Now I'm Here Review: 1975

Queen's Punk-Zep Riff Power

The one-page single review in New Musical Express (February 1, 1975) selected Queen’s “Now I'm Here” (EMI) as Singles Of The Week. The reviewer praised its real rock 'n' roll energy, describing it as the early Who’s punk aggression meeting Led Zeppelin riffola. It contrasted with the contrived feel of “Killer Queen,” but noted the powerful drum explosion from Roger Taylor twenty seconds in, calling it dynamite. The review acknowledged a “We haven't paid our dues” ambience but concluded this was the bad side of Queen and it was good, urging readers to play it loud.

Article Overview

Publication Details

Magazine: New Musical Express (UK).

Date: February 1, 1975.

Format: One-page singles review.

Article Text

The only reason we have a piccy of Freddie Mercury of Queen, but not one of The Isleys is that the Isleys are notoriously reluctant to pose for the camera, and Mercury isn't.

SINGLES OF THE WEEK

QUEEN: "Now I'm Here" (EMI) The early Who's punk aggression

meets up with Led Zeppelin riffola to make Queen's "Now I'm Here" the week's only record with any real rock 'n' roll energy. Its cleverly constructed predecessor "Killer Queen" always came over as being too contrived for my taste, but this little piece of dynamite just about convinces me that maybe Queen have something to offer - while the likes of Led Zep spend their time away from the UK concert circuit. It starts out a little like The Who's "I'm A Boy", but it's only when Roger Taylor performs a staggering drum explo-sion twenty or so seconds into the record that it becomes apparent just how powerful the whole thing is. There's still a kind of "We haven't paid our dues" ambience (they probably have, but it doesn't sound like it), but this is the bad side of Queen and it's good. Play it loud.

Did you have this NME review in your archive? Were you ready for Queen's rock energy? Share in the comments!