Queens of the Stone Age
Era Vulgaris
Interscope (2007)
Over the years, Queens of the Stone Age have managed to carve a deep niche into the hard stubbornness of mainstream music. Like his previous band Kyuss before, Josh Homme has created in Queens of the Stone Age a unique sound and style that sticks out like crazy on a milquetoast landscape. While the albums individually aren't always the most … Read more
Queens of the Stone Age
In Times New Roman
Matador (2023)
“Long is the way and hard, that out of Hell leads up to light.” Since the decayed hands of time turned the page into a promising new decade, a whole lot has happened in this world. It’s been a harder road traveled for some of us than others. There’s been love and loss. Sickness and wellness. Dark and light. Like … Read more
Queens of the Stone Age
Like Clockwork
Matador (2013)
"I blow my load over the status quo - here we go".A reading from the book of Homme. It has been 6 since Queens of the Stone Age released their album Era Vulgaris. An album this reviewer gave a favorable rating, but admittedly didn't fully understand at the time of reviewing for this site. I couldn't fully grasp what the … Read more
Queens of the Stone Age
Over the Years and Through the Woods
Interscope (2005)
Live albums aren't worth purchasing 99% of the time due to two reasons: 1) the band doesn't deserve it; 2) the recording quality is atrocious. Over the Years and Through the Woods defies both of those with ease. Josh Homme and his current cast of Queens of the Stone Age, in my opinion, are the best rock band playing out, … Read more
Queens of the Stone Age
Villains
Matador (2017)
au·da·ciousôˈdāSHəs/adjectiveShowing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks.The one mission statement that Josh Homme and Queens of the Stone Age has long established was to never make the same album twice. Four years after their strongest effort yet, ...Like Clockwork - Queens have taken another left turn at Albuquerque and continued this tradition with Villains - a wholly unexpected yet … Read more
Queensrÿche
Condition Hüman
Century Media (2015)
At the time of the release of their eponymous 2013 full-length album, the Geoff Tate storm had passed and cleanup efforts had begun.It was most definitely a return to form under the new stable guidance of Crimson Glory vocalist Todd LaTorre and Queensryche delivered their strongest album so far this century.With Condition Hüman, the band continues on with the same … Read more
Queensrÿche
Frequency Unknown
Deadline (2013)
The name on the front of this album says Queensrÿche. It does not say Geoff Tate's Queensrÿche or any other variation. Just Queensrÿche. There is now a battle in court for the right to retain this name and on November 18, 2013 a decision will be made as to who gets to continue using it - Geoff Tate or the … Read more
Queensrÿche
Self Titled
Century Media (2013)
An eponymously titled album is somewhat unusual this late into a bands' career and will typically signify that the band in question is, despite all excuses and comments to the contrary, simply out of any new ideas - as reflected in the lack of title along with the lack of songwriting. This could not be farther from the truth in … Read more
Quelle Chris
2Dirt4TV
Independent (2012)
Hot off the heels his underappreciated 2011 debut full-length Shotgun & Sleek Rifle, Detroit MC/producer Quelle Chris drops his latest EP, 2Dirt4TV. This time around Quelle steps from behind the boards, leaving the production to “Legendary underground MySpace producer” Mr. Dibia$e. The result couldn’t be more seamlessly harmonized, as Dibia$e’s laid-back boom-bap balances Quelle’s nonconformist flow in way that recalls … Read more
Qui
Love's Miracle
Ipecac (2007)
Paul Christensen. Matt Cronk. David Yow. The former two names you have not heard before. The latter name you probably have. The latter name is a legend, in fact. The former two, not so much. David Yow was a member of two legendary bands - Scratch Acid and The Jesus Lizard. Both great bands of the early nineties who, while … Read more
Quintron and Miss Pussycat
Goblin Alert
Goner (2020)
Quintron & Miss Pussycat is a project like no other. They call it “Swamp-Tech,” from New Orleans, and it’s dance rock with otherworldly, high energy vibes and puppets. With 16 full-lengths, most of the instrumentation up ‘til now has been on organ and homemade synthesizer.It pretty much has to be heard to be understood, and perhaps seen to reach that … Read more
Quintron and Miss Pussycat
Spellcaster II: Death in Space
Pizza Burglar (2014)
Quintron and Miss Pussycat have never been known as a vocal group, but Spellcaster II: Death in Space takes that to a new level, waiting until the fourth song, “Do the Raid” for the first vocal utterings. That’s not a bad thing, but it is a slow start to the duo’s new record. In fact, it’s not until the third … Read more
Rabbit Holes
Rabbit Holes EP
Big Action (2014)
Big Action Records doesn’t pump out a ton of releases and, when they do, they run the geographical gamut. The label is based in St. Paul, MN but releases come from across the country. Still, within that, there’s a well defined style that tends to dominate: pop-tinged, melodic garage rock. The debut from Minnesota’s Rabbit Holes fits well within those … Read more
Rabid Rabbit
Rabid Rabbit
Interloper (2009)
As certain styles of music catch hold and thus become revered and oft emulated, making or doing something to makes one's band stand out amidst an ever burgeoning horde of groups (that range from those that find their own voice to those that come off as half rate clones) becomes a much harder obstacle as time moves forward. Rabid Rabbit, … Read more
Racebannon
Acid or Blood
Southern (2008)
My first thought when I look at Racebannon's Myspace profile is that their vocalist, Mike Anderson, has a bit of the curly-haired Ween look to him. That thought is quickly replaced as I scroll down at the four long-hairs, with dark symbols on their foreheads and doused with blood. The lasting impression is that Racebannon are some theatrical dudes who … Read more
Radical Attack
Priority
Ghost Town (2006)
There are a lot of hardcore bands out there who claim to be old-school, but the truth of the matter is that an insane amount of metal has infiltrated the scene. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it sure does make it harder to find a speedy, non-metallic, non-chugga-chugga hardcore band when you're in the mood for it. You … Read more
Radical Fun Time
There Is Only One Race The HUMAN RACE EP
Dilapidated Records (2018)
What’s in a name? Radical Fun Time. Well, it is radical. Just take a look at that artwork. Someone had fun with that! It hurts a bit on the eyes, but someone had fun. And sometimes you can judge a book by it’s cover. This sounds like a bunch of guys having a good time. I picture a couple of … Read more
Radio 4
Enemies Like This
Astralwerks (2006)
When Radio 4 released Gotham, it instantly became one of my favorite albums of all time. It was packed full of great songs that were great to dance to and also contained a message. But the band faltered with the distinctly average Stealing of a Nation. It wasn't so much that Stealing of a Nation was a bad album, it … Read more
