Rated R (2000)
Queens of the Stone Age
There's an undeniable truth to this world. Most people don't agree with you. This is understandable. Some people don't like things that you like (or, as my mind would put it, some people don't like good shit). It's a sad truth, in my opinion, that most mainstream bands have sucked in the last decade. This is an era of Nickelback, Slipknot, AFI, and any number of shitty metal bands that have decided to use full sentences as band names (As Blood Runs Black, I'm looking at you). But there have been a few that have really shined.
Queens of the Stone Age, for example, are a band that managed to not suck. Their second album, Rated R, is a shining example of their early sound. The style they developed with former Kyuss member Nick Oliveri that continued on all of their albums afterward was in full force here. The sound relies heavily on repetition (which isn't a bad thing). In fact, many of the songs wouldn't be possible ("Feel Good Hit of the Summer") without that robot rock sound. Many songs have a very dry, coarse sound, which earned them the genre of desert-rock ("Monsters in the Parasol," "Auto Pilot," etc.)
What I Like
Some of the best examples of Josh Homme's voice can be found on here. "The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret" is one of my personal favorites on here. It also includes good examples of Nick Oliveri's singing/screaming. "Quick and to the Pointless" is one of my favorites including his harsh (yet enjoyable) vocal style. Instrumentally, the band really kicks some ass! The guitars are great. Josh Homme's crunchy, strange, and, above all, loud guitar has been possibly my favorite part of the band's sound since I first heard them. Nick Oliveri's bass is thundering and melodic at many points.
What I Don't Like
The drums fit in very well, and serve their purpose, but aren't the most creative I've ever heard, although that shouldn't be considered much a problem. One of the major problems I have with this album is the incredibly long and odd horn outro on "I Think I Lost My Headache." Every time it starts in to that, I just turn it off. Also, personally, I think that it was a bit too short, although I don't consider it that much of an issue either. I'll let you decide on that one.
Overall, a great album, and certainly one to own by a fantastic modern rock band.
8.7/10
I'd love to hear what other people think. Post your comments, as I always love to hear other opinions.
For another opinion, let's see what the ever-mediocre Rolling Stone has to say!
http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/233746/rated_r
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