Songs For The Deaf – Queens Of The Stone Age
Released Aug. 27
When you combine members of a legendary cult metal band with the drummer from arguably the most influential band of this generatio what you get is Queens of the Stone Age and their newest album Songs for the Deaf. Led by former Kyuss members Josh Homme on guitar and bassist Nick Oliveri, QOTSA is filled in nicely by Mark Lanegan and former-Nirvana drummer and Foo Fighters front man Dave Grohl.
This album is worth listening to if only to hear Dave Grohl stepping up and reclaiming his title of “rock’s best drummer.” Throughout the record, his work on the skins showcases his talents. The album is a nice retreat from the monotony found in modern rock right now, and could possibly lead to the demise of rap-rock.
This collection of rocking songs makes you wonder if this is what Cream or the Yardbirds might have sounded like had they been born 30 years later. However, the level of the vocals is toned down to emphasize the instruments, a minor flaw in this album that is one of the years best rock albums.
Highlights of the album include the first single “No One Knows,” but also worth checking out is “The Sky Is Fallin'” and “Go With The Flow.”
Queens of the Stone Age will play in Denver at the Ogden Theatre tonight with Trail of Dead and Peaches. – Nicholaus Biela
Five Star Motel – Andy Stochansky
Released Aug. 20
On Five Star Motel, his third solo release, Ani DiFranco’s former drummer Andy Stochansky branches out and discovers his less rhythmic and more romantic side. The Toronto singer-songwriter brings introspective yet simple lyrics together with seemingly effortless melodies for a breath of fresh air in today’s stuffy pop scene.
While Stochansky’s acoustic guitar is often shimmering, it’s his vocals that make this album, which is a fantastic cross between Jeff Buckley and a much younger Bono. Key tracks are the yearning “One Day,” the languid, lyrical “Everest,” and “22 Steps,” a song covering something most of us have experienced, an unrequited teenage crush. The passionate “Hymn” closes the album with lullaby sensibility and spiritual intensiveness.
Stochansky may have removed himself from behind the drum kit, but he can’t keep his soulful side from showing through. This album is definitely an elegant breath of fresh air. -Jeska Dzwigalski
Destination Unknown – Mest
Released Nov. 13, 2001
Punk band Mest is back with their new album Destination Unknown, which is just plain ordinary.
Similar to their first CD, Wasting Time, the sound is what has become known as processed punk rock. They can best be compared to the Green Day copycats such as Blink 182 or New Found Glory. These bands seem to be a dime a dozen now. The music is well played, but there’s nothing that hasn’t been heard before. It is simply another pop punk album.
One of the few songs that does stand out on the album is the single “Cadillac,” which features hip-hop star Young MC. The song is a bit more distinct from the rest of the album because of this mix of punk and DJ sound, but doesn’t necessarily improve the whole album. The song “Drawing Board” also adds some variety with a slower guitar riff at the beginning, but could easily be mistaken as a Blink song.
If you’re looking for another punk album that will get old and repetitive after the second time around in your player, this CD is for you.
Mest will be touring this fall in support of the album. They will play an all-ages show with Homegrown, Catch 22, and Madcap at the Ogden Theatre in Denver Thursday. – David Young
