Search - Cross :: Shove It

Roger 'Crosses' Into 1988

Jason M. Carzon | bowie, maryland United States | 12/28/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Recorded during Queen's hiatus between 'A Kind Of MAgic' and 'The Miracle', this is the debut album of Roger's Taylor's other band 'The Cross', who would make three albums altogether. The other two are more 'band'-oriented albums with everyone contributing writing credits, but 'Shove It' is more of a Roger solo album in some ways. There are many strengths and flaws of this 1988 album. There are loads of 80's synths and programmed drum sounds galore if you're into that, unlike the other two Cross albums which are more guitar oriented. There were actually two different versions of this album, the cd version and the vinyl. The vinyl version actually had better continuity and one extra song, 'Feel The Force'. Why it wasn't included on an already short CD is beyond me and many other Queen fans. This is almost made up for with an uncredited Freddie Mercury vocal on 'Heaven For Everyone', whereas the record version has vocals by Roger. Anyway, here are the tracks:SHOVE IT - originally the second track on vinyl, the title track awkwardly opens this CD version with a stomping beat and features several Queen samples(as if it were really necessary on a new solo band album).COWBOYS AND INDIANS - very 80's pop sound with cheezy 'horn' synths, background girl singers and thumping bass. This also was a single back then I think.CONTACT - one of the album's best tracks which should have been a minor hit. A nice atmospheric 80's synth sound with just enough guitar bite and a sax solo at the end too. I can see David Bowie singing the 'let's dance/but not too slow' part. The synth-percussion pattern underneath the song is icing on the cake.HEAVEN FOR EVERYONE - the original vinyl had Roger's lead vocals, but on this CD version, it's an uncredited Freddie Mercury offering his soulful voice to this future Queen classic. As someone else mentioned, here there's a Roger-sung vocal bridge omitted from Queen's version. With the CD's length, both versions should have been included. Roger's raspy vocals on the record version(which closes 'side one') are a worthy performance and add a different dimension to the track.FEEL THE FORCE - not on this CD but the original vinyl. A standard Roger Taylor anthemic rock track, but should have been here. Why was it left off?STAND UP FOR LOVE - Roger in James Brown mode, a stomping R&B number with horns(or horn sounds at least) and background singers. It works.LOVE ON A TIGHTROPE(LIKE AN ANIMAL) - 'Radio Gaga'-like synths and drum programming make this one sound like a leftover from Queen's 'The Works' from 1984. There's enough rhythm guitar here to make it a Cross track however.LOVE LIES BLEEDING - a strong opening track on the original record, but here it is towards the end of an unevenly re-sequenced album. Good track, with Brian may guesting.ROUGH JUSTICE - similar territory as the rest of the album: rhythmic guitars, stomping 1-2 beat, horn-synths, background vox. In fact I believe it has the exact same beat as the title track.SHOVE IT(2nd Shelf Mix) - basically an extended mix of the title track with extra lyrics. Not worth replacing FEEL THE FORCE though. Basically a essential Quuen side project with strengths and flaws. Some good tracks, some filler. Freddie and Brian making guest appearances, and some ok 80's rock-pop. For best results, program the track listing to the original sequence:Love Lies Bleeding/
Shove It/
Cowboys & Indians/
Contact/
Heaven For Everyone/
(Feel The Force)/
Stand Up For Love/
Love On A Tightrope/
Rough Justice"

Reviews by people posing as Queen fans

R. Wischer | USA | 02/09/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I must admit to not having heard Taylor's release "Shove It" but felt compelled to respond as a result of the last two posts. It's quite obvious neither are very big fans of Queen.



Boby claims that Taylor was the main vocals for the first nine Queen albums? HUH?



Then the next guy (who accurately disputes the above) claims Taylor didn't have any lead vocals? Wow. News to me (and a whole bunch of other Queen fans)!



Of course Mercury was the lead singer from first release on up to the last release of Innuendo. Also, Taylor sung MANY songs as lead vocal. Tenement Funster, Fun It, I'm In Love With My Car, Modern Times Rock 'n' Roll, The Loser in the End, Drowse, Fight From the Inside, Fun It, More of that Jazz, etc. Actually there are a lot, but this proves my point.



If you aren't aware of these songs or can't tell that it's not Freddie singing then you really aren't that big a fan. I'd take comments from those two reviews with a grain of salt."

An Interesting Solo Album

R. Wischer | 06/25/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Roger Taylor. The second best singer in Queen (of course, Freddie is the best) and one of the best and underrated drummers in rock 'n' roll. Here he shows his rhythum guitar playing abilities, as well as his wide musical song-writing range."