If Only Everything 7"  (Man's Ruin)

1. If Only Everything  2. Born to Hula

Recorded under the Gamma Ray moniker before Homme was forced to change the name of the band, the first fruits of his new outfit were really promising. Tuneful, trancey and smooth - Born to Hula is particularly bruising. I doubt any more of these are available.

Burn One Up! compilation  (Roadrunner)

1. 18 AD

A cool song, but good efforts by bands like Fu Manchu provide other good reasons for getting this compilation.

Split CD E.P. with Kyuss  (Man's Ruin)

1. If Only Everything  2. Born to Hula  3. Spiders and Vinegaroons

This is the same as the Gamma Ray 7", plus a bonus song - the typically barmy Spiders and Vinegaroons instrumental, which is unsurprisingly unlike anything you've heard before. The Kyuss stuff is excellent too. And very long.

Split CD E.P. with Beaver  (Man's Ruin)

1. The Bronze  2. These Aren't the Droids You're Looking For

Two songs recorded at the beginning of the session in which the debut album was made. The Bronze is a fast and deceptively simple tune, whilst the other is another bizarro instrumental.

Heavy Metal 2000 Soundtrack  (Restless Records)

1. Infinity

The first fruit of the new band line-up was this excellent, and exclusive, cut for the animated movie. Just what you expect from the band: catchy, atmospheric, etc. It's worth getting this compilation for that track alone, although Monster Magnet, System Of A Down and Machine Head acquit themselves well.

Queens Of The Stone Age  (Roadrunner)

1. Regular John  2. Avon  3. If Only  4. Walkin' on the Sidewalks  5. You Would Know  6. How to Handle a Rope  7. Mexicola  8. Hispanic Impressions  9. You Can't Quit Me, Baby  10. Give the Mule What He Wants  11. I Was A Teenage Hand Model

A consistently excellent album from beginning to end, and surprisingly diverse aswell. The music is enjoyable thanks to its primal nature, with simple riffs augmented by brilliantly catchy melodies, so you can sing along while you're headbanging. Josh Homme's trademark searing guitar solos are ever-present and are just as wonderful here as they were in Kyuss songs. Personal highlights are the riffmungous opener "Regular John", the pounding "Mexicola" and the beautifully soulful "You Can't Quit Me, Baby".

Rated R  (Interscope)

1. Feel Good Hit Of The Summer  2. The Lost Art Of Keeping A Secret  3. Leg Of Lamb  4. Auto Pilot  5. Better Living Through Chemistry  6. Monsters In The Parasol  7. Quick And To The Pointless  8. In The Fade  9. Tension Head  10, Lightning Song  11. I Think I Lost My Headache

Still the same band, yet somehow more focussed, even with the plethora of psychedelic moments and effects. Sometimes more extreme than they ever have been, sometimes brilliantly subtle, this is basically a great follow-up. Homme is clearly benefitting from the new stabler line-up, and Oliveri's as a songwriting partner-in-crime.