Songs For The Deaf
by Queens of the Stone Age
Metascore
89

Universal acclaim - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. AllMusic
    90
    An album that, for all of its flaws, is still easily one of the best rock records of 2002.
  2. Pitchfork
    79
    When these guys are on, it truly is the wrath of the righteous. However, Songs for the Deaf vacillates constantly between soaring heights and mind-numbing lows, making for a true hit-or-miss affair.
  3. Uncut
    100
    [A] breathtaking, virtually flawless album. [Sep 2002, p.104]
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  5. PopMatters
    90
    Whether or not Songs for the Deaf manages to break through to the ever-fickle TRL crowd remains to be seen; those people with the patience to sit through this remarkable album a few times, though, will know the score.
  6. Mojo
    80
    All the elements which made its predecessor so great are here, but in excelsis, and occasionally excess. [Sep 2002, p.95]
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  7. Q Magazine
    80
    Mixes melancholy and might to a rare degree. [Sep 2002, p.104]
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  8. New Musical Express (NME)
    90
    Their world - sexual, drug-filled, and occasionally paranoid - has become progressively darker, and as such we find them nothing less than guardians of the rock flame.
  9. The A.V. Club
    90
    Musically and vocally, the band sounds tighter and more accomplished than ever.
  10. Entertainment Weekly
    100
    The year's best hard-rock album. [6 Sep 2002, p.86]
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  11. Dusted Magazine
    70
    A balls-out, hateful, heavy, and catchy piece of work that rocks like it was 1994 all over again.
  12. Magnet
    90
    The playing is imaginative, the ideas vibrant and shimmering and the band's considerable melodic gifts sabotaged by either willfully obtuse compositional tricks or outright punk bratiness. [#55, p.84]
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  13. Austin Chronicle
    78
    The real feel good "hit" of the summer.
  14. Blender
    80
    While cliches abound... this huge music is delivered with panache. [#9, p.154]
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  15. Dot Music
    90
    'The Sky Is Fallin' is a beast.... 'God Is In The Radio' has got just such an awesome riff, like the Lord himself hotwired to a Marshall amp.
  16. Stylus Magazine
    93
    Queens Of The Stone Age are the greatest heavy rock band on the face of the planet and soon everyone will know it.
  17. Delusions of Adequacy
    80
    All in all, this album has everything any hard rock fan would enjoy.
  18. Playlouder
    80
    'Songs For The Deaf' is a triumph, a record forged with fire and sweat in the pits of Valhalla... It is the very essence of Rock.
  19. Splendid
    90
    The bottom line is that QOTSA turns in another genre-demolishing, hard-as-titanium album in Songs for the Deaf. This is not your father's metal. It's better.
  20. E! Online
    100
    Say hello to your new metal gods.
  21. Launch.com
    100
    This is one of the most accomplished, powerful, and entertaining hard rock albums ever made.
  22. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    90
    One of the heaviest rock albums since Seattle's heyday.

Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best Album of 2002
6
#6 Most Discussed Album of 2002
8
#8 Most Shared Album of 2002

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 441 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 406 out of 441
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 441
  3. Negative: 19 out of 441
  1. DelTorro
    Jan 15, 2011
    10
    You like good rock, you like good music? How about a trip- how about a rolling, thundering blast of grit and rock- shot into your skull, stillYou like good rock, you like good music? How about a trip- how about a rolling, thundering blast of grit and rock- shot into your skull, still yeah? Then, do this album! Do it now!… Full Review »
  2. DeVr33z
    Aug 11, 2010
    9
    There is a lot to like in this album, and it is by far the best work of the band. The guitar riffs are simple but cool, and the drums are justThere is a lot to like in this album, and it is by far the best work of the band. The guitar riffs are simple but cool, and the drums are just awesome. Most of the songs sound similar to your standard grunge rock, but the lyrics are self-aware and smart, making it more than simple head-banging music.
    On a side note, Mosquito Song is probably the most musically ambitious of the tracks here. I was pleasantly surprised by the inclusion of the different instruments used on it.    … Full Review »
  3. Ricko
    Dec 9, 2014
    8
    Bruising and brilliant, this is as cool as hard-rock gets. "Songs for the Deaf" is undoubtedly the best record produced by QOTSA by a long wayBruising and brilliant, this is as cool as hard-rock gets. "Songs for the Deaf" is undoubtedly the best record produced by QOTSA by a long way in my opinion. The brilliantly titled opener "You think I ain't worth a dollar but I feel like a millionaire" sets things off and there is no let up until the closer "Mosquito Song". "No one Knows" and "Go with the Flow" have become alt rock classics since the release of this album but there are so many great tracks on this record its hard to pick out highlights. "Six Shooter" will practically singe your eyebrows. At times you would be forgiven for having sympathy for the instruments played on this record as the drums and guitars get a real hammering on this. Which brings me to the drumming - it is simply outstanding and backing it up is near perfect guitar work. One of those records where everything clicks for the band. A hard rock treasure. … Full Review »
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