Wow! We have tallied up the Queen Poll votes and I believe that we have the most votes for a band's best. This Poll brought a flood to my inbox that tallied nearly 400 votes. And the winner? Well, sit back folks (although may of you are not surprised as you voted for it) but it is Queen II that wins the Poll. Not Night at the Opera (the one I was sure would run away with it), not A Day At The Races (another album was I thought would rank highly...but didn't), and Sheer Heart Attack (although it WAS surprisingly close).

The catalogue of Queen is varied and very innovative over the highly visible and successful Freddie Mercury years. Beginning with their debut S/T album, through their pivotal Sheer Heart Attack, and on through their chartbusters, A Night at the Opera, and A Day at the Races, moving through the rest of the band's works. But fans of the band have weighed in heavily to select Queen II as the representative Best of Queen. Here's how your selections played out:

• Queen II (102) - From that iconic cover that inspired parts of a later video for "Bohemian Rhapsody" to a collection of extraordinary songs, this followup to the band's debut packed a punch that resonates even today. You have to love the extended "The March of the Black Queen," and "Ogre Battle." The songs here gave a look into arrangements that would later elevate the band to high heights.
• Sheer Heart Attack (92) - Imagine MY shock when this album climbed very close to the number one choice. While I came on board on the band's first album (I actually wrote a review for it for our school newsletter), it was this album that endeared me to the band. With their single, "Killer Queen," and its wonderful arrangement tucked into a perfect Rock tune, the album elevated the band to superstar status. "Brighton Rock," "Stone Cold Crazy," and the other collected songs on this album. Well chosen, fans.
• A Night at the Opera (79) - This was the big Queen album that yielded a great cover, and many excellent tracks like, "You're My Best Friend;" the top single that STILL says represents Queen with its magnificent arrangements, "Bohemian Rhapsody;" and the heavy Rock of "I'm in Love With My Car." But don't forget about "Death on Two Legs," "God Save the Queen," ...
• Jazz (37) - Queen surprised many with this release that provided "Fat Bottomed Girls," and "Bicycle Races." It had a strength that may have pleased fans more than their previous album, 1977's heavy News of the World. It positioned itself nicely here.
• The Game (36) - This album provided the change of pace "Crazy Little Thing Called Love," and went even further than that with "Another One Bites the Dust." Queen held the world in its hands by this point and this album just broadened the base. And then there was "Need Your Loving Tonight"...
• A Day at the Races (19) - I have to admit to being a little nervous that this might not place so high. It didn't and I'm still a little concerned by that. But when you look at what precedes it, well...there's no real surprise, I guess. But we can't forget that this album provided the satisfying sequel to A Night at the Opera with great tracks like "Somebody to Love," "You Take My Breath Away," and the cool "Tie Your Mother Down."
• News of the World (18) - This album has given the world its Sports anthem with "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions." The rest ofthe album rocked hard with stuff like "Sheer Heart Attack" and the rockin' "Get Down, Make Love."
• Queen (6) - Queen experienced a great drop off here. A worthy debut for a band that would become a great attraction.
• Works (3) - This album has the excellent track, "I Want to Break Free" and interested us with "Radio Ga-Ga."
• Innuendo (1) - Known as the last Mercury album, it gave us "These Are the Days of Our Lives."
• Flash Gordon (1) - Not bad as far as movie soundtracks go.
• A Kind of Magic (1) - Not forgotten like other efforts were.
• Hot Space (1) - Different. But had the Bowie collaborated "Under Pressure."

These selections end the Queen Poll. While there were unlisted works like the surprisingly dismissed The Miracle. The truth is, all Queen albums were mentioned by many voters. In fact, the number one complaint was just how difficult the Poll was. Forced to make a choice, The Miracle didn't make it but was often mentioned as a prized Queen album. One thing is for sure, Queen HIT on all cylinders and we miss them (with Freddie Mercury at the helm).

Thanks to all that participated in this very fun Poll.

I'm very surprised at our Great Album Cover Poll. It grew lots of legs and at this point has overwhelmed the Queen Poll. We'll let it run the rest of this week and then I'll throw these up for you to enjoy. There ended up being a few pluralities. But have fun with it. Just give us the Best Album Cover.  Me?  I'd have to give it great thought.  I'm sure I'd settle with about 20 or 30 selections.  Whew!  I love the iconic cover of Born to Run, to me a stunning but simple cover that oozes Rock 'n Roll swagger. In gatefold beauty.  But I also love the surrealism of Houses of the Holy's Hipgnosis cover.  I do love the Brain Salad Surgery inventiveness as well.  And what about that magnificent Blues for Allah cover from Grateful Dead?!) And that's just sticking a pinkie into the frosting of an uneaten cake to sample the richness.

So, let's throw this out there and see what your selections of great album covers are, past or present.  Send your selections to Great Album Covers. BTW, I have a great idea for another Poll. How about the Greatest Line from a Song?

I'm slipping in this review from Bob Olsen of the upcoming Various Artists DVD for Paul Simon called Paul Simon and Friends.

Iconoclassic Records will reissue Wheatfield Soul, the US debut of Guess Who containing their hit, "These Eyes." It will contain three bonus cuts. Release date unknown but I'm assuming that it is out or near being released.

Fontana North will issue several DD titles for The Arrogant Worms on June 2.  The titles slated are: Beige; Semi-Conducted; Torpid; Toast!; Idiot Road; Dirt!; Live Bait, and Christmas Turkey.

