The genius of Josh Homme’s ‘drunken stumble’ technique

Ahead of the release of In Times New Roman... - Queens of the Stone Age's eighth studio record - now is a good time to explore the weirdness and originality of Josh Homme's production style.
One of the reasons I love Homme’s work is because of the way he uses texture and rhythm. He deploys these elements to create compositions that are primal, vulgar, odd, sinister, and, at times, even romantic. He uses them to elevate, distort, and even defy the conventions of rock music. And he does it not just through composition and instrumentation, but through production.
He's a master of soundfeel.
00:00 Intro
00:13 Part one: Wrongness
02:42 Part two: Texture
10:29 Part three: Rhythm (or the 'Drunken stumble')
13:03 Part four: Fighting homogeneity

[@yanyansenmusic]

G'day everyone, my review of In Times New Roman... is live now on the channel. Please check it out, and thanks for watching 😁

[@theevil090]

probably wouldn't bring up lostprophets if u don't have to bossman

[@coopsawright7225]

If rock does end up dying, as you speculate toward the end of this video, then it's twisted children both metal and punk will surely carry on in some perverted way.

[@wordssoundsshapesshadows]

Cursive does this A ton

[@JSnyder]

​@@coopsawright7225​ Good mid-October 2023 to whoever wrote this comment. I'm interested in reading more about the death of rock. Like you, I also really like (and appreciate) metal as well as punk. I'm requesting you continue with your concept... What does happen if/when rock does die. There's not a rush (

[@coopsawright7225]

rock will live on until the end of this world in some shape or form , as i stated, however God has something even better to replace it after the last day for His adopted children; this sadly is not accepted in most men's minds for the seed has yet to sprout , obviously bc we are not at the end yet. Was sad though as one of the final bastions of rock came to an end some 6 months ago / that being Midnight Oil , they won't be touring anymore. stay tuned and remember ROCK ON DUDE !!!@@JSnyder

[@timkaine5098]

The fact that era vulgaris is considered one of their worst albums is insane to me, that was the first album I heard by them and it was when I fell in love with their signature sound

[@bruzrkgro-malog2953]

It's one of my favourite Queen albums!

[@nitemareman1]

Absolutely. I freaked out on that record but all my friends were like "meh." Villains and that Ronson clown is the one I hate. But even that one has some masterpieces on it.

[@goldenltd1970]

Maybe not their best, but for me a close second

[@MattBarnette]

Yeah era vulgaris is high on my list, too. The epitome of Josh's "robot rock" vibe.

[@Cinemadaptation]

It's now considered one of their best. It's been a year grower

[@vicfirth]

That drunken stumble comes from polka. Homme's first guitar teacher was a polka player and you can hear how Homme uses it all the time once you start looking for it.

[@LeonardoBruno54]

That was a great guitar moves episode.

[@yanyansenmusic]

Great point! I'd known about the polka influence before, but I underestimated how much it does actually contribute to the 'drunken stumble.' Polka and oompah bands do this all the time.

[@DAGR514]

@@yanyansenmusic I can already hear Warsaw being played with tubas. Never really spotted the polka/oompah influence before, but like he said, once you start looking for it it's all over the place.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

No he was a poker player, you've got the wrong poker

[@kevinmccarthy-anderson1225]

Was he really? I've seen that interview where he said, but I thought it was just one of his weird jokes with great deadpan

[@maradandrade]

That description of a (later) QotSA album being like a drunken night out going weird gave me chills, one of the best explanations of their "soundfeel" I've ever heard. 👌

[@jamieryan1584]

That description is literally a music video of one of the QOTSA songs too.

[@tuomas_]

@@jamieryan1584Smooth Sailing!

[@teddclevenger9022]

Truth

[@cpking7]

Agree - I almost want to film a music video for that description - with Joaquin Phoenix, of course!

