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“We play more songs that sound like everyone else — more that anyone else.” This is the motto for the first radio station heard playing the album Songs for the Deaf. It is pretty true about a lot of bands out today — and radio stations for that matter. However, Queens of the Stone Age (QOTSA) does not sound like everyone else.
QOTSA takes a little getting used to. They have a nice raw edge to their sound — but that raw edge isn’t similar to that of grunge bands. Their edge and versatility are similar to the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion (see Mark’s review).
The first release from Songs for the Deaf is “No One Knows.” This song has a driving beat to it that will draw your attention immediately. My brother, who normally doesn’t like new bands, seemed to be rocking out to this song. It has a nice short guitar solo in it, which is enough to make it a radio hit.
“Song for the Dead” begins with a soft, distorted guitar introduction. It is then followed with some excellent drum fills by Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters). This song has a dark feel to it. The backing vocals give the listener a sense that they are driving through a cemetery when the dead are rising — hence the name. This song would make for a sweet soundtrack to a horror flick.
Track 12, “Another Love Song” will bring the older listeners back to the days of Jefferson Airplane. The organ accompaniment is quite reminiscent of those that accompanied the trippy 60s music. The lyrics are quite funny too — they describe how this girl who is getting dumped is just going to be another love song.
Although, this CD did take a little getting use to, it grew to my liking. I wasn’t ready for the dark, raw edgy feeling that this CD carries. It just isn’t one of those CDs that sound like everyone else’s.
