QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE – Rated R (2010 deluxe edition)
Any serious heavy rock fan worth his or her salt own at least one QOTSA album, usually Rated R. I mean, let’s face it…do you need integrity in your rock music? Could you give a crap about comercial stuff? Rated R is the album for you. While my personal preference is the Songs For The Deaf LP, Rated R is a close second.
This two disc edition is awesome and renders obselete any old versions you own. I happily gave away my previous UK only two-disc edition which came with the “Feel Good Hit Of The Summer” single and video. This new deluxe edition even replicates the colour scheme of the Rated X LP version which had the bonus track “Ode To Clarrisa” (included here).
Every B-side from the Rated R years are included, live and studio. It also includes a concert, live at Reading from 2000, expertly captured by the BBC. That concert is awesome, containing QOTSA hits as well as the Desert Sessions classic “Millionaire”. (Later re-recorded by QOTSA on Songs For The Deaf as “You Think I Ain’t Worth a Dollar, But I Feel Like a Millionaire”. Personally, I don’t think you can go wrong with live QOTSA, and this isn’t just live QOTSA…this is live QOTSA with Nick Olivieri still in the band. I lost interest to a certain degree after Nick was fired.
What of the album itself? Well, of course this edition sounds awesome. You should know some of these songs, especially “Feel Good Hit”. You may have heard “Monsters In The Parasol” from Desert Sessions or the QOTSA live album. Mark Lanegan’s vocal turn on “In the Fade” is awesome, and forshadows that singer’s awesome work on Songs For The Deaf. “Leg Of Lamb” is awkward but undeniably catchy. My personal favourite track is “Better Living Through Chemistry”, exotic, atmospheric and grooving. Perfect for late nights with a beverage by the campfire.
Noteworthy cameo: Rob Halford (who was not in Judas Priest at the time, but in fact was in Halford). He’s on “Feel Good Hit of the Summer”. I couldn’t hear it at first, but, according to Uncle Meat:
Yes you can…put the song on right now…I am serious…do it!! Listen closely at about the 2:03 mark … the little cuh-caine … about 2:03 or 2:04. Go do it!
He’s right! That’s Halford!
Pick this up, if you’re only going to own one QOTSA album, this one is fully loaded and well worth the cash!
5/5 stars…rated awesome
I do really love this record. My favorite track is the very short Quick and to the Pointless .. something about those girls saying ya ya ya ya! ;) I remember working at the Brick Brewery filtering beer … night shift .. I had a cassette with this album on one side and Transcendental Blues by Steve Earle on the other. Nightly ritual for weeks was to listen to both once.
I am surprised however that you didnt acknowledge Rob Halford’s cameo appearance on the album.
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You know, I can’t even hear Halford on it so I kind of felt it was inconsequential. Maybe somebody with better ears can hear it.
What a strange mix, this album with Transcendental Blues. I love both of course…Transcendental is a very special album for me.
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yes you can .. put the song on right now .. I am serious .. do it!! .. listen closely at about the 2:03 mark … the little cuh-caine … about 2:03 or 2:04. Go do it
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I just listened and you can totally tell that is Halford
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Well ..? Did you hear it? *cough cough*
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I fuckin’ heard it! Thanks! I’m adding this content to the review giving you credit.
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See? its there .. very short but unmistakeably him
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You are correct sir…and added your comment to the review. Awesome!
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Love QOTSA. And I’m with you – this is their 2nd best record. And it’s great. Looking forward to the new album – with Grohl on drums…
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Thanks! And Nick Oliveri is making a guest appearance too, hopefully singing…
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