u/Borracho_Cansado8627

"Buried so close to the fountain of youth you can almost reach..."

We've reached the final track of Villains, which means we've completed our first album! Taking a moment to appreciate the album, I believe that Villains will be one of the more appreciated albums in a few years, much like Era Vulgaris was in its time. Un-Reborn Again is a good reason why I believe this album is so great, the track itself is so different, but catchy. The theme surrounding the fountain of youth is also something that really pulls me in as well, the way Josh uses his metaphors is something that needs its own deep dive in my opinion. What do y'all think of this track? And what about Villains overall? Live performances have been limited for this track, it has only had 19 total plays. All plays came during the Villains tour in 2017 and 2018, so it unlikely that we will hear this live again. Only time will tell.

Live performances:

AccorHotels Arena, Paris, FRA, 2017 (fancam) - https://youtu.be/ogSZ_J_E4Po?si=acWZcPnS5VWOcHRU

The Anthem, Washington, DC, 2017 (fancam) - https://youtu.be/2tmeOm4czKo?si=fUnD8hmz2VoLM9dZ

The Forum, Los Angeles, CA, 2018 (fancam - with Mark Ronson) - https://youtu.be/4C1uv6gipkY?si=9vqdxMn06AWqM01p

Hala Towar, Warsaw, POL, 2018 (fancam) - https://youtu.be/GhwAxRQpOfo?si=E1e8dh8IPeWfEPed

"It's only falling in love because you hit the ground..."

What more is there to say about this track. It's a musical masterpiece for many folks in this sub and beyond. It's very powerful, moving, eerie, and ominous all in the same breath. The solo may be my favorite across any song ever, including all other bands. I'll let y'all do the talking from here because I can go on for days, what does this song mean to you? Is it up there for the greatest song of all time? Live performances have been strong, usually averaging over 10 plays a year. The only time it didn't break 10 was in 2023 when it only made 3 setlists. It hasn't been too uncommon, but it's still rare enough to feel special when you're lucky enough to hear it live. Let's hope the group continues to add it to the regular rotation in the upcoming tours.

Music Video: https://youtu.be/C9OfBcjyxKY?si=XoUhpYjMJtJgmBMM

Live performances:

Le Zenith, Paris, FRA, 2013 - https://youtu.be/9Snn7iet5gY?si=1snwcg5Q6nEQGmpg

Live on Letterman, Ed Sullivan Theater, NYC, NY, 2013 - https://youtu.be/EqFnDWdUBi8?si=QBKdwIZ-GJao85YA

L'Album de la Semaine, Saint-Denis, FRA, 2013 - https://youtu.be/STHOzPhqQcs?si=EGNMTjCLVx04COkR

KCRW, Santa Monica, CA, 2013 - (timestamp 47:08) - https://youtu.be/QhaJhbxa7L8?si=0nJ7bettS4qv2nxt&t=2829

Lowlands Festival, Biddinghuizen, NED, 2014 - https://youtu.be/9gW8H1Sydis?si=9KHAUzQi8Lusp6yd

Corona Capital Sessions, Mexico City, MEX, 2025 - https://youtu.be/g3tMcVuyAxg?si=_NuPcsn1--mQQu8t

Is this the funnest opening riff in all of the QOTSA discography? If not, it's definitely up there. Once this song hits the first couple of notes, you'll usually hear the live crowd begun to sing along to the riff, which is honestly awesome. The 05 lineup has that something special, you can see Josh pick up bass duties in a couple of the live performances I have linked here. Speaking of live performances, this song has had a fairly regular feature in the rotations by Lullabies standards, usually seeing at least 10 performances during the touring years. We saw it make 13 sets in 2025 and 14 in 2024, which is a pretty big dropoff from 33 in 2018 during the final year of the Villains tour and 62 during the final year of the LC tour. I think we can expect to see this track make a few appearances this year. Does this song make your top 5?

