With news of “…Like Clockwork” by Queens Of The Stone Age being reprised old fans and new fans come together to admire the art. Read this ranking to see which song takes first place!
Following the release of their latest album, “Alive In The Catacombs” in which they reprised many songs from their vast catalog including “…Like Clockwork”. In this reprisal there was an addition of a three-piece string section, the echoey quality that comes with performing in a dungeon, and unusual percussion like sticks and chains. This reprisal brought many eyes back to “…Like Clockwork” Which is Queens Of The Stone Age (QOTSA)’s sixth studio album, released in June 2013. It is their only album to reach the Billboard top 200 which is notable for niche genres like Stoner Rock and Art Rock. The album was created with themes inspired by the time the Frontman (Josh Homme) went through a botched knee surgery and experienced a 13-day hospitalization which rendered him bedridden for 4 months. This inspired songs like “I Appear Missing,” and “I Sat By The Ocean.”
- I Appear Missing. “I Appear Missing” is the 9th song on the album, and arguably the best, highlighted by its unique release strategy in which the song’s video was released as a teaser for the album with the final crescendo cut off. This may have downplayed its individual release but certainly uplifted the rest of the album. Although this rating is subjective, this song’s masterful use of lyricism to provide both story and suspense, setting up the captivating ending, as well as excellent percussion from Dave Grohl gives it a crisp 9.95.
- Kalopsia. The 6th song on the album.It holds a strong contrast between its delicate emotional verses, and its uproarious dramatic choruses. The song starts with a raspy soft breath that leads into the instrumentals slipping in, and it ramps up so perfectly. Its stoner rock vibe heavily foreshadows their next album, Era Vulgaris, released only a year later. In conclusion, its masterful instrumentals and its passionate vocals would land it just barely behind “I Appear Missing,” keeping it in second place, and landing it a 9.92.
- The Vampyre Of Time And Memory. “The Vampyre Of Time And Memory” is the 3rd song on the album, and a return to QOTSA’s bread and butter with crunchy guitar, rapid drums and unique belting vocals.Its biggest flaw is that it doesn’t make as large of choices as songs like Kalopsia made. However, it is still distinct and powerful, which gives it a 9.8.
- If I Had A Tail. “If I Had A Tail” is the 4th song on the album, and it does the crunchy ballad style established previously by songs like “I Sat By The Ocean” and “Keep Your Eyes Peeled” best. This is undoubtedly because of how it interconnects the drums and guitar perfectly to create this resounding emotion in the listener that is only amplified by the clean bassline in the background. The vocals hold a nice social commentary on consumerism that compares it to primal apes being envious of the animals around them. All in all, this song is a 9.75.
- I Sat By The Ocean. The 2nd song on the album, and its distinctive use of guitar mixed with the ever tenacious lyrics put together for Homme to do what on the surface seems like a break-up song but upon further inspection, reveals itself as a release from the surrounding life around him harkening back to his coma in the mid 2000s, but overall this song would be rated a 9.7.
- …Like Clockwork. The 10th and last song on the album, capping off the commanding high octane album before it. The title album slows the pace down and focuses more on the poetry taking place in the lyrics of the album by letting Homme’s vocals speak for itself with mostly just a soft piano in the background. This persists until, towards the end of the song, the beat drops as the final emotional cry of the album shouts out, leaving listeners stunned. Due to this artful use of contrast, it would have to be a 9.6.
- My God Is The Sun. “My God Is The Sun” is the 5th song on the album, and with its hedonistic lyrics in combination with rousing guitar riffs, create an amazing, nearly occultic vibe to the piece. It’s difficult to place it so low, but it’s a struggle to compare so many great songs together which would give it a 9.5.
- Smooth Sailing. “Smooth Sailing” is the 8th song on the album, and holds a slight tone change in the vocal texture and instrumental style utilizing things like the cow bell to make it sound more bouncy and blusterful. It’s a great change of pace and holds a nice style that QOTSA would expand upon in further albums like Rated R which gives it a 9.45.
- Fairweather Friends. “Fairweather Friends” is the 7th song on the album, and has rousing instrumentals, and lyrics related to betrayal, it’s just a step behind its fellow songs on this album because it’s more basic than the textured and experimental quality of the other ones which would give it a 9.1.
- Keep Your Eyes Peeled. The first and opening song on the album; it somewhat sets the tone for the rest of the album, but fails to fully accomplish that, as its tempo is a lot slower than the rest of the songs. Although it has strong vocals it is to be remarked that its instrumentals (although good) were found lackluster. However it is only deficient in comparison to the rest of the album which would put it at an 8.6
In conclusion, “…Like Clockwork” is one of if not the best Queens Of The Stone Age albums that still holds up to this day.
