With well over 20 years of releases under their belt, I knew ranking Queens of the Stone Age's discography could be a pretty big task, but it was one I was happy to undertake. The iconic rock mainstays have been through many different iterations and versions over the years, which makes the listening process fun and fresh for most of their discography.
To be honest, I actually came away with a newfound respect for the band, and the more I listened and dove into their dynamic and varied discography, the more I craved listening to them. With 8 LP's to rank, let's not waste anymore time and get right to it; Queens of the Stone Age, worst to best.
8. Villains (2017)
Four years after releasing some of their best work with '...Like Clockwork' (more on that later) Queens of the Stone Age would return to the public eye with Villains, a 9 track LP that saw them lean into a more synth driven, alternative sound. While it can lead to some really fun and interesting moments, the biggest issue with 'Villains' is that much of it is just not that memorable.
Where previous works had seen unique guitar work and some pretty daring songwriting, much of this LP just feels like it's just kind of...there? It's certainly not bad, and the highs here are pretty good for the most part. But for a band like Queens of the Stone Age, you certainly expect strange hooks and choruses that stick in your brain.
The best track on the record is probably the opener 'Feet Don't Fail Me', with a really cool lead hook that is funky, driven, and fun. It's mostly downhill from there, but there are some pretty good tunes sprinkled here and there. At only 9 (admittedly long) tracks, though, there isn't a huge amount of variety. Diehard Queens fans might dig it, but I wouldn't have too much of a hard time recommending it to broader fans of rock. It's inoffensive if not unremarkable, but nothing bad.
Standout tracks: Feet Don't Fail Me, Domesticated Animals, the Evil Has Landed
7. Era Vulgaris (2007)
After four records of fast, pounding, loud stoner rock, it was time for Queens of the Stone Age to shake things up and try a new sound. That new sound and direction would lead to 2007's 'Era Vulgaris', a record that despite coming in second to last in the rankings is actually not that bad of an LP, all things considered. It found the group trading in their heavier rock sound with a more alternative/experimental one, with mixed results.
The first thing that still jumps out to me after all these years about 'Era Vulgaris' is the production, and unfortunately it isn't a great impression. This is a record that can be downright unpleasant to listen to, with a loud and tinny mix constantly barraging your ears with noise. There is some substance to be found here, but you have to really be willing to live with a final mix that can be grating at times.
'Sick, Sick, Sick', 'Make it Wit Chu', and 'Into the Hollow' are the real standouts here and are as interesting and catchy as anything in their catalogue. All three tracks are different, dynamic, and just experimental enough to stand out. There aren't really any awful songs to point out, outside of the production just getting a little too in the way at times, and a few tracks that are just a little too 'out there' for my tastes. Overall though, 'Era Vulgaris' is easy enough to recommend to fans of the band, or those looking for rock music that hits just a little different. It also marks the beginning of a shift in style for Queens, and much of that DNA is still present today.
Standout tracks: 'Sick, Sick, Sick', 'Make it Wit Chu', 'Into the Hollow', 'Run Pig Run'
6. Queens of the STone Age (1998)
Queens of the Stone Age would come careening into the public spotlight in 1998 with their self titled debut record, and from the very first moments that classic Queens sound was there. 'Queens of the Stone Age' is a dirty, heavy, driving LP. And while not the most dynamic listen in the world, it's certainly more than passable for an artist's debut.
The production is decent, but the mix is definitely a little muddy and unpolished. I'm never going to judge a debut record too hard on the production front, though, and it certainly doesn't hinder the listening experience. It's really interesting to see the genesis of one of the most creative and different rock bands out there.
There's plenty of tracks worth digging into, and nothing really stands out as bad or poorly executed. It's clear that this was a young, talented band who's ceiling was skyscraper-high. The songwriting is so different and unconventional it's hard to not get sucked in, and listening to the whole album front to back is surprisingly easy to do. I recommend it if you haven't heard it for sure.
Standout tracks: Avon, If Only, How to Handle a Rope (A Lesson in the Lariat), Mexicola, Spiders and Vinegaroons
5. Lullabies to Paralyze (2005)
Speaking of albums that are easy to listen to front to back, 2005's 'Lullabies to Paralyze' fits that bill to a T. While there may not be as many memorable tracks as the bands previous effort 'Songs for the Deaf', this LP flows particularly well, and it makes the overall listening experience a really good one. Many older fans of Queens refer to the early/mid 2000s as the golden era for the band, and I can see why.
On one hand, it's a lot more of the same that we got from 'Songs for the Deaf' and even 'Rated R' before that, but on the other hand if it ain't broke, don't fix it right? It doesn't ever feel too derivative, but you can kind of feel that it was becoming time to switch things up. Not to undersell this record, though; there are some TASTY riffs, memorable hooks, and choruses that will have you head-banging right along. It's all of what worked with the early releases of the band, with that much more musical and songwriting prowess. The continued dual vocalist approach with Josh Homme and Mark Lanegan helps keep things fresh as well.
Something I really appreciate about 'Lullabies' is that none of the singles really become bigger than the sum of their parts. Each track works together to structure a record that is a great listen from front to back. If you want to nitpick, I suppose the production is a tad behind 'Songs for the Deaf', but that is a pretty damn good sounding record in its own right. Each album from this point on is an easy recommend, including this one.
