Go with the flow (Queens of the Stone Age) (LP 3574 - 3575)

Queens of the Stone Age   Songs for the Deaf (CD, Interscope Records, 2002) ****  

Queens of the Stone Age   Over the Years and Through the Woods (CD/DVD, Interscope Records, 2005) ***  

Genre: Alt Rock

Places I remember: Virgin Megastore (Dubai)

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: No One Knows (Songs for the Deaf)

Gear costume: Go with the Flow (Over the years...); God is in the Radio

They loom large in his legend (The Album Collection playlists): Part 1; Part 2; Part 3; Part 4; Part 5

Active compensatory factors: Josh Homme's rock band is a sharp instrument. No bludgeoning heavy metal riffs but tuneful rock songs (with riffs) are what this band is about.

Songs for the Deaf was the band's third studio album. I was drawn to it by No One Knows - a catchy, brilliant song. The parent album is based around a loose concept, taking the listener on a drive through the California desert from Los Angeles to Joshua Tree, tuning into radio stations from towns along the way. The concept works a treat with hilarious radio DJ comments interspersing the songs.

Dave Grohl is the band's drummer at this stage and Mark Lanegan also appears. Their presence helps lift Songs for the Deaf into the next level.

Over The Years... is a live CD/DVD of a show recorded at a couple of shows in August 2005 at London's Brixton Academy and Koko in Camden Town. No One Knows is again a highlight, but I could do without the crude stage announcements by Josh Homme thanks very much.

Where do they all belong? On to the last of the Q albums - Quicksilver Messenger Service.