Queens of the Stone Age – Lullabies to Paralyze
Artist: Queens of the Stone Age
Album: Lullabies to Paralyze
Release Date: March 21, 2005 (CD) / July 11, 2005 (LP)
Genre: Stoner Rock / Alternative Rock
Label: Interscope Records
Description
Lullabies to Paralyze is the fourth studio album by Queens of the Stone Age, emerging during a moment of transition for the band. With the departure of longtime bassist Nick Oliveri prior to its making, the album marks a shift in tone — darker, more atmospheric, and more introspective — while still retaining the band’s trademark riffs and musical ambition.
From the haunting opener “This Lullaby”, featuring guest vocals by Mark Lanegan, to heavy riffers like “Medication” and “Burn the Witch” (featuring Billy Gibbons), the album balances melody and darkness. Tracks such as “In My Head”, “Little Sister”, “Tangled Up in Plaid”, and “The Blood Is Love” explore contrasting sounds — from hypnotic grooves to expansive, melancholic passages.
Though some critics noted moments of uneven pacing, many fans view the album as an underrated entry in QOTSA’s discography — a record that reveals its strengths over repeated listens.