How to Handle a Rope / The Queens of the Stone Age Thread

[Teeeeeekay]

Guys, the LP is not thin at all. This fucker sounds amazing.

First spin except for the single.
Through Side A. Love it!

[joostone]

I did not listen to the leak. Yesterday the day arrived where I went to the recordstore and bought the fucker. Went home, grabbed a beer and listen to the record for the first time. Ive only heard 'the way you used to do'. Everything else was new to me. I'm writing this on my third listen.

And it's another kick-ass record by QOTSA. Their 7th, and thats already kinda amazing. They have never dissappointed me.
Yes, it's really really good. But it's not great. Im kinda surprised by all the reviews stating is their best since 'rated R' or 'SFTD'.
It well could be a grower, cause it does have many layers of backing vocals, keys and string. But so far Im not agreeing with the reviews.
The record sounds great, the bass sounds amazing. And the vocals also are very much upfront. The guitars and drums sound not soo good. The drum sound gets a bit buried in the mix cause of all the handclaps (blame Mark Ronson for that ). But these are all stylistic choices, and It's part of what I like most of the record.
It's a different beast in their catalog, it sure has some 'Era Vulgaris' vibes. So it sounds great, but I don't think the songs are really great. Some of these songs sound like Josh could write these in his sleep. They almost sound like EODM songs, but with different production values.
So, I think it's a good record with amazing new sounds. But the songs itself do lack some inspiration for me. Certainly not the best QOTSA record since 'SFTD', maybe even their worst....
Which makes it their lowest ranked of all their 7 great records!

[MissYouAllDay]

It's definitely a grower. I wasn't sure about a number of tracks at first, but I've turned around on all of them.

Domesticated animals and villains are my current favorites. Hideaway is my least favorite, but it's a solid 3.5/5.

[LoathedVermin72]

I've only listened to bits and pieces so far, so I don't want to speak too soon, but initial impressions are very positive. New Wave QOTSA with a playfully spooky edge, oh man...

[LoathedVermin72]

I don't know if it's just me, but I'm getting some real Halloween vibes here. Like this makes me want to watch The Monster Squad or something.

[LoathedVermin72]

Updated ranking that I'm sure is totally premature:

Era Vulgaris
Songs for the Deaf
Queens of the Stone Age
Lullabies to Paralyze
Villains
Rated R
...Like Clockwork

[MissYouAllDay]

Speaking of premature rankings

Domesticated animals
Villains
Evil
Feet don't fail me
Unreborn again
Head like a haunted house
Twyutd
Fortress
Hideaway

[VinylGuy]

Updated ranking that I'm sure is totally premature:

Era Vulgaris
Songs for the Deaf
Queens of the Stone Age
Lullabies to Paralyze
Villains
Rated R
...Like Clockwork

Rated R is below the new one?

[LoathedVermin72]

For now. That could certainly change.

[VinylGuy]

Im still shocked that Rated R is so down in your list.

[Teeeeeekay]

Yup. This is great. Weakest is Fortress which is a shame because it follows the absolutely amazing Domesticated Animals.

[KurtLeon]

I told so

[i got bugs]

I love fortress

[i got bugs]

Updated ranking that I'm sure is totally premature:

Era Vulgaris
Songs for the Deaf
Queens of the Stone Age
Lullabies to Paralyze
Villains
Rated R
...Like Clockwork

Clockwork
Lullabies
SFTD
Vulgaris
R
Villains
ST

[i got bugs]

Or maybe villains, R I dunno

[BurtReynolds]

listening now.

Feet Don't Fail Me is fucking awesome.

[BurtReynolds]

oh god this is scratching all my stoner/psychobilly/80s synth itches.

[KurtLeon]

I'd Say:

Like Clockwork
Era Vulgaris
Lullabies to Paralyze
Villains
Songs For The Dead
Self Titled
Rated R

[KurtLeon]

As for tracks:

Villains of Circunstance
Un-Reborn Again
Feet Don't Fail Me Now
Fortress
Domesticated Animals
The Evil has Landed
Hideaway
Head Like a Haunted House
The Way YoU Used to Do

[BurtReynolds]

Big, bombastic, fun album.

Probably somewhere in the top 3 I think.