Reviews (page 2 of 9)
Rocky Fav : regular john
This is just a great fuzzed out rock record that's fantastic from start to finish. Its simple and straightforward, with very little over-the-topness to it. It just kicks ass.
This album was bitchin
Queens of the Stone Age is one of those bands that's had several songs floating around my playlist for a long time but I've never sat down and investigated too much, and this was great! Right in that stoner rock/sludge metal vibe I enjoy! Faves were "If Only" "Walking on the Sidewalk" and "Mexicola" but generally enjoyed the whole thing!
This album sounds like having drunken dirty sex
Amazing debut, even though all they have recorded later sounds way better
awesome album. early days for QOTSA, but still full of interesting not-too-laid-back tracks
Here we see a seminal rock band of the modern era, in their debut. I didn't really care for it on first listen. it feels really underproduced and like the songs are uncomplete. On relisten though, it opened up for me. The repeated riffs and lines ("You would know") have consistency that allows you to hone in on the subtle shifts. "You Can't Quit Me Baby" is the pinnacle of this where it ends with nearly a minute of random notes and feedback. Which then feeds into "These Aren't the Droids You're Looking For" which is more of the same. I love it, I really do. However. Spiders can fuck right off with Vinegaroons. The Arabic writing is just the cherry on top of it all.
My Last.Fm stats that I've been tracking since the 2000's were a decade people lived in shows that I've listened to every QOTSA album but this one. So thank you 1001 album generator challenge website for reminding me to listen to it. Kind of more Kyuss slowly turning into what Homme wanted QOTSA to be, and it's some good shit.
this album is so full of nostalgia. it’s truly beautiful, and i have such a soft spot for QOTSA. “i was a teenage hand model” is one of the best songs of all time.
Desert rock that doesn’t blink. Rating: 4.5/5 Short Review: This album is dry heat and repetition used like hypnosis. Minimal lyrics, thick riffs, and a confidence that feels almost arrogant in its simplicity. Favorite Track: Regular John. Pure groove, zero apology.
OK. Blown away. Pure and simple. Has a kind of surf grunge alt rock feel but maybe a bit more hardcore. Damn. This is actually pretty great. Not a song here is particularly filler and most are rockin'. Wow. I have no idea how I missed this band? Oh well, that is what we have the 1001 album generator for! I say "hell yes!"
Disclaimer, I am a huge QOTSA fan, so it might be my bias showing but this is a fantastic album. I went in expecting a less polished version of rated r or songs for the deaf, however this album itself has its own sound that is enjoyable throughout. For a band that rarely misses, this album is a hit
Like them!
Hyggelig gjenhør, lenge siden sist. Holder seg som bare rakker'n.
💯
4.8 I'm so glad this is on the list, total shock seeing it on here. One of my favourite albums of all time but literally never seen it mentioned anywhere, even the average qotsa fan never seems to have it within their top 5 qotsa albums. This album is a masterpiece. There's nothing better when someone reinvents themselves and completely pull it off. In a similar way to when Dave Grohl took his Nirvana time and channeled it into a post-grunge but poppier Foo Fighters self titled release, Josh Homme took Kyuss's material and channeled it into a post-stoner-rock but poppier outfit. Took a few years to really find it's legs before finally breaking through with Songs for the Deaf but there's something really special about the prior two releases, in particular this one. From the first track you are just hit with a barrage of robotic yet insanely groovy (just listen to the absolutely tiny bass lick 24 seconds in - so subtle yet transforms it from being something monotonous to something with character. Album then churns through robotic banger after banger. The coda on You Would Know is so good. Josh's vocals on If Only are almost angelic. The album admittedly peters out towards the end (Hispanic Impressions I've never dug, and tracks like Rope and Mule aren't 5* material), but tbf is completely saved by You Can't Quit Me Baby, possibly the albums best outing even if the outro possibly could have been cut shorter. The "you're solid gold" bit gives me chills still almost three decades later. I was lucky enough to see this album performed in it's entirety on my 21st birthday in Manchester. One of those moments I will look back on fondly on my death bed. Thanks Josh. Basing this off the original 1998 CD release track list. I don't think Droids or Spiders really add anything, and as much as I absolutely love The Bronze I think it's kind of upsets the album flow by plonking it in the middle. Maybe I'm too used to the original.
A perfect album. Definitely will be listening to this again (I’m more familiar with their 2000s stuff so it was fun to go back to their earlier work).
My speed here.
This album kicks ass!
A great debut album! It’s still one of the best by QOTSA. It has aged incredibly well in my opinion.
Et av mine favorittalbum, hører jevnlig på vinyl
Experimental and funky. Would try listening too again
Great Rock album. Reminds me of what the “typical teen” in 90s movies would be listening to in their room, and has aged well
Das nenn ich mal ein gutes Album!
This was refreshingly different. Really enjoyed their sound and as I kept listening, my rating went up and I'll give this a 5. I'll definitely revisit this
Listens 2.5 Standout Tracks: Walking on the Sidewalks, These Are the Droids You're Looking For This is a great album. It really bridges the gap between grunge and turn-of-the-century alternative rock. Reminds me a lot of Soundgarden. There's also hints of industrial rock on some of the tracks, so I guess Nine Inch Nails too. Perhaps even avant-garde in the ways they experiment with all the guitar distortions. Prior to listening to Queens of the Stone Age, I was always getting recommended them on YTM, probably because of my enjoyment of Audioslave, RATM, NIN, Smashing Pumpkins and Nirvana, but for some reason I never indulged. Stupid of me to have avoided them for so long.
Love
One of my favourites. Just lovely
I was a little later to Queens and I came to their debut after _Songs for the Deaf_ and _Rated R_. It's a much more raw album than either of those but no less punchy with Homme saying that he wanted to write "trance rock music". He succeeded of course and this, like all of the albums, are packed with primal grooves that seem somehow simultaneously tight and loose and all with that trademark guitar tone and 'drunken stumble' style of playing that 's unmistakably him and gives everything a realness and even live feeling. This isn't the Queens album I reach for most, I think there's much better quality on later albums but there is something here that keeps me coming back regularly and it's always a good time when I do.
QOTSA are a desert island band for me.
Isso é rock!! Pior que eu tava ouvindo Pantera e comentei que eu até gosto de hard rock, mas gosto de ouvir em alguns artistas específicos. Acho que o QOTSA é um deles. Esse álbum é bem cru, mas eu acho muito bom álbuns assim. Além de Regular John, Avon, If Only e You Would Know eu gosto muito de You Can't Quit Me Baby e Give the Mule What He Wants. Além disso, eu gosto de ouvir as músicas bonus, como The Bronze e Spiders and Vinegaroons
QOTSA MENTIONED 🔥 genuinely great album really cool sound
Banger
PERFECT ALBUM.
Their debut is up there for me in terms of historical QOTSA listens (wild the next two records aren’t on this list), the band’s unique brand of stoner doom rock and roll invariably insisting I turn it up LOUD.
What an opening track. You're immediately propelled into QOTSA's space. I've listened to this album many times so it's well trodden ground, but this still feels fresh nearly 30 years from release. I love how crunchy the guitar is. The last song is great, until it isn't and you are forced to either endure the awful noises or turn off the album.