Live performances:

AOL Sessions, Los Angeles, CA, 2005 - https://youtu.be/NqR-Vj8KhkY?si=lAGEejKX0USbVSNh

Late Night with Conan O'Brien, NYC, NY, 2005 - https://youtu.be/AvvmL3jjDlY?si=oXTtNxuB3A3XWe7d

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Burbank, CA, 2005 (with Billy Gibbons & Chris Goss) - https://youtu.be/DFe1rwhpxEU?si=Nq_IPgFgY8u1_-If

Eurockeennes, Belfort, FRA, 2005 - https://youtu.be/aL2MQNjKi-w?si=dt3PokdxvE-n0BFT

Fox Uninvited Guest, Vancouver, BC, 2013 (acoustic) - https://youtu.be/EUob_y0HH64?si=gUVBLO6cUGdae6rM

Montreux Festival, Montreux, SUI, 2018 (timestamp 50:55) - https://youtu.be/hvQi9chQZqs?si=6iFd9rbZs6AjbsFy&t=3056

Hey everyone! Thank you for participating in the song of the day with me for the past couple of months. Since it's our favorite frontman's birthday and since We're about 2/3 of the way through the Queens discography, I wanted to compile all of the Songs we've done so far on 1 concise post. If you missed your favorite and wanted to find it to drop a comment or to see what others said, here is the place to do it! It'll be pinned on my profile if anyone wants easy access. 🙂

Queens of the Stone Age:
Regular John -
Avon - #1
If Only - #57
Walking On Sidewalks
You Would Know - #25
The Bronze - #41
How to Handle a Rope
Mexicola - #9
Hispanic Impressions - #33
You Can't Quit Me Baby -
These Aren't the Droids You're Looking For -
Give the Mule What He Wants - #17
Spiders & Vinegaroons - #49
I Was A Teenage Hand Model

Rated R:
Feel Good Hit of the Summer - #34
The Lost Art of Keeping A Secret -
Leg of Lamb -
Auto Pilot - #10
Better Living Through Chemistry - #2
Monsters in the Parasol - #26
Quick and to the Pointless - #58
In the Fade -
Tension Head - #42
Lightning Song - #18
I Think I Lost My Headache - #50

Songs for the Deaf
You Think I Ain't Worth a Dollar, But I Feel Like a Millionaire - #35
No One Knows
First It Giveth
A Song for the Dead - #51
The Sky Is Fallin - #11
Six Shooter
Hangin Tree - #27
Go With the Flow - #3
Gonna Leave You
Do It Again - #59
God Is In the Radio - #19
Another Love Song
A Song for the Deaf
Mosquito Song - #43

Lullabies to Paralyze
This Lullaby
Medication - #12
Everybody Knows that You're Insane - #44
Tangled Up In Plaid
Burn the Witch
In My Head - #52
Little Sister
I Never Came - #28
Someone's In the Wolf - #20
The Blood is Love
Skin on Skin - #36
Broken Box - #4
You Got a Killer Scene There Man...
Long Slow Goodbye - #60

Era Vulgaris
Turnin on the Screw - #21
Sick, Sick, Sick - #53
I'm Designer - #61
Into the Hallow
Misfit Love - #13
Battery Acid
Make It Wit Chu - #45
3's & 7's - #5
Suture Up Your Future - #29
River in the Road
Run, Pig, Run - #37
Running Joke
Era Vulgaris
The Fun Machine Took a Shit and Died

...Like Clockwork
Keep Your Eyes Peeled
I Sat By the Ocean - #22
The Vampyre of Time and Memory - #54
If I Had a Tail - #46
My God Is the Sun - #62
Kalopsia - #6
Fairweather Friends - #14
Smooth Sailing - #38
I Appear Missing
...Like Clockwork - #30

Villains
Feet Don't Fail Me - #15
The Way You Used to Do - #39
Domesticated Animals #23
Fortress - #47
Head Like a Haunted House - #31
Un-Reborn Again
Hideaway - #55
The Evil Has Landed #7
Villains of Circumstance - #63

In Times New Roman
Obscenery - #40
Paper Machete
Negative Space - #16
Time & Place - #24
Made to Parade - #48
Carnavoyeur
What the Peephole Say - #32
Sicily - #56
Emotion Sickness - #8
Straight Jacket Fitting

