Queens of the Stone Age: Songs for the Deaf

By RUSSELL BAILLIE

(Herald rating: * * * * )

As their previous Rated R proved while becoming the hard rock album of 2000, there is nothing caveman about Queens of the Stone Age.

The Californian band with the free-floating membership fronted by guitarist-singer Josh Homme and bassist Nick Oliveri have delivered another weird, distinctive and diverse wonder.

And, just like last time, it sounds like there's a guiding intelligence behind the askew riffs, the taut playing, the oddly gripping tunes and the desert-dry production.

Also out back is Dave Grohl on the drums while on a Foo Fighters sabbatical, who brings a rhythmic explosiveness to proceedings - especially on First It Giveth.

As well, the wounded growl of former Screaming Tree Mark Lanegan helps to tip the prevailing uneasy mood into nightmare territory on Hangin' Tree and the title track.

Add the blood-curdling Six Shooter; the pounding pop-rock of Go With The Flow, the glam-stomp of Gonna Leave You, the Mexican garage rocker Another Love Song and this soon becomes one grim but gripping hard rock experience.

Points off for the quickly annoying between-track radio parodies, but Songs for the Deaf is still well worth risking your hearing for.

Label: Interscope