-- Queens of the Stone Age - Queens of the Stone Age | (Audio CD) MSRP $ 16.98 Amazon Price $ 13.99 Savings $ 2.99 | |  Release Date: 05 April, 2005, Ant Acid Audio
TRACK LISTING - Regular John
- Avon
- If Only
- Walkin on the Sidewalks
- You Would Know
- How to Handle a Rope
- Mexicola
- Hispanic Impressions
- You Can`t Quit Me Baby
- Give the Mule What He Wants
- I Was a Teenage Hand Model
Usually ships in 1 to 2 weeks | | | Self titled self explanatory... | Remember acid rock? Turning up the volume (on the stereo and the drug) till the bleeding - distorted guitar riffs, deep bass slides, and drum sets that are just a high hat and snare would make your eyes sink into your now disformed skull. Yes , its alive with Q.O.T.S.A. first full album. Like most Freshman attempts kinks do need to be worked out though. The songs can drown on with a younger Josh Hommes and only a younger Josh Hommes` vocals over cruchy riffs for the entirity of the album. Each note he yelps out he holds to make sure you get the full extent of it. Much less variety than later attempts of Rated R and Songs for the Deaf at times make you realize even the best need to start again. Yet there`s this honesty of what he is tring to say. Tring to have you feel, that makes it a irrefutable freshamn piece of greatness. I would not recommend this for unpopped cherries of Queens fans. Starters buy Rated R or Songs for the Deaf first. If you want another album like this beacuse you allready own it purchase Lullabies to Paralyze. Highlights of this album to skip to when you first pop it in your stereo are Regular John, Avon (previous Desert Sessions song), If Only, You Would Know, Give the Mule What He Wants, and I Was A Teenage Handmodel (A-m-a-z-i-n-g accoustic ending to such a acid rock album with astonishing lyrics and even better music. One of the best finishers I`ve ever heard). 3 1/2 stars total.
Creativity: 3 Longevity: 3 Music: 4 Talent: 4 Variety: 2 1/2
Catchiness: 4 | | | | Great, But Could Be a Masterpiece | | This is a great album, there`s no doubt, but I was amazed at the drastic change Josh Homme made between Kyuss and this band. If you listen to the amazing and energetic guitar playing he did on Welcome to Sky Valley and then to the subtle, conserved, mild guitar solos on this album, it`s hard to believe that it`s the same man. But it is a new band and a totally different sound, so that`s why it`s worth 4 stars. But keep in mind that Kyuss - Welcome to Sky Valley blows this out of the water as far as guitar playing goes. | | | | Raw, tongue in cheek acid rock (4.5 stars) | With the success of the Queens Of The Stone Age in recent years, this CD has finally received the hype that it didn`t get back in `98, spawning a re-release. This CD is a very raw beginning to the triumph that would later be R; and eventually their latter CDs. And although their sound is considered more modern hard rock-ish now, this debut release is very refreshing in the sense that it`s more acidic rock than anything you`ll ever hear. This album is as smart as it is ironical (which is displayed rather casually on the back cover, with one band member sporting a D.A.R.E. shirt and another wearing one with `Cocaine` written on it). Alas, if you are looking for the same sound that their other albums brought to the table, you might be a tad let down with this one. There are a number of stand-out tracks that you will easily love. However, on the other hand, some seem out of place. Here`s an overview:
1. Regular John - 5/5 - definitely one of the stand-out tracks. Gives the feel of quieted guitar with pumping amps; a sound that is continually used throughout the album. Although the name may lead you to believe it`s just "regular", it`s anything but.
2. Avon - 5/5 - I heard this one before I owned this CD, via listening to it on the compilation The Hard + The Heavy. The hard rock pace here is much slower than the opening track. The lyrics are kind of hard to understand, but most impressive.
3. If Only - 5/5 - this might actually be one of QOTSA`s best songs to date. The guitar work, primarily the solos, is terrific. Consequently, this is my favorite song on the CD. And although the chorus appears pop-ish and more reminiscent of latter songs, it`s very intense and provocative. Excellent!
4. Walkin On The Sidewalks - 4.5/5 - the first definite acid rock song yet. It may be off-putting for some people--the people who are looking for polished sound--but it`s still very enjoyable. There might be a little too much rawness to label it perfect though.
5. You Would Know - 4/5 - very similar to "Walkin On The Sidewalks". That`s probably why it`s not as impressive. That and the fact that they repeat the title way too many times. Because of that it lacks the suspiciousness previous (and latter) songs offer.
6. How To Handle A Rope - 4/5 - acts as a cross between "Walkin" and "Avon". It has an up-beat feel to it, but still maintains the heavier edge that this CD is so infamous for. The song is about letting the Devil get a-hold of you, and is very satirical.
7. Mexicola - 5/5 - not a lot of lyrics here, and that`s okay. It`s a long song (pushing five minutes) that is attention-getting at all moments. The band`s ties with Mexico shine through here; maybe more fittingly than a Spanish version of "Go With The Flow", or...
8. Hispanic Impressions - 3/5 - tries to hard to become something more than a song that is nothing more than an instrumental track. It does manage to entertain, but the guitar work is nothing spectacular. And therefore neither is the song.
9. You Can`t Quit Me Baby - 3.5/5 - although having a similar title to a Zeppelin song, it sounds nothing like LZ. This one actually sounds like a b-side that missed the cut for R. It`s certainly more melodious than other songs, which is hit-and-miss for the type of CD this is.
10. Give The Mule What He Wants - 4/5 - the attempt at tuneful (choice word) rock music is a bit more successful here than on the preceding track. But I just don`t think it stands out compared the other songs.
11. I Was A Teenage Hand Model - 5/5 - although your main reason for loving this disc will most likely be for its edginess and heavy rock beats, you have to appreciate this finale. The background, that echoes like whistling (but isn`t) almost makes you want to dance. Great lyrics; and an exceptional closer.
I don`t actually know if lead singer Josh Homme was in fact a teenage hand model; and I don`t know much about his notorious `90s band Kyuss. But none of that takes away from my enjoyment of this record. It proves to be a great start for the band. However, I will once more say that none of the songs, though "If Only" comes close, sound like "No One Knows" or even a "Lost Art Of Keeping A Secret". So if you`re looking for a duplicate performance of either of QOTSA`s other albums, you won`t find it here. But lord behold, the Queens Of The Stone Age`s many fans will take great pride in listening to this CD. And if you like the Queens, this album is certainly worth the money. Would-be classics like "Regular John" and "If Only" could`ve easily done what "No One Knows" did for them. And personal favorites like the epic closer and "Avon" only add to this CD`s persistent refinement. | | |
-- zzzz
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