...Like Clockwork
by Queens of the Stone Age
  • Record Label: Matador
  • Release Date: Jun 4, 2013
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 447 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 401 out of 447
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 447
  3. Negative: 33 out of 447
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  1. deaf
    Jul 14, 2023
    9
    Best album right up there with Songs for the Deaf!!! I look at Queens of the Stone Age in two different time periods. There first two albums built up to Songs for the Deaf and then the next two albums built up to like Clockwork.
  2. deax
    Jul 23, 2022
    9
    Great overall. I Appear Missing, Smooth Sailing and I Sat by the Ocean are all masterpieces.
    Like Clockwork is a pearl of modern rock.
  3. Jdas97
    Feb 24, 2022
    10
    Their best since Songs For the Deaf. It's on par with SFTD and Rated R in my eyes.
  4. Demilith
    Dec 27, 2018
    9
    Like Clockwork es un album muy integral, oscuro y pesado, destaca en todas las dimensiones, sonido, lirica, tempos, es uno de los mejores de la decada del rock de los 2000, sin duda un disco que hay que considerar si te gusta el rock
  5. Andremax
    Jul 12, 2018
    9
    The most melodic band's album. Brings again a killer cast to play with Homme (Old band members,to be exact). Songs are memorable and has something epic in it.
  6. abc123efg456hij
    Sep 13, 2017
    5
    Five stars because it's about half good; the other half — piano balladry and pseudo-important, overblown mega-compositions — feel like they are trying to be big statements. They are not. Josh Homme and QOTSA will always be best when they truly go with the flow instead of targeting a feel ... a tactic that really let them down on "Villains."
  7. bdurmaz
    Apr 26, 2017
    8
    After a long hiatus, QOTSA returned... ambitious as ever. ...Like Clockwork is a bit different than the QOTSA we were used to, but this album gets better by each go and in my opinion goes head to head with their every other album except Songs For the Deaf.
  8. beric0
    Aug 15, 2016
    9
    Esse não é um álbum comum, é uma reinvenção. Mas também não é uma simples reinvenção, já que é bastante nostálgica. Após quase 6 anos sem um novo disco, o QOTSA nos entrega uma obra prima.
    A primeira faixa "Keep Your Eyes Peeled" introduz o que veremos no álbum: tensão. Ao longo da faixa, esperamos o óbvio: a explosão da guitarra. Mas ela não vem. A atmosfera criada pela faixa inicial    Esse não é um álbum comum, é uma reinvenção. Mas também não é uma simples reinvenção, já que é bastante nostálgica. Após quase 6 anos sem um novo disco, o QOTSA nos entrega uma obra prima.
    A primeira faixa "Keep Your Eyes Peeled" introduz o que veremos no álbum: tensão. Ao longo da faixa, esperamos o óbvio: a explosão da guitarra. Mas ela não vem. A atmosfera criada pela faixa inicial cria o clima perfeito para a excelente "I Sat by the Ocean" que proporciona um dos melhores momentos do disco. Tempo para recuperar o fôlego na magnífica balada "The Vampyre of Time and Memory", um show a parte.
    Em seguida, mais uma ótima música, "If I Had a Tail", que é seguida pela agressiva "My God Is the Sun", um passeio pelos clássicos do QOTSA, facilmente encaixável na setlist de "Songs for the Dead". "Kalopsia" talvez seja o momento mais fraco do álbum, o que, dada a qualidade do disco, não é demérito, e nos entrega uma boa música, mas só isso. "Smooth Sailing" e "Fairweather Friends" funcionam bem em sequência e são excelentes, esta última contando com o piano de ninguém menos que Elton John.
    E enfim, o melhor momento do disco de forma absoluta: "I Appear Missing". Tudo nessa música vislumbra a perfeição. A letra e a parte instrumental são simbióticas, e nos proporciona uma introspecção incrível, uma das melhores músicas da banda. "...Like Clockwork", a faixa título, fecha o álbum com o tipo de composição que faz com que, quase de forma hipnótica, apertemos o play novamente e ouçamos tudo novamente.
    Se trata de um álbum com solidez, as músicas separadas não fazem tanto sentido quanto juntas e em sequência. Ao prestar mais atenção, é possível perceber a atmosfera surrealista do álbum, e diferentemente de muitos dos álbuns lançados hoje em dia, fica melhor a cada audição. Sem medo de arriscar, coloco "...Like Clockwork" como um dos melhores álbuns de rock do século XXI, e sem dúvida, o segundo melhor álbum do Queens of the Stone Age, afinal, ser melhor que "Songs for the Dead" é uma tarefa no mínimo ingrata.