Maan i loved this one. Didnt think id like it this much. Loved the bass sounds. I would think this is a 4 star album but in the end i just dont have anything bad to say ab it.
QOTSA один з моїх найулюбленіших гуртів, тому рівень суб'єктивності ще вище ніж зазвичай. Вважаю цей альбом трохи недооціненим в контексті їх дискографії. Дуже багато топових рифів, в You Would Know один з моїх улюблених у гурту. Ще досить близький за настроєм до Kyuss, що теж йому додає балів. Далі вже баланс стоунер/альтернативного року потроху буде рухатися в сторону останнього.
Blind album, huge fan of Songs for the Deaf. Im so glad I listened to this my god. Music to my ear holes, this was so cool and 10/10 makes me glad that I am finally seeing them live this year.
Very cool Album. Unique sound.
Amazing as always. The first 3 tracks set the tone for the whole band.
Wasn’t in the mood for this album, but I can still recognize its greatness. Saved for l8r
Gear: HEDD Audio HEDDphone Two Artwork: 🩲📿🕵️♂️ Production: 🤘😎👊 Music: 🌵🥬🔥 Rating: 👑👑👑👑(👑)/5
Bitchin’ album! Unfortunately they should’ve stopped while they were ahead, but you’ve got to give credit to them for their initial run of perfect albums!
This is album sounds more like queens of the stone age than queens of the stone age. I love all their albums, but this one has a real special place in my heart. Regular John and how to handle a rope are peak quotsa.
I always liked them but never listened to this one, this was much better than I thought it was Will I listen to again: 100%
I'm biased because QOTSA is maybe my favorite band... This album is pure desert rock / stoner rock perfection. Raw and heavy, but refined enough to be accessible. So many stand out tracks, but You Can't Quit Me Baby is my personal favorite. However, I do find it odd that this album was picked over Rated R or Songs for the Deaf.
Queens of Stone Age Favorite are walking on the side walks- has awesome riff and then an even cooler one later “ You would know” is a cool groove I like his voice reminds me of a chilled out Chris Cornell or Layne Staley Mexicola has a sweet bass intro. Perfect combination of 90’s grunge vibes and a fun sense of experimentation. “You can’t quit me baby”was probably my favorite They know how to play great riffs and interesting songwriting around it too. I wish these guys did 7 nation army instead of white stripes
Theyre sick. I dont really know this record but super cool to hear their earlier stuff. Way more raw sounding in the best way. They have such a distinctive sound.
I love this band. You can’t quit me baby is my fave
I really dug this album. Surprised I had never actually listened to it before. Reminded me of early Radiohead in a way? Excited to dig more into the QOTSA discography.
5/5
HEAVY. HEAVY RIFFS. Some fav jams on this.
Činjenice su sljedeće: QOTSA je bez ikakve sumnje jedan od najboljih i pogotovo meni najdražih bendova na svijetu, ovo je monstruozan debi koji je uspio zauvijek definisati njihov zvuk koji cijelih sedam albuma poslije nije uspio dosaditi ni zastarjeti, skoro da je sam Josh radio na albumu što sve čini još impresivnijim. Iznenadila sam se da je od svih njihovih albuma baš ovaj na listi (a nadam se da će ih biti još, moralo bi) ali sad kad ga opet vrlo pažljivo slušam postaje mi jedan od njihovih najboljih. A konkurencija je žestoka. Zaključak je da je raspad Kyussa bio jedan od ključnih trenutaka za muziku, rezultat je formacija benda boljeg od većine.
I love this album, though Songs For The Deaf would have been my choice in its place. 5 stars for the band though, even though I got tinnitus at their concert which is still the loudest one I've ever been to.
Some bands just fucking nail it on the first album… this one is one of my all time favorites, Homme is one hell of a songwriter. Top 3. IDK man pretty much every song from front to back
YES
While not as well known as something like Songs For The Deaf, this still kicks a whole load of ass, through and through. Solid 5 Stars.
One of the best bands of all time
absolute classic
Slick licks! Tasty vocals! Rad! Enjoyed that it starts as rock and by the very end was this weird hypnotic electro stuff
One of the best "recent" rock bands. Kinda weird that this made the list over R Rated, Like Clockwork and Songs for the Deaf though. Those are much better albums.
Interesting album. Unexpected but brilliant.
Omfg that bass tone is killing me! The drums are so hypnotizing, the guitar is a defining factor of my general music taste! This is so fucking good!
Just loved it... what's more to say?!?! ;-)
5/5. This album does not get boring despite it's length and lack of diversity. Each song still feels unique and actually heavy while still being accessible. The desert stoner metal is strong in this one and several genres I'm already a fan of. I have listened to the hits before but never the full album. Glad this came up so I could experience it. Awesome stuff and great concept as well, dark and foreboding throughout while still being manic and wild. Best Song: No One Knows, First It Giveth, Mosquito Song
Not familiar with their first album, but it already rocks!
Bloody banger after banger!!! Way more adventurous than I thought even they might go, and it worked! I've hardly listened to them before - I guess I was scared that their distinctive edgy sound I heard in the few songs I came across would be a fluke, and I'd be let down. Literally the opposite! THIS SLAPPED. 5++++ STARS
Setting sun deals hands of gold there's velvet eyes in Mexico Just a fall away and all she said was true Speak in tongues speak in lies drooling livers born to die It's a wonder that those guns don't point at you Keep sayin Go on Keep sayin You won't live forever Point and shoot I know just what you mean In a world that's full of shit and gasoline babe One dogs dead ones on the phone just leave a lung or leave it alone Its that same old song again I hate it cause it's true Absolute world heavyweight champion of some primal, soul-grabbing driving beat shit that will change the way you look at the world. Or not. Its a hell of a good album, though. 5/5
Powerful and catchy. There were a couple of riffs I remember from when my friends used to listen a lot to this, but a lot of new stuff for me as well.
This is something you should get on your knees for. And beg
Klasse Album.
Such a damn good album! Thank the lord for Josh Homme!
Queens of the Stone Age are one of my favorite bands, as well as being one of the absolute best damn live acts I’ve had the pleasure of seeing in recent years. Even if not as acclaimed as their later work, this was an INCREDIBLY strong debut and already laid the foundations for their signature rocking sound.
Great album, would definitely listen to it again. Liked the different kind of sounds in the music, the playfulness, but also lazy, in a way, but that's just stoner rock, as it should be. The song, You would know, is going on one of my playlist
QOTSA's first album is their least ambitious. It may also be their best.
Now Queens of the Stone Age is my kind of jam. It had all sorts of great guitar riffs through out all of the songs from more simple rock out faster riffs and also more technical and slow-moving riffs. The album also got really bizarre towards the end by introducing a lot of electronic elements with all different sorts of sounds, and more Primus-style guitar playing both of which i also really enjoyed. The album could get a little repetitive but far from enough to make me not love it. It is one of the most weird yet wonderful albums i have done on this project. Best Song: If Only Worst Song: Hispanic Impressions
Already knew it, loved it, brilliant!!
Bangin
5/5 - rad
This triggered some very weird, specific memories for me; the last time I heard it was probably 20 years ago, and I was probably baked. As I should have been! This was the album that legalized stoner rock, taking the filthy bong water of Kyuss and diluting it into something that would play nicely on radio waves. It's long, but there's enough variation here to ensure it never outstays its welcome.
