On Songs for the Deaf, core Queens of the Stone Age members Nick Oliveri and Josh Homme, with the help of like-minded consorts Dave Grohl and Mark Lanegan, balance pure guitar-induced carnage with more complex, though no less aggressive, speed rock that whips by so fast it creates its own breeze. The disc explodes with "You Think I Ain't Worth a Dollar, But I Feel Like a Millionaire", a toxic squall of power chords and now-classic Oliveri death howls. It's here the album's recurring concept/conceit is introduced, as a generic-sounding announcer from LA's "Clone" radio spits out some psychobabble reinforcing the tired if true clich?? that commercial radio stinks. Similar mock broadcasts surface elsewhere, but they're easily forgivable, given the bounty on offer.

Homme-powered tracks dominate--the lurching, weirdly springy single "No One Knows" is a kind of "Monster Mash" for grown-ups; the vocal harmony-driven "The Sky Is Falling" is almost dreamy until a small army of guitars surge to the front lines to begin firing. And a lyrically winking hidden track, "Mosquito Song", is either an in-joke of ridiculous proportions or a declarative statement about the level of musicianship lurking just beneath the quaking veneer of the Queens' sound. Either way, genuine excitement comes early and often on Songs for the Deaf. It's a remarkable achievement--a hard rock record so good that it immediately evokes a conspiratorial fervour that makes you want to tell everyone you can about it. Er, job done. --Kim Hughes

Having achieved moderate levels of success with their self-titled debut and Rated R, Queens Of The Stoneage finally hit the big leagues with their third album, Songs For The Deaf. The last album featuring the revolving door policy of old, the QOTSA group on this album features Josh Homme, Nick Oliveri, ex-Screaming Trees frontman Mark Lanegan and most notably, with the Foo Fighters in disarray, Dave Grohl making a welcome return to drums.

Songs For The Deaf finds Homme streamlining the sexy yet doom-laden groove of the previous two albums into something almost perfect. Mixed as a shift between radio stations from song to song, Homme covers more styles here than ever before. Big hit 'No One Knows' is a straight-out pop song; 'Hangin' Tree' is an unsettling, psychedelic groove; the band's trademark stoner metal is covered by the likes of 'First It Giveth' and 'The Sky Is Fallin'; and 'Mosquito Song,' a hidden track, is a completely bizarre, baroque psychedelic ballad, complete with timpani.

Completed by the unnerving, epic quasi-title track, Songs For The Deaf ensured Queens Of The Stoneage superstar status. Well worth a look for any fan of alt-rock or metal.

I bought this album today after seeing the video for "Go with the flow" on YouTube.

I'm on my 2nd listen right now.
What a brilliant album.

Sorry that's all. Em, enjoying the album too much.

wow what can i say, an amazing album,its flawless bar one song, 6 shooter. However every other song is 5 stars, mosquito song is the most diverse with an orchestral background this strange melody gives me shivers. The best song though has to be song for the dead , i love the way the guitar interupts the drums and bass to deliver an amazing riff each time, BUY IT NOW!

The best of QOTSA (era vulagris is very close) This album is amazing, i love it too bits. the sound they can produce is staggering. some great rockers on this album such as 'millionaire' 'a song for the dead' and well most others really rock. there are some very good, very different tracks than your strait thrashers, like one of my favorites 'god is in the radio' the haunting and quite odd 'mosquito song' and 'another love song' every track is an epic and should leave you begging for more.

Pure repeatability, the riffs will pound your brain.

If, like me, you heard of QOTSA through the fact that Dave Grohl is drumming in this record. you actually wont be dissapointed. fair enough it doesn't immediatley get you on the first listen but if you perservere you will be rewarded with some brilliant songs.
I've had this record for about four years now and its still in heavy rotation in my stereo. That can only really prove how good it is.
Unlike the other reviewer on here that stated he didnt like the pretend radio station intros to a lot of the songs, i think it makes the cd a bit more fun and i dont find them anoying in any way, shape or form. It would be really strange if they werent there and i dont think it would be quite as entertaining in the long run.
The best way to describe the album itself is a mixture of Kyuss and say early Screaming Trees with a bit of Black Sabbath thrown in for good measure.
I do think that it is more of a summer record, perfect cd to put on when it is sunny outside, and it will make you want to jump about and go mad - especially the first song "you think i aint worth a dollar but i feel like a millionaire" which admittedly does take a few listens to appreciate fully.
Although i'm maybe a bit biased concidering i have had it for so long already and it does remind me of some good times i had a few summers ago it really is a worthwhile addition to your cd collection.
I'd recomend it if you like Mark Lanegan (solo or with Screaming Trees), Kyuss, Mondo Generator, Black Sabbath... etc
A very worthwhile purchase especially at the price its at now, you really cant go wrong!