Celebrated rock group and often interchangeable collaborative outfit, Queens of the Stone Age, are opening up their catalogue for 4 reissued albums, on 180-gram vinyl, for the first time courtesy of Interscope Records/UMe. The artistically bold group has had span of nearly two decades of an accumulated distinctive body of work since Queens of the Stone Age debuted with their first major label studio album Rated R back in 2000. According to a press release, Interscope Records/UMe “…adds an exciting new chapter to QOTSA’s catalog with high-quality 180gram vinyl editions of Rated R and Songs For The Deaf on November 22, 2019, and Lullabies to Paralyze and Era Vulgaris on December 20, 2019.”
After the break up of frontman Josh Homme’s initial band, Palm Desert-based group Kyuus in 1996, there was a slight change of the guard that shifted in to what is presently Queens of the Stone Age. Their eponymous debut studio album released in October 1998 cemented their sound and only propelled Queens of The Stone Age’s follow-up to stardom with the release of their major label debut album, Rated R that featured standout tracks “Feel Good Hit of the Summer” and “The Lost Art of Keeping A Secret.” As previously noted, the latest “…LP edition marks Rated R‘s first U.S. vinyl pressing, and is the first vinyl edition worldwide to feature the album’s original blue artwork. This LP augments the original album with the international bonus track ‘Ode To Clarissa,’ as well as a unique 12″x24″ insert.”
In 2002, Queens of the Stone Age’s gold certified major label sophomore follow up Songs for The Deaf featured a collaboration with former Nirvana drummer and Foo Fighter’s frontman, Dave Grohl. Songs for The Deaf embraced an audaciously aggressive hit single “No One Knows” as well as other hits “First it Giveth” and “Go with the Flow.” Grohl at that time had “…put his own band Foo Fighters on temporary hold to record and tour with Queens of the Stone Age. Songs For The Deaf‘s new vinyl edition is a two-LP set with a gatefold jacket and a 12″x12″ insert, with the album’s original red background and black graphics/text art making its first-ever LP appearance.”
The 2005 release of Lullabies to Paralyze saw further outside collaborations from the likes of actor/musician Jack Black, Shirley Manson of Garbage, ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons and Jesse Hughes of Eagles of Death Metal. According to the press release, the album “debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard album charts.” Lullabies to Paralyze featured hit singles “Burn the Witch” and “Little Sister.” The latest reissued version, “…features a gatefold jacket with the album’s original album art in the U.S. for the first time, and includes the original three vinyl bonus tracks: ‘Infinity,’ ‘Like A Drug’ and ‘Precious And Grace.'”
Era Vulgaris released in 2007 saw Queens of the Stone Age experimenting with new sounds and expanding their signature style. Incorporating electronic and acoustic rock, the album featured “…such fan favorites as ‘Sick, Sick, Sick,’ ‘3’s & 7’s’ and ‘Make It Wit Chu,’ with guest appearances by Julian Casablancas of The Strokes and frequent QOTSA collaborator Mark Lanegan. The previous LP edition was on 3x 10″ LPs, this LP edition marks the first-ever release of Era Vulgaris on 12″ vinyl.”
To preorder the aforementioned Queens of the Stone Age titles, please visit here.
Photo Credit: Kalyn Oyer
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