Queens Of The Stone Age – Villains

excellent album, although Mark Ronson being producer certainly takes away a bit of the Queens edge. Sounds quality is good as is the pressing, a bit bass heavy/congested thou. Not sure why they did not cut this @ 45rpm and spread over all 4 sides of vinyl like " Like Clockwork"

I picked up a copy at my local record store -- in California-- and although the packaging is excellent and the vinyl looked clean, all sides are littered with excessive surface noise. You'll hear it between tracks and wherever there is a quiet age. I've already cleaned it twice-- not much improvement. I've just ordered the deluxe version-- hoping the Pallas pressing was done better than this (usually this is the case).

I agree with a lot of what the guy below me says. Really cool album overall. To anyone (like myself) wishing for a ...Like Clockwork version 2.0 you will probably be confused at first. It sounds nothing like it, not even in the slightest. It has won me over with a few listens though and I'm really digging it now, they really can't do anything wrong.

It honestly sounds like carnival music or something wacky like that to me at certain points, its absolutely wild. Head Like A Haunted House is insane, definitely worth a look. They always have so many layers in their music so it sounds great on vinyl.

So, I bought this in the US, but apparently it's the European version...? Anyway, this is the one I have. 2 records (standard weight), gatefold, lyric insert, code, and the etching of the various "villains" on the D side. And the same hype sticker on the front. I wasn't able to get the "indie" version at my local independent store, so I got this. The only difference is a blue cover with the devil flipping you off, but it will no doubt go for insane amounts of money here and on ebay.

Sound quality wise, it's good. Chris Bellman did a nice cut of this. Everything comes through, nothing seems overbearing or fatiguing. It's loud (but not too loud), punchy, and clear. However, I feel that being this album is only 48 minutes long, this could have been a single disc. I'm over the whole "special etching on one side" deal. Just gives companies an excuse to press another disc to make records more expensive. And the etching isn't even that interesting. And it's just barely visible (at least mine is).

Also, both discs are pressed off-center. Not horribly, but it's noticeable. Record 1 is the worst of the set, however. Edge warp that affects side A, and vinyl isn't as quiet as it should be. Also, throughout side A, there's an audible "thud" in the record every revolution (only noticeable in quiet spots, but it's there). It's not my turntable or receiver, and it only does it on side A. There is nothing on the vinyl. Was the stamper for side A defective? Did something happen during pressing? Who knows. Record 2 is mostly OK.

Both records do play through, though. But for almost $30, I expected better. Matador Records, are you listening?

Musically, it's pretty much what we've come to expect from Queens - crunchy, groove-driven hard rock. I was worried when I saw Mark Ronson produced this - nothing against him, just never pictured him producing a QOTSA album - and when I heard the album was inspired by Josh Homme's love of...dancing? But no need to fear. Solid album with more than a few good songs. Sure, it's not the debut or "Rated R", but it's the closest thing we may have to rock 'n' roll these days.