Songs for the Deaf

August 17, 2002

If I had a Lego stereo, I’d probably be pumping Queens of the Stone Ages‘ Songs for the Deaf through it for a good part of the day. I was never much of a Queens fan, but the new record has Dave Grohl sitting in behind the drumkit, adding a new thumping foundation to the sound. As much fun as the Foo Fighters are, it’s amazing to hear Grohl pounding away again. You can hear the drumskins hold on for dear life from the sheer force of it all.

Grohl’s addition aside, Josh Homme remains the star and Songs for the Deaf showcases some seriously weighty riffing. Like all metalheads, it’s derived from Zeppelin and Sabbath, and most reminiscent of Kim Thayil’s nimble rhythm work in Soundgarden. On songs like Millionaire and First it Giveth Number One, Homme’s work is pushy and inconsiderate like true asskicking guitar work should be.

People bemoaning the state of rock should definitely take a look at Songs for the Deaf. Play it like the title recommends. Crank the volume as if you were Marlee Matlin and feel the thudding in your chest. That’s the kind of treatment the material deserves and demands.

(Writer’s Note: I totally struggled with words to describe Josh Homme’s guitar sound. How many synonyms for heavy are there when it comes to music?)

Posted in From Blown Speakers