Truthfully, Nick's vocal range is pretty impressive given there are tracks like this one and Millionaire on the same album. While his yells and more heavy sound get the majority of the attention when it comes to songs where Nick has lead duties, this track is also more than acceptable in my opinion. While I don't think it's among the top tracks in the album, this does a good job fitting a spot in an otherwise phenomenal album that is Songs for the Deaf. This track has gone extinct from live performances, mostly due to the fact that Nick is no longer in the band. The last performance was in 2014 where Nick made a special 1-time appearance in Los Angeles. Before that, the last performances were in early 04 during the Australia tour that would ultimately be the final shows that Nick played with the band. Unless we get another Nick reunion, this is probably the last time we'll hear this track under the Queens name.

Live Performances:

Visions Festival, Dortmund, GER, 2002 - https://youtu.be/wkQteU9jKRI?si=I8T4VsuhVU57HWsK

AOL Sessions, Los Angeles, CA, 2002 (timestamp 7:44) - https://youtu.be/oBPuqidV7uU?si=sT75hF91a0TiKagP&t=464

Open Air Festival, St. Gallen, SUI, 2003 - https://youtu.be/14V_B1-tDVg?si=Rv-Ik_ozW6RBDjc1

Pinkpop, Landgraaf, NED, 2003 - https://youtu.be/8sazH4r3a7o?si=bDI4uw3RB_MqBVYi

*Note* this is actually #66, I screwed up when I wrote the number 😭

One of the forgotten classics from Rated R, Leg of Lamb is one of the more. Leg of lamb is one of the funner songs in Rated R. It's fairly short, sorta fast paced, easy to sing along to, it's got it all got a nice ear worm track. I've never actually had leg of lamb before, so this track is what made me familiar with the dish rather than the other way around. Anyone else? Or am I alone on that boat? Live performances have dropped off from what they once were, along with much of Rated R. the most recent plays were in 2023, where they played the song twice in Luxembourg and Belgium. Before that, it was largely absent throughout the 2010s, except for 12 performances in 2017, 3 in 2011, and 1 in 2018. The track peaked in 05 with 63 performances. It is unlikely we see this again soon, but we may get the odd appearance in a setlist in the next couple of years, assuming they continue touring.

Visions Westend Festival, Dortmund, GER, 2002 - https://youtu.be/zoTboiRWF1k?si=HS6wxSVKAUWR1dCw

Montreux Festival, Montreux, SUI, 2005 - https://youtu.be/MH-hmZj-jOU?si=CX0fJ3szQ75E9Qmy

The Appliance Section of the OKC Best Buy, Oklahoma City, OK, 2007 (fancam) - https://youtu.be/j1tcdKqOPHU?si=v9gOazrUvbVd23Kd

99X Live X Center Stage, Atlanta, GA, 2007 - https://youtu.be/fOh6bFx_sbY?si=mQ2NNHcMq7wuwMRW

Sportpaleis, Merksem, BEL, 2023 (fancam) - https://youtu.be/Av_FNfMSs08?si=86fTWYJuNeplbm3j

"When there's nothing I can do... I smile..."

Another sleeper hit from the most recent album, Carnavoyeur has that something special that really hooks you right from the getgo. The intro is eerie and ominous, but almost comforting in a way, and then in come the vocals with 'nothing'. There's just something that I can't explain but this track has me sold. There is a bit of mystery surrounding this track, it appeared in the original setlist for the first Catacombs show in Chicago, but it wasn't played and it never appeared on a setlist again for the rest of the tour. It leaves one to wonder how that would've sounded with the orchestra. Unfortunately it seems like we may never get the answer to that question. Live performances for this track are plentiful however, racking up 145 combined plays in the last 3 years. The lowest tally was last year with 31 plays, but I expect it to make frequent appearances during this year's your as well.