    Melhores músicas: "I Appear Missing", "My God is The Sun", "I Sat By the Ocean", "The Vampyre of Time and Memory"    … Expand
  9. KillaRiku
    Jun 3, 2016
    10
    A truly beautiful album. The album was written after Josh Homme (lead singer) had a near-death experience, so lyric-wise you can expect much again. Every Song is beautifully written and has a deeoer meaning and sometimes even ccriticism. You you wont be disappointed there.
    While the album still keeps some typical qotsa elements it (like every single qotsa album) does enough differently to    A truly beautiful album. The album was written after Josh Homme (lead singer) had a near-death experience, so lyric-wise you can expect much again. Every Song is beautifully written and has a deeoer meaning and sometimes even ccriticism. You you wont be disappointed there.
    While the album still keeps some typical qotsa elements it (like every single qotsa album) does enough differently to sound different but still keep the same coolness and humor you're used to with qotsa albums. Every song is catchy in their own way. I really can recommend this album. But to be fair: I can recommend every qotsa album!    … Expand
  10. nicomarin12
    Feb 13, 2016
    10
    ...Like Clockwork is one of the few albums were I find every song in the album excellent. I have no problem with this album whatsoever, it could be called a masterpiece, if you will.

    We have some pure stoner rock tracks throughout the album, while still having a few melancholy piano driven tracks that inject much more emotion to the record. Do not hesitate in checking out this album,    ...Like Clockwork is one of the few albums were I find every song in the album excellent. I have no problem with this album whatsoever, it could be called a masterpiece, if you will.

    We have some pure stoner rock tracks throughout the album, while still having a few melancholy piano driven tracks that inject much more emotion to the record.

    Do not hesitate in checking out this album, and this is coming from a guy who recently discovered the band. I love this album to its core and it deserves to be along the best of the best.

    Stand-outs: I Sat by the Ocean, If I Had a Tail, My God is the Sun, Fairweather Friends, I Appear Missing    … Expand
  11. agibbons_96
    Dec 10, 2015
    9
    After a busy and extremely turbulent period for frontman Josh Homme, QOTSA returned in 2013 with their sixth record, inspired by his bout of depression and his near-death experience on the operating table. It is without question, the weirdest sounding album Queens have released to date, but it also the rawest. Homme's passion and emotion comes through in a way that has rarely happenedAfter a busy and extremely turbulent period for frontman Josh Homme, QOTSA returned in 2013 with their sixth record, inspired by his bout of depression and his near-death experience on the operating table. It is without question, the weirdest sounding album Queens have released to date, but it also the rawest. Homme's passion and emotion comes through in a way that has rarely happened before, delving into himself in a way even he couldn't have imagined. While the album continues the trend of being sonically different from each of the five albums gone before it, there's a sense that it's the closest thing to their 2002 breakthrough “Songs for the Deaf” they've ever made, but only with a more Floydian vibe as opposed to the driving, groove-based sound that dominated the group's first three records. The lyricism on many of the tracks, especially “I Sat By the Ocean”, “The Vampyre of Time and Memory” and the title track, are among the best Homme has ever penned. The instrumentals compliment the chaotic, depressive (and borderline nihilist and self-destructive) topics on show here brilliantly, whilst maintaining the sharp, crunchy desert rock sound the group are renowned for. Old friends such as Nick Olivieri, Mark Lanegan and Dave Grohl (who filled out the group on “Songs for the Deaf”) make welcome returns to the fold, as well as guest spots from Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails), Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys) and Sir Elton John. And even though the guest list is large, as has always been on Queens' records, Homme's always been the one who's ran the show, although he takes the attention away from himself on “Fairweather Friends” which instantaneously feels like the massive group effort that it is. “I Appear Missing”, the album's penultimate track is nothing short of genius that shows Homme at his most helpless and despondent, and features an excellent syncopated rhythm section and a painfully emotive solo and climax that can evoke a tear from a glass eye. The only gripes with the album (which are few and far between) is that “Keep Your Eyes Peeled” is a fairly poor song in comparison to the other nine here (the plus of that is at least it opens the album and is thankfully not wedged between “If I Had a Tail” and “My God Is the Sun”). While the fact that “I Appear Missing” and “...Like Clockwork” weren't swapped in the tracklist does give an almost anti-climatic feel to the end of the album, but because of the overall quality of the songwriting, production and lyricism here, it is still a fantastic album that many (like Homme) who have been down a dark path, can relate to. If Josh is “...gonna pray for rain, again and again...”, then hopefully the quality of his work then is as good as it is here.

