One other drawback to getting my hands on this disc so close to its release is that I haven't had a chance to review the included DVD. That's right, this album includes a DVD which features some live footage and I'm not sure what else. I'll take a look at the disc over the next day or two and update this review. Update: I did watch the DVD, and my comments are below in the comments section of this page.
Songs for the Deaf - Queens of the Stone Age
Musically: Hard rock, with power chords.
Singability: Some tracks yes, most no. Head banging, but not singing.
Philosophy: Popular nihilism, expressly amoral.
Suitability: Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics - more than half the songs have at least one f-word in them
Overall: 4/5
Order it at Amazon or check out their label, Interscope Records.
(This review is also published at W6 Daily.)
(Another BlogCritics review can be found here.)
Article comments
1 - Steve Rhodes
They are doing an in-store at Virgin in San Francisco Monday night at 11 pm.
2 - John Fogde
The DVD features live versions of five tracks. The first three (Monsters in the Parasol, No One Knows, and The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret) were recorded at the Troubador this year and the last two (Quick and to the Pointless and Ode to Clarissa) were recorded in 2000 at Vintage Vinyl.
The highlight of the DVD is seeing Dave Grohl go nuts on the drums during No One Knows. It's an awesome song and their performance is pretty cool as well.
3 - Phillip Winn
I did finally sit down and spend some time with it. There is also a ton of footage between the songs, recorded at the studio, backstage, and just goofing around. It's pretty interesting, actually, for the glimpse it gives into the recording process. Mostly however, it's just what you'd expect if you gave anybody a digicam and let him do whatever he wanted.
And yes, Grohl is a madman on the drums in that song, which has incidentally become my favorite song on the album. I just wish I new exactly what was in his mouth!
4 - Rob
According to Homme it's all about the drive from la to joshua tree. Flipping through channels on the radio and coming across what QOTSA's vision of the radio should be.. A 'concept' record if it could be as under-stated as that. These guys rock.
And isn't Grohl somewhat notorious for chewing gum while banging drums? Betcha that's what that is in the vid..
5 - Chris Puzak
This was better than I expected, but I'm a little disappointed that they haven't been able to equal their work in Kyuss.
6 - Cam
I read somethin JOsh Homme said First it giveth is about the creative then destructive effect of drugs man.
7 - Phillip Winn
Yes, I heard that after writing this review as well. With that in mind, the lyrics make a little more sense. :-)