Music Video: https://youtu.be/L2QUws-jZ7U?si=RbqtvUM1YpTJoYRl

Live performances:

Pinkpop, Landgraaf, NED, 2023 - https://youtu.be/jkcpRspBVtY?si=FIXu9be5FbOpGgdK

Hurricane Festival, Scheessel, GER, 2023 (timestamp 52:06) - https://youtu.be/9WcmoToBIU0?si=870QSTyACYzOys8B&t=3126

Noches del Botanico, Madrid, ESP, 2024 (fancam - timestamp 44:31) - https://youtu.be/ufqeR7N027M?si=YDcS2TohSao_cPBc&t=2671

Way Out West Festival, Gothenburg, SWE, 2025 (timestamp 35:08) - https://youtu.be/NKentfd7tQc?si=4q-8UI2XAoxbyqZE&t=2108

Cabaret Vert, Charleville-Mezieres, FRA, 2025 (timestamp 41:38) - https://youtu.be/XvEzTWG6VB8?si=XCvqUoZPgq_-Fxpq&t=2498

"It's so hard to explain... So easy to feel... I need you now... Nothing is real..."

I think this can be considered the closest thing to a title track for the Villains album. Villains of Circumstance is a love song that's equal parts powerful and tragic. Josh has a unique way to make you 'feel' when he sings and I think this is a sing that really conveys emotion in a way a not of his other songs can't. A prototype of this track was actually performed by Josh as early as 2014 with some minor changes. Do you enjoy this song or is it too far removed from the typical sound from this rock band you've come to know? Live performances for this track were plentiful during the Villains Tour, picking up 42 plays in both 2017 and 2018. It has since become a bit of a rare treat however, picking up less than 8 annual plays during normal sets ever since. The catacombs tour did give this track 19 playss in 2025 and 5 so far in 2026, it is most likely going to remain a rare treat unless more surprise catacombs shows come along.

WDR1 Live, Koln, GER, 2017 (acoustic) - https://youtu.be/eIFg2qajRJ8?si=TqyHL23M9TF79gND

Northside Festival, Aarhus, DEN, 2018 - https://youtu.be/_nGPEh3wXdw?si=K94GMN2f6arxNJLn

Paris Catacombs, Paris, FRA, 2024 (Alive in the Catacombs film - timestamp 11:58) - https://youtu.be/G14LBixxxWo?si=ofEePAzoXPd9rznM&t=718

Austin City Limits, Austin, TX, 2025 (Catacombs tour - Timestamp 10:24) - https://youtu.be/B3GqYfv6WmE?si=kyJt7noWTUW_i50m&t=624

Other Performances:

Josh Homme, Royal Festival Hall, London, ENG, 2014 (fancam) - https://youtu.be/i741DahYQpk?si=_OjyO4xYJ7yWhQpp

Josh Homme, Teragram Ballroom, Los Angeles, CA, 2016 (famcam) - https://youtu.be/CaqRENm7KXE?si=rRkb47837wUNNhhi

"Heal them, with fire from above..."

The ultimate tribute to the desert in the form of a song, My God is the Sun is one of the more recognizable songs from Like Clockwork. The opening riff is unmistakable in an album with so many recognizable sounds. The way this track hooks you so unapologetically is a great contrast to the show and sometimes methodical sounds this album had to offer. Also, If you like maracas this is the one for you. Live performances of this track are very healthy, usually getting over 50 plays during most of their touring years. It picked up 38 plays in 2025, which is the lowest it has seen during the band's touring years, but I expect it to see numbers above that range in the upcoming years.

Music video: https://youtu.be/iFca32_7YUU?si=HJPWf89M5aehS-yG

Live performances:

Late Show with David Letterman, NYC, NY, 2013 - https://youtu.be/z1GfDzZ_59g?si=UtB6jfilflOHWhHZ

Later with Jools Holland, Maidstone, ENG, 2013 - https://youtu.be/UW3A8EwfrfM?si=CIDvaQX1KPx6vgt1

Fox Uninvited Guest, Vancouver, BC, 2013 (Acoustic) - https://youtu.be/iDjyjWxUrQc?si=xfIMW-W1O8jn2W1n

Open'er Festival, Gdynia, POL, 2023 - https://youtu.be/ue3z6WBCXic?si=OtcNsp1d7lexHS_Z

"It's truly a lie... I counterfeit myself"