[@kordiankrecisz5298]

@@cpking7 Smooth sailing is the one you're looking for :) no Joaquin Phoenix but still great

[@hillbillyhogdogger4533]

The true genius of Homme has never been fully appreciated. He is so talented it hurts. The off key in time rifts that he has made his own are so awesome. I haven’t heard any other artist like him ever. The guy is a rock god, for me he is the GOAT in his genre. His voice and guitar skill are second to none. From Kyuss to Queens, it’s been an amazing journey to be part of. Great analogy of Homme’s style, all of how I look at his music but explained mush more linguistically. Thanks.

[@MrBuketman]

Seeing them live was as good as you’d hope. I’m greedy and have always wanted to see Crooked Vultures live. Bought the cd at Best Buy the day it released. Cheers!

[@hillbillyhogdogger4533]

@@MrBuketman two more weeks and I get to see QOTSA two nights in a row. Have seen them once before but this will be the high light of my observational career. Lol Gunna be front and centre but not moshing. I'm there for the band and the music. Respect to Homme!

[@qotsajr]

Could not agree more!!

[@GiantCalGunner]

Fortress and FWF are great tunes. Just different than much of JH's catalog. I don't see why people hate on songs that deviate from the more famous/typical formula. My favorite bands branch out and evolve and experiment and play many styles. I applaud that desire to not just make the same album or song over and over again.

[@user-ot9fz7mr9s]

I really love both songs! Fairweather friends have in it this much of sonic richness that every time I hear it I can't get over how this number of sounds may create such beautiful unity.

[@chriskent8760]

Fairweather Friends just made it onto my karaoke playlist. Love that song so much!

[@totheinfinitepower5388]

Hey, man, Fair Weather Friends and Fortress are great songs!

[@yanyansenmusic]

I knew someone would come for me 😂Look, Fairweather Friends is actually alright. And Elton John is on it, as far as I can remember.

[@espalier]

Imma fight about FAIRWEATHER FRIENDS.

[@Forestgravy90]

Nah they are both rubbish

[@espalier]

@@Forestgravy90 the only rubbish QotSA song is little sister.

[@severebash9153]

Yeah fairly held opinions and all, but Fairweather Friends is my favorite song on an excellent record. I will admit it wouldn’t be half the song it would without Elton John’s over the top piano and Dave Grohl’s excellent drumming.

[@lr3929]

First saw Josh in 1993 at the Warfield in SF in "Kyuss" and never stopped listening to his music.... It's exhilarating to follow his progression.

[@swarthygiant1463]

I think it’s also really important to highlight the tightness of both tone and rhythm when it’s there, it’s the juxtaposition that really makes homme songs shine. When the whole song is a tight 4/4, the sudden drunken stumble hits way harder. When the whole song is loosey goosey and then the chorus comes in with a tight 4/4 it makes that mechanical “robot rock” hit way harder. Same goes sonically, when tight close drums burst out of a muddy hellscape of detuned guitars recorded on Nokias it makes the drums punch even harder

[@yanyansenmusic]

Bang on mate, couldn't agree more

[@groovetodaddy]

There are a few things worth mentioning here. Firstly Queens of The Stone Age recorded a number of tracks on the neve console at sound city studios, Rated R, Lullabies and Era Vulgaris. There is also a thought that the production style of Songs for the Deaf was to make it sound like you are listening to it on the radio perhaps through low quality speakers. I 'm no expert and none of this is to say you are wrong, love the content and their music

[@yanyansenmusic]

There you go! It's quite difficult to find definitive information on where songs were recorded and mixed. Thanks for the added info.

[@LieLikesMusic]

Eric Valentine, their producer put out some videos with info on how they recorded SFTD some time ago on his own channel. But i think he had to take em down due to pressure from the band to keep things secret. According to Eirik from the Living Room Gear Demos channel, you can still find the videos somewere online. Plus he too has some great videos on his channel that talks more about this. At the end of the day, no one sounds quite like Qotsa.

[@musewolfman]

Honestly, that jives with the radio voiceover clips on SFTD. Kinda tempted to play it over some crappy computer speakers now, see if that changes anything in the listening experience.

[@dtrmnts]

@@musewolfman Well technically it's a concept album about driving from LA to joshua tree and listening to the radio the whole time so there's that.

