Go 'deaf' with rockers Queens of the Stone Age

I could probably summarize this review with one sentence; "Queens of the Stone Age...they are just a damn good band", but since most of you co-eds out there do not have a clue who these guys are, I am about to give you a condensed description of rock music should be about and what it should sound like.

"Songs for the Deaf' is the third full length effort from sidelined-stoner rockers, Queens of the Stone Age.

According to lead vocalist Josh Homme, "the title is not to be taken literally unless you're...uh...stupid."

Homme and Nick Oliveri, both formerly of stoner rock band Kyuss, have added Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees), Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters) and Troy Van Leeuwen (A Perfect Circle) to deliver this new album with irony, conviction and most importantly heart and soul.

Maxim's Blender magazine has already considered QOTSA's sophomore record Rated R, one of the greatest rock records since Nirvana's 'Nevermind'. If you're thinking it doesn't get much better than that, well think again because it does.

'Songs for the Deaf' is a structured yet chaotic adventure from beginning to end. These guys did something that every band should do; take something good and make it just better. Screw changing styles or images. QOTSA never did. They just jammed a couple of guitar riffs, added some more instruments and somehow managed to produce a solution to the plaguing monotonous rock we hear all over the radio. I suppose, though, it's not all that difficult to create something so amazing considering the laundry list of talented revolving musicians mentioned above helping out.

This is no joke people. I haven't heard musical instruments blend together like this since, well, ever. Just when you pop in 'Deaf' and swear that number one is the greatest song ever-BOOM-here come numbers two, three, four, five and so on. They are all right in your face and you find that you can't bring yourself to take this album out of your CD player; at least that is what happened to me.

'No One Knows' is the first single from 'Deaf'. Homme, who seems like he is perpetually on painkillers, pairs melodic vocals with estranged guitar riffs that resuscitate long-lost fuzz rock patterns. Grohl's intense, complicated drumrolls revive images of John Bonham's concentric solos. This song sets the tone of the album by introducing verse to chorus to bridge changes that renew the standard

for good.

'First it Giveth', showcases a falsetto clad tune with just the right amount of pummeling and random yet precise "Josh Homme noises" which make this track

nothing less than sexy.

A key track on this record, if there has to be one, would be 'The Sky is Fallin'. Lyrics like 'All in a moment I notice/every dog has its day/I paid attention/cost me so much today', prove this band's canny songwriting skills. The one constant guitar

riff, which carries the song, turns simple into phenomenal. Grohl's ballistic drum breaks shine through, especially on the chorus where the track

officially becomes the most well written song ever.

By the time Mark Lanegan belts out 'Song for the Dead' a semi-gothic groove that will ironically make you smile, it's time to start the CD over again and listen to it again to rediscover what you may have missed the first go around.

Homme, who may be the most normal looking guy rock, and Oliveri, your neighborhood tattoo artist, have struck gold with their band that they so non-chalantly call 'Queens of the Stone Age'. On 'Songs for the Deaf' they have fun while they make fun, mocking commercial radio DJs and recognizing no limitations.

Just three albums into their career as QOTSA, this duo of 'Queens' are the secret 'Kings' of rock and sum to be undeniably lodged between arena stardom and

cult-icon status. Some bands have not forgotten how to rock and QOTSA prove it.

Now, I did not just write this rave review because I like Queens of the Stone Age. I simply wrote the truth. 'Songs for the Deaf' is, cut and dry, a great album, and you will only recognize pure perfection when you give it a chance. This is something you should drop to your knees for and worship.