This is one of those tracks that you'll either "get" or you don't. For those people that don't, this is probably one of the most disliked tracks in the entire Queens discography for you. It is sort of understandable because of how different this track is to any conventional song that the band has put out, even including the 3 albums that came after Era Vulgaris. If you are on the side that "gets" it, I wouldn't be surprised if this ends up being in your top 5. It's such a unique song that does take a while to like, but once you do, you find yourself replaying it the entire day. Personally, this is one of my favorites from Era Vulgaris, even if it wasn't always. Is this one that you love or is this one that has never clicked with you? Live performances are always mostly a rare treat, outside of 2014 with 18 plays and 07 with 15 plays, it has never surpassed 5 plays. It got 2 last year, which is already exceeding expectations they have already set. Let's hope they continue to surprise going into 2026.

Music Video: https://youtu.be/2qb1yPVBrN4?si=yWWzjyPd2mhF2La8

Live perforamances:

Live de la Semaine, Paris, FRA, 2007 - https://youtu.be/b860Ok6huh8?si=VhLZ5ZqDOqJNANoL

3 Voor 12, Amsterdam, NED, 2007 (acoustic) - https://youtu.be/w52Uxa5NleI?si=EuQxaiGONoO2iJD2

Lowlands Festival, Biddinghuizen, NED, 2014 - https://youtu.be/waz1U2T4ZeU?si=wAW963tXdSTmJ4fB

Unibet Arena, Tallinn, EST, 2025 (fancam) - https://youtu.be/_UPSkgcfixM?si=CMXUyEa3yCw5LX-L

"Where have you gone again my sweet?.... Everybody wants to know..."

What's a tragic and powerful song this is. If you've ever experienced loss, this one is probably one that has resonated with you to some degree. It is as good of a closer as one could ask for for m on any album. I do think that the outro is a bit of of place though, but it's a small complaint for an otherwise great track. Live performances have been pretty scarce for the most part. Outside of the Lullabies tour in 05, which saw the track make 86 appearances, the next highest was actually 2025, with 21 plays. This was due largely to the track being the encore of the Catacombs tour. Outside of those two, the highest it has gotten on any given year is 12 in 2011, but it tends to make at least 1 annual appearance every year during their touring years. Expect this to remain a rare treat outside of the special shows.

Live performances:

Brixton Academy, London, ENG, 2005 (Over the Years and Through the Woods Recording) - https://youtu.be/Xn2HddKgxOA?si=OyJAXy9eE5tMWyKS

Eurockeennes, Belfort, FRA, 2005 - https://youtu.be/zNTKhslhRNg?si=99_GnsVS_Nfhzjq3

SWU & Arts Festival, Sao Paulo, BRA, 2010 - https://youtu.be/PI_DFoC5CBA?si=Z_d7Mqxt6uY2h3iE

WDR 1Live Salon, Koln, GER, 2017 - https://youtu.be/wu9th1xS83U?si=gsU880__0rncSPzX

Baloise Sessions, Basel, SUI, 2025 (Catacombs tour - timestamp 1:44:02) - https://youtu.be/1wh1v7Ss5bU?si=fw3jJWR5JwjxBRkK&t=6242

Bonus:

Josh on Soundchain with Zane Lowe, Ljubljana, SVN, 2014 (acoustic) - https://youtu.be/FeGpQDQvkK8?si=HxV46hbtzh3Z2lP8

Them Crooked Vultures, Taylor Hawkins Tribute Show, London, ENG, 2022 - https://youtu.be/zxWeug_g4wA?si=ejtl9bolWB77a85r

The lyrics to this one are... well... yeah... I'll let you decide what to call them. I do admit, this track is not on my top 10, but I do actually enjoy the music itself. The heaviness of the track, Nick's yells, the riff, everything (other than the actual lyrics) checks out as far as a solid to good Queens track. It feels like it's very of the era, late 90s, early 00s style rock. The song itself is a good representation of the edginess that an album called Rated R brings to the table, do you think this was the intention with the lyrics? Or is that being too hopeful on my part? Live performances of this one were actually very plentiful throughout the latter stage of Nick's tenure with the band. It featured heavily on the Songs for the Deaf tour, picking up 81 plays in 02 and 101 in 03. The track completely fell off of every setlist after Nick's departure in 04, but the most recent performance of this track actually took place in 2014 when Nick returned for a 1 night performance with the Band in Los Angeles.

