REVIEW: Band's second release fails to match debut album
By Jeff Renfro
"Lullabies to Paralyze," the new album from Queens of the Stone Age, is easily the most disappointing, and just plain awful, release of the year thus far. Recent shake-ups in the band's line-up have completely robbed the group of its previous style and intensity, and have culminated in this flaccid release.
Sophomore slumps are a common occurrence in the current music industry. But it is almost unprecedented for a band this well established, and previously critically acclaimed, as QOTSA was, to release an album of such poor quality.
2002 was a banner year for QOTSA. The long-respected band finally broke through to the public eye, both critically and commercially, with their album "Songs for the Deaf." The lead single off of the album, "No One Knows," was one of the biggest rock singles of the year and had them enjoying constant rotation on both radio and MTV.
The album's commercial success was preceded by a music media that praised the album for its intensity and insightful criticism of the current state of rock music.
In the time between then and now, QOTSA have lost their co-leader and bassist Nick Olivieri. It is rumored that a fast-paced, drug-fueled lifestyle led to his ousting. More importantly, is the band's change in drummer. Their original drummer, Alfredo Hernandez, died before the recording of "Songs for the Deaf."
The tragedy led to an appearance by legendary drummer Dave Grohl. Grohl's style was pivotal to the success of the album, and is missed on the new record.
Guitarist and songwriter Josh Homme recorded several albums with side projects (including the delightful "Eagles of Death Metal" album) and is the only major member of the band carrying over from the last album. The album features guest appearances from members of ZZ Top and others, which unfortunately do not do much to help its failure.
There is not a single quality track on "Lullabies." None of these songs would have made the cut on the band's previous releases. The album has myriad serious problems.
The guitar riffs are repetitive throughout. The songs follow two patterns: slow, dragging riffs that do not change, or fast, repetitive riffs that feature a stock bridge. The lyrics are completely meaningless. The anti-corporate stance that marked earlier projects by the band are gone, replaced by lyrics dealing with hanging out and death.
"Lullabies" is as stupid as it sounds. The songs sound like the work of a prog-rock cover band, not a band that had previously been hailed as the saviors of rock radio.
The most disappointing aspect of the "Lullabies" is the complete lack of intensity. "Songs for the Deaf" opened with a track that shook the listeners out of their seats. Even the album's slowest tracks felt like they were ready to explode at any moment.
The songs on this release are just lazy. They are slow, dull and do little to inspire. The demeanor of the band in recent late-night TV appearances seem to suggest that the band's members are not entirely thrilled with the album, either. Hopefully, this album will someday be viewed as a lone misstep in an otherwise exemplary musical career.
Grade: D