Standout tracks: Everybody Knows That You're Insane, In My Head, Tangled Up in Plaid, Little Sister, "You've Got a Killer Scene There, Man"
4. In Times new Roman... (2023)
If I could go back in time a few months and rewrite my top 20 albums of 2023 list, I'd be inclined to squeeze this release in there (it just missed it as it is). I admittedly didn't give the record the time it deserved, but I'm glad I am now. At the time of this writing, 'In Times New Roman...' stands as the most recent studio album released by Queens of the Stone Age. After a bit of a disappointment in 'Villains', the band bounced back in a big way with this release LP. In certain ways it almost sounds like a follow up to 2013's '...Like Clockwork'. It's more of what makes modern Queens work, featuring highly unconventional songwriting, great production, and more reflective lyrics than we've seen before.
It might not stack quite up to the highest of highs from their discography, but it's pretty dang close. It came at a time of great personal turmoil to frontman Josh Homme, and it really shows. I'd argue it's the most personal release the band has seen, and that adds a level of vulnerability that up to this point was not present in their music. It adds another layer of reinvention to the band that constantly finds ways to reinvent itself.
'In Times New Roman...' is also a really solid sounding record from a production standpoint. It feels wide and deep, with just enough rawness to grunge up the feel. The final mix captures the small details that this band does so well. There is 0 wasted space, with clever fills and sounds injected at every turn. If you're looking for a great modern rock record, this is not a bad place to go. Check it out if you haven't yet!
Standout tracks: Paper Machete, Negative Space, Time & Place, Carnavoyeur, Emotion Sickness
3. Rated R (2000)
If there is one thing you absolutely CANNOT deny about the band's 2000 effort is that it is, indeed, Rated R. The first track, 'Feel Good Hit of the Summer', is literally just the names of different drugs over an intense, driving melody. It's awesome! It also sets the tone for their sophomore LP perfectly. 'Rated R' is a juvenile, fun, frantic record with some really high highs and lows that aren't even all that low.
If you're a fan of really nice grooves, head bopping rhythms, and fuzzed out guitars, this is the record for you. Lyrically, things fall right in line with the rest of the Queens catalogue. That is to say there are some pretty bitter tracks, stoney tracks, silly tracks, and everything in between. I wouldn't say lyrics have ever really been the strong suit for the band, but they are straightforward, easy to parse, and flow into the songs well. And that's what really matters!
'Rated R' is also a pretty big step up from their debut pretty much across the board. Where 'Queens of the Stone Age' felt like a collection of hard rock songs, 'Rated R' is a complete package that feels like a cohesive piece of art. This is thanks, in large part, to cohesive songwriting and a complete creative vision. It really feels like you are on a stoney, fuzzed out trip through a desert road (in the best way). Definitely give it a listen if that sounds appealing to you, I can almost promise you'll enjoy it.
Standout tracks: The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret, Better Living Through Chemistry, Monsters in the Parasol, Quick and to the Pointless, In the Fade
2. Songs for the Deaf (2002)
If you are of a certain age bracket, there's a good chance this record had a tight grasp on your consciousness. Speaking from personal experience, I was 10 years old the year 'Songs for the Deaf' released and my young mind was blown from the very first time I saw the music video for 'No One Knows'. I was getting into rock music for the first time and this band was like nothing I had ever heard before. I'm sure many feel the same way, and with good reason.
'Songs for the Deaf' is a near masterpiece of an LP. The first half in particular is just filled with unforgettable hard, grungy rock tracks. While it might lose just a little bit of steam with the latter half, it hardly impacts the legacy and status of the record. Josh Homme and co. were really hitting their songwriting stride here. The guitar work is impeccable, the production is crisp and heavy, and the dual vocals of Josh Homme and Mark Lanegan work great off of each other. Also Dave Grohl is featured on drums throughout the LP and he can nail rock grooves like few in the genre can.
The record flows really well, something Queens seem to be pretty adept at doing. It feels like a cohesive story is being told throughout, following up from the main themes on 'Rated R.' If you have somehow not heard 'Songs for the Deaf' yet, it's pretty much required listening for any self respecting rock fan. It's heavy, tight, and well written. It's some of the best work in the rock genre in the 21st century in this guy's opinion.
Standout tracks: 'You Think I Ain't Worth A Dollar, But I Feel Like A Millionaire', 'No One Knows', 'First it Giveth', 'Songs for the Dead', 'Go With the Flow', 'Another Love Song'
1. ...like clockwork (2013)
And coming in at number one is, in my opinion, the magnum opus for Queens of the Stone Age. 2013's '...Like Clockwork' arrived five years after the band's previous LP 'Era Vulgaris', which was at that time the longest stretch in between releases for them. It's pretty clear that much of that time was spent crafting, writing, and perfecting this record. There aren't a ton of modern rock records I'd really put in the 10/10 conversation, but this is definitely one of them.
'...Like Clockwork' is so tightly written and recorded that from the very first track you get a feeling for exactly the type of art you are in for. It's dark, brooding, bitter, and heavy. Interestingly enough, lots of DNA that the band started to inject into 'Era Vulgaris' is present here too. It's highly experimental, unique, and impressive from a songwriting standpoint.
It might not have the cultural relevance or the variety that 'Songs for the Deaf' had, but it's so finely tuned and crafted that it's impossible to ignore. The use of space and time filling is impressive, with something interesting to listen to layered into almost every second of the 46 minute runtime. It almost sounds like an entirely different band to be honest, without sounding out of place for a Queens of the Stone Age release. Does that make sense? I hope it does.
They managed to completely reinvent themselves without changing the heart of their music, and that's pretty spectacular. If you're an older Queens fan who maybe stopped listening at some point, or if you're a younger fan of rock, this is a can't miss record. I'd recommend a front to back listen of '...Like Clockwork' to just about anybody to be honest. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go listen to it again myself!
Standout tracks: Gotta listen front to back.
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