[@ZDiddy7777]

All that effort, yet they still produced only boring, empty turds without substance.... they'd be better off saving time, effort and money by recording on an old double tape player

[@SubparLoki]

He also plays with a subtractive technique, removing parts from a chord or taking bits out from a more complex structure. It’s really cool all tied together!

[@darkstarrtech]

Drunken Stumble is a great description. Homme's lead part in the break down at the end of 'My God is the Sun' is a great example. The rhythm and micro-bends give it that cool 'drunken' character.

[@thomask10]

I just discovered your channel with this video. I am not being facetious, this is one of best breakdowns of a musical stylization that I’ve seen. Been a fan of QOTSA for so long yet I’ve never been able to put into words the magic that I feel their music is. Honestly, thank you so much for this breakdown. It made sense to me finally, why they are my favorite band of all time.

[@kevinclarke9406]

Exactly this! I was about to respond, and found your comment perfectly encapsulated what I was going to write. The video to 'Smooth Sailing' catches - for me, at least - the very essence of the 'Drunken Stumble' and why Homme remains my favourite musician after 50-odd years of listening, dancing, playing music.

[@PhatLvis]

Rage was 90s. And QOTSA are, and have been for decades, totally a household name in any household aware of music. Massive multi-platinum album Songs for the Deaf.

[@michaelbronfman7648]

Josh’s work in iggy post pop depression is fantastic and underrated. Live the band was incredible.

[@lookb4youleap386]

Fairweather friends rocks. It's such a cool song. I don't see or hear it on that. The other stuff I get and agree with. His playing is so unique. He's a killer guitar player. Fortress is an excellent song too. The mans just trying to give a little something for every flavor and taste and I think being varied and catering to different styles to serve the song is a great quality to have in your music. He keeps things changed up and that's why it never gets old

[@theDeadliestPants]

Your description of the 'drunken stumble' in Queens sound is spot on and probably the best way I've heard someone sum up their music.

[@FunkedUpKids]

Great insight, really enjoyed your breakdown. I agree, Homme’s style is a breath of fresh air in rock music, and you articulated it perfectly!

[@yanyansenmusic]

Thank you mate

[@philliusphoggwick8299]

A breath of fresh air! Great insight! Such articulation! A breath of fresh air!

[@GuitarbenderS]

Come on man, give Fairweather Friends another try, especially if it's the composition you're complaining about. I think that's one of the most slept on songs by QotSA/Homme in general. Each part flows perfectly into the next, and every moment of the song has the right amount of space for every instrument present to shine. It's really well arranged in that sense. It may not be THE best QotSA song, but it's a crazy solid rock tune that's far better than many other bands' attempts at that type of sound.

[@elliotcrane]

I mean, even on LC (their strongest album compositionally), the track has always stood out for me. Seriously, as a song per se, it’s great plus it got all the fluorishes the production and an Elton cameo can give you.

[@drbiker5605]

I was enjoying this in depth analysis until fortress got slated.

[@colbyscott9822]

I love Fairweather Friends!

[@alexde1619]

@@drbiker5605 yeah, that’s literally one of my fav songs of theirs 😭

[@teddclevenger9022]

I love how genius the end of that song is when it cuts of at "frie-" as he's singing "fairweather friends." The song just abruptly disappears, exactly like a fairweather friend.

[@danteburns7932]

Great video! you hit all the marks... Josh is so underappreciated by the mainstream but I don't think he'd have it any other way. He's created a catalog of art that will influence music forever. I need this album as an artist & music fan. cheers.

[@vladrileynavilys]

Best weird drunken solo is the one in leg of lamb. It's a literal joke that goes perfectly with the general broken weirdness of the song

[@drtflp]

Damn, that is a great analysis. For me, the imprecise way of Homme on doing things precisely it's catchy, and that's what hold me ultin the last minute of every album. Keep it up, my dude! You won one more sub

[@michakuzborski8040]

Man, thank you for such an amazing analysis of Homme's style. You managed to catch something really hard to describe. Chapeau bas!

[@CleanCrown]

josh homme continues to amaze me, love his music and your analysis was great, keep it up!

