Holy shit, folks! We ain't but just got graced with a masterpiece. Queens of the Stone Age are the greatest rock band in the universe. Don't try and tell me some shit from outer space would be more cutting edge; we all know thats's not true.

Songs for the Deaf kicks serious ass. There's no weak point to the album. I hope CDs are strong enough to be played as much as this album should be played worldwide forever more.

It's hard to pick any one track as being better than any other, but, First it Giveth is a fine tune. And just try to hang on for the Song of the Dead. This album is the best music the public's been given in many years. Josh Homme's vocals keep killing and Dave Grohl's drumming makes you wish you were getting pounded by the sticks. Mark Lanegan's voice makes you glad you haven't lived through what he has and Nick Oliveri will just flat out freak the shit out of you as usual. Heavenly.

There's two old songs (one from Desert Sessions 5/6 and one from Desert Sessions 7/8). Millionare is still a kick ass track, but check out the DS 5/6 version with Mario Lalli (Fatso Jetson; check these guys out) on vocals.

This album should serve as a wake-up call to all other musicians who release their stuff to get with the program and stop embarassing themselves. All bands should from now on only be permitted to cover Queens of the Stone Age material.

Long live QOTSA.

Anyone who disagrees with any of this is a damned fool, and I, if not someone else, will eventually kick your ass.

I don't know. At what point do you realise, I've done nothing, I have nothing, and I more than likely will do absolutely nothing? And once you figure that out, what do you do? Do you move back to your hometown and settle down without having to worry about where next month's rent will come from? How long can family and friends support you without hating you? Is it already too late?

Well, I think we've all lost touch with what we all have to do. You have to be responsible and good to your family. Those of you without family, or family far away, are lucky in my eyes. You only have to worry about yourself. That can be easy to do even for those with close family, but after a while, say 30 not so stellar years, you start to think about taking care of everyone including yourself. Maybe that's just 'cause I'm a fucked up Aquarius.

Does any of this make sense? If not, I apologize, but I haven't had any weed in a couple of days.

Ahh, fuck it all. Just go buy the new Queens of the Stone Age album tomorrow.

*** The following is from a message sent to the peops on July 1, 2002. ***

Kids, unfortunately June went out on a quiet note.

The Chicago Underground Quartet show wasn't bad, but it was definitely not as tight as the Queens show. They're as talented with their instruments as I am with a blanket (I can make a good bed and sleep comfortably year round). The music was overall pretty good. I think all of us - Margo, Rob, Coby and I - liked more than we disliked. Nevertheless, it was summed up when nearing the end of the one song encore (but a good song) Rob Mazurek motioned to Jeff Parker to keep it going but Parker shook is head and soon after the band left the stage for good.

In any case, there's the Blackilicious show coming up and Fu Manchu as well. Those Sonic Youth bastards are charging close to $40. Screw them too.

Any questions? No comments please.

*** The following is from a review e-mailed to the peops on June 25, 2002. ***

Hey kids. It's been a while, I know, and I'm positive you're all sitting there just waiting for the next review. If not let me know and I'll take you off this list.

In any case. Blackilicious has post-poned again.

As for Queens of the Stone Age, well, I'm sorry but there will be no recount of that night. It simply can not be put in to words. Let me just say this: you all missed out big time, with the exception of Jon and Al.

This past Saturday Rob and I saw something very special in its own right. 20 Miles graced the Railway Club. Judah Bauer puts the blues in Blues Explosion (man!). He was part of a trio that makes up the band right now. For those of you who haven't been to the Railway Club, it's a sweet pub that has the feel of a railcar. Very narrow, and lots of cougars. 20 Miles played a few classic tracks off of "I'm a Lucky Guy" as well as music from then until now. It's blues-based but with a pretty rocking feel and more country on the new stuff. Very nice. Nevertheless, since the gig so much has happened (mainly smoking pot) and I can't remember much else than gettin home past 2 and passing out.

Yet again, you all (except Rob) missed out. When will you learn.

This Sunday night: Chicago Underground Quartet. Yes!

Coming up in July is Fu Manchu. Get ready to rock. Make sure you roll beforehand.

Okay, kids, just two days from some serious action on the music front.

For those of you who were dying or simply nerding out on June 13 of this year, you missed out on one of the best rock shows ever put on. That was Queens of the Stone Age at Richard's on Richards. Very sweet action that night indeed.

Nevertheless, this Tuesday brings all the good people of the world a chance to pick up Songs for the Deaf, QOTSA's new album. Queens has yet to dissapoint with any of their music and this will likely go down as the album of the year. Though it does have very tough competition with Blackilicious' 'Blazing Arrow' and ...Trail of Dead's 'Source Tags & Codes'.

Also on Tuesday look for a re-release of Reservoir Dogs on DVD with several different packaging styles and I'm sure some special features.

Furthermore, I've lucked into a ticket to the second of two Wilco shows at the Commodore next weekend. There is no doubt that this will be a great show. Before that, I suggest y'all check out the Blues Explosion (w/ the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs and the Liars) tomorrow night at the Commodore, as well as the Hot Snakes show on Wednesday night at Richard's.

There's also a new Sleater Kinney album out; I haven't heard it, but, come on, can it be bad? The answer is no.

Well, sadly, that's about it for now. But, I think that gives you all some stuff to do for the next while.

Also, if any of you have any of my old reviews of shows saved (from anything before Blackilicious) I'd appreciate it if you e-mailed me it so I can post it here for all the world to see. Have I had any hits yet?

Questions to ronmorgan@telus.net, and keep your damned comments to yourself. You can't improve on perfection.

Blackilicious finally righted what has been wrong for the past few months. They made it to town and got the fine people of this city dancing. They'd cancelled two shows earlier so that emcee Gift of Gab didn't have to have a foot amputated and they didn't get on the stage till around 1 am.

There were several local opening acts (I can't remember their names right now; but one of them was like a hip-hop boy band; any fans of this, I apologize for my demeaning tone) as well as some not so local acts, DJ Quick and Killa Kelah and Supernatural. The beat boxing was some sweet action, but it was Supernatural's ease with the crowd and quick flow with words when prompted to go with whatever fans raised up that really started the night in the right direction. For anyone who hasn't seen Supernatural, do yourself a favour, check him out and learn how to work a crowd. I've probably seen many of you readers at partys and you sorely need help in this area.

Anyways, Blackilicious made up for their long delay by getting the crowd dancing from the first few notes of the show. Well, most of the crowd. This was the first major hip-hop show I've been to since Public Enemy in 1990 (?) and I was expecting to see more dancing than just standing and staring at the stage like most rock shows. In any case, it was funky. They seemed to like reminding us all of where we live quite a bit, but I'm sure it made people feel special and good about themselves. They funked it up for quite a while, but because of their late start, and my having been there since relatively early in the night, I called it quites at about 1:45. Thus, I missed how they ended their set and have now left you with a pretty useless (non)review.

Nevertheless, let me end it like this. If you were anywhere near town and weren't at the Commodore on Saturday night, really, you may as well get on with it and move to Barriere and start your family because you're simply missing out.

Ron

Once again, questions can be sent to ronmorgan@telus.net, and as usual, no comments please.

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