The Miracle (album) - Critical Reception

Critical Reception

Sun-Sentinel wrote "With Freddie Mercury in vintage light-operatic form, here's an album (like so many of Queen's others) that should be used as a pop music how-to for aspirants. Combining the forces of rock, pop, metal, clever melodies and cunning stylisations, The Miracle never lets down. From one track to the next there is, as usual, no telling which way this band will go, affording even the most jaded ear a challenge."

Newsday (Melville, NY) wrote "On 'The Miracle,' Mercury's voice is steady and solid, May's runs are as flashy and supple as ever. Most of the 10 songs, written collaboratively by the four members, stick pretty much to the band's formula of mini-suites: edgy pop with tempos that change half-way into the number and some delicious hooks."

Rolling Stone stated "The band hasn't been so bogged down by synthesisers and pinging drum machines since Hot Space. The Miracle is a showcase for Freddie Mercury and his love of sweeping, quasi-operatic vocals. And indeed, Mercury – especially on the title track – has never sounded better. One of his strengths is his ability to take even the schlockiest material and make it his own, and that gift comes in handy on 'The Miracle'. Brian May is still in fighting trim, too – when you can hear him. May's role on 'The Miracle' is, for the most part, limited to a quick, typically brilliant solo here and there. As a result, the album lacks the sense of dynamics that marked most of Queen's early work. Only on a few tracks ("Khashoggi's Ship" and "Was It All Worth It") does May really let it rip, and when he does, it's like the old Queen peeping out for just a moment and then turning tail. At least 'The Miracle' offers little snippets of Queen's former majesty."

Allmusic stated "'The Miracle' packs quite a sonic punch, recalling the rich sounds of their past classics (1976's 'A Day at the Races', etc.). Split 50/50 between pop and heavy rock, the album was another global smash, even re-establishing the band stateside (going Top 30 and attaining gold status). Along with 'The Game', 'The Miracle' is Queen's strongest album of the '80s."