[@colebieganek5714]

He writes songs that you can almost feel yourself sink into

[@willhargreaveshf]

Most well-rounded, insightful and least pretentious examination of Josh's playing I've seen on KZbin. Great video, mate.

[@brennenmoloney4736]

Thank you for this video. I went through a big QOTSA kick earlier this year and you made me appreciate them even more. I appreciate the technical knowledge about the production techniques as well as the history.

[@aaroncall5274]

He’s not a technical or accomplished guitar player but man can he write the coolest sounding shit and his leads for it are the perfect fit. So catchy in a weird way.

[@ShallowedOutGolf]

That’s because he’s an actual real artist, not just a musician

[@raisaulolopezlima2063]

Buddy, can you elaborate more hes not being technical and all of that?? I would like to understand more whats this means. Im not a musician

[@aaroncall5274]

@@raisaulolopezlima2063 meaning he’s not a great guitar player but it doesn’t matter cause what he writes is what’s important. I’d rather listen to music that draws me in than someone who’s really great but their music is boring

[@Ch3sm0829]

​​@@aaroncall5274I disagree... i think he's an exellent guitar player. I dont think you have to be "technical" to be a good player... if you play good music on your guitar, which he does, your a good guitar player.

[@PingIsland44]

The algorithm recommended your video, and it was a wonderful choice. Really interesting, compact analysis. Would love to see more! Great job.

[@jasonnewby]

i am no music expert but i think you better explain what so many are attracted to Homme, the sounds that seem wrong but sound so good. the drunken stumble is a good way to put it. Josh is one of the most interesting and creative guys in rock in the past 25 years!

[@Mukulukku]

I think it is also very noteworthy that he also incorporates that in his live performances! You oftem see him kind of stumbling from left to right while playing these "stumbly" parts, which seems to me as if this is actually exactly what he wants to express with it (assuming he's actually not just that drunk :))

[@markb8468]

Agreed! I'm not a musician but this guy did a great job of explaining QOTSA style. I'll b b there in Pittsburgh in August 2023!

[@Jenny-bi1ey]

Such high production quality for a channel with 900 subs, great video. I've always been a Josh Homme fan and this is a cool breakdown

[@clydeg4274]

You’ve done an excellent job putting Josh’s style and sound into words.

[@Barryislarge]

Feel is such a lost part of music. You don't have to be a metronome king, or a theory god. As long as you understand dynamics and feel, you're 80% there imo, and it leads to some great stuff, especially in the postrock world

[@goldenltd1970]

My last band always talked about I should play to a metronome. Not that our or my timing was all over the place, we played tied and had feel, even musicians friends told us. Yet they couldn't get the idea out of their heads

[@buluiz]

I see Josh Homme, I click on the video. And I'm glad I did, great analysis man! Subscribed!

[@yanyansenmusic]

You and me are the same my friend 😂Thanks very much!

[@emmsy77]

Me2

[@madj160]

Man this video is exceptionally well written, fantastic job!

[@iancap2088]

Josh was on an episode of one od Anthony Bourdain's series, and they showed a bit of how he likes to record. Watching that episode and seeing the "anything goes as long as it's cool" feeling, this analysis of his music makes perfect sense.

[@PabloBorjamx]

Fantastic video!! The reason I have become such a big fan of Homme is that, as you said, bands like Foo Fighters want the institution of rock to stay alive... but Homme wants Rock to evolve.

[@wormxdream]

This is fantastic, man. As a massive fan of Homme and Queens, i think you really captured a lot of their allure in a way I havent quite seen explained.

[@LouieKayy]

Fantastic video. I could never really put into words what charmed me about Queens' sound but I think you summed it up perfectly when talking about its production and perfectly executed "off-ness", as well as Homme's raunchy expression in his lead playing.

[@Foxless316]

This was a cracking watch. I really appreciate your insight into Homme's style. It's exactly the same reason why I fell in love with his work, it's beautiful in an "ugly" way.

