As one of the most successful and enduring rock bands of all time, Queen's music continues to inspire new generations of fans. Their innovative approach to music, combined with their electrifying live performances, has cemented their status as rock legends. With "Greatest Hits II" (2011 Remastered Edition), fans can experience the best of Queen's catalog in stunning clarity, making it the perfect introduction to their music or a nostalgic trip back to the glory days.

As part of our selection, we are revisiting this monumental record. While the first Greatest Hits was a stadium-rock party, Greatest Hits II is a cinematic epic. It chronicles the band’s "imperial phase" of the 80s, where Queen stopped trying to fit into the zeitgeist and decided to become the zeitgeist.

The tracklist reads like a victory lap:

The flamenco-inspired guitar work and epic structure are given a wider soundstage, allowing the complexity of the arrangement to shine. Why It’s a "Top" Essential Collection

However, for audiophiles and Queen fanatics, not all versions of Greatest Hits II are created equal. The holy grail for collectors and high-fidelity listeners today is the specific pressing known as

Unlike the first hits album, which was a mix of eras, Greatest Hits II feels like a cohesive journey through the 80s.

Released in 1981, "Greatest Hits II" was the follow-up to Queen's first compilation album, "Greatest Hits." This new collection aimed to showcase the band's continued creativity and success during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The album features 20 essential tracks, including some of their most beloved and enduring songs.