    Album Highlights - “The Vampyre of Time and Memory”, “If I Had a Tail”, “My God Is the Sun”, “Fairweather Friends” and “I Appear Missing”.    … Expand
  12. nirvanafreak
    Aug 11, 2015
    10
    In my opinion this is their best album (just ahead of Rated R). I don't see how people didn't like this theres so many catchy riffs, great vocals, amazing features, etc. I think they're gonna find it difficult to follow this up.
  13. perkinsz
    Mar 9, 2015
    9
    The Queens of the Stone Age is an American rock bank from Palm Desert, California, and were formed in 1996. The bands line up features Josh Homme performing the lead vocals and guitar, and occasionally the piano, Troy Van Leeuwen playing the guitar, Michael Shuman playing the bass guitar, and Jon Theodore playing the drums. QOTSA have released six albums as of now, however the fifth album,The Queens of the Stone Age is an American rock bank from Palm Desert, California, and were formed in 1996. The bands line up features Josh Homme performing the lead vocals and guitar, and occasionally the piano, Troy Van Leeuwen playing the guitar, Michael Shuman playing the bass guitar, and Jon Theodore playing the drums. QOTSA have released six albums as of now, however the fifth album, Era Vulgaris was released in 2006. There was a long five years before their next album was released in 2011, ...Like Clockwork. The album ...Like Clockwork by Queens of the Stone Age begins with the track “Keep Your Eyes Peeled”. This track starts off with a fuzzy, slow, yet aggressive bass line. It further develops into a spacey and ominous song, yet it has a very clearly defined rhythm. Starting the album with this song gave me the impression that the album was going to be a little bit like Songs for the Deaf and Era Vulgaris combined, however the content of the album varies greatly. This album features some harder rock/stoner rock songs, like “Keep Your Eyes Peeled” and “Kalopsia”. “Kalopsia” starts off with a very spacey and peaceful intro and then develops into a more driven and harder sound, while maintaining the same time signature. This part is relatively short, and afterwards the song goes back into its spacey and peaceful mood. There are also some very slow and elegant sounding songs on the album, such as “...Like Clockwork” and “The Vampyre of Time and Memory”. “...Like Clockwork” happens to be my personal favorite track on this album. It is a very pretty sounding song with heavy emphasis on the piano and slow and mysterious sounding vocals. It isn't all focused on the piano, as the guitar plays two very simple, yet great weeping solos. The album also features some more stereotypical rock tracks, such as “I Sat By The Ocean” and “If I Had a Tail”. Both of these songs feature a very standard song structure and aren't too experimental. The album closes with the song “…Like Clockwork”, which gives the listener a good sense of closure due to it's pretty yet melancholic sound. The album as a whole focuses on combining their older sound with some slower tempos and more experimental sounds. It's safe to say that the album doesn't feature one “bad” song, which is unusual for any album. In fact, this album is very well balanced. Every track is very good in its own way, and as for the ones that I didn't like at first, they grew on me significantly. ...Like Clockwork is one of their better albums, and I believe that it is one of the more solid modern albums available right now.… Expand
  14. Zaust
    Jan 19, 2015
    10
    Stoner rock elite take a bad trip. Like Clockwork is dirty, harsh but ultimately beautiful. Easily Queens strongest album, it's their opus magnus and only missing that one killer mainstream track to lure the pop muppets over to the enlightened side (there is no duality, monkey wrench or uprising).