Live performances:

Reading Festival, Reading, ENG, 2001 (Nick is naked) - https://youtu.be/WzzFber6t28?si=CpDSoSzW7k01GvNq

Glastonbury Festival, Pilton, ENG 2002 (timestamp 5:44) - https://youtu.be/SoS-3K0zJZg?si=UyttwGsmdhpoz0Nk&t=345

Hultsfred, SWE, 2003 - https://youtu.be/fbmGAf6hslg?si=TFzwm6Yb-c8mnn3x

Akasaka BLITZ, Tokyo, JAP, 2003 - https://youtu.be/ircA9gJi6cQ?si=AOLsBFOHZ6-cbp_j

"If only, only, it was nothing at all..."

Does anyone else think that the self-titled album is often forgotten? Today's track, If Only, is another classic from the first album. It was originally featured in the Kyuss/QOTSA album (where the group first debuted the Queens of the Stone Age moniker) under the title "If Only Everything". It does have that rough, early sound that a lot of the self-titled album brings to the table. It's been noted in other discussions about this track that it has a layered way of introducing the instruments, with the first you hear being the guitar, followed by the drums, bass, keys, and vocals in that order. The end of the song has them stopping in reverse order, with the guitar being the last instrument to stop playing. It's fun facts like those that make it cool to see how creative the band has been with their work from the very beginning up until today. Personally, this is one of the songs that I enjoy when it pops up on my rotation, but it isn't one that I actively seek out for whatever reason. How do you feel about this track overall? Live performances of this track have basically gone extinct after the rerelease tour in 2011. Prior to that, it was fairly consistent during the band's touring years, picking up at least 20 plays when the group was touring and maxing out at 50 plays in 2011 during the rerelease tour, however this is probably the last time will hear this live.

Live performances:

Bizarre Festival, Koln, GER, 1998 - https://youtu.be/NWhVndWXWbc?si=kMxKc4RSQfD123MF

KUPD, Pheonix, AZ, 1999 - https://youtu.be/pvPeTpwigxQ?si=Po7Ybb6DtNWbw_fo

Werchter Festival, Werchter, BEL, 2005 - https://youtu.be/VTspMXPJL0g?si=j_7RoGEJGIKq6piW

Conan, Burbank, CA, 2011 - https://youtu.be/ioYO7v7fN1U?si=T3tiRXJzt3tgvVJ3

A hidden gem from the most recent album, Sicily is slow, dark, and oh so sexy. The lyrics to this track are definitely on the bolder side of the album, pretty much on par with the slow bass riff that dominates the song. It's pretty neat that the general consensus on this song is mostly positive based on the research I did, although most of what I saw is from around the time that the album released. I wonder what people think of it now that the album is a few years old at this point. Live performances of this track are limited to a short run during the End is Nero tour. It saw 8 live plays throughout the summer and fall of 2024, 5 of those being in Canada so congrats to our friends in the great white north.

Live performances:

Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, AB, 2024 (fancam) - https://youtu.be/9V3yS-84IVY?si=jxzKVD8X1kVy3wTs

Slush Puppy Place, Kingston, ON, 2024 (fancam) - https://youtu.be/NYJz6j_14go?si=vNqgSwDn1ckFZMZR

Alsterdorfer Sporthalle, Hamburg, GER, 2024 (famcam) - https://youtu.be/6HvRObPle5I?si=GzSLUmvr1Kg_BVuZ

"You'll stay fast and lonely... Never ever need to run and hide from me..."