Sanctuary Records will release Tangerine from Vixen, and Ultraphobic by Warrant, both on DD format (Digital Download), both on May 26.

Verve Forecast will release Levitate by Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers in both CD and DD, scheduling for September 15.

Tompkins Square is planning to release a Live Tim Buckley title on CD called Live at the Folklore Center, NYC - March 6, 1967. It is being scheduled for August 25.

Downtown Records will release I Love You by Amanda Blank on July 14 in both CD and LP formats.

Hip-O Select Records will release Forever: The Complete Motown Albums, Volume I for The Marvelettes, planning the release date for June 23.

Reprise Records will release two BD (Blu-ray) on June 23 that include Hit Man David Foster and Friends from the same, as well as Awake Live from Josh Groban.

I received an email (Thanks, Craig) that gave us a link to an upcoming reissue of Rio by Duran Duran. The album will be released as a 2CD Special Edition by EMI on June 30. It will be joined by a reissue of Live at Hammersmith '82. Cut and Paste follows:

Mining the DD catalogue, EMI will be releasing two gems on June 29th (UK)/June 30th (US): The DVD/CD DURAN DURAN – LIVE HAMMERSMITH ‘82! and DURAN DURAN: RIO (2 CD SPECIAL EDITION).

LIVE AT HAMMERSMITH 82! is a much anticipated release among followers of the band. Filmed and recorded in the latter part of 1982 as Duranmania was sweeping England, the performance at London’s Hammersmith Odeon includes “Rio,” “Hungry like the Wolf,” “Girls on Film,” fan favorite “Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)” and more. The release also includes “Rio” era videos and two “Top of the Pops” performances.

The RIO 2 CD SPECIAL EDITION is made up of the UK release of the “Rio” album, the original US Harvest album remixes (enabling US listens to programme their CD to be able to listen to the original version), Manchester Square demos, B-Sides, remixes and other surprises.

Full track listing for both releases below. Keep checking back to Duranduran.com for more information!

DVD/CD: Duran Duran – Live Hammersmith ‘82!
DVD:
Live at Hammersmith ’82:-
Rio
Hungry Like The Wolf
Night Boat
New Religion
Save A Prayer
Planet Earth
Friends Of Mine
Careless Memories
Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)
Girls On Film
Rio era videos:-
My Own Way
Hungry Like The Wolf
Save A Prayer
Lonely In Your Nightmare
Rio
The Chauffeur
Top Of The Pops Performances:-
Hungry Like The Wolf (May 13th, 1982)
Rio (November 18th, 1982)

Duran Duran: Rio (2 CD Special Edition)

CD 1:
Original UK album
1/ Rio
2/ My Own Way
3/ Lonely In Your Nightmare
4/ Hungry Like The Wolf
5/ Hold Back The Rain
6/ New Religion
7/ Last Chance On The Stairway
8/ Save A Prayer
9/ The Chauffeur
Original US album mixes released on Harvest/Capitol ST-12211 released November 1982
10/Rio (US album remix)
11/My Own Way (Carnival remix)
12/Lonely In Your Nightmare (US album remix)
13/Hungry Like The Wolf (US album remix)
14/Hold Back The Rain (US album remix)
This enables the US listener to programme their CD to play the original US version of the album.

CD 2:
The Manchester Square demos (recorded 28th August 1981):
1/ Last Chance On The Stairway
2/ My Own Way
3/ New Religion
4/ Like An Angel
Non album singles and B-Sides:
5/ My Own Way (original 7” version) (3.39)
6/ Like An Angel
UK single B side
7/ Careless Memories (live)
UK single B side
8/ The Chauffeur (Blue Silver) (early version)
UK single B side
Versions & Mixes:
9/ My Own Way (Night version)
UK 12″ single
10/Hungry Like The Wolf (Night version)
UK 12″ single
11/ Rio (Night version)
Dutch 12″ Carnival E.P
12/New Religion (Carnival remix)
Japanese 12″ Carnival E.P.
13/Hold Back The Rain (Carnival remix)
US 12″ Carnival E.P.

Digital only extras:
14/My Own Way (Instrumental version) (6.32)
15/Hold Back The Rain (Alternate remix) (6.38)

History has been very worshipful of New York Dolls. Their original lineup produced two memorable albums with a strong debut that is as influential today as the day it was released. On their newest album, the wonderful to hear Cause I Sez So, David Johansen, Syl Sylvain, and the three new additions to this classic band, provide 12 tracks that will continue to have us in awe of them.

Ambient music is a set apart genre not normally visited byu the average Rock fan. It requires more than the usual involvement but can yield multiple satisfying results. Steve Roach has been making quality ambient works for decades. This 2CD Dynamic Stillness is his latest interpretation and is worth the investigation.

This Brooklyn band has created some exciting music that is exciting to hear in every way. With a string of self-released albums and EPs, they have already made a mark in the heart of New York City. What's best is that they have made ALL of their music freely available, downloadable from their site. If you feel the band's music is worth money, they have a way that you can pay for their music. We invite you to click through to their website and to their MySpace and Facebook pages to get a fill of their music. Recently, Dead Heart Bloom had an awesome song ("New Messiah" - one for the iPod, believe me AND a FREE download) featured on Terminator: The Sarah Connors Chronicles.