Lullabies To Paralyze (Parental Advisory) [PA] - Queens Of The Stone Age

Advantages: Loads
Disadvantages: None

Queens of the Stone Age are probably the most important heavy metal band on the planet today, well that is what all the music press is saying. Recording on this album began shortly after the sacking of Bass player Nick Oliveri (The Bald Beardy and quite often naked one) normally the sacking of a Bass player is not much to write home about but as Nick was part of the creative force of the band then it is something to write home about. the question ...
...a Queens record without him, me I don't really care who plays on it as long as it is good all this soap opera stuff is just a distraction, having said that I before even listening to the album I am curious as to how the sound has changed as a result of this line up change............. but then I can be a pretentious twonk at times.................. Ok the CD has been bought from HMV for £15-99 the special edition with bonus DVD (it's £13-99 for ... Read review

Advantages: Catchy in places, yet far more experimental than Songs For The Deaf
Disadvantages: Those who only like Songs For The Deaf may find this too adventurous

...is their fourth full-length album Lullabies To Paralize? Well, this time round its not quite that easy. Their first self-titled album, (which is superb I might add) was a cross between vintage rock and a an almost bluegrass sound. It boasted much of the hooks and catchy rock song writing that went on to make Songs For The Deaf famous four years later. But the first album also boasted some really quirky song writing too such as the utterly wierd ...
...notice upon first listen of Lullabies To Paralyze is that Nick Oliveri has been sacked along with his vocal contribution. Also, there are far far less tracks with Mark Lanegan on vocals, who sang on a good portion of Songs For The Deaf and did a few tracks on Rated-R. Infact the only song that Mark alone sings in is the first track, 'This Lullaby'. As an opening track it is a very strange choice as instead of the usual hard guitars that normally ... Read review

Advantages: i find it spiffy
Disadvantages: you may find it squiffy

...Queens of the Stone Age's Lullabies to Paralyze isn't one of those albums. A lot of QOTSA fans were curious to hear how the band sounded after bassist Nick Oliveri was kicked out by singer/songwriter Josh Homme. Now I wasn't (note the past tense) a huge fan of the group, so I didn't rush right out to buy the album. And after hearing all the hype, I feared I'd be disappointed. But a combination of factors made me cave in and buy the thing: I really ...
...of the album thingy on MTV, and the dinosaurs who live inside my head told me I'd regret not buying it. So I finally bought it. My only regret? That I hadn't bought it sooner. The album starts with the acoustic "This Lullaby", which features Mark Lanegan of Screaming Trees on vocals. It's haunting and eerie, slow and acoustic. Basically the complete opposite of the fast, catchy burst of energy that is "Medication". Because we all know, after any ... Read review

Advantages: 'A real rock record'
Disadvantages: The goth tinges for those who are not goths

...the end. Lullabies To Paralyze is tough, tuneful, ambitious and sexy as hell. Josh and the gang have really hit the nail on the head with this one. You'll hear more soulful albums this year, but none that sound so much like the definition of rock 'n' roll in 2005. ... Read review

Advantages: variety
Disadvantages: variety (for stricly metal fans)

I'm not a heavy metal fan, and QOTSA are "supposed to be" a metal band, but overall i like this album, 'cos there isn't much Lead or Iron in evidence - i can't help being reminded particularly of the Gun Club's first album Fire of Love, with its' alternation between delta-bluesy type riffs and gentler moments, and it's those gentler moments i find myself being drawn into here. The version of the album i have is the "standard" one i.e. without bonus ...
...The first track is a gravely-voiced ballad, which is a great intro, and not what i was expecting at all - i was expecting something more like the second track, which is a full-on punky tune called Medication, and which wouldn't be out of place on a Green Day album (give me novocaine!). The third track, though, is one of those songs that hooks onto something in your head which you don't mind being hooked there (unlike, say, Karma Chameleon), and i ... Read review