Quick story before my review: this album was once pretty hard to get a hold of, so I resorted to Limewire to get my tracks. I had trouble finding one track in particular, and only years later did I realize the site I was looking at had the title wrong. They had it as "You Can't Quit Mr Baby", which, I mean, isn't a crazy obvious misspelling. Anyway. The birth of a band. It's not flawless, but it is, distinctly, Queens Of the Stone Age. I've been a fan since first hearing "Little Sister" and digging through their discography, so I'm definitely biased in this fact. It's a solid album with a lot of piss and vinegar to it. You can hear when Homme was attempting to make "robot rock", especially on tracks like "Mexicali" and "Walkin' On the Sidewalks". It's not their best, by a long shot (and I honestly couldn't tell you which I think it is, that changes frequently), but it's still an extremely solid showing for a debut. Granted, it loses steam a little near the end, mostly relying on jamming to fill the latter half. However, Homme had been around the block with Kyuss, but to still hear this and hear where they've gone since, it's impressive to hear the connections. And Christ, can Homme write a hook. Favorite tracks: "Avon", "If Only", "Mexicola", "Walkin' On the Sidewalks"
great album still after all these years Queens of the Stone Age have stayed close to their first album, and keeps in the trend that self titled albums are normally the best albums
Perfectly heavy.
I effin’ love this album and I had no clue it existed. I dig a good Josh Homme-riff but good god this thing is chock full of that and more. Interesting - I didn’t understand the ‘stoner rock’ genre tag, but hearing this disc - and hearing that it represented the hybrid of Homme’s Kyuss days and the QOTSA evolution - it makes me think that this is the acme of that genre. For that, and all the goodness that QOTSA brings, I can do no more.
Brilliant alt rick
First time listening to their debut. Didn't disappoint
Era defining
A gem. 5/5
I really like this album. I am a fan of QOTSA and discovered this quite late. The low fi qualities and its simplicity really appealed to me, but I understand these are drawbacks to other listeners. QOTSA definitely forged their own style of groovy stoner rock, and there are some catchy choruses too. It is refreshing to hear rock albums that don’t have overblown production, I feel like you can appreciate the songs in their raw form. I’d put this in the same category as the first foo fighters album (also all the instruments on both albums were mostly played by one person). It is a bit of a weird choice for the list though.
If it’s your thing this is great
Zo’n lekker album! Vette sound, veel goede nummers, weinig filler (in de oorspronkelijke tracklist). Maar niet het beste van QOTSA.
Grunge at its best.
Super ! Mes préférées : You would know Spider +vinegaroons I was a teenager hand model If only
pretty gnarly, cool drum sound, songs are pretty good not stellar, would probs try again
Josh Homme makes jukebox songs for a rundown bar in Georgia where the devil bartends. This album doesn’t have the same hook for me as the next three albums (R, Songs for the Deaf, Lullabies to Paralyze, all three get 5 stars from me)but I can appreciate the grunge roots here. In a primordial soup of reverb I can see the artifacts of the future QotSA start to surface. Album pairs nice with copious amounts of substance abuse, as all QotSA albums do. You Can’t Quit Me Baby shows off Homme’s entrancing voice the best in my opinion, and the guitar play here sounds like the first dabbles in a direction that gets perfected in “Little Sister” on Lullabies to Paralyze. Sidebar - If you enjoy his sustained notes, do your self a favor and enjoy the entire Lullabies album. One last note about You Can’t Quit Me Baby: the guitars screaming off of each other at the end was uncomfortably awesome and leads into the haggardness of the next song perfectly. I Was A Teenage Hand Model was a great pick for an ending song. It’s an odd goodbye. 3 stars.
One of my favorite albums of all time. I don’t think I’ve gone 6 months without listening to it in the past 24 years. Loved it just as much this time as I did when I first heard it in the year 2000.
fucking dope ass album. weed really helped me with this one. if this was a number scale it would probably be an 8, but after all the bullshit these last few days it's a five star.
10/10 perfection
Superb LP, great drumming and guitar work and almost a soft Ozzy style vocal performance from Joh Homme Nice!
I've never listened to this and it was great!!! It is like grungy led Zeppelin.
Simply the beste.
I like the band’s sound! They have a cool vibe.
Love this album
It really grooves but it lacks the broodiness of Kyuss. But I think that might have been the idea of Homme on this album. A bit more straightforward repetition in the riffs. And it works incredibly well.
Solid album. I like most of Josh Homme's musical output. A few tunes dropped would've made this a classic for me.
Flawless
10/10
I’ve listened to this 100000 times already, and I’m so glad it made the list. I feel it gets overlooked a lot by QOTSA fans, but this to me is quintessential Queens (well, perhaps Rated R is but this paved the way). Robotic, hypnotic, weird… I don’t think there’s a song on it that you’d play at a house party compared to later records, but all the more reason for this being a rough little gem punching above its weight
Class album, weird and interesting all the way through. Lacks any obvious singles apart from regular John but that probably makes it better.
Beautiful
Fuck yeah
Regular John Mexicola You cant quit me baby Hispanic Impressions Give the Mule what he wants
Absolute banger. Will be listening again soon.
5 easy
Sonzao.
Essencial
Muito fodaaaaa
Heerlijk, wat een lekker album!!
He he eindelijk weer iets uit mijn lijst van favorieten🤘
Vocals are like David Bowie if he had a Vegas crooner era. Great catchy riffs and hard charging guitar parts so fuzzy they can put you into a trance.
rainhas da era da preda
Always been an album I've loved. Stand out tracks - How to handle a rope, If only
stoned and sleepy on you would know. I'm asher burns and I approve this album
This is the best Queens of the Stone Age album because it sounds the most like a Kyuss album.
So interestingly, I am completely unfamiliar with this album. And maybe only familiar with Queens of the Stone Age by name? By reputation? Really very little. By this time I, honestly was not interested in this brand of alt rock, if I ever had been. Funny enough I was in Seattle. But I was dedicated to Modest Mouse. Went to all their shows, bought all their albums. And of course they only have one album on the USER list. Not the one I would’ve chosen, either. But anyway Queens of the Stone Age… So listening for the very first time I felt like, yeah, this is mush; I can’t really connect; there’s something here, but I ain’t got the patience to dig for it today. Then the b side. Spiders and Vinegaroons to be exact. My ears perked up. I came in closer. I had to listen to the whole thing again. And then the closer. F*ing awesome! Talk about the end of an album kicking it up. So this is a debut. Obviously it has issues. But it got me intrigued. 4 Boolean: True
I didn't even know this album existed. And I was a little hesitant as some queens album's aren't really my thing, but this one was pretty damn good. Cool to here how Josh really found his voice and there are some great riffs across this entire thing
El gordito este me la pone como tanque de agua. Que hijo de puta bo 🧉
Saw QOTSA live about 10 years ago or so. Did not listen to this album before. I liked it but the longer version has few songs too much. This is stoner rock, a grunge spin-off which is sometimes fun to listen to but not daily
Previously unknown band to me. I will be checking out their other stuff.
