Villains
by Queens of the Stone Age
  • Record Label: Matador
  • Release Date: Aug 25, 2017
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 233 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 180 out of 233
  2. Mixed: 32 out of 233
  3. Negative: 21 out of 233
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  1. ZzzGggg
    Jun 16, 2023
    9
    Альбом классный, как по мне бодрее Like Clockwork, Un-Reborn Again явно веет Боуи, Head like a haunted house буги-вуги в стиле dead kennedys, domesticated animals классика qotsa, и hideway (тоже что-то от Боуи); fortress тоже классический трек qotsa. Evil has landed колкий рок с зепеллинским рифом, очень круто. Купил диск, не пожалел. Не согласен с теми, кто говорит, что предыдущий был наАльбом классный, как по мне бодрее Like Clockwork, Un-Reborn Again явно веет Боуи, Head like a haunted house буги-вуги в стиле dead kennedys, domesticated animals классика qotsa, и hideway (тоже что-то от Боуи); fortress тоже классический трек qotsa. Evil has landed колкий рок с зепеллинским рифом, очень круто. Купил диск, не пожалел. Не согласен с теми, кто говорит, что предыдущий был на голову выше. Здесь Хомми немного отошел от привычного «пустынного» заука и это пошло на пользу. Меня увлекло… Expand
  2. PixieQueen
    Jan 28, 2020
    3
    At first I was really dissapointed... It sounded like Qotsa... but it was just all wrong somehow... Maybe it would grow on me... nah.. I just stayed dissapointed. It's flat, the guitar sometimes sounds annoying even.. its just all wrong. Just my opinion....
  3. JaneMetascore
    Dec 18, 2019
    0
    This album has terribly formulamatic, predictable, and unmercilessly brief songwriting, like it regurgitates something that should have stayed in 1998. Technically this isn't strong enough to hold together as an album, and it shouldn't have been released. This is the first time a band revealed it is worse than Pink Floyd, when Jonny Rotten decried hatred upon Floyd. This band is too weakThis album has terribly formulamatic, predictable, and unmercilessly brief songwriting, like it regurgitates something that should have stayed in 1998. Technically this isn't strong enough to hold together as an album, and it shouldn't have been released. This is the first time a band revealed it is worse than Pink Floyd, when Jonny Rotten decried hatred upon Floyd. This band is too weak to carry on any further.… Expand
  4. Demilith
    Dec 27, 2018
    8
    Villains es una continuacion solida de lo que fue Like a Clockwork, con altos y bajos, la mezcla de sonidos tiene algunas dificultades, pero las composiciones en si muestran una faceta que a veces hace pensar a las melodias de David Bowie
  5. BenLSF
    Jul 13, 2018
    10
    This album seems to be the marmite of QOTSA records, people either love it or loathe it. It all comes down to personal preference and taste. I, for one, love this record. It's trying something new and does it incredibly successfully. I will, however, admit that the production on this album isn't amazing however the flatter sound to this one does favour many of the songs. The bouncing introThis album seems to be the marmite of QOTSA records, people either love it or loathe it. It all comes down to personal preference and taste. I, for one, love this record. It's trying something new and does it incredibly successfully. I will, however, admit that the production on this album isn't amazing however the flatter sound to this one does favour many of the songs. The bouncing intro "Feet Don't Fail Me" gives you a real taste of what's to come. Along with the dance style tracks, there are slower moments in tracks such as "Fortress" and "Villains of Circumstance". These songs are placed perfectly and give the album a lovely ebb and flow to it.… Expand
  6. Andremax
    Jul 12, 2018
    6
    Sincerely, it is hoped much more of Homme. Nothing against pop vain (some QOTSA songs has it too), but for who have done "Songs for the Deaf", "Rated R" and "..Like Clockwork", he has more creativity that which is showed in this album. The expectation was giant, further being posterior album of this last one. Regular to Good.
  7. Ricko
    Mar 28, 2018
    7
    My two favourite QOTSA albums are "Songs For The Deaf" and "Like Clockwork". The former, a legendary record at this stage, for keeping an insane level of intensity throughout. The latter for its maturity, intelligence and ability to interest. Much of the rest of their back catalog fails to engage across a full album. "Villains", while not up with their absolute best work is a majorMy two favourite QOTSA albums are "Songs For The Deaf" and "Like Clockwork". The former, a legendary record at this stage, for keeping an insane level of intensity throughout. The latter for its maturity, intelligence and ability to interest. Much of the rest of their back catalog fails to engage across a full album. "Villains", while not up with their absolute best work is a major success when you consider some of the risks they took. Probably not hard enough for many long time "Queens" fans who would have despaired at the inclusion of Mark Ronson on production duties but I think "Villains" works. The album is direct rock, hard but not heavy and with a funky pop undertone. It's both engaging and enjoyable, two factors that make for a good album. Everything you get on top is a bonus. There are easily 3 or 4 outstanding numbers on this.… Expand
  8. stgrunu
    Mar 18, 2018
    4
    Decent album but it's really forgettable and some tracks go for far too long. The only standout track is the closer, which is a 10/10 on an album full of 3-4/10s.
  9. CoolNameGuy91
    Dec 11, 2017
    7
    The first 3 and a half tracks are phenomenal, with track 4 going on too long. The rest feels like a band filling out a track list when they wrote an EP.
  10. Ricardocks
    Dec 6, 2017
    2
    unlistenable

    Last three QOTSA albums have been quite good , but short of the quality we've been used to.
    There is no point on keeping the name on a project that has so little to do with the sound they helped to define and redifine , now it's just a mixed bag of Josh's worst musical ideas.
  11. Butterbean1
    Dec 2, 2017
    2
    I've deliberately avoided leaving a review until I'd given the album a chance to appreciate over repeated listenings. Unfortunately it hasn't, and I'm left feeling the same as I did on first hearing it. QOTSA worst album by far.
  12. HughCross
    Nov 14, 2017
    8
    After Clockwork leave really high expectation about the potential the band can reach, and even if this album is not as good as his preveious work, it is certainly a terrific piece of music.

