From the self-titled to ...Like Clockwork, which is the best?

Queens Of The Stone Age are currently on tour and we know that their new album is finished as Mark Lanegan told radio host Dean Delray. But in the style of a lot of bands recently they're keeping schtum with details and only releasing cryptic teasers.

They have released something called "Coming Twenty Five" as an image on Instagram. Whether or not it's the artwork for the album we don't know. But we're sensing the release - whatever it's called - is very near. With the likes of Beyoncé, Skrillex, U2, Radiohead, and Frank Ocean all releasing albums in recent year with little to no notice we suspect QOTSA will do something similar.

But whilst we’re waiting for what is the most highly-anticipated rock release of the year, it’s time to look back at their appreciate what’s already out there before getting to grips with anything new as there’s no such thing as too much Josh Homme.

6.Lullabies to Paralyze

Joe Baressi, who produced the debut QOTSA album, was at hand for this. He had the unenviable job of trying follow a career game-changer in Songs For The Deaf. This follow-up was made even more challenging due to the fact Homme had fired Nick Oliveri. Oliveri was a huge fan favourite thanks to his outstanding stage presence and unforgettable goatie. This made some fans a little nervous as to how things would turn out without him. Of course, the stoic Homme was unwavering in his output and gave a solid album. ‘Burn The Witch’ is the best track, the single ‘Little Sister’ became a huge hit. Overall, sure, it’s good, but is not as likeable as anything on Songs For The Deaf.

5. Era Vulgaris

This record is the most recent one Chris Goss – who is often considered to be the godfather of desert rock – worked on. It’s grittier than its predecessor and the singles it spawned are memorable. Especially great is ‘Make It Witchu’, which features PJ Harvey’s irresistible, sultry vocal. It’s her best duet after ‘Come To Me’ that she did with Mark Lanegan on Bubblegum. Elsewhere, ‘3 & 7’s’ is a sexy, upbeat shot of adrenaline that will make you want to put your foot down if you’re driving, and ‘Sick Sick Sick’ is heavy as hell with a dirty central riff that repeats. The latter has Julian Casablancas on BV’s – but it’s the blistering pace of the drums that’s most special. Other awesome collaborators on the album include Trent Reznor and Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top.

4. ...Like Clockwork

Of course after years of producing solid album after solid album, and years of immense live shows to back it up them being one of greatest rock band since Led Zeppelin, it’s only right the world at large catches on, and you become one of the biggest bands in the world. They finally achieved number one in the charts both sides of the pond with this.

As with previous QOTSA records the studio door was busy with people coming in and out. On it are Elton John, Alex Turner, Trent Reznor, Brodoy Dalle, Mark Lanegan and many others. Nick Oliveri was also introduced back into the fold after Homme and him rekindled their friendship after the turmoil that hit them in 2004. However, Oliveri only sang BV’s on one track despite his attempts to play bass on it as Grohl was back on drums for the first time since his debut effort with them on Songs For The Deaf and Oliveri fancied forming that iconic rhythm section again. With the guests on the record coming from such disparate backgrounds, it's the most daring QOTSA record in many ways. But what makes it work is, Homme's ability to never surrenders his identity. The tracks fit succinctly with their seductive, twisted hard rock ‘n’ roll ouevre. The single ‘My God Is The Sun’ the most breathtaking moment of a brilliant record.

3. Queens Of The Stone Age

The self-titled debut the transition of Homme from guitarist to frontman - and what a voice he was hiding in Kyuss. That tone and intelligent use of melody intelligence without losing any of the grunt that made Kyuss such a reputable underground band was key. The best song here – and best QOTSA song full stop – is the opener: ‘Regular John’. Skepta has such good taste and awareness of the QOTSA back-catalogue he sampled the motorik beat, chugging riff and eerie treble part for ‘Shutdown’. The rest of the record is solid but not as addictive as the opener. Third track ‘If Only’ is close second and a precursor to the catchy style they’d adopt for the follow up Rated R.

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2. Songs For The Deaf

‘No One Knows’ and ‘Go With The Flow’ are the most well-known tracks here and anyone who ever picked up a guitar and loves rock ‘n’ roll will have tried to crack that riff on ‘No One Knows’ What was truly exciting about this record though was not their obvious ability to craft songs that you wouldn’t mind listening to on repeat on MTV 2 was Dave Grohl’s drumming. Having the Nirvana man, who was on a roll creatively at that point, having just created the best of Foo Fighters’ back-catalogue, made some breathtaking contributions. Especially on the predominantly instrumental cut, ’Song For The Dead’. Mark Lanegan did some amazing work on the irresistible, thrilling heavy song ‘Hanging Tree’ – you can see Tolien-esque Ents come alive through his mystical delivery.

1. Rated R

Although it doesn’t have their best song (‘Regular John’) and it’s abandoned the heaviness of Kyuss for something mellower and trippier, this record as a whole is the most addictive and lucid lyrically. The words “the walls are caving in because they have back ache” is a genius trippy line on ‘Leg Of Lamb’. The song also features Mark Lanegan’s baritone in places. Meanwhile, ‘Auto Pilot’ written and sung by Nick Oliveri is testament to this former member’s incredible talent and is a great introduction to his solo band Mondo Generator. Meanwhile, ‘The Lost Art Of Keeping A Secret’ has a hypnotic swagger that is the best starting point for anyone you’re looking to ease into the Josh Homme world. Of course QOTSA didn’t want anything as accessible as this to open the album and they threw on the mental ‘Feel Good Hit Of The Sumer' to kick things off where they yell about 20 different narcotic substances to a heavy riff earning that bold parental advisory sticker. A classic but they're all classics really. We can't wait for the new album/





