For any true queens of the stone age fan, it seems unreal that the previous album "...Like Clockwork" was released more than four years ago. Ever since the band announced their new musical project, fans have been hysterically guessing what the album would sound like, grabbing every hint they could find and making parallels with Josh's solo projects. Now that the "Villains" is finally out, it can be said that the fans are divided. While some openly welcome the somewhat new sound QOTSA have adopted, others harshly criticize it and yearn for the good old days.
Where do you stand?
Earlier Queens of the Stone Age albums
Before we get into analysis of the latest "Villains" album, we should look back at some of their earlier work. First up is their 1998 self-titled album, which basically marked Josh Homme's departure from his former band Kyuss. Along with Nick Olivieri, he created a unique sound that would go on to be QOTSA's trademark. Songs like "Avon," "If Only," and "You Would Know" presented the band as the finest stoner rock has to offer. After that came "Rated R," which was basically their breakthrough album and gave the world beautiful simplicity of stoner rock in the form of "Feel Good Hit of the Summer." In 2002, they've made what can be called a concept album "Songs for the Deaf," which featured the amazingly energetic Dave Grohl on the drums.
Three years later they released the melodic "Lullabies to Paralyze," which they often jokingly refer to as "the blue album" because of the numerous melancholic songs. Then there's 2007 industrial experiment that is "Era Vulgaris," which had some amazing tracks like "3's and 7's," and, finally, there's the melodic, melancholic, heavy and personal "...Like Clockwork" in 2013.
Making of the Villains
Although the band was quite secretive when it came to recording of their seventh album, fans caught early on, a couple of Josh's early performances where he performed a song called "Villains of Circumstance." It was obviously material for their new album and when the name Villains was revealed, it didn't take them long to put two and two together.
However, one of the biggest shocks for the fans worldwide was the fact that the producer would be Mark Ronson, a man known for his work with pop stars like Amy Winehouse and Bruno Mars. Album trailers that featured various upbeat songs only further frustrated old fans. However, even Josh Homme himself stated that a band needed a change and that Mark Ronson brought that new sound they were looking for
Songs from the album
When it comes to songs themselves, there are 9 of them. First up is "Feet Don't Fail Me" and, as Josh states, it's something of a crossroad, tying the old QOTSA sound with the new and referencing Iggy Pop, who came up with the phrase. Then there's "The Way You Used to Do," which is basically an upbeat tribute to his wife, Dale.
"Domesticated Animals" seems to criticize the society, while "Fortress" is the album's first ballad. Four more songs follow it: "Head Like a Haunted House" (basically Mark Ronson's take on the QOTSA sound), "Un-Reborn Again" (about the problem of drugs), "Hideaway" (romance between predator and prey), and "The Evil Has Landed" (an old Queens' riff), before the album ends gloriously with "Villains of Circumstance."
How do you feel about the album? Which one is your favorite?
