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by brian tracy (TwilightBurning) / ben erickson (pyrotroll) - Oct 01, 2002
Queens of the Stone Age - Songs for the Deaf Review #1 - Brian Tracy On their third album these self proclaimed ‘Queens’ hit it right. While their first album (self titled 1998) was more minimalist and the second (R 2000) expanded to include more styles and vocalists giving their sound a more expansive field and mainstream appeal. On this album the Queens further develop their sound. The first track, "You Think I Ain’t Worth a Dollar, but I Feel Like a Millionaire," slips from s low, steady buildup to the guttural vocals of Nick Oliveri, providing a hint as to what to expect. After the crashing first track the mood twists, down into the lighter, bouncier single "No One Knows." The best thing about this album is that each song has its own feel; they work in such a variety of approaches to writing and performing that there’s at least a track or two for fans of any brand of rock. One thing this album manages to avoid that traps many albums with variety is not having flow. Many CDs that try too many different genres end up sounding very broken up as if the songs are from different CD from the band’s career; in short they have no flow. This is where the Queens stick out above the rest. Songs for the Deaf is a totally cohesive record regardless of how diverse it is, and that is its strongest point: the ability to give diversity and the complexity of an album all in one tight, rockin’ package. The highlights of the CD include the song buffers; fake radio station IDs poking fun at the state of music as a whole; the intro to Song for the Dead, and Mark Lanegan’s (ex-Screaming Trees) vocals throughout the album, but especially on Hangin’ Tree. This is one of the most diverse, talented and cohesive records in a time where you’re lucky to get one of those on CD. Don’t miss out, your record collection wants this CD. Review #2 - Ben Erickson I must say I was really surprised by just how great queens of the stone age’s new album was. I had only heard one other song by them, and it was enough to get me to buy the album the day it came out. The album is full of bass lines that infest the brain and guitar riffs that have the power to make a grown man cry. The first thing that really blew me away was the energy that was carried out throughout the album. This is perfectly displayed in songs like ‘Millionaire’, ‘Song For The Dead’ and ‘First it Giveth’. The songs have constant and simplistic guitars running through the entire song and drums that don’t really go off into fills at all, they just remain constant for the most part. I personally have hated things that fit the same description, but some how qotsa pulls it off. It is all almost hypnotic and kept me interested throughout. There are also some tracks that take more of a melodic turn. ‘No One Knows’ and the tittle track both concentrate more on vocals, but still have enough of an emphasis on the guitars as to not take down the momentum of the album. These tracks seem to fit the band almost as well as their hardcore romps, and somehow they never seem to be out of place. This album is a work of art. I would say it is the best album released all year. If you like rock, hardcore, melodic hardcore, metal, punk, or almost any other type of music, you need to own this album. Soon. |