[@Lagrangeify]

Wonderful metaphor to describe Harrison's work on 'Something'. He's my favourite Beatle for that reason, I was always struck by the subtle sophistication and soulful understatement as he edged the band into territory they might not have gone otherwise. Homme's riffs always seemed to have that Iommi chug to me, going back to the Kyuss days. But once you've been put onto the polka element you can't unhear it.

[@springsilver9383]

I dig what you're saying, although I would argue Josh is as much an auteur in the earlier Queens of the Stone Age records as he is in the noisy later records. The claustrophobic, airtight sound of tracks like Little Sister and No One Knows really accentuate the sinister grooves! The sound is both brutish and heavy while unnervingly precise, like an evil robot attacking you! 🤖

[@TonyTroiano08]

Wow. Not sure how I stumbled across this, but it started playing, I started listening, and... wow. Much of this I kind of already "knew", but in a total subconscious way, and never, ever in a million years could've articulated it like it was here, to myself or otherwise. Thanks for sharing this truly amazing talent you have. I feel its had as big an impact on me musically as anything, ever.

[@cainmenard5720]

This is a great video essay. Please continue to make content like this!

[@joelg5546]

Love that mentioned them crooked vultures a lot here, that was a fantastic album that was slightly different from a queens album. Was lucky to see them live. Great examples of what makes josh great.

[@mathewgilroy2649]

Very well written and intriguingly broken down. Thanks for your take on rock music and Homme!

[@faxanadufire9669]

this is a brilliant vid man!! it's so on point of all the things I've felt but nvr been able to put into words for the music I've always loved.. I completely agree with ur comment on how it feels like "desert music".. I've always described queens as that.. ❤❤❤ ur awesome my man, keep up the good work 👍

[@Amitabha108]

So glad to see Sick Sick Sick finally getting some love. Been a fan for a very long time, and I preach the Queens gospel to all my rock musician friends. Thank for this insightful, classy breakdown of why JH and QotSA (+TCV) are badass.

[@jakehobbs6821]

The shade that Fairweather Friends gets always confuses me. Its my second pick from LC and LC is my favourite QotSA album overall. Fairweather Friends has so much forward push, its phenomenal.

[@bmjames]

Fairweather Friends and Smooth Sailing are the only two tracks I bother listening to from that album these days. Only thing that bugs me about Fairweather Friends is that Elton's piano is almost lost in the mix.

[@MuttonChopYaz]

​@@bmjames...and My God is the Sun, right?

[@Kyro4Productions]

Great analysis, really puts a pin in a huge part of what makes Homme's music so unique. Never a dull moment, almost always a sloppy little twist on something kinda familiar with a few curveballs thrown in there for good measure. ITNR... is a completely new sound for Queens (as always) but it's full of those little elements that connect some dormant pathway in the back of your brain that makes you go "oh, that sounds a little like Era Vulgaris meets the Self-Titled" or "this sounds like Lullabies to Paralyze meets TCV." As an aside, Tigercub is another band that knows how to use "feel" to elevate their songs. Anxiety is a major theme throughout a lot of their music, and they sell it by creating an almost claustrophobic soundspace, especially on their latest album. On a track like "The Perfume of Decay" or "Swoon" you get enveloped by this wall of sound that drowns out everything else, but you can still hear the "flaws" (and some little intentional flourishes) creeping in around you, reminding you that you aren't really safe--a cool example of the same technique Josh employs being used for a very different effect.

[@ocr1191]

pretty sure the original label from qotsa spotted tigercub, and helped produce their second album ‘as blue as indigo’ and stated they were the next QOTSA, so it’s funny you mentioned that

[@WhiskeyNovice]

Excellent video my friend. I'm a huge fan of what Josh and QOTSA (both past and present) are doing. Their style is so loose but constructed. They have a sound like no other in my opinion. Great to see them back. Cheers.

[@superserioes]

Great video - insightful, competent, well scripted and produced. You should do more like this!

[@MindoftheMindless10]

Fortress is phenomenal, in my opinion, but great video!

[@gargamel3393]

You have a way with words and can explain things from interesting angles most people wouldn't consider. You have earned a new sub today Yan. 👍

[@RedBleedingBult]

this video was great, love all your uses of rockin' songs and great examples!