Heard some of these tracks, but annoyed I hadn’t listened in full album format. Listening to a Queens album feels like experiencing a drive through a southwestern U.S. desert on the run from a racist police force, hell bent on revenge and steroids.
A really high 4. QOTSA before QOTSA was QOTSA
- Dang, really liking this
It’s a cool album really. Mid tempo most of the time, has that dirt in it that some great rock is supposed to have. It’s tough to keep some songs with only a couple chords interesting but they do it for sure. It isn’t their best album for sure but also isn’t their worst. Overall an album I enjoy and come back to!
Great stoner rock and a great intro to an incredible band, that said its far from their best, cause i’d give songs for the deaf and like clockwork easy 5’s. Standouts are Regular John, Mexicola and Give the Mule what he wants.
Big fan of If Only got a good vibe from it. Walkin on the Sidewalks had a good groove to it as well.
4/5
Hazy heavy drone metal. Great riffs, I had fun. Regular John is a banger to open. The speed up at the end of I Can't Quit You Baby is awesome. If it's a reissue or bonus track, I ain't listening #purist
I didn't like the ending it sounded like the dentist
The sound is there. The songs need development.
Good stuff. Why Stone Temple Pilots were huge and these guys weren't is a mystery to me.
Great, sleazy, trance-inducing stoner rock with a bit of grunge. It gets old to a point, but Queens brings enough variation to the table to keep their albums from feeling too stale. I would have picked any of their next 6 albums instead, but I guess this is their debut. I'll give the album a bump for their later work, but this is solidly a 3.5
Nice rockin tunes. A real trip
me gustó mucho el álbum, queens of the stone age me parece chimba de banda, no se al final que no me cuadró pero igual bieen
Regular John - 4.5/5 Avon - 4/5 If Only - 4.5/5 Walkin on the Sidewalks - 4/5 You Would Know - 3.5/5 How to Handle a Rope - 4/5 Mexicola - 4/5 Hispanic Impressions - 3.5/5 You Can't Quit Me Baby - 4/5 Give the Mule What He Wants - 4/5 I Was a Teenage Hand Model - 3.5/5 A very sludgy experience that feels like you're tripping through the desert. The original author also once again comes up with the wrong album for QoTSA, but they have too many good albums after this to determine which one should be the one. Is it Songs of the Deaf? Like Clockwork? Or another option not mentioned? Any of those would be good options, but this is a good start for them. Not their best work, but later albums build upon the foundation that this sets up. Overall: 4/5 Favorites: Regular John, Only If
Enjoyed as someone who's never really listened before, expected to like it more
I own just two albums by QOTSA and this is not one of them. Seeing as this feels almost as strong as those I own, I feel like I should probably invest more time in them.
A straightforward, riff-based rock album. I quite like the sound of it but no top mark because the songs tend to all follow the same recipe. It's slightly monotonous. I'll happily listen to this and I think this should be great fun, live.
Oh hell yes. Start of an amazing band. I have no idea if they'll put songs for the deaf on here (which is their true 5 star pinnacle opus) but this is the start of an amazing rock band. Sludge tones and riffs but driving alt rock speed. Great overall jams and a crazy debut from a must listen to group.
Regular John 4 Avon 3.8 If Only 3.6 Walkin' on the Sidewalks 3.8 You Would Know 3.4 How to Handle a Rope 3.4 Mexicola 4 Hispanic Impressions 3.5 You Can't Quit Me Baby 3.8 Give the Mule What He Wants 3.7 I Was a Teenage Hand Model 3.3 Score: 3.663636364
so good except long sections of just like random fucking noises
i think qotsa is an amazing debut album with the sickest guitar riffs. 90's alternative rock bands... i love u...
Never heard of this band, liked the album up until You Can't Quit Me Baby, then I lost interest in the rest of the songs(5), though I tried to get through them, just kept advancing to the next before they finished. 4 stars since the positive outweighed the not so positive.
I wasn’t familiar with this album, but it was pretty good! Great riff-y guitar work, which I’m a sucker for. I don’t think Homme’s voice had reached the confidence that he got later, but he still sounded pretty good.
The birth of a brilliantly mechanical, driving sound. Josh Homme’s approach to the guitar on this self titled debut is fantastic, treating the instrument almost like a hypnotic synthesizer with repetitive, down tuned, and locked in riffs. The drum work is relentless, creating a heavy, trancelike groove that feels completely distinct from the theatrical alternative rock dominating the late 90s.
Fat bass, greasy sound. Sometimes quite simple, sometimes with a bit off twist. Signature sound - I can hear them in many contemporary bands.
Good loudness
Surprisingly good
- I was glad to see that someone else mentioned Masters of Reality in reference to this band / album. If you like this then look into that bands catalog, their debut released in 1989 ...... Homme owes a lot to those guys, IMHO. But, I digress. This is perfectly enjoyable if a bit tedious at times but hey, that's why they call it "droning", right? It's a good, strong debut and maybe I'm being a little biased by my being a fan of MoR and knowing this sound since 1992's "Sunrise on the Sufferbus" but I just can't bring myself to give it a 5. I'll go a strong 4.5 but that's on me ....... -
Fricking awesome, first time listening to this album and man you can really see the tone set for all that come to follow.
I'm going to say 4 out of 5 on this one. I was entertained the whole time and starting see, like others on this list, why people enjoy them so much.
This is a really impressive debut album, I think it’s got a lot of the things that I love about later QOTSA albums. But I really feel like it’s missing whatever makes their later albums special. It doesn’t have the riffs that Songs for the Deaf or Rated R have, but it also doesn’t have the emotional maturity that …Like Clockwork has. Still though, a really fun and solid album by one of my favorite bands. Favorites: Regular John, Mexicola, I Was A Teenage Hand Model
good album but i can understand why some find this kind of music boring. i can't listen to too much of it either
I love this album. I even didn't know them
The good stuff
Some solid guitar work and heavy moments, like the riffs hit hard and the desert atmosphere. Just couldn’t quite find a way in emotionally, which kept it from being more than a cool listen.
Rico rico como lo son estos locos que hacen mucisca wena. Estoy puro chamullando pa avanzar al siguiente álbum jaja pero se que cuando lo escuyue me va a gustar pq soy fan
This does seem like a debut album. Not sure why this album of theirs was represented instead of Songs For the Deaf, but still good with those timing changes. 3.5 stars rounded up. Stoner rock for 4/20? Well done, random generator!
Really damn good rock music. I have definitely heard enough QOTSA in my life but this still stands up. Love those sludgy riffs and vocal melodies. It feels quite different from the rest of the band’s output but don’t let that put you off. If anything, this album’s a fair bit more consistent than the rest of them. Best: Regular John, Avon Worst: I Was a Teenage Hand Model
Review - this album's great, and probably gets less recognition than it's due because their next few albums were so much better. So in that sense I'm glad to see it here. But having looked it up and seen that it's the only QOTSA album on the list I'm flabbergasted. Added in 2010 - this is the QOTSA album people need to hear before they die? A bold claim. What stands out to me on relisten is how strongly this album drops off - first 3-4 songs are some of the best opening tracks of all time. The last 2-3 tracks are really skippable tbh. The krautrock influence is strong on this album. It's a bit "Stereolab for boys". Still a very good album, still worthy of the list, but utterly bizarre to be the band's only inclusion. Rating - 7.5/10 Need to hear? YES
great album. went in a bit cynical, more familiar with QOTSA albums of the 21st century - and I still feel they are stronger but I am v grateful to be given the opportunity to finally sit down and listen to their debut cos it slaps. 8 / 10 Best track/s: walking on the sidewalks, regular john, spiders and vinegaroons, you can't quit me baby, the closer is pretty damn nice too Better albums by QOTSA: Songs for the Deaf, Rated R
First time listening to an album from this band. I enjoyed it. I will probably check out more of their work. Album was pretty consistent style wise. Interested to see what the other albums are like.
