The Record That Changed My Life: Justin Sullivan on Queens Of The Stone Age – Songs For The Deaf (2002)

It was in a cute little club in Sheffield. I had heard rumours about this band, Queens of the Stone Age. How can you not be interested in a band with such a name? I didn’t know what to expect- the best approach to a concert if you ask me. The Queens started with one of these full-bunch-of-hardcore roaring tracks by Nick Oliveri, songs that have a lot to offer, but especially the fact that they are short.

At the end of this frontal attack there was a moment of puzzled silence. In full contrast to what had just happened, Josh Homme nodded slowly and wisely, looked over at Nick and mumbled, “Yeah.” I fell in love instantly. Queens of the Stone Age also started with Sabbath riffs, but- be it by instinct or necessity- they invented something new. First of all, they are playing their instruments with fascinating accuracy and a lot of drive. Above all of this there are the sweetest, drugged-out, multilayered harmonies that are as far removed from the actual beat as soul or jazz. And the melodies themselves wander on unpredictable paths through the semitones to finally flow into the most unexpected, unforgettable choruses. They have the knack of playing around with a mood until you wished it would change – and that’s when it does. The same is even more true of Songs for the Deaf. In my opinion Josh Homme is without a doubt one of the best guitarists of his generation, a cross between Billy Gibbons and Tom Verlaine, a man who plays as light-handedly as you and I breathe.

by Justin Sullivan