Queen and Paul Rodgers - The Cosmos Rocks

This is probably the best album of the month. In fact, what the hell, this is probably the best album ever. Queen have built upon their considerable underground following and, having parted company with camera shy ex-frontman Frank Mercury, are looking to break into the mainstream with the addition of little-known cult figure Paul Rodgers of minor league punk outfit, Free. It's a pioneering, 14-step journey into the little-charted waters of “Dad-core”. May swaps his trademark, tired, brilliant guitar work for a refreshingly insipid and predictable rhythm n' blues rammy. Rodgers thankfully supplants Mercury's unmemorable, catchy and unsurpassed crooning with an inspired blend of drunken karaoke and doddering old fart. It's a visionary endeavour, hampered only by a near unlimited recording budget and a mere 140 years of collective experience in music. Give these guys a chance. They could be your new favourite band that should have quit ages ago.[Chric Cusack]