[@casadefinch894]

Oh man, railing on fortress. I understand what your saying about the song relative to their others but he wrote it for his daughter and if you listen to it with that in mind I think it makes one of the best on that album. But their new album is their best since lullabies, there I said it. It’s new queens meets old queens in a dark alley , amazing

[@moppenboek]

Really interesting views you shared here. Josh home really does push a genre that should be dead by now forward. I was never able to put it into words but you were able to properly explain that dirty feeling the songs have. I hope you make more video essays like that.

[@brianscraper7433]

Really enjoyed this analysis! Been a QOTSA/Kyuss fan since ‘99 and you were able to describe what I’ve not been able to put to words for decades!🙏

[@garrickcook1664]

Great insight, and intelligent analysis of Homme's style. He is definitely unique, and I would say this is the main appeal of his music to me.

[@SimoneMessaggi]

From what I've seen on your channel this is the first video of this kind you made. Please keep doing these musical analysis videos, you're excellent at it!! I've been listening to Josh Homme's music for at least 20 years now but I didn't realize many of the things you pointed out in this video. Very smart stuff and of course I'd love to see more of it. Many thanks!

[@slasheroid]

good analysis! the beauty of imperfection

[@yanyansenmusic]

Well said mate! Thank you

[@rinaldoturconi6008]

Great video, i see it's the first one of this style in the channel, really enjoyed it, keep it up! Also there's a fun thing Homme said in an interview, he said his melodic lines and solos sound so particular because "i just play it proper then take out every other note" and after hearing him saying that you can really hear it in his music.

[@spicydaddy2526]

excellent analysis! love the "soundfeel" concept.

[@rederickfroders1978]

Awesome video, Josh' style is absolutely killer. This "wrongness" makes rock sound great. In a way, The Velvet Underground also has a way of sounding "wrong" in a right way

[@diego.rivero]

the sound of qotsa and josh still amazes me, it's good to see that they start to receive more attention again. btw fortress is a very good song 👌

[@stevenc6969]

Yes, Fortress is very underrated.

[@digdugsmug]

Do some folks not like Fortress? Its one of my favorites on the album ffs 😆

[@stevenc6969]

@@digdugsmug I think Villains overall is an underrated album. Even though it is my least favourite QOTSA album out of all 8 they released! I think it is more to do with QOTSA setting the bar so high for themselves that it is relatively overlooked. I don't think that they have a bad album in their discography.

[@russellkeeble4047]

Great mini-documentary buddy. Really well thought out, structured, paced and presented. Very enjoyable to watch! :)

[@jramylie410]

I'm so late to finding this, but I'm so glad I did. I've been voraciously listening to QOTSA for 2 years now & these musical concepts you described are exactly why I've fell in love with JH's music. I could never have described these things & now knowing they have real terms just floors me (in a good way). I've always thought Sounds for the Deaf was so removed from most of QOTSA's other stuff, but it's everyone's favorite so I wondered what was wrong with me that I thought it was only ok. I attributed it to maybe the fact that I didn't have the 20 something + year journey of loving Homme's music, but I get it now. I'm so glad I found your video and I'm always happy to see appreciation for the bands I love.

[@krasson]

great analysis, keep it up. You could also analyse the particular scales he uses in his songs, it really changed my way to create riffs. Cheers!

[@yanyansenmusic]

So true dude. I could spend a whole vid talking about Homme's 'Improved Lydian' scale. Maybe I will 😉

[@rynemchugh8713]

IIRC he talks about it in his episode of Guitar Moves. Same episode as the background clips in this vid.

[@wiljedgar]

Far Out Man! What a great dissection. You have totally articulated my lack of better words of why Homme is GREAT. I wish I could take you in my pocket to parties 😂 It’s funny how a lot of people have only commented on the “Stinker” statement which was right at the end of this video and lasted about 3 seconds. I did cringe myself, only because I’ve got the stubborn mindset of “Homme Can Do No Wrong” Fortress is a heartfelt song for his children. Like an eerie yet beautiful lullaby from a ghost. It’s for them and not for us. Why put it on an album? Because Homme.