One of their weakest albums and kind of a weird inclusion, but a weaker Queens Of The Stone Age album is still great. This is their debut album, but all the musicians involved were already experienced with being in earlier bands and releasing beloved albums, such as Kyuss. The first two third are so are typical stuff for them, just Rock banger and banger. The last few tracks kind of lose me though. Queens Of The Stone Age aren't really interesting to me once they start noodling and improvising and the vocals take a back seat.
First listen I was unimpressed but I let it loop while reading and it grew on me. Going to give it 4 stars
Good album, i like how they form their own sound in a way, i know the band and i like it more their other works but this one is good
Awesome gritty riffs, superior drumming, and an all around great album!
Rock, Rock, and more Rock. Catchy groovy and hard to ignore.
Good, solid rock. Surprised this album is here but not Songs for the Deaf.
Probably 5 stars if its 20 minutes shorter. Starts our STRONG and fades late, love some of these tracks. Underrated rock band and interestingly do not sound like a product of the 90's.
Somehow, QOTSA manages to make a drugged out, grunge rock sound into something approachable. At times, I thought I was listening to Alice In Chains and other times Foo Fighters (it exists in the middle of grunge and broadly appealing alt garage rock). And its all kind of groovy/dancey? After I finished listening, I read the wiki and found all the comparisons to Can. I also read that Dave Grohl played drums on their 3rd (and probably their best) album Songs For The Deaf Not a perfect album (a bit long), but they were clearly on the scent of something really effing cool - (favorites were If Only and Mexicola). I REALLY hope we get to do Songs For The Deaf
A lot here to like. While I don’t think this is their best album, a lot of the pieces that they lay out in this album became standard fair in hard rock for much of the aughts. Solid album and fun tracks.
7/10 Full on rocking goodness. Think I preferred this to the QotSA albums that I know better, but maybe they are due a reassessment
Regular john - 4 Avon - 4 If only - 4 Walkin on the sidewalks - 3 You would know - 3 How to handle a rope - 3 Mexicola - 4 Hispanic impressions - 4 You can't quit me baby - 4 Give the mule what he wants - 3 I was a teenage hand model - 2
They have a good sound. It isn't crazy special, but they write good dynamic tracks, have good tones, and appeal to me well enough. 3.8/5
I’m digging this, probably the most I have ever enjoyed QOTSA.
pretty good. the instrumentals were alright at worst. lets strangle the bassist for tuning so fucking low.
1998. Debut studio album. Former band: Kyuss.
No lo termine pero que buena banda, justo un amigo me habia mostrado dos temas de este disco antes de que melo recomendaran. Alta coincidencia
yay!! i’ve heard this album, i love this album. was big into queens of the stone age for a while. i know the cover is for the 2011 rerelease, and it links to that same version. but i’m going to listen to the original release. i have listened to the 2011 rerelease loads of times, i liked it but i always felt it was a tad bit bloated. the panning on this album is really cool. the symbols on avon sound really weird though, never noticed that before. it’s fixed on if only, thank god. that bass tone is incredible, they always have crazy good bass tone. never paid this close attention to the self titled, not nearly as much as like rated r, era vulgaris and songs for the deaf. damn good album. the ending for sidewalks does not need to be this long. they do this concept way better on i think i lost my headache on rated r. always loved you would know. really fun to sing along to. queens of the stone age in generally is really fun to sing along to. i was in exactly the right mood for this album today. how to handle a rope is real damn good, really hitting this time. never really paid too close attention to it before, because it came between you would know (love) and mexicola (adore). mexicola is also really fun to play on bass :) haven’t seen a real low point yet, aside from the ending of sidewalks. i never got hispanic impressions, honestly. especially after mexicola. i’m liking it quite a bit on this listen though. it’s just odd. weird as an interlude, weird as a song. just odd altogether. holy shit i forgot about you can’t quit me baby. that bassline is so tasty. take what a said about them doing the outro for sidewalks better on rated r with lost my headache and apply that directly to quit me baby. they do that concept better on the same damn album with you can’t quit me baby. i’m harping just a tad bit though, it’s really not that big of a deal. i feel like i generally have a hard time remembering the last couple songs on this. they’re great songs, i just have a hard time conjuring them. i like how teenage model sounds like coming down from a high. mellow but slightly painful. not sure how i don’t remember this outro holy shit. yea good album, only thing holding it back is that i love other queens of the stone age albums more i think.
круто
Olen jonkin verran kuunnellut Queens of the Stone Agea, mutta nyt vasta tutustuin tähän debyyttilevyyn. Ja olihan se hyvä. Harmi ettei Songs for the Deaf ole tällä listalla. Like Clockwork näyttää tosin löytyvän.
Heard and liked a couple of tracks from this a long time ago but never stuck with QOTSA as I was in a Kyuss were better mood. Really like this, solid stoner rock. Might be getting an inflated score due to that fact that is slightly different to some of the absolutely basic bands on this list. 4 Heard before? Some Owned: No 59/246 (23%) Will I get: Maybe
53 Bonkering good for their debut Didnt eve knew that this album existed. I love some of them later work but this is almost equally good.
While I think Rated R should be on the list over QOTSA debut, it is still a rocking album.
Before this I'd only heard a couple of QotSA songs before and didn't really like them. I was pleasantly surprised by how strong the opening track on this album was, kind of reminiscent of Screaming Trees in a way. As the albums runs on it does rather fall off the rails, with some tracks being a bit all over the place. But overall a pleasant listen. I like grungy instrumentals, but so often the vocals kind of ruin it (see eg Nirvana). But this is a good exception to that phenomenon
New Zealand reporter (with a strong Kiwi accent): “Has it been all sex, drugs, rock ‘n’ roll, that stuff?” Josh Homme: “Six drugs? There’ve been more than that… I need to hear that question again, I’m sorry.” Dave Grohl: “Why? That is the best answer you could possibly have given.” Josh: “I wake up in the middle of stuff sometimes, because of my condition, you know?” Reporter: “Which is?” Josh: “I’m badass.” Josh Homme created Queens of the Stone age from the dust of Kyuss and the Desert Sessions, and on this debut record, he played pretty much every instrument besides the drums. He invented that iconic QotSA sound, and you can hear it already formed here: heavy, fuzz-toned guitars blended with smooth vocals and harmonies. The guitars are huge, but also bright, clean and melodic. His voice is soft, relaxed and smooth. QotSA are often referred to as “stoner rock”, and that fits the overall vibe and groove that the songs on this album put out. Brilliant guitar riffs keep songs structured, but there’s also space for extended instrumental jam sessions to break off. And, mixed in with the heavy rock is a serious funky groove that’s smooth as… something very smooth. Six drugs? I’m guessing there were more than that involved. Josh is one of the most underrated guitarists of our time. His guitar riffs are iconic, and his lead skills are as inventive as they are impressive. He’s one of the great naturalistic players. Everything feels so effortless, no matter how complex it gets. And it does get complex. He plays in a strange scale. Words like “mixolydian”, “lydian” or “petatonic” float about my head, but I’m not fully sure what he’s playing. All I know is that it’s incredibly unique, while remaining perfectly melodic. One of the greats of our time. A true badass.