    As it stands Like Clockwork is an epic piece of work flowing seamlessly from track to    Stoner rock elite take a bad trip. Like Clockwork is dirty, harsh but ultimately beautiful. Easily Queens strongest album, it's their opus magnus and only missing that one killer mainstream track to lure the pop muppets over to the enlightened side (there is no duality, monkey wrench or uprising).

    As it stands Like Clockwork is an epic piece of work flowing seamlessly from track to track and blending all the elements utterly seamlessly (you will NOT spot Elton John guesting on a track unless you're looking for him).

    Starting quietly but building throughout to the end with the ultimately sad but uplifting title track Like Clockwork is one of the most complete albums I've ever heard - there is no song I would skip here.    … Expand
  15. The_PUNisher97
    Jan 12, 2015
    10
    God this album is so good. Like, I love QOTSA a LOT, enough to say that all of their releases so far have been really solid. But this album looks and feels like a return to what they were doing back in the late 90's and early 2000's. This is superior to both Era Vulgaris and Lullabies to Paralyze (both of which are still very good albums) and is right up there with Rated R, Songs for theGod this album is so good. Like, I love QOTSA a LOT, enough to say that all of their releases so far have been really solid. But this album looks and feels like a return to what they were doing back in the late 90's and early 2000's. This is superior to both Era Vulgaris and Lullabies to Paralyze (both of which are still very good albums) and is right up there with Rated R, Songs for the Deaf, and their self-titled debut in 1998. The thematic nature is so wonderful, and it makes my favorite tracks like "I Sat by the Ocean", "If I Had a Tail", "Smooth Sailing", and "I Appear Missing" all feel so effortlessly connected and beautiful. Seriously, this album is ****… Expand
  16. Nahil
    Dec 8, 2014
    10
    I listened to this album before I heard any other QOTSA album. I liked it, and then I listened again, and then again. Gave it some time and then came back, and then couldn't stop listening to it. I bought, I've listened to it countless times, and only now with as much space as I have now can I legitimately say that not only is it my favorite album of 2013, it's one of my favorite albumsI listened to this album before I heard any other QOTSA album. I liked it, and then I listened again, and then again. Gave it some time and then came back, and then couldn't stop listening to it. I bought, I've listened to it countless times, and only now with as much space as I have now can I legitimately say that not only is it my favorite album of 2013, it's one of my favorite albums of all time. I won't drag you down with details you already know, but suffice to say this album is just about perfect, even if it doesn't feels so on first listen. It's not for everyone, but if this is your jam, this is REALLY your jam. I love it in every way, even its faults. If you haven't heard it, then listen to it. Now.… Expand
  17. exodus9237
    Sep 9, 2014
    10
    Brilliant. The best album of 2013. It is Josh Homme pulling out his best moves, and creating a vivid example of musicianship and pure rock. Queens of the Stone Age (more powerful than ever), and a great group of collaborators (from best friend Dave Grohl to the one and only Sir Elton John), prove that rock is not only not dead, is more alive than ever. Is an album that combines a greatBrilliant. The best album of 2013. It is Josh Homme pulling out his best moves, and creating a vivid example of musicianship and pure rock. Queens of the Stone Age (more powerful than ever), and a great group of collaborators (from best friend Dave Grohl to the one and only Sir Elton John), prove that rock is not only not dead, is more alive than ever. Is an album that combines a great production with a strong variety of sounds and thoughts that at times you can't believe it's the guys that created songs like Song for the Dead or Go With The Flow. Of course we don't lose the feeling that's Josh Homme and company, it has a strange remembrance of Rated R, and with songs like Keep Your Eyes Peeled and My God is The Sun, you know it's the hard-rockers we love. I Appear Missing is just pure glory.