[@WholeLottaBulldog]

This is an excellent presentation, mate. Loved every minute of it. Subbed af my man

[@bradleyhardeman8644]

Dude, this video was incredible. Thank you

[@Kyro4Productions]

Now you've got me thinking of some of my favorite "mistakes" that ended up making it into the final song and enhancing the experience. Stuff like Bon Scott coming in early on It's a Long Way to the Top or "Drums please, Fab?" in the Strokes' Ode to the Mets that completely change the way you engage with the song once you notice them.

[@yanyansenmusic]

ITT: Fortress is great, you suck Yan 😂

[@sycho127]

Fuck fortress, but fairweather friends? Sir Elton John is gonna have your ass!

[@soapboxk2203]

Great vid mate but Fairweather Friends a stinker? Nahhhh

[@pikidipod]

Fortress is sooooo good, i can't handle this insolence. I vote with down vote.

[@TheNomios]

This.

[@craigconnick4100]

I love the intro but it does have a wobble

[@brunkchannel]

was surprised to see how small your channel is! really good analysis and well structured video :)

[@onethreefiveeye]

Very good description...🎉I celebrate the new one. He/they delivered...what a joy. ❤🎉

[@Calumbo]

Really good video thanks! I would describe his style as sleazy which I absolutely adore. That TCV record is an absolute masterpiece in my eyes. Love the two new songs I’ve heard too. That live TCV show is peak Grohl and Homme. Homme is never boring to me. I’m not a fan of the production on Villains it feels over precise.

[@ozihotdogs]

I expected this video to have over 100 k views, but I’m very impressed, great editing and structure

[@yanyansenmusic]

Really appreciate that! Hopefully we get there!

[@emdeevee123]

Excellent observations! Glad you included a fleeting moment of that eerily dissonant intro of Interlude with Ludes from TCV that so typifies Josh's approach. Perhaps, there are some invisible moulding influences too, imbibed from fraternising with other brilliant musical minds....Alain Johannes for one. As a fellow QOTSA-TCV die-hard, thoroughly enjoyed this episode.

[@TheLaddie777]

Well said, mate. Fascinating subject that reinforced my love for Josh and all his projects. Just in time for me to go see queens next week 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@lowlink534]

Cool video! The drums on Songs for the Deaf were actually recorded separate from the cymbals (like Dave would play the whole without cymbals, just hitting dummies, and then do it the other way around with the cymbals), so it was clinical to that point, the recording (Dave said it was a nightmare and never recorded that way ever again lol). But I think that's part of why this album sounds so great, that it has this clean, clinical precision in the production, contrasting strongly with the actual instruments playing super hard and distorted. It's like an atomic bomb of filthy contained in a little clean jar or something. I really like the production on the next two albums, and even Like Clockwork (which I think we saw a return to that more clean Neve sound), but it's hard to defend the production on the last two albums. Sometimes I wonder if I can't get past the sound and enjoy the songs, or if it's the other way around, the songs don't quite do it for me, so I can't like the sound, but I just think it's poorly recorded (and a lot of people seem to agree). I think cleaner songs like Fortress still sound awesome (only song I really like from the newer stuff), but the distorted ones, at this point, just sound reaallly, reaally messy, like fried chicken drowned in fat. Before the harder songs were crunchy and tasty, now they just sound messy, to me... And I wish it didn't, but I think they just took this "character" of recording a bit too far

[@tecnoguy1136]

Also worth adding, millionaire and go with the flow are gene trautman on drums.

[@lowlink534]

@@tecnoguy1136 Wow, Dave didn't record those? I didn't knew!

[@cyyytr0n]

​@@tecnoguy1136 Millionaire for sure, but Go With the Flow has Dave written all over it.. Where did you read that ?

[@leejlogan]

​@@cyyytr0nit's in the personnel section on wiki page for that album

[@Susan-iw1xq]

Absolutely NO ONE is as relevant to today’s hard rock scene as Josh Homme. Love this man!🤘🏼❤️

[@iamtheiconoclast3]

That third act of No One Loves Me is so very badass...