If you had asked me a year ago where I would've ranked Hideaway, it definitely would've finished near the bottom of the table. After hearing this song live a couple of times now, I definitely have to say that the sentiment was flipped on its head. Hideaway, to me at least, is one of the hidden gems in the QOTSA library. I do admit, this is a significant shift from their more typical work, being less of a pure rock song and more experimental in their sound, but I don't believe that's necessarily a bad thing for the Villains album as a whole. I'm curious to know if the Catacombs had any effect on your opinion of this track like it did mine. Live plays of this track have been mostly limited to the Catacombs tour, there is one additional play at a show in Tasmania, AUS for the Museum of Old and New Art. I don't see any additional plays for this track unfortunately. Unless, of course, we get additional shows for the catacombs tour.

Live performances:

Baloise Sessions, Basel, SUI, 2025 (Catacombs Tour) - https://youtu.be/WbqqH26e0hg?si=1vcX-RXQiU_vRABq

Austin City Limits, Austin, TX, 2025 (Catacombs Tour) - https://youtu.be/EmW0vVj1hDs?si=eakCX7UE-rUczWq3

Agua Caliente Casino, Rancho Mirage, CA, 2026 (Catacombs Tour - fancam) - https://youtu.be/sDhbeGUA5qM?si=kka2dt2vc4jYGKdz

"Does anyone ever get this right... I feel no love..."

Vampyre, a cool piano ballad that I'm sure Josh was just itching to get onto an album. It is the first of its kind for QOTSA as far as I know, along with the title track for Like Clockwork which also makes an appearance later in the album. The song itself is slow and eerie, it sets the mood for what the rest of the album embodies and the song itself is truly a work of art in my opinion. Even before the catacombs tour, Josh would perform this song on the piano himself, Dean even has guitar solo duties, so this is pretty awesome to see and hear live as well. Speaking of live performances, this track saw a healthy showing during the Like Clockwork tour in 2014-2015, getting over 70 performances each year. It became a rare treat afterwards, never seeing more than 6 plays on any given year until 2025 when the Catacombs tour helped increase the live plays up to 32, with 19 of those being Catacombs dates. 2026 has seen 5 live plays as part of the Catacombs mini tour, but with the upcoming dates being opening acts, it is unlikely we see it again. Unless of course, we haven't see the end of the Catacombs tour yet.

Music Video: https://youtu.be/AEIVlYegHx8?si=3u4PDi41qjpjmuMi

Live Performances:

KCRW Morning Becomes Eclectic, Apogee Studio, Santa Monica, CA, 2013 - https://youtu.be/PJiVvpH6-E0?si=aUAkJoWDfhq4ytXo

Kulturkirshe, Koln, GER, 2013 - https://youtu.be/owmC0fYnkm4?si=7bDypVo4hUEzcobf

Conan, Burbank, CA, 2013 - https://youtu.be/krS_H9ffYEk?si=5gLF-mDkgwKuW9uR

Pukkelpop, Hasselt, BEL, 2025 (timestamp 48:20) - https://youtu.be/VY5sW8nDGmk?si=HnXVbwGxB3mUir3T&t=2900

Baloise Sessions, Basel, SUI, 2025 (Catacombs Tour - timestamp 15:29) - https://youtu.be/1wh1v7Ss5bU?si=0vbNqqLdvXj3-pZo&t=4529

"I'm gonna take... I don't wanna choose."

An early favorite of mine from Era Vulgaris, Sick, Sick, Sick is one of the rougher sounding tracks from the group's most experimental album. The guitar features some powerful chords to start it off and the riffs throughout really hammer home the whole "robot rock" thing that the album is known for, which is honestly one of the biggest reasons that I'm pretty fond of this one. Julian Casablanca from the Strokes also features in this one, providing backing vocals for the outro that I quoted above. There is some debate as to what the actual lyrics are though, I do admit I hear "I wanna change/ I dont wanna change" but most sources seem to indicate otherwise. Where does this one rank on EV for you? Sick, Sick, Sick has one of the healthier live performance counts from EV, coming in 2nd place only behind Make it Wit Chu with 490 total plays. Live plays have somewhat diminished recently though, only making 12 appearances last year, which is still a healthy amount, but it has dropped slightly from other years of the End is Nero Tour.

