Disco de Queens of the Stone Age: “Songs for the Deaf [Japan Bonus Tracks]”

Queens of the Stone Age might be the best rock band active today. "Songs For the Deaf," the group's third album, is their finest to date. That in and of itself is no small feat, as both of Queens' previous efforts were excellent in their own right. Dave Grohl (former Nirvana drummer, now Foo Fighters singer) plays drums on "Songs...," and his presence is most definitely felt. Homme and Oliveri, meanwhile, pieced together a record that works beginning to end.

"No One Knows" is the first single. The song is very unconventional underneath, with a guitar riff generally foreign to this genre, but rocks nevertheless. "First it Giveth" and "Go With the Flow" combine mainstream rock sensibilities with a powerful, live-sounding production. The overall song-writing quality here is phenomenal. "The Sky is Fallin," "Hangin' Tree," (from Desert Sessions 7/8), "Do It Again," and "Another Love Song" are all remarkable. Production is also very true to Queen's sound (I've seen them live). The end result is an album which in some ways reminds me of "In Utero," by Nirvana, not so much for its style, but its substance.

Anyone who likes rock music, be it Staind, the Vines, Linkin Park or Nickelback, should buy "Songs for the Deaf." It may wind up being as essential as "Daydream Nation," "In Utero," and "OK Computer." At the very least, its among the best of 2002...

Wow - A truely great release from The Queens of the Stone Age. After dropping all our jaws with 2000's Rated R. the boys step it up a few more notches with Songs For The Deaf. The entire record simply rocks. From the sheer rock muscle of tunes like Millionaire and Six Shooter, to, dare I say pop fare like the great, No One Knows. The whole album works together to really just give a kick the pants to today's bland rock music polluting the air.

this time out they have brought aboard Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees) and a little known drummer named Dave Grohl. Each adds depth and focus to an already near perfect effort.

Other highlights for me include the amazing Sky Is Fallin' , the strangely sweet Mosquito Song and the dark, Song For The Deaf. I am extremely pleased with what Josh and Co. have achieved on their latest. Far surpasses all expectations

First off, I'm going to have to say that Queens Of The Stone age is the best, most original band to come out of the music scene in the last 6 or 7 years. They're truly original, and anyone who listens to their music knows that they are listening to something different.

Their latest offering, "Songs For The Deaf" is by far one of the best CD's I have ever heard. Not only does it sound great, but musically it's flat out incredible. I'm not a drummer, or even a Nirvana fan, but Dave Grohl is the man. This Album also shows the musical genius of Josh Homme, who writes almost all of the material. Anyone who slags this CD should take a step back and look at the music scene right now, and compare it to this band. Gorgeous harmonies, Josh Homme's sweet vocals, pummeling drums, and killer guitars make this CD a must have.

"You Think I Ain't Worth A Dollar, But I Feel Like A Millionaire": 9/10. This track slams you into the CD, as it's maybe the heaviest song on here. With bassist Nick Oliveri doing his trademark depraved wildman howls, and Josh Homme playing simple, yet heavy and ballsy riffs, this song rocks.

Thanks, and hail to The Stone Age!!

This, the 3rd album from So. Cal robot-rockers Queens of the Stone Age has been largely recognized for the drumming presence of former Nirvana and current Foo Fighters member Dave Grohl, who picked up the sticks and played on all but one song on this amazing album. But although the drums can't be overlooked, the main draw into this album should be the diverse styles. It goes from screaming punk metal w/ Nick Oliveri on vocals to the soft growl of former Screaming Trees frontman Mark Lanegan and back to Homme, the vocalist on the radio hit, "No One Knows". This is a concept album, it's supposed to be what you might hear on the radio on a drive from Los Angeles to the Joshua Tree in California, Queens of the Stone Age style. But even if you don't get the concept, if you "get" good music, then you should definitely "Get" this album.

When I first heard "Songs for the Deaf," I was completely floored. It is a truly remarkable record, complete with both mind-bogglingly heavy instrumentation and a well-developed concept. All the songs here revolve around Josh Homme's crazy-eyed guitar, which sounds something like a black hole--it draws in countless metal and grunge sounds, synthesizes them, and spits them back out in a hyperkinetic fury that is so loud it can rub calluses on your ears. Nick Oliveri's bass sounds like a monster's heart beating with hellacious fury, while Dave Grohl's atomic drumming ensures that there is never a dull moment.

The songs--written by Homme/Oliveri and sung by Homme, Oliveri, and former Screaming Trees frontman Mark Lanegan--are incredible in their structure, complete with light-speed time signatures and more false endings than a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert--check out the pounding, endless "Song For The Dead" or the the deliriously hilarious "You Think I Ain't Worth A Dollar But I Feel Like A Millionaire" (awesome title as well).

The Queens develop their radio-centered concept with a variety of false transimissions which are read by DJs. The sampled Christian pastors on the "Do It Again/God Is In The Radio" medley and the woman's voice on right before the commencement of "Song For The Deaf" are quite humourous, but they also serve to communicate the Queens' ultimate message: this is what radio should really sound like.

The sounds of these deafening songs are so intense and--even better--unique that they put most other bands of the Queens' mold to shame. Homme and Oliveri meld metal-grade riffing with speed-punk rhythms to create a distinct genre all to themselves. Furthermore, the appearances of Grohl and Lanegan--both grunge icons--do not veer this record in the grunge direction but instead yield to it the cunning pop aesthetics of the grunge revolution.

Definitely a must-have, especially if you like non-mainstream, more revolutionary music...