[@alfredjarry503]

Love the Homme and Grohl , but ive never liked the Foo Fighters... I agree with that reviewer... There just another pop band.😐 On the other hand he's a great person and i definately am happy to hear him play drums with anyone.

[@Aaa-pz6nh]

Interesting analysis, I appreciate the video. I’m a huge Queens of the Stone Age fan. I think he uses production techniques as he likes and what fits the emotion of the song , or to evoke emotion. In some ways “Songs for the Deaf” and “Lullabies to Paralyze” were cleaner sounding records. But “Era Vulgaris” which was supposed to sound hard, dark, and bit fucked up given the inspiration for the album. “Like Clock Work” and “Villains” are very clear sounding professional albums full of personality with “Villians” probably being the most cleanest record they have produced. They new record sounds closer to “Era Vulgaris” with people describing it as a bit dark and abrasive. So they use production to evoke emotions and can easily go back and forth to clean to dirty

[@ctsguitar]

Great video essay. Sometimes the KZbin algorithm works and you discover little gems like this. Great work! Subscribed.

[@deaduselesshearts]

Really enjoyed this. Keep up the amazing work!

[@tennenyt5311]

I love Fairwether Friends and Fortress

[@csababarath2784]

Up until Songs for the Deaf QOTSA was pretty much on the way to becoming the next great stadium rock band. Then there something broke in the middle of Lullabies. It is like when Radiohead decided after the OK computer album that they don't want all that attention and pressure and started to deconstruct their own statues. Then in 2007 there was a wink from them that they still are capable of doing popular music (In Rainbows) Josh is doing this in a more traditional way: having one or two popsongs on each album. Just enough to keep the attention on the band but don't increase it.

[@CouncillorCrooke]

So good at explaining sounds with words. Caustic makes so much sense

[@guzgrant]

Becoming a perfect imperfection and being confident with it is true mastery of the human disposition .

[@KingDragon6815]

Great video! And I recommend giving Fairweather Friends another try. Especially in the context of the rest of ...Like Clockwork it's a climactic, grand, emotional song, that still embodies that typical Homme/qotsa vibe in the songwriting, imo. Also, hype for In Times New Roman!!

[@raeroa7982]

And Elton John sings/plays piano on it!

[@kv-5]

I do also think Smooth Sailing hits much harder when listend to after Fairweather Friends. With that transition "I don't give a sh*t about them anyways" it amplifies this vibe of "f*ck these toxic losers, lets move on and have our own party instead".

[@KingDragon6815]

@@kv-5 so true! Man, I love that album hahaha

[@HeyItsAJOmega]

Having just done some reading on Brian Wilson's methods of 'using the studio as an instrument', the way you describe Josh Homme's production and arrangements makes me feel like it's almost like he's turning that on its head. And as a Queens fan since day one, with Deaf ranking as one of my all-time favourite records, I LOVE this kind of deep-dive on Josh's sound! Amazing video ^_^ Except right at the end. I will NOT accept Fortress slander. But that's just me. xD

[@monkeymethods]

Great video man!!

[@TiffanyT-LaDolceVita]

Excellent descriptions. Keep up it up man. 👍🏽

[@cafeplastique890]

I just have one thing to say: QOTSA should record the accompanying live album to "In Times New Roman" in Switzerland, just so they can call the record "In Helvetica".

[@peachmelba1000]

Ironically, their best album is the one done on the Neve lol

[@benzyl350]

Queens of the Stone Age was my favorite bad in high school and I'm glad Josh got real retrospective because his guitar playing is absolutely DrEaMy

[@lesliepowers9431]

The "drunken stumble" and the that entire description.......👏🏻😎👏🏻😎👏🏻😎 So on point!!!

[@vladtheinhaler8940]

Queens doesn't have a bad song.

[@cconder19]

A very good explanation of Homme’s approach. QOTSA is underrated only because most people have such bland taste in music. I’m willing to bet that if you compared IQ scores of fan bases that QOTSA would have one of the highest scores.

[@JN-ok6nh]

🤓