    Is arguably Queens best work (Song for The Deaf is hard to beat, and Rated R is just excellent), but it is a very very good album, that by the time you reach ...Like Clockwork (a beautiful melody by the way, the least "Queens" song in the album), you are left only wanting for more.    … Expand
  18. ydnar4
    Aug 5, 2014
    6
    Once again the Queens of the Stone age deliver another good album and continue to impress. Several guest musicians are featured in ....Like Clockwork but nothing sounds recycled. Just an overall good album.
  19. MattRadich
    Jun 20, 2014
    10
    Perfect from start to finish. In my opinion the very best of 2013. "Fairweather Friends", "I Appear Missing", and "Like Clockwork" are all tracks that will be memorable for a long time. This could go down as a modern classic
  20. Ricko
    Jun 12, 2014
    8
    Back to their best
    For the first time in about a decade a QOTSA record has gotten me properly excited. Like Clockwork starts a tad unsure of itself with "Keep You Eyes Peeled", a track you could hardly say demands your attention and a curious way to begin proceedings. It represents the only questionable track on the album. From here on in we are treated to diamond after diamond.
    Like    Back to their best
    For the first time in about a decade a QOTSA record has gotten me properly excited. Like Clockwork starts a tad unsure of itself with "Keep You Eyes Peeled", a track you could hardly say demands your attention and a curious way to begin proceedings. It represents the only questionable track on the album. From here on in we are treated to diamond after diamond.
    Like Clockwork gets better as it progresses on and I would argue that the record peaks in the middle with the amazing trilogy of If I Had a Tail, My God Is the Sun and Kalopsia. My God Is the Sun has that classic QOTSA sound and is representative of the overall record with the band back to their best, delivering what they failed to truly produce on their last couple of albums. This sequence of blockbuster rockers is complete with Kalopsia and while I think this is where the album hits its peak, that's not to say things really dip from here. It's all relative and Like Clockwork maintains the intensity to the literal death. Excellent stuff.    … Expand
  21. lukevandam
    May 20, 2014
    10
    this album is a classic i have bought it twice one on cd and one on record thats how much i love this it is there best work since songs for the deaf 10/10
  22. SamRoach
    Apr 16, 2014
    10
    This summer, Queens of the Stone Age returned from the desert with their first album after a six year hiatus, the magnificent ...Like Clockwork. The themes of their most diverse album were majorly influenced by Josh Homme's depressing, months-long stay in a hospital, recovering from MRSA. As Homme says in the penultimate track, "I Appear Missing", "pieces were taken from me, or dare I say,This summer, Queens of the Stone Age returned from the desert with their first album after a six year hiatus, the magnificent ...Like Clockwork. The themes of their most diverse album were majorly influenced by Josh Homme's depressing, months-long stay in a hospital, recovering from MRSA. As Homme says in the penultimate track, "I Appear Missing", "pieces were taken from me, or dare I say, given away."
    The album is not only the band's most experimental work yet - aside from, maybe, Era Vulgaris - it is also by far their most emotional. The album has this strange eerie feel, which is expressed especially in the album's companion 15-minute music video.
    The album has too many guest appearances to count, including Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys, and Dave Grohl (you know, Dave Grohl). Fans of QotSA's Songs For The Deaf from 2003 may need to take a few listens to adapt to the sound of this album, but it's hard not to see that the album's title track is one of the most beautiful songs Homme has ever written, and "My God Is The Sun"'s bassline during the verse is absolute perfection. The lyrics in "The Vampyre of Time and Memory" are purposefully misleading, and delivered brilliantly: "I speak, I breathe. I'm incomplete. I'm alive. Hooray! You're wrong again, 'cause I feel no love."
    The album is incredible, absolutely worth taking the time to listen to from beginning to end. It's been my personal favorite album since I first heard it, and who knows? Maybe you'll share my opinion.    … Expand
  23. McGrot
