02-04-1993 – Back to the Light – Chicago Tribune

“We will rock you, rock you, rock you.” Familiar words, but Queen guitarist Brian May sings them as a lullabye in “The Dark,” the opening track of his new solo album. Much of May’s past with rock’s kings of excess-both good and bad points-are in evidence on the new disc, birthed into being as “Wayne’s World” and Freddie Mercury’s death made Queen fashionable again. Queen flourishes abound in the extravagance of “Resurrection,” the layered vocal intro of “Too Much Love Will Kill You” and the acoustic nod to ” ’39” with “Let Your Heart Rule Your Head.” Queen’s penchant for throwaway tracks, however, also is here with the unfunny “I’m Scared” and the deadweight dialogue of “Love Token.” May fares best when he sticks to what he did in Queen-play guitar. Trademark riffs brighten “Back to the Light,” “Nothin’ But Blue” drips notes of languorous splendor, and May stretches out on the straightforward arena rock of “Rollin’ Over.” Best of the bunch might be “Last Horizon.” Yes, it’s an instrumental.

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