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Episode 50 covers the ninth Queen studio album/first soundtrack album for the 1980 space opera film “Flash Gordon.” Some rate it as one of the stronger film soundtracks while some may wonder why Queen ever participated in this. For this episode, we’ve decided to listen to the album live and provide live commentary with you as you listen along. Mark, Kevin, Alex, and Chris take you on a historical journey surrounding the album as well as share our favorites and not-so favorites from the record. We go on a deep dive track-by-track listen of this album as well as share personal stories of discovering Queen’s ninth studio album “Flash Gordon.”
Subscribe, Rate, and Review:
Quick Reviews
Mark Entire album is most terminatable album of any album we’ve covered so far.
Chris The music on here is background music – it’s fun and it drives the plot. Remember more of the film than the music.
Alex Hard to judge w/o watching movie. Dig “Flash’s Theme” and appreciate the John Carpenter/John Williams-esque synth sounds. Brian’s guitar tone works with this. Even hear some Brian Eno type atmosphere. Does Queen do soundtracks better than Pink Floyd?
Kevin Could have been bumped up a point or two without the dialogue included. Some tracks work, some are completely forgettable.
Love It or Flush It
| M | C | A | K | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Flash's Theme" | 3:31 | L | L | L | L | |
| 2 | "In the Space Capsule (The Love Theme)" | 2:43 | L | L | F | L | |
| 3 | "Ming's Theme (In the Court of Ming the Merciless)" | 2:41 | F | F | F | F | |
| 4 | "The Ring (Hypnotic Seduction of Dale)" | 0:57 | F | F | F | F | |
| 5 | "Football Fight" | 1:28 | L | L | B | L | |
| 6 | "In the Death Cell (Love Theme Reprise)" | 2:25 | F | L | F | F | |
| 7 | "Execution of Flash" | 1:06 | T | L | L | F | |
| 8 | "The Kiss (Aura Resurrects Flash)" | 1:45 | F | T | F | F | |
| 9 | "Arboria (Planet of the Tree Men)" | 1:42 | F | F | F | T | |
| 10 | "Escape from the Swamp" | 1:43 | L | F | F | F | |
| 11 | "Flash to the Rescue" | 2:44 | F | F | F | F | |
| 12 | "Vultan's Theme (Attack of the Hawk Men)" | 1:13 | F | L | F | F | |
| 13 | "Battle Theme" | 2:18 | F | B | L | F | |
| 14 | "The Wedding March" (based on "Bridal Chorus") | 0:56 | B | F | F | L | |
| 15 | "Marriage of Dale and Ming (And Flash Approaching)" | 2:04 | L | F | T | F | |
| 16 | "Crash Dive on Mingo City" | 1:00 | F | F | F | F | |
| 17 | "Flash's Theme Reprise (Victory Celebrations)" | 1:24 | L | F | F | F | |
| 18 | "The Hero" | 3:31 | L | L | B | B |
Love It or Flush It Legend
L = Love. As many as you like.
F = Flush. Must flush at least one track per album.
B = Buy. Purchased for the ultimate LTS “Best Of” playlist for each of us. One per album.
T = Terminate. Should have never even existed. One per album.
The Rules
Each of us must Love, Flush, Buy, and Terminate AT LEAST ONE track on an album, no matter how great or terrible the album is. Whoever wins the “7 for the Buy” section gets an extra Buy or Terminate to use on the album. Because Chris hosts this section and thus cannot win, he gets an extra Buy or Terminate every 4 albums.
Album Information
Flash Gordon is the ninth studio album and first soundtrack album by the British rock band Queen, released on 8 December 1980 by EMI Records in the UK and on 27 January 1981 by Elektra Records in the US. It was one of two film soundtracks that they produced along with Highlander. It is the soundtrack to the science fiction film Flash Gordon and features lyrics on only two tracks. “Flash’s Theme” was the only single to be released from the album, under the title “Flash“. The album reached number 10 on the UK charts and number 23 in the US. The album was reissued worldwide on 27 June 2011 (excluding the US and Canada, where it was released on 27 September 2011) as part of the band’s 40th anniversary.[9][10] The reissue adds an EP of related tracks.
Unlike most soundtrack albums, audio from the film is prominently used in the theme song and the score selections of the album.