Raisonnablement fun
The crunchy guitar sound and vocals make for a solid rock album.
The first album and and a rollicking bag of fun it is as well. Although nothing really tops the opening track the rest are terrific toe tapping stoppers. Josh hommes falsetto works incredibly well with the band. Always a worthwhile event a qotsa album even now 28 years on
Very good album. Always was a QotSA fan but only listened to Songs for the Deaf for the most part. Would definitely add to the rotation!
Pretty electric. A very full sound, part of me wishes it was even harder, but it is plenty…already. Turn up the volume, turn up and enjoy. The power of the sound is a great strength, but you also get much depth from the rhythms. Plenty strong and melodic! Faves: Regular John, You Can’t Quit Me Baby, Spiders and Vinegaroons, Mexicola, I Was a Teenage Hand Model, Hispanic Impressions, How to Handle a Rope (A Lesson in the Lariat), Avon
For some reason, this is my least listened to QOTSA album. I didn’t start listening to them until Rated R came out in 2000, but never really went back to their first album.
I liked this quite a bit more than I was expecting. It sounded so unique and new when it came out and even today the band has an easy to distinguish sound. It is probably some of the best straight rock and roll of it's era.
Always liked the instrumental atmosphere they are able to create. No real bangers on this one, though.
New album for me and I really got into it.
I had only listened to newer albums by this band, but this was good.
This album jams!
Few real bangers, but really enjoy the sound.
never heard of this band in my life but, i liked it very much, i dont know if it the style of 90's rock or that it sounds like a demo but i love a lot this songs (Regular John, If Only, Walking on the Sidewalks, You Would Know, The Bronze, Mexicola)
coming across this record in 1997 was a minor mindfuck: it felt familiar but i’d never heard anything *quite* like it. is this really the guy from Kyuss? are there too many songs? is there some unremarkable filler on here? yes, it was the late-mid-90s and that’s just what we did. Rated R was an evolution and refinement but s/t was pure high desert witchcraft. top track: If Only forever
Classic, easy 4/5. Can do slow rock songs which i dont often like and yet it still sounds good. Quality right here
A little bit grittier and muddier than their later work, but nonetheless very good. I do think the drums on many songs aren't their best work, although I really dig Bronze and Mexicola.
Queens of the Stone Age still are one of the foundations of modern rock. They make great music and this is a great album of theirs. It's fun
not the best qotsa, but still a hood album
I liked a lot of these songs! was a fun and cohesive album.
Not as cohesive or great as the other QOTSA albums but this still has some bangers on it. Notable ones are: You Can't Quit Me Baby, The Bronze, If Only, and Regular John. The instrumental tracks didn't really make an impression on me (except Spiders and Vinegaroons, shit hit hard). It ain't no Era Vulgaris or Songs For The Deaf. Those are peak QOTSA LPs. 4/5
Highlights: Regular John; Avon; If Only; Walkin on the Sidewalks; You Would Know; How to Handle a Rope (A Lesson in the Lariat); Mexicola; You Can't Quit Me Baby Lowlights: Hispanic Impressions; These Aren't the Droids You're Looking For; Spiders and Vinegaroons; I was a Teenage Hand Model Most of this album worked real well for me, but the instrumentals just felt like padding and the final track was physically hard to listen to. No idea why they thought to end it like that.
Effin love QOTSA. They're always on point. Crushing guitar riffs. Grooves for days. Love Homme's voice and style. This early stuff is great and throws me back into going out and seeing these guys back in high school. This album is a little rough around the edges. It is the start of something great though. Its a transition, a blend of Kyuss/Desert Sessions/future Queens of the Stone Age, and it lays some crucial ground work. Standouts are "Regular John" "The Bronze" "Mexicola" and "You Can't Quit Me Baby" This is a really solid debut album and I love some of these songs, but QOTSAs next few albums really step it up. So self-titled gets a 4/5 for me, and I hope Rated R, Songs for the Dead, and Lullabies show up on here too. Those are 5s.
Some ok tunes in here but not great on the whole. Spiders and vinegaroons sounds like it would be the needle drop in a grungey 2000s movie. Specific rating - 3.7 Fav song- you can’t quit me baby Least fav - I was a teenage hand model
gasoline. i just went and listened to a bunch of their stuff - all great
No podría decidir si me gusto más el lado A o el lado B, definitivamente volveré a escuchar este disco, las guitarras son increibles y el cambio de sonido más psicodélico en la segunda mitad del disco complementa de muy buena manera la parte rock inicial. De mis favoritas Spiders and Vinegaroons y How to Handle a Rope
I enjoyed this a lot, I only knew the later stuff from this band. But this is pretty good for a debut. If Only and Walkin on the Sidewalks were great to start. I think calling this just stoner rock is reductive, technically the sounds are really cool, sometimes psychedelic, but just overall good hard rock. I feel like you can feel the heat and dusty desert in this music. Josh Homme is a great player and singer. Maybe a bit droning and repetitive with its production etc. but still a cool record to explore.
At first I was like why is this the one that's on here of their first three records ? And while I still think Songs for the Deaf should absolutely be here this album is still great and does a good job at encapsulating the appeal of their early stuff. It has the riff-y faster songs, it has the slower sludgier jams, it has some weird shit. It's All Here.
Loved it, not my fave Queens of the Stone Age album but its my style of music for sure.
For years this record was a touchstone when I needed to head low rumbly guitars.
You Would Know, if you’ve listened to this album, These Aren’t the Droids You’re Looking For.
Really enjoyed this. I think my only real experience with QOTSA before this was Songs for the Deaf, which I really do enjoy as an album (and preferred to this, so I hope it comes up) but this is great in its own way.
Growing up, QOTSA were - and still are - one of my favourite bands. I vividly remember seeing the video for No One Knows and being blown away. I subsequently bought Songs for the Deaf and Rated R, and loved both. But their debut took years for me to appreciate. It lacked the catchy, heavy hits of those other albums and was less focused on hooks and more on slow, heavy grooves. Revisiting it now, this is still probably their fourth best album (after Songs for the Deaf, Rated R, and ...Like Clockwork). The contrast between the stoner rock heaviness and Josh Homme's lighter, often higher-register vocals is on full display instantly with opener Regular John, which remains one of their best. Other standouts include Avon, Mexicola, and How to Handle a Rope. The bass-led groove of You Can't Quit Me Baby is also a favourite. Even more impressive is that Homme played nearly every instrument on the album himself. An incredibly strong debut which the band would go on to surpass in almost every way.