    Apr 16, 2014
    10
    This is indeed what we can call a bold album. There's character and tenderness in it. A master piece that mixes brilliant song writing, production and incredible musicianship.
  24. TheMaximalist
    Feb 15, 2014
    9
    http://bit.ly/1b6f6g1 The collaborators on this album never really take the forefront or take over the track they're on (besides Alex Turner). What they do is assist the true stars, Queens of the Stone Age. What Queens have managed to do is create one of the best albums of the last 10 years and evolve as a band. What is even more astounding is that they didn't need to flood it with effectshttp://bit.ly/1b6f6g1 The collaborators on this album never really take the forefront or take over the track they're on (besides Alex Turner). What they do is assist the true stars, Queens of the Stone Age. What Queens have managed to do is create one of the best albums of the last 10 years and evolve as a band. What is even more astounding is that they didn't need to flood it with effects or overproduce it. It proves that the old fashioned way of making music is still alive and that you can make amazing albums doing it that way. The hype this album has received is just.… Expand
  25. adhamhany
    Jan 8, 2014
    8
    Great rock music. I haven't listened to any of their albums before this. I'm an idiot, i know. I'm looking forward to rectify that mistake. I do hope their older work has the same blend of loud and calm.
  26. VonSeux
    Dec 17, 2013
    5
    Overcooked production kills what could have been a good album, almost unbeareable to listen to more than a couple songs at once. Whats the point of printing vinyls again whith this kind of mastering?
  27. theBurn
    Dec 8, 2013
    10
    I'm a fan. I have listened to these guys since rated R. After era vulgaris and some mediocre super group experimentation, I kinda thought Qotsa was doomed. I was wrong. Like clock work is good. I'm going to be listening to it for years to come(supposing I live for years to come). It's not everyone's cup of tea, but give it a try if you enjoy something that doesn't fit into the boring moldI'm a fan. I have listened to these guys since rated R. After era vulgaris and some mediocre super group experimentation, I kinda thought Qotsa was doomed. I was wrong. Like clock work is good. I'm going to be listening to it for years to come(supposing I live for years to come). It's not everyone's cup of tea, but give it a try if you enjoy something that doesn't fit into the boring mold of aggressive rock. take a dash of crunchy groove mix well with surreal imagery, pepper with arrogance, whip in some humility, and top with mystery; repeat as needed and enjoy.… Expand
  28. Abutre
    Dec 8, 2013
    10
    ASS_N_TREBLE IS AN IDIOT! AND IS BECAUSE OF THESE IDIOTS THAT I GIVE NOTE MAXIMUM
    this idiot has done here more negative votes for this album, it's not just this, and the funny thing is that it has no further comment other albums.
    Não brinquem, quem são vocês para fazerem uma revisão de um artista seus idiotas...são artista? compõem música? são inteligentes o suficiente para estarem aqui    ASS_N_TREBLE IS AN IDIOT! AND IS BECAUSE OF THESE IDIOTS THAT I GIVE NOTE MAXIMUM
    this idiot has done here more negative votes for this album, it's not just this, and the funny thing is that it has no further comment other albums.
    Não brinquem, quem são vocês para fazerem uma revisão de um artista seus idiotas...são artista? compõem música? são inteligentes o suficiente para estarem aqui a dar pontuação, são estudiosos nesta matéria. Só sabem ouvir o que os media querem e depois fazem critica de coisas que não percebem... há por aqui muito atrasado mental a fazer revisão (ass_n_treble......), gostava de conhecer esse calhorda E OS OUTROS PESSOALMENTE, a minha psicopatia vem ao de cima, com este tipo de gente. Não constroem nada apenas destroem e incendeiam, adorava ter esses calhordas minha frente, reduzia-os a uma massa de carne e sangue.. Daqui a 10 ANOS veremos quem são os VERDADEIROS CLÁSSICOS.    … Expand
  29. bass_n_treble
    Dec 1, 2013
    2
    This album is so desperate for an identity by featuring a multitude of guest musicians, but it leaves a very disjointed, schizophrenic feeling that just never accomplishes anything worthwhile. Outside of "My God Is The Sun" (thanks for the first single, giving me the impression the whole album would sound that way), nothing on this brick is listenable.

