String Quartet Tribute to Queen presents ten of the pioneering rock group's classic rock radio favorites, re-interpreted as instrumentals featuring violins, cellos, violas, and double bass. As you might expect there's plenty of crossover in
Queen's original songwriting -- while songs like "Killer Queen," "Crazy Little Thing Called Love," and "You're My Best Friend" are guided by indelible pop hooks, they're also boldly arranged with classicism in mind. Here the violins lead, often answered by the cello in a bouncy flirtation of dancing strings. "We Are the Champions" is positively cinematic with its swaying strings and surging melody, but "We Will Rock You" seems like a necessary, rather than essential inclusion. It's marred by synthesized percussion. "Another One Bites the Dust" is better, the instruments joining with one another on the way to the chorus, like members of a street gang falling in behind their leader. ~ Johnny Loftus