Honestly, it was way more interesting than what I thought it would be, will listen to more of their albums at some point even though im not a very rock fan
3.5/5 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/queens-of-the-stone-age/queens-of-the-stone-age/ Maybe a bit unfairly harsh in comparison to other albums I have given 4 stars so far, but this album is just far from QOTSA’s best. I like it, but too long (at least the Tidal streaming tracklist) with too many fillers. Extremely promising as far as debuts go, tho.
QotSA have been a blind spot for me. This is good. Time for a deep dive.
This album rocks. There isn't much on it that particularly stands out, but the full-spectrum growl and grunge of the sound is great. Kinda dudely, but it's good.
Muito bom esse disco!
The openers here are amazing. "Regular John" is still one of their best. Deep heavy krautrock groove that's both driving and relaxed, crooning vocals floating over the top. "Avon" nearly as good. "If Only" changes the pace with a shuffling verse riff, and brings back the punchy fuzzed-up guitars for the chorus. But it's a little hit-and-miss after that, feeling like early demos. Live versions scattered across B-side of singles over the next several years are often better developed (even "regular John," the top track here, has an improved version on the "Go with the Flow" CD5). The later reissue with added tracks increases this impression. Great debut album, but not the best QOTSA representative for this list. 3.5 rounding up to 4. Highs: Mentioned 'em. Lows: From the original tracklist, maybe "You Would Know" but definitely "I was a Teenage Hand Model". From the added tracks, "Spiders and Vinegaroons." New appreciation: Until this listen, I never really got familiar with the added track "The Bronze." It was ok. Maybe?
Solid
Some of the songs feel timeless. I don't enjoy the vocals that much, however. The instrumental parts, however, are very good. Standouts on first listen: Spiders and Vinegaroons, You Can't Quit Me Baby und Walkin on the Sidewalks.
I own this but haven’t listened to it much… I thought it wasn’t as good as the later albums but on revisiting (because of this project) I’ve realised it is very good
Pretty amazing 89s comeback.
This is a tough one to rate for me. If I stick to my own personal rating system, then it’s a 4. There’s other QOTSA albums that are differentially better than this debut. But, in the grand scale of all things on this 1,001 list it’s a 5. I do love this album. The energy, power, attitude and swagger is sensational. ‘Regular John’ and ‘If Only’ are right up there amongst my fave Josh Homme songs. There’s just a bit too much mucking about on some of these tracks that make the album stop short of being their best work. When they make straight forward guitar riff heavy rock songs they are unbeatable. Rated R and Songs for the Deaf are better than this overall, especially when Mark Lanegan adds his majestic vocals. So I’ll stick with the 4.
I've heard of this band but never listened to them, beyond that one song that was in Guitar Hero years ago. Apparently that was a mistake. This just sounds really good to me. I listened to "Regular John" three or four times before I made it to the rest of the album. This album would be typical 90s stoner rock, still enjoyable, but the driving/trance-y "robot rock" aspects make it really interesting.
Better than Coldplay
This is a good heavy first outing by Queens of the Stone Age. Some serious hard hitters on here, and you can hear a bit of that bluesy, Stoney Kyuss DNA in songs like Walkin on the Sidewalks. It’s a truly fun album and honestly one of my favorites of theirs. But there’s that elephant in the room—why did this one make the list? It goes without saying that Songs for the Deaf or even Rated R were even more groundbreaking that this one. This list has me seriously scratching my head at times.
Had never listened to their debut before; it was up and down, but mostly good. You could definitely hear glimpses of the band they would become in only a few years time, but there was a heap of experimental “space rock” stuff on here as well, most of which I liked. Some tracks were almost sludge rock in places; it kind of sounded like Soundgarden and Primus all mushed together. This was a good palate cleanser after the Deee-Lite Disaster, I’ll give it a low-end 4/5. I think I’ll listen to Songs for the Deaf today for shits and giggles
I liked this some brilliant guitar and drums were ok. I wouldnt dash out and buy it but it was an enjoyable listen
3rd best QOTSA album and its still absolutely killer
Sterkt debutalbum, men ikke det beste de har gjort.
I feel if I was ever in the desert this album would be playing in my head.
great album, not in your face rock, made me feel sophisticated
i was liking the album until the noises at the end of i was a teenage hand model ruined it oh wait that was the last song okay so i liked the album but not that. cool favorite song: if only
Pretty good
Great riffs, great album. The creepy, catchy notes from the first song stuck in my head all day
Kinda surprised myself here, as I knew almost every song on this album fairly well. The only QOTSA album I know I've heard in full is Songs for the Deaf. I'm pretty sure I haven't listened to this one before, but I guess I've heard the songs a bunch on their own. Since I don't think I would've done that if I didn't like them, you can probably tell that I liked this album. I'm sure there are plenty of detractors for this band and their style, but I like it for whatever reason. It's cool in its composition, which the guitar having a heavier, distorted undertone on the songs then highlighted with a cleaner-but-effect-drenched lead line that stands out clearly. The rhythms are generally solid, almost like they want you to dance along. But, the overall tone is a bit dark and sinister feeling, which I think in large part comes from the vocals and how they interact with the music. It's kind of like in a fairy tale, where there's a dangerous figure (witch, wolf... evil Queen, perhaps) that's disguised itself into something much more inviting. Probably the biggest downside to the album is that there isn't a lot of differentiation in that style. I would say that's probably true of all of the QOTSA songs I've heard. But even so, each song manages to stand out in its own way. They were able to be familiar without being the same and without getting boring. Other than that, I also think there was a lack of great songs on here. Nothing really stood out as better than pretty good, except maybe If Only. It's easy to say that I enjoyed this one and thought it was a really solid album. I didn't think any of the tracks were worse than good. Even so, I don't think I would call it a great one. It stays at pretty good for me. Overall: 3.6/5
I don't know this QoTSA album very well at all, but it's pretty good. The kind of stoner riffage I would expect from them, though I don't think I was in love with any individual song. But still something I would want to come back to for more. 4/5
solid.
Pretty solid rock, although the more experimental ‘bonus’ material on the re-issue can get in the bin.
Very good
I've got a confession to make - the only QOTSA album I've ever heard (and own) is Songs For The Deaf. Why I've never explored them further is a source of great mystery to me - I'd always been meaning to, and this album proves that they had "it" from the start. In fact, I might actually prefer the more wandering, desert-ish feel of this album, without it sacrificing too much in the way of hooks and catchy guitar exploits. It's a much more immersive experience than I'd have had QOTSA down for, where their own identity can clearly be observed in the first instance through a characteristic style of playing and guitar tone. Undoubtedly purchase quality, and this has been the kick up the arse that I've needed to launch a solo discog effort.
An odd pick to represent QotSA over their better, later albums. But if you pick out the overly-repetitive filler there's some great stuff here, intensely thrumming rock and hallucinogenic lyrics powered by the driving beats.
Really good. Actually never heard this before and really kind of missed Queens Of The Stone Age when they were a thing. Definitely familiar with the singles that were on the radio over the years, had tried listening to Rated R and Songs For the Deaf but nothing really ever stuck with me. Which is weird because I like Kyuss's Blues For The Red Sun and Welcome To Sky Valley and this seems like a natural progression from a those. Definitely like this. Might make me want to listen to some of their other albums, too.
I liked a lot of it. Love music from this era overall.