    So you were hospitalized. The    This album is so desperate for an identity by featuring a multitude of guest musicians, but it leaves a very disjointed, schizophrenic feeling that just never accomplishes anything worthwhile. Outside of "My God Is The Sun" (thanks for the first single, giving me the impression the whole album would sound that way), nothing on this brick is listenable.

    So you were hospitalized. The album is as boring as the inspiration for the tracks. The upsetting part is that if there weren't complications with his surgery, we would have had a second Them Crooked Vultures album. I feel robbed.

    Josh Homme can't steer the ship by himself. He's great guitarist but an average singer, and benefits much from his celebrity friends to flesh out songs. However, too many cooks ruined the stew here.

    One good song. Skip this terrible album.    … Expand
  30. Mab_987
    Nov 29, 2013
    9
    This is the first QOTSA album I've heard in full & it's a fantastic first impression that lives up to the hype. If I had to describe this album in one word, it would be “cool”. Every aspect, from the guitar riffs to the grooves to Josh Homme's voice & delivery, has this attitude-filled charm to it that's just irresistible. I think a track-by-track analysis is the best way I can talk aboutThis is the first QOTSA album I've heard in full & it's a fantastic first impression that lives up to the hype. If I had to describe this album in one word, it would be “cool”. Every aspect, from the guitar riffs to the grooves to Josh Homme's voice & delivery, has this attitude-filled charm to it that's just irresistible. I think a track-by-track analysis is the best way I can talk about this album, since it's really one where pretty much every song has something worth noting about it.

    I hear the term “desert rock” thrown around a lot with this band, and I find that sound no more accurate on this album than in the opener “Keep Your Eyes Peeled”. It has this trudging rhythmic groove that basically sounds like being stuck in Death Valley for over 3 hours with no water or transportation, a vibe that's enhanced by the vague but moody lyrics. “I Sat by the Ocean” is a great straightforward rock song with simple, catchy riffs & nice touches of falsetto. I've heard from some people that this is one of QOTSA's more diverse albums, and with songs like “The Vampyre of Time and Memory” that's very easy to believe. It's a piano-led track that builds beautifully over the course of it, first with these cool little synth textures & then gradually the rock instrumentation. The lyrics are also some of the best on the album, talking about loss of identity & searching for your purpose in life in a pretty effective way. My favorite song here is “If I Had a Tail”, another fantastic mid-tempo alt-rock tune with infectious melodies all around & nicely reserved guitars in the verses that explode perfectly in the chorus & bridge, complimented with a good lyrical theme bashing general society's materialist/hedonist mentality. The first half finishes with “My God is the Sun”, which was a great choice for the lead single, a driving rocker that grabs you with the riffs within seconds & will definitely attract the demographic I was in who's only familiar with the older hits.

    “Kalopsia” goes in a refreshingly laid-back direction with a nice psychedelic atmosphere in the verses that transitions smoothly into more of a hard rock style toward the end. “Fairweather Friends” is another major highlight. Nearly all of this album's many collaborators sing backing vocals on this song. Admittedly though, my only thing close to a gripe on this album is that I would've liked if such a star-studded guest list had a bigger role than barely audible contributions you probably wouldn't notice if you didn't hear about it from somewhere else. Elton John is the exception, since he plays piano here too & his backing vocals provide a nice echo in the chorus, but still. That being said, the song's still really great, and ends on a random & hilarious note that I still crack up at on the 6th listen. “Smooth Sailing” has an awesomely sleazy groove with over-the-top flamboyant falsetto vocals & some awesome lines. “I Appear Missing” is another really good one but honestly doesn't have many traits I haven't already talked about as far as I can tell. The album ends with the title track, which takes another drastic turn as a vulnerable piano ballad that follows the same introspective lyrical style as “The Vampyre of Time and Memory”, though to me it's done in a more emotional way here.

    ...Like Clockwork consistently shows off memorable, well-thought-out & surprisingly diverse material. Normally albums that get as much hype as this got disappoint at least some people, but I've honestly heard few, if any, negative thoughts about it as a whole. I'll make it a goal to listen to some more QOTSA in the near future.

    Top 5 tracks: If I Had a Tail, Fairweather Friends, The Vampyre of Time and Memory, I Sat by the Ocean, Smooth Sailing
    Score: 91/100
    My review-based Facebook page: That Non-Elitist Music Fan    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

67
#67 Best Album of 2013
18
#18 Most Discussed Album of 2013
41
#41 Most Shared Album of 2013

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 46 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 46
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 46
  3. Negative: 1 out of 46
  1. Classic Rock Magazine
    Jul 23, 2013
    90
    Their rejuvenating effects make this the most rounded and melodic QOTSA album in a decade, a triumph snatched from the mortuary doors. [Summer 2013, p.88]
  2. Delusions of Adequacy
    Jul 23, 2013
    90
    It’s the kind of album we critics tritely refer to as a return to form but with the massively remarkable beast that ...Like Clockwork royally is, never has the phrase been more fitting.
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  3. Magnet
    Jul 17, 2013
    35
    Queens Of The Stone Age lumbers its way through a series of increasingly skronky, sludge-by-numbers jams and sound. [No. 100, p.57]
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