Music Video: https://youtu.be/oHDaKtx6bGY?si=SBLuizi8qcfkGEPV

Live performances:

Gonzo, London, ENG, 2007 - https://youtu.be/Jw9-soIb5E8?si=FuklP3AkE74L-tD4

Area 4 Festival, Luedinghausen, GER, 2010 - https://youtu.be/seg_eHmwy2o?si=EaYfhbBL5P_MUinv

Alpine Valley, WI, 2011 (with Julian Casablancas - fancam) - https://youtu.be/cs6o58u7rh0?si=G6zYk12EcbKVfoOH

Reading Festival, Reading, ENG, 2014 - https://youtu.be/nL4Hhi8XPck?si=4EBQVnkP7UeKJm5x

Rock Am Ring, Nuerburg, GER, 2024 - https://youtu.be/1GJbrzhflmM?si=7EtW-bC8ulj4Av8T

"Keep on playin our favorite song... I turn it up, while you're gone..."

Another track originally by the Desert Sessions, In My Head is a fun singalong track that's a nice deviation from the rest of Lullabies. It has a fun buildup that's immediately identifiable once the track rolls and it has a simple riff that's easy to play along to if you're a novice guitar player. The band are no strangers to featuring on video game soundtracks and this one is featured in Need for Speed Underground 2, which many fans of the video game may have known already! The music video for this track is famously hated by the band, Troy saying in an interview with suicidegirls(dot)com (seriously) that they listened to the record label and recorded the band in front of a greenscreen with effects later added on. He went on to compare the shoot to a Gap commercial, so clearly, they weren't happy with the final product. Live performances have been somewhat rare, only cracking 20 annual plays three times. The play count was massively inflated with 92 plays in 2005 during the lullabies tour, the next highest was 26 plays in 07 followed by 25 in 2014. 2025 saw 18 plays, but I expect this year's count to drop a bit. What do you think of this track?

Music Video: https://youtu.be/69e8oa85F3g?si=FbR9acaskBCS0-se

Live performances:

Eurockeenne, Belfort, FRA, 2005 - https://youtu.be/aGITDGqm5J0?si=KlXN7_WmjwMYAFSN

Reading Festival, Reading, ENG, 2008 - https://youtu.be/BTMQcqUc2tk?si=otW3m99WUU38MGAI

Rock In Rio, Rio de Janeiro, BRA, 2015 - https://youtu.be/ys0MPgaElqQ?si=nnadvU8YS4G7bI29

Pohoda, Trencin, SVK, 2025 (timestamp: 49:46) - https://youtu.be/pdA4jPCq080?si=XDg6ITxOqbOFKeCO&t=2987

"If you're hanging around... I'm holdin the noose."

Sorry for the couple days break, I went to see the show in Joshua Tree and needed a couple of days to disconnect in the desert, what a show!

Song for the Dead is the now trademark closer for the group nowadays and has been so for a while, because what a brilliant way to end the show with a bang. The slow buildup of the symbols at the beginning followed by the riff that takes you into the opening verse, just sheer perfection. Mark's vocals give this track an eerie brilliance to it; there's just no description that does any justice. Dave's drumming is also something that should be noted, I learned recently that the drum intro was also borrowed from the intro to "Slip It In" by Black Flag, if you haven't heard that bit I suggest you have a listen and have your mind blown. There's not much else I can say about this icon of a track, so I'll let you lot say what you think about this track. Live performances have been understandably strong, seeing at least 30 plays during their touring years, especially since they started to close with this track. It also saw a broke over 100 plays in a year twice, with record 122 plays in 2003 and 104 in 2005.

Live Performances:

Werchter, Werchter, BEL, 2002 - https://youtu.be/dOsmG-sufNc?si=2gcPJ623QeZMgZub

Rock Am Ring, Nuerburg, GER, 2003 - https://youtu.be/TBUMjX7igo8?si=TD_qAmFaPn0D0Ku0

Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreux, SUI (timestamp 1:30:40) - https://youtu.be/hvQi9chQZqs?si=9bv2I9QVSgo3cndu&t=5920

Hurricane Festival, Scheessel, GER, 2023 (timestamp 1:05:15) - https://youtu.be/9WcmoToBIU0?si=g3UALDsxwUJNaA7P&t=3915