Modern Times Rock'n'Roll
Written by Roger Taylor
Recording information by Philipp (PraxisNothaft@t-online.de)
Recorded at Trident Studios in 1972.
Released in July 1973 on the album Queen.
General:
The first Queen-song by Roger to be recorded. The title describes it perfectly.
Unfortunately the song has the worst sound-quality on the album and you can hardly hear some clever parts...but you´ve to think of the recording conditions.
Drums:
Roger's drums have a very hollow "demo-tape"-sound.
The kit consisted of a bass-drum, a snare, a hi-hat and one or two cymbals.
Bass:
John's Fender Precision Bass also sounds very low and hollow.
Recorded via D.I.
Guitars:
There´s a left and a right rythm guitar. The right one plays more lead-orientated riffs and fills, while the left one plays mostly chords.
In the solo-part there are two additional guitars: One is more panned right and does the main solo-stuff, the other is to hear more left and plays some additional licks.
Sounds:
The rythm guitars have got lots of distortion amd sound really dirty. The solo-guitars are also quite distorted to get a good sustain, but have much more treble/mids and reverb.
Piano:
After the solo a piano fades in and plays till the end. (very in the background). Picked up simply with one mic.
Vocals:
Roger sings the lead vocals and stuff. His voice has a echoing delay (about 200-300ms).
In the chorus his voice is panned from left to right. His cool delayed vocal at the end of the song has a much longer feedback than the rest.
Backing vocals during the choruses are done by Roger and Freddie. Producer John Anthony shouts the 'look out' line near the end.