R

Queens Of The Stone Age | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: July 10, 2007
• Release Date: July 10, 2007
• Label: Interscope
• Copyright: (C) 2007 Interscope Records
• Record Company Required Metadata: Music file contains unique purchase identifier. Learn more.
• Total Length: 42:09
• Genres:
• ASIN: B000VZFT78
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (123 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,552 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stoner rock with a brain., September 11, 2003

By 

Shotgun Method (NY... No, not *that* NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: R (Audio CD)

Although the latest Queens Of The Stone Age release Songs For The Deaf seems to be getting all the press these days, the previous album Rated R, in my opinion, ranks as their best release. And I hold Songs For The Deaf in pretty high regard, so that's saying something.

This album is way more experimental than your run-of-the-mill stoner rock. Pianos, horns, and electronic effects are pulled out for effect while Josh Homme digs deep into his bag of guitar riffs and comes up with a memorable, headbangable one for each track. The lyrics are typical QOTSA--ironic, intelligent, funny, and drug-induced. Most of the songs are kept short and to the point, and never lose their punch.

And my, what diversity. Loud Olivieri screamers (Tension Head), straightahead yet left-of-center rock (Leg Of Lamb, Autopilot), a floaty little instrumental (Lightning Song), a brilliant number featuring Mark Lanegan on vocals (In The Fade), Sabbath-esque lumbering rock (I Think I Lost My Headache), and just all-out trippiness (Better Living Through Chemistry, Monsters In The Parasol), it's amazing what this band can do with just a 42-minute run time.

While there is one weak song (the aptly titled Quick And To The Pointless), it's not enough to keep me from giving Rated R 5 stars. Whether you're a QOTSA fan, a Kyuss fan, or just love alternative or stoner rock, this is one of the best-executed albums I've heard lately. Highly reccommended.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a great album!!, December 10, 2005

By 

B. Santos (Faro, Portugal) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: R (Audio CD)

Yes, this is, without a doubt the best QOTSA album. Breaking away from the previous album which was quite boring ( almost every song sounds the same ) , Rated R has an unique appeal to it. Starting off with "Feel good hit of the summer" and it's simple but heart felt message (someone that spends 2m43s singing "Nicotine, valium, vicodin, marijuana, ecstasy and alcohol, c-c-c-c-c-cocaine" really likes it!!), passing through great songs like "Monsters in the parasol", "Leg of lamb", "Auto pilot" and so on, you get a sense that although the core of the band lies in Josh Homme and Nick Oliveri, QOTSA is nothing but a bunch of friends gathered around to play great music and share experiences and sensibilities. Unlike "Songs for the deaf" and it's visceral appeal, "Rated R" has more of hallucinogenic side to it and that makes it a great trip. Excellent record, worthy of every cent. A must have and a must hear, over and over. And then again.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rated A for awesome, July 13, 2003

By 

Sal Nudo (Champaign, Illinois) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: R (Audio CD)

"Feel Good Hit of the Summer" leads off "Rated R" with a crazy, decadent vibe, but the album doesn't remain at such a chaotic pace. Queens of the Stone Age have everything in their songwriting repetoire: The band's music caters to the thinking man, the party goer, the rockers, people with a sense of quirkiness, and mainstream audiences who just like good, melodic rock and roll -- with a twist of weirdness thrown in.

"The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret" is instantly likable, and it's the song that got me into this awesome band. Many of the other tunes on "Rated R" share the same low-key, melodic vibe of "Lost Art...", which makes for a great listening experience. Vocals on this album are shared, giving it a more eclectic feel than the classic-rock sound of Queens of the Stone Age's debut album, another excellent CD. Also, unlike the darker first album, "Rated R" has a brighter sound, and in some cases a more pop/rock feel, which caters to a wider audience. Various musicians, including the great Mark Lanegan (see Whiskey for the Holy Ghost), contribute to "Rated R", and the results are great.

Perhaps "Rated R's" most interesting -- and best -- tune is "Better Living Through Chemistry." It begins foreboding enough, with Josh Homme's distant, echoey vocals and a dark guitar riff. Paranoid lyrics give way to a quiet lull, before a Zeppelin/Sabbath riff kicks in unexpectantly. The song is disjointed and a little strange, but perfectly sums up this band and its love of experimentation (on many levels!).

Many of these lyrics are obviously influenced by drugs, all of them very rock and roll in their intent. It sounds like the band had a good time making "Rated R." "In the Fade," sung by Mark Lanegan, is a tune that should have made its way straight to modern-rock radio playlists all over the country -- the song has "hit" written all over it. A slower, mellow tune with pleasantly vibrating guitars, "In the Fade" is another great musical moment for this band, and showcases its versatility as musicians and varying musical tastes. "Tension Head" is pure hard rock, with an aggressive riff and raging vocals by bassist Nick Oliveria. By contrast, "Lightning Song" is a pleasant guitar instrumental that just kind of floats for two minutes, making way for the last Sabbath-influenced song, "I Think I Lost My Headache."

Overall, "Rated R" is less straightforward than the first album, less ambitious than the third album (see Songs for the Deaf), and full of more interesting sounds and great tunes by one of the best bands ever.