Queens of the Stone Age

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Customer reviews

review by: I Rock and Roll date: 2008-06-05 rating:
Queens' sound at its most primal
A true tour-de-force of an album which paved the way for what was to come from Qotsa whilst also separating itself from a Kyuss-carbon-copy.
1)Regular John- A soaring, fuzzy, hypnotic riff that combines to startlingly brilliant effect with Homme's soft voice. 9/10
2)Avon- Achingly contemporary, this is a standout for the best bit of Qotsa drumming to be heard until a certian Dave Grohl came on the scene 9/10
3)If Only- Almost pop-like with its catchy chorus but this is so much better than anything you'll hear in the charts. A song for summer. 8/10
4)A groovy yet gargantuan track that pounds into your head. Homme's lyrics are very sharp here. Only tailback is the repeated riff that goes on for the last 2 minutes 8/10
5)You Would Know-A slow, psychedelic number that takes a few listens to like. Excellent chorus and a very unique song. 8/10
6)How to Handle a Rope= When it comes to Qotsa's best riffs, this is a genuine contender. However, the drumming, basswork and vocals match the guitar's excellence throughout to produce a Queens classic. 9.5/10
7)Mexicola- When you hear the bass rumbling at the start you know your in for a lot of noise and when it comes it winds your way into your head and doesnt get out. Superb stuff. 9/10
8)Hispanic Impressions- An instrumental, that sounds lightweight considering whats come before. Quite repetitive also, but an example of Homme and co's musicianship nonetheless. 6/10
9)You Can;t Quit Me Baby- Possibly the best bassline of the last 10 years and the best song ever to be wrtitten about a psycho-stalker. Truly breathtaking, epic. 9/10
10)Give the Mule What He Wants- A song that flows and stutters in equal measure but somehow works. Instantly loveable. 9/10
11)I Was a Teenage Hand Model- An odd song that brings the album to a nice close. A hum-along tune that sticks in your head but perhaps doesn't leave a lasting impression like some of the other tracks. 7/10

Call it what genre you will, the fact is that QOTSA start off with a truly awesome album.

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review by: date: 2007-09-10 rating:
Middle Ground Between QOTSA & Kyuss
I am a massive fan of Kyuss, and I want to make it clear that I prefer their best works ("Welcome To Sky Valley" and "And The Circus Leaves Town") to QOTSA's best stuff (and anyone that doesn't know Josh Homme was Kyuss' guitarist and main songwriter should find out about that for their own sake, and this review's sake). That is not to say I don't enjoy QOTSA, they are pretty much single-handedly carrying the stoner rock torch into the realms of popular music. Releases such as "Rated R" and "Songs For The Deaf" are eclectic and sometimes simply outstanding outings into modern rock music. However, the bouncy and poppy aspect of QOTSA, compared to the epic groove jamming of Kyuss, doesn't quite work as well for me. The band doesn't send me to that other place, where I'm engulfed and lost in the music. This was the case until I came across this...

This is the band's debut LP (they started out life with a split EP with Kyuss, the first division of the original members), and it strikes me as the band's best to date. Yes, "Songs For The Deaf" sprawled across genres, sounds and atmospheres. Yes, "Rated R" had some catchy-as-f*%k lush melodies. But I always wanted more from the band. They lacked the groove of Kyuss, lacked that desert vibe, the driving and pummelling riffs...the overwhelming aural trip those albums created. But here, with this underrated and seemingly pushed aside release, the band hit the balance for me, combining elements of Kyuss at their peak, and the best of the QOTSA style.

This is evident with songs such as "Regular John", "If Only" and "Mexicola", my three favourite rocking tracks on the album. These songs encompass both the groove and fuzzy tones of Kyuss with the vocal melodies and catchy hooks of QOTSA. Also, special mention should go to "You Cant Quit Me Baby" which is a masterful ballad with a very eerie and melancholy atmosphere, and one of my favourite QOTSA songs to date.

If you're a fan of QOTSA and don't have this release, it really is worth hunting down. For those Kyuss fans, this is the most logical evolution from the Kyuss sound and will certainly please.

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review by: date: 2006-01-15 rating:
Smokey, Blurred, Sonic Emotions
Once you start listening to that album, you get into the songs, integrated with them. The melodies coming from the guitars are leading this trip. Coupled with the drums and the vocals ornamented with the catching, poetic lyrics, the songs reach the full integrity. "If Only" transmits the mixed feelings of aggressiveness and revolt. "You Can't Quit Me Baby" is the muscial expression of making love. I find this album enormously amazing! Very entertaining!!!

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review by: neech_manley date: 2005-08-04 rating:
...
Stop reading these reviews. Buy this album now. It is utterly flawless (except for "Hispanic Impressions", but we'll let that one go). I guarantee you won't regret it.


review by: date: 2005-02-24 rating:
Perfect
This album cannot be faulted in any way. There is not a dull song on the album and the level of musical talent expressed by Homme in all of the tracks is astonishing. If you are at all inclined towards rock or alternative metal and you do not own this album, buy it. Rated R, Songs for the Deaf, Lullabies to paralyze, Dessert sessions vol9&10 and Kyuss's Sky Valley are also worth considering.

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Rated R
Desert Session 9&10/Desert Sessions
Songs For The Deaf
Queens Of The Stone Age - Over The Years And Through The Woods
Lullabies To Paralyze

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