A Kind of Magic cover

Released 40 years ago

A Kind of Magic

Queen · 1986

11 min · 2 tracks · hard rock

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

66 /100
Alpine
Higher than 89% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong songwriting and production, blending rock with cinematic themes effectively.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with a driving anthem in 'One Vision' that sets a high-energy tone, followed by the title track which shifts to a more melodic style.
  • Several tracks feature layered harmonies and theatrical arrangements, particularly in 'Who Wants to Live Forever', which includes orchestral elements.
  • The last three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, creating a reflective conclusion to the album.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
7/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 A Kind of Magic (extended version) 6:23
  • 2 A Dozen Red Roses for My Darling 5:05

Reference: MusicBrainz · Wikidata