Some really good songs on here and the rest of it isn't too shabby at all; likely one to continue to grow on me
Enjoyed this album
This album is fuzzier than a tribble and the guitars are blown out all to fuck. It's awesome. It's music to listen to in the car while drink driving, or to listen to in filthy pubs with sticky floors and stickier tables (affectionate). It wants its Kyussy ate. It's obviously no Songs For The Deaf, but what is? At least [self-titled] doesn't have those corny interstitial skits. I'm a big fan of rock music (or any music) that takes its queues from the kind of electronic blasted at raves: music that's willing to built itself around one particularly catchy riff and just chug over the top and enjoy itself. Genuinely and unironically. And this early QotSA kind of excels at that. It's got a lot in common philosophically with thrash music, essentially. You can hear hints of later QotSA when they came more into their own sound here and there, but I think I'll miss the more sleazy stoner-y desert rock quality that sneaks in. fav tracks: You Would Know, How to Handle a Rope, Regular John, Mexicola, Spiders and Vinegaroons
What a remarkable record. There's a measure of meandering, not exactly prog-rock, more like an audio odyssey. What really impressed me was how relaxed the vocals and drums are while delivering intense intention. I can't imagine any of them with a scrunchy try-hard face, instead docile thunder.
As puzzled as I am by this book's continual refusal to include acclaimed albums by 90s/00s rock bands in favour of their less acclaimed debut albums, this album is still a very solid heaping of fuzzed-out Palm Desert stoner rock! The riffage and Josh Homme's vocals are on point here, honed by his time in Kyuss and ready to keep turning out classic albums.
This is an interesting one as this is absolutely the wrong QotSA album to pick for this list. One of the most egregious examples of malpractice when it comes to picking albums for this list (Dimery also got the wrong Foo Fighters, Slipknot, Gorillaz, System of a Down, and Daft Punk albums, to name a few). Songs for the Deaf should have 100% been the pick, or MAYBE Like Clockwork... That said, this is a solid desert/space rock album with a very unique vibe even within QotSA's discography. Does feel a bit rough around the edges, and after this QotSA would build towards better and more popular stuff.
“I wish we’d get away Drink wine and screw I knew someone else before Looked a lot like you” I am stunned by how much I enjoyed this. I went into this album with extremely low expectations having heard “Songs For The Deaf” many years ago and being extremely underwhelmed. My first brush with Queens of the Stone Age came via Guitar Hero III which had “3s & 7s” on it. I absolutely adored that track particularly the opening riff. This led to immense disappointment when 14-year-old me saw QotSA at Download Festival in 2012 and they didn’t play it. I feel this incident is where my anti-QotSA bias is borne from. But I digress, this self-titled debut is loud, heavy, full of depth and extremely well produced. The momentum never really slows and I felt captivated throughout. The drums at the end of “Spiders and Vinegaroons” are thumping and menacing in an almost tribal way. The only comparison I can really conjure is to Led-Zeppelin’s “When The Levee Breaks”. I’m not sure compliments come much higher than that as a Rock drummer. I will have to make a point of revisiting “Songs For The Deaf” as if I have shaken my grudge against QotSA after all these years, and this album is any indication, then I may well fall in love with it.
Liked some of it a lot, was really not vibing other parts of it. Kinda mixed bag
8/10 - surprisingly not as hard rock as I thought it would be, pretty progressive, much better than red hot chilli peppers or the likes
QOTSA make rock music
Quintessential Queens album not my personal favorite but still a goodie
I’ve been really interested in listening to Queens of the Stone Age since (no joke) they added a song in Fortnite and i was like wow this song is so catchy so i of course listened to songs for the deaf and just recently i listened to …Like Clockwork. But this one album is so so good as I thought this band was just your regular dad rock commercial music but no it it’s not. This is unique and i like the way this sounds. It doesn’t go too far off but it does its job. The intro song is such a good song it makes you just want to listen to the whole thing. I do like Mexicola and These Aren’t The Droids You’re Looking For. I would love to listen to more albums from the band. 8/10
Huge fan of QotSA. Not their best record but solid none the less.
Gritty as desert sand and a little bit unpolished, but a damn good debut album for QOTSA. In my opinion, though, this isn't even close to their best stuff. Go listen to Songs for the Deaf if you want to hear their best album.
The second it ended I wanted to hear QOTSA fun hard hitting debut album again and seeing that I'm fortunate enough to live alone that's exactly what I did and it sounded even better the second time around. The influences are all over the place with QOTSA & all work beautifully with one another. I hear The Stooges, Can, Bleach-era Nirvana, 1970s hard rock and even some 6ts garage punky stuff. This is a fun rocking album that gets me moving from head to toes & if that isn't an album that deserves a place in my library then not much is. Time to press play again!
Another band that I used to absolutely adore when I was younger, but it just doesn't do all that much for me now. It was fun revisiting this heavy, sludgy desert rock, but I don't think it's convinced me to return any more frequently. Still a solid album though!
I loveee the guitar riffs in this album sm!
Cross between Radiohead and Sabbath. Songs were a little forgettable but cool.
3.5/5
Great album with lots of crunchy, complex riffs. Have heard Regular John before but that's about, but I would definitely listen to it again.
This is a killer rock and live band, it's loud, fun, makes you want to headbang until your neck can't take it anymore
Quite good! Hispanic Impressions a hell of a song
Hmmm...
Nothing but raw, heavy metal. Great songwriting and musicianship. I was very shocked to learn most of this album was played by one guy, it feels like a real band just jamming out. I think the “weaker” vocals work very well, it creates an interesting, contrasting sound. Very nice lead guitar work. Pretty great production, too. 4/5
It's a good album. A strong debut, though Josh Homme probably did between 5 and 3527 projects before this. The songs are strong and the playing is great... and that says something as Homme played every instrument other than the drums. I think QotSA have better albums, but this is a great one. A strong 4/5
I'd never given these guys a proper listen beyond the radio hits before. I really liked this one. I'm probably going to work my way through the rest of their albums.
Not their vest album but ooh still goood
I think this is pretty good for a debut album. It falls down in the extra tracks added for the reissue I was asked to review. I suspect the original release, without those tracks, would have been more coherent.
Simply cook
Class
4.5
Quite a bit looser than on e.g., Songs for the Deaf, but what I perceived as a weakness at first turned out to be a strong point. Trademark QotSA moves are in place, but less overdone.
Some of the droning guitar instrumentals were a bit long, but overall I actually kinda liked the cool mix of different sounds and styles throughout this album.
Great album and band that I was pretty obsessed with in the mid 2000s. Some great tracks but a couple of misses
solid dad record
Overall: 8/10 It amazes me that pretty much every single element of QotSA that we've grown to love was already there on their debut album. Of course, it makes sense considering Josh and Nick were already in Kyuss before, so it's not like they weren't experienced songwriters. There was definitely work to be done, and they would perfect this sound on their next couple albums (which should both be in this list by the way), but this is a very good debut and I come back to it often. Fav Song: You Can't Quit Me Baby
A little too experimental for me at times but when it hits, it hits.
These guys rock and this is a great debut album.
Droning guitars and subtle hooks. Dripping in dark thematics while being moody and gritty. This could easily be background stoner rock but the magic rises to the top.