Rating:   26 Ratings     12345  

Queens of The Stone Age Lullabies To Paralyze Interscope, Rekords Rekords

      Former Screaming Trees frontman Mark Lanegan tempts you into this darkened album with a low croon in ‘This Lullaby’ direct enough to invoke feelings that you’re not alone. It’s slow paced and surprisingly somber, but also misleading because you aren’t getting off that easy with this record. Immediate fast tracks ‘Medication’, chart-topper ‘Little Sister’, ‘Tangled Up In Plaid’ and the buildup-to-climax of ‘Everybody Knows That You Are Insane’ are perfect to dive into headfirst. There’s quite a collection of commendable tracks, and its ongoing.

      Exceeding expectations altogether is ‘You Got A Killer Scene There, Man...’ which is a laid-back, carefree song, and ties as the sexiest song on the record next to sinfully seductive ‘Skin on Skin’. Lyrics are testy and well-written in ‘Scene’: “Got no good plans/but a good idea/Let's put this town/in my rearview mirror”, proving Homme’s evolution into something far greater has only just begun.

      Homme and the gang have simply picked up where they left off before with Songs For The Deaf (Phantom, 2002). Unfortunately, spontaneous and commonly naked bass player Nick Oliveri was dismissed from the group in February due to heavy drug problems and has now continued on with Mondo Generator, as well as working with The Dwarves. Frontman Josh Homme proved once again that he could tend to the overall sound of the album all by himself, taking an upper hand in the majority of its production. Despite the lacking of Oliveri, the album is just as brutally sinister and pragmatic. There’s no loss for Homme at all. For those concerned about the empty void where Oliveri used to be, there is no denying that his exclusion is apparent, but the album is so successful and full of instrumental action that its almost overlooked. (Look into ‘The Blood Is Love’, for example, which was recorded in just one take).

      Alongside of Homme (vocals, guitar) is former A Perfect Circle member Troy Van Leeuwen, (guitar), former Danzig member Joey Castillo (drums), and former Eleven members Alain Johannes (bass) and Natasha Shneider (keyboards, backing vocals). The album’s name is cleverly derived from a lyric in ‘The Mosquito Song’, off of the Songs For The Deaf release, which creates a relation between the two.

      The woven web continues with ‘In My Head’, a Desert Sessions track that is featured on the album. Recycled and redone to make its way onto the tracklisting-- (as do both Brody Dalle and Shirley Manson later on) -- its cushioned with a type of elegant rock only Homme can get away with. The harmonics have been tweaked to become beguiling, and the guitarwork was switched up halfway through the song as well. At first it poses as a hard change to adjust to, but after a few listens it sounds like it’s always been played that way.

      ‘Burn The Witch’ and ‘Someone’s In The Wolf’ are extended examples of The Brothers Grimm having traveled down the wicked path (quite possibly on their way to burn in hell).

      ZZ Top member Billy Gibbons is featured on ‘Burn The Witch’ with rich vocals and lead guitar, stringing up the track with a heavy lull of footsteps on their way to the stake, and profound licks to add a two-faced sickeningly sweet approach to the deathmarch. The track takes an old saying and twists it mercilessly with sing-song lyrics, bellowing beats and overlapping lyrics to create an overpowering sway of disobedience: “The first to speak/is the first to lie/the children cross/their hearts and hope to die/bite your tongue/swear to keep your mouth shut...”

      And ‘Someone’s In The Wolf’ is lyrically a genius tale with or without the music. Eagles of Death Metal frontman Jesse Hughes joins the band here and is accredited for providing a flute and little pants. This track can be appreciated only when listened to firsthand; skip the beginning of the album and start with this one.

      It’s no mistake that Lullabies is its own wolf-- brooding, controlling, and ready to steal you away with the slightest hint of hesitation to feed upon. It won’t hurt to have your arm twisted a little bit. And besides, there’s no other way to get through this. You can’t do it alone-- I told you that in the beginning. And I couldn’t let you get off that easy, I said I wouldn’t. And to think you trusted me. Would you look at that.. comes off dominating like a lion while it gets away with the lamb.

-Arie Musil 03/25/05