gave it a1:
I was expecting the intensity of Queen's older work, but this new album is a gray, muddy pool of slime. Call it a black hole.
Maureen P. gave it a1:
I think it is sad that a bunch of old men are trying to cash in on past glory with a completely pedestrain album - nothing memorable or extraordinary here. And they all take is so seriously - just the opposite of Queen's delightful tongue-in-cheek attitude toward rock music and life in general. Just grabbing at the cash cow that the name Queen brings them. And Paul Rodgers? His voice is like fingernails on a chalkboard. Do all rock groups (except the real Queen) have to feature bad singers as their frontmen?
jim d. gave it an8:
Been a long time coming...and even tho there is no freddie this band continues to rock ! don't think they have anything to prove to the public they play a blend of music to satisfy almost everyone a little blues a little lighthearted ditty and plenty of good guitar by brian....instead of a lot of noise that you see in some music we also get one with a message we need to BELIEVE in ourselves and make changes in that direction...we are indeed "small" in the global picture....react !!!
Ingie B. gave it a9:
I can see having a bit more interesting and mature lyrics on some of the songs, but mostly this album does rock, and swing and even has a bluesy feel. I really love the voodoo song, mostly because it’s this jazzy bluesy song that has distinctive Brian May guitar in it, LOL, awesome. Mostly, it’s a super solid album of fun songs, and I’m just so stoked that the guys have found each other and created new material for all of us to enjoy. I hope it doesn’t stop there, but is just the beginning of a new era of creativity for all of us to drink in.
