Queen of the Stone Age
Lullabies to Paralyze
Interscope Records
Queens of the Stone Age have been rocking the U.S. for almost a decade, and their latest, Lullabies to Paralyze, is another killer record to add to an ever-growing repertoire.
Lullabies starts with (ironically) “Lullaby,” a minute and a half solo guitar number designed to settle the listener down so that “Medication” can take your head off with a two-minute guitar onslaught. Just after Queens gets done toying with you, they kick it up another notch with the cryptically quick “Everybody Knows That You’re Insane.” As most Queens fans know, however, the band is not entirely about fast-paced dark rock. They also like to make you think, and they play some of the catchiest songs around.
“Tangled Up in Plaid” has the instant catchiness of “No One Knows,” with the subtlest piano melody wrapping around the vocals of Josh Homme like fingertips lightly caressing your back. The first single, “Little Sister,” is as driving as “Go With the Flow,” from their previous album Songs for the Deaf.
Although the lineup for Queens of the Stone Age has changed, including A Perfect Circle bassist Troy Van Leeuen taking the spot vacated by Nick Oliveri, the band is better than ever. Lullabies to Paralyze is right on par with Songs for the Deaf. It’s one of the best albums of 2005, hands down. I don’t know how Josh Homme keeps up with everything, including recording a new Eagles of Death Metal album and guesting on a host of other records, but he manages to make some of the best rock music around. Regardless of the lineup, Queens of the Stone Age will still be rocking for years to come.
Queens of the Stone Age: http://www.queensofthestoneage.com
