Next up let’s take a look at Queens of the Stone Age. I can remember first hearing them when I got my first car and they were being played on KROQ and thinking that they seemed like a pretty straightforward rock band. So here we go….
Queens of the Stone Age- well after hearing this album I must say that it sounds a lot like Kyuss and that is probably because the initial lineup was in fact mostly members of Kyuss. That being said, it’s a good record and if you are a fan of Kyuss then I would suggest checking this one out. One thing I really like on this album is Josh Homme’s guitar tone. It’s just so crunchy and heavy. Anyway, I give it 8\10
Standouts: Regular John, Walkin on the Sidewalks, These Aren’t The Droids You’re Looking For
Rated R- this is one of those albums where the chemistry between everyone is so good that they make a great record. Like it’s a stoner rock album but yet it has groove at the same time. The thing about this album is that it has a lot of guest musicians from Dave Catching from Eagles of Death Metal to even Rob HALFORD of all people. This is a fantastic rock record and easily their best to date. I give it 9.5/10
Standouts- Feel Good Hit of the Summer, Tension Head, Leg Of Lamb
Songs For The Deaf- while Rated R was what made them big, this album made them mainstream. This record is unique because the way they made it feel like you are taking a drive through the desert in California to Los Angeles then to Joshua Tree with there being radio stations dialed in between songs. It’s a really unique record. One thing to note is that Dave Grohl plays drums on this record and he also toured with the band too. I will say that the two main singles are SO overplayed and I’m tired of hearing them. That said, the rest of the album is a pretty good album. I give it 8/10
Standouts: First It Giveth, You Think I Ain’t Worth A Dollar But I Feel Like A Millionaire, God Is In The Radio
Lullabies To Paralyze- I remember listening to this album online when it first dropped and I got bored with it. Listening to it now, it’s still boring. I don’t know maybe they seem to have lost their edge a little here. this would be the first to not feature bassist Nick Oliveri and I don’t know when they had him, they had a heavier rock sound. It’s really too bad because it almost feels like Queens of the Stone Age “Lite” album to me. Anyway, I give it 3/10
Standouts: Tangled Up In Plaid, Little Sister, Someone’s In The Wolf
Era Vulgaris- I must say I didn’t really listen to this album up until this review and honestly, it’s a step up from Lullabies. This record is a different record and while it’s not a return to the first two albums, it has its own uniqueness to it. It’s part rock, and part experimental to me. There are some songs that are really guitar driven and some that are slowed down and cool. Overall, a pretty varied record and one that should be listened to. I give it 7/10
Standouts: 3’s and 7’s, Sick Sick Sick, Make It Wit Chu
…Like Clockwork- so I guess if you want to think of this as a continuation you could however, it feels more like a B-sides from Era to me than a new album. I don’t know like Lullabies, this one just seems to get boring quickly and I was kind of waiting for it to be over. Overall, this one is just ok and nothing special. It’s not a terrible or unlistenable record and yes there are some pretty good songs on here but as a whole it’s just kind of meh. I give it 4/10
Standouts: I Sat By The Ocean, Smooth Sailing, My God Is The Sun
Villains- what do we have here? I mean this feels like such a departure that I kind was left scratching my head. I mean this to me doesn’t feel like a Queens record. It’s definitely not their best by a long shot. I mean I actually remember buying this record at Amoeba and putting it on and thinking did I buy the wrong record? Like what is this? I mean it feels like part rock record and part record that has that 50’s sound. I guess they wanted to try something new but when you have albums like Rated Rome even Songs For a The Deaf, this record is just an oddball. Like I said definitely a major step down. I’m really struggling to give this a 1/10.
Standouts: (maybe)Head Like a Haunted House (but that’s pretty much it)
Overall, this is a band that has a somewhat inconsistent record catalogue but the albums that are good, are worth your time. I remember seeing these guys at the KROQ Weenie Roast in 2005 and they were actually pretty good live. That being said, it would be nice if they played more stuff off of their first couple records more. Hopefully the next record is a step up from their last.
Album Rankings:
- Rated R
- Queens of the Stone Age
- Songs For The Deaf
- Era Vulgaris
- …Like Clockwork
- Lullabies To Paralyze
- Villains
Sinister Reviews 