Villains
by Queens of the Stone Age
  • Record Label: Matador
  • Release Date: Aug 25, 2017
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 233 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 180 out of 233
  2. Mixed: 32 out of 233
  3. Negative: 21 out of 233
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  1. lennycliff123
    Aug 25, 2017
    3
    I don't care what the critics say, for me Villains is a major disappointment! When it was announced that the album was going to be a poppier, more danceable record I was intrigued. As a fan of EODM I thought this could be a great change of direction. What we've got instead are 9 mostly forgettable songs that outstay their welcome long before the end.

    Easily the worst QOTSA record to    I don't care what the critics say, for me Villains is a major disappointment! When it was announced that the album was going to be a poppier, more danceable record I was intrigued. As a fan of EODM I thought this could be a great change of direction. What we've got instead are 9 mostly forgettable songs that outstay their welcome long before the end.

    Easily the worst QOTSA record to date in this fans opinion.    … Expand
  2. PixieQueen
    Jan 28, 2020
    3
    At first I was really dissapointed... It sounded like Qotsa... but it was just all wrong somehow... Maybe it would grow on me... nah.. I just stayed dissapointed. It's flat, the guitar sometimes sounds annoying even.. its just all wrong. Just my opinion....
  3. Butterbean1
    Dec 2, 2017
    2
    I've deliberately avoided leaving a review until I'd given the album a chance to appreciate over repeated listenings. Unfortunately it hasn't, and I'm left feeling the same as I did on first hearing it. QOTSA worst album by far.
  4. JaneMetascore
    Dec 18, 2019
    0
    This album has terribly formulamatic, predictable, and unmercilessly brief songwriting, like it regurgitates something that should have stayed in 1998. Technically this isn't strong enough to hold together as an album, and it shouldn't have been released. This is the first time a band revealed it is worse than Pink Floyd, when Jonny Rotten decried hatred upon Floyd. This band is too weakThis album has terribly formulamatic, predictable, and unmercilessly brief songwriting, like it regurgitates something that should have stayed in 1998. Technically this isn't strong enough to hold together as an album, and it shouldn't have been released. This is the first time a band revealed it is worse than Pink Floyd, when Jonny Rotten decried hatred upon Floyd. This band is too weak to carry on any further.… Expand
  5. lenny68
    Oct 7, 2017
    3
    I decided to give it a while to see whether I would like the album more after repeated listenings. Sadly my opinion now is the same as at the start. This is QOTSA worst album to date in my opinion.
  6. Ricardocks
    Dec 6, 2017
    2
    unlistenable

    Last three QOTSA albums have been quite good , but short of the quality we've been used to.
    There is no point on keeping the name on a project that has so little to do with the sound they helped to define and redifine , now it's just a mixed bag of Josh's worst musical ideas.
  7. yadevol
    Sep 22, 2017
    2
    As others have said, arguably the worst QOTSA album to date. Instantly forgettable songs, and for a record that was supposed to be danceable very repetitive and ungroovy.
  8. antmolly1995
    Aug 25, 2017
    3
    Homme and Co. really need to go back to the drawing board. I love the fact that no two QOTSA albums sound the same, that they experiment with different sounds. Villains however is just plain boring and after repeated listenings fails to make any lasting impression with me. Hugely disappointing.
  9. GMTM
    Aug 25, 2017
    2
    I feel like I'm missing something. The critics all seem convinced that this is a huge success but to me it sound flat and plain. Missing some of the gravel and grit that other QOTSA albums have in barrels. Not really any stand out tracks and after a listening to it I'll probably shelve it for the foreseeable future. Not awful, just boring.
  10. midnightrun
    Sep 1, 2017
    0
    One Word... Rubbish. Queens need to go back to their roots. This album is dreadful, recycled ideas, stale formula, tinny sound, mixing is way off, all this rubbish packaged into a cd made for the mainstream. I appreciated evolution etc, this is just pure selling out. Mark Ronson is the telltale sign. Josh go back to your roots and give something back to the fans who put you here.
  11. allisonjane65
    Aug 26, 2017
    3
    As a fan it pains me to say it but Villains must be the most over hyped and underwhelming album QOTSA have put out.

    All fur coat and no knickers to use an English idiom.
  12. HumanPate86
    Aug 25, 2017
    0
    I'm not a kind of a person to dislike an album or a band just because they're taking a new direction or harnessing a new sound. Personally, i find it even more interesting than doing the same stuff all over again. That said, now that I got rid of all the "inb4 bands should change, you don't understand" stuff, I can state that the band, in it's groovier and shinier format - mostly fell flatI'm not a kind of a person to dislike an album or a band just because they're taking a new direction or harnessing a new sound. Personally, i find it even more interesting than doing the same stuff all over again. That said, now that I got rid of all the "inb4 bands should change, you don't understand" stuff, I can state that the band, in it's groovier and shinier format - mostly fell flat on their face. Yes, there are some really great tracks like the opener Feet don't fail me and Villains of circumstance and some very good tracks like The way you used to do and Evil has landed...But the rest of the album mostly runs out of steam. Except for Head like a haunted house, there isn't anything that i could actually call good...Only decent or passable. Actually, Fortress and Hideaway are two of the worst songs that the band has produced in last 10 years. As i said, kudos to them for trying and experimenting but most of the album simply sounds boring and uninspired...I know that it probably was too much to expect an album as good as the masterful ...Like clockwork, but I must admit that I was hoping for this album to be at least close...Shame.… Expand
  13. Fableside
    Sep 1, 2017
    0
    Hate to say this.. but QOTSA have 1 bad album. This album is so dull and lifeless it begs the question.. why do some people (who proclaim to be qotsa fans) like it. my guessing, their new kids who have only just got into the band. The songs are uninspiring, the album art is a rip off, mixing on this album doesn't showcase the talent they have within the band. AVOID AT ALL COSTS! Stream itHate to say this.. but QOTSA have 1 bad album. This album is so dull and lifeless it begs the question.. why do some people (who proclaim to be qotsa fans) like it. my guessing, their new kids who have only just got into the band. The songs are uninspiring, the album art is a rip off, mixing on this album doesn't showcase the talent they have within the band. AVOID AT ALL COSTS! Stream it if your interested, but don't buy this garbage.… Expand
  14. HannahK
    Aug 29, 2017
    2
    I have to agree with some of the other comments. Villains is the most uninspired and lazy album QOTSA have made.

    Hate the album cover too. An obvious rip off {yes, rip off, not homage} of The Pale Man of Pan's Labyrinth.

Awards & Rankings

28
#28 Most Discussed Album of 2017
14
#14 Most Shared Album of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. Magnet
    Sep 18, 2017
    90
    The results are both vintage QOTSA and something unnameable at the same time. [No. 146, p.58]
  2. PopMatters
    Sep 12, 2017
    70
    This record is strong from top to bottom, and another great entry into Queens of the Stone Age’s catalog.
    Read full review
  3. Pretty Much Amazing
    Aug 30, 2017
    75
    Even though it doesn’t do nearly enough to distinguish itself from the band’s earlier albums, it’s an enjoyable enough listen that it’s not too hard to excuse its flaws.
    Read full review
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