Flash Gordon cover

Flash Gordon

Released

Freddie Mercury may have tersely sung “I don’t like Star Wars” in Queen’s “Bicycle Race” but they certainly weren’t opposed to ornate, over-the-top and showy science fiction, as their stint soundtracking the indulgent-in-the-best-way 1980 movie version of Flash Gordon showed. The opening “Flash” remains the standout with Brian May’s insistent piano and blazing guitar plus his and Mercury’s commanding vocals, but the whole album’s a strangely underrated treat, with various film dialogue samples interspersed with many (but not solely) electronic instrumentals.

Ned Raggett

Recommended by

Suggestions
Stardom Road cover

Stardom Road

Marc Almond
Grace cover

Grace

Chihei Hatakeyama
Game Over cover

Game Over

Bark Psychosis
Holy Prana Open Game cover

Holy Prana Open Game

Natalie Rose LeBrecht
Quique cover

Quique

Seefeel
The Tipping Point cover

The Tipping Point

Tears for Fears
Gladiator [Original Soundtrack] cover

Gladiator [Original Soundtrack]

Lisa Gerrard, Gavin Greenaway, The Lyndhurst Orchestra