    It has some few low points (Animals), but the playlist is really solid, groovy, energic and with some beautifully constructed songs (Fortress). Listening twice you already notice his unique vibe that    After Clockwork leave really high expectation about the potential the band can reach, and even if this album is not as good as his preveious work, it is certainly a terrific piece of music.

    It has some few low points (Animals), but the playlist is really solid, groovy, energic and with some beautifully constructed songs (Fortress). Listening twice you already notice his unique vibe that make this album a very welcomed entry in the collection of QotSA.

    Favourites: Feet don't fail me now, fortress, the evil has landed
    Not so much: Domesticated animals, un-reborn again    … Expand
  13. Scraper
    Nov 14, 2017
    5
    I feel like Homme is featuring more of himself stylishly instead of letting it happen naturally. Since the last album, he's indulged himself with more creative song arrangements and techniques like intros of echoes in damp hallways and too often pumping the brakes on the rhythm so he can coo into the listeners ear - very noticeably channeling Bowie, which you can't fault for the homage toI feel like Homme is featuring more of himself stylishly instead of letting it happen naturally. Since the last album, he's indulged himself with more creative song arrangements and techniques like intros of echoes in damp hallways and too often pumping the brakes on the rhythm so he can coo into the listeners ear - very noticeably channeling Bowie, which you can't fault for the homage to one of the greats. It's hard getting over a lot of single note progression riffs that minimize the songs when you want them to explode. There are some cool songs here and I appreciate the maturation of this band but I feel like it's a bit too careful.… Expand
  14. af2003
    Oct 12, 2017
    10
    I do not know what "you" are listen to get a QOTSA album under 8/10 ... It's pure stupidity of **** , years will prove this 2 + 2 = 4.... want to criticize genius work Joshua Homme who works hard to do something new, not wanting to repeat itself, as most of the artists in this industry do, and comparing a band like Foo Fighters is an insult, the individual quality in this band isI do not know what "you" are listen to get a QOTSA album under 8/10 ... It's pure stupidity of **** , years will prove this 2 + 2 = 4.... want to criticize genius work Joshua Homme who works hard to do something new, not wanting to repeat itself, as most of the artists in this industry do, and comparing a band like Foo Fighters is an insult, the individual quality in this band is infinitely superior ... it is anecdotal compare an album of QOTSA with any album of that band, or others and if it were for those, I assure you that I was listening to Wolf Parade and others indie rock bands, hardcore , jazz or other things. instead of crap like Foo Fighters, MODERN CLASSIC ROCK is dead without QOTSA ...… Expand
  15. lenny68
    Oct 7, 2017
    3
    I decided to give it a while to see whether I would like the album more after repeated listenings. Sadly my opinion now is the same as at the start. This is QOTSA worst album to date in my opinion.
  16. matthewb123
    Oct 7, 2017
    10
    Song for song, this may be the best Queens album, period. Sure, it's danceable, but it's done so f*cking well, and the guitars are still heavy and when they're not the synths pack enough punch to kill it anyways. If you want a quick sum-up of the album, listen to both "The Evil Has Landed" and "Un-reborn Again". The former is a guitar-heavy whirlwind that takes you on a crazy trip, theSong for song, this may be the best Queens album, period. Sure, it's danceable, but it's done so f*cking well, and the guitars are still heavy and when they're not the synths pack enough punch to kill it anyways. If you want a quick sum-up of the album, listen to both "The Evil Has Landed" and "Un-reborn Again". The former is a guitar-heavy whirlwind that takes you on a crazy trip, the latter is a synth-heavy slow-burner which does the same. Then you've got the contrast of "Fortress", a haunting 'ballad' (as close to a ballad as Queens will come) and "Head Like a Haunted House", a punky stomper that wakes you right up in the middle of the album. The only song I felt was a bit of a let-down is "Villains of Circumstance", it's THE poppiest song they've ever done and even though the verses are really cool and build the song up nicely, the chorus is just a total sap, totally ruins the track for me (although the outro is pretty cool and saves it a bit. But basically guys, it's all great. Queens are still the best rock band around and they've made another awesome twist in their discography.… Expand
  17. RottenDaHam
    Sep 26, 2017
    9
    Best QOTSA album since SFTD. It is not the same style we are used to but it is really solid. There are few songs in this album, but none of them are bad. My favourite songs were Head Like a Haunted House and Domesticated Animals. One of the best albums of 2017.
  18. yadevol
    Sep 22, 2017
    2
    As others have said, arguably the worst QOTSA album to date. Instantly forgettable songs, and for a record that was supposed to be danceable very repetitive and ungroovy.
  19. whoischarlotte
    Sep 21, 2017
    7
    I've never been a super massive fan of QOTSA but this album is fantastic. 'The Evil Has Landed' is a particularly great track. It's an album I can actually listen through the whole way without skipping.
  20. Firelog
    Sep 14, 2017
    9
    This album is the best rock album of the year, but you have to listen to it from start to finish, no skipping around, every second. It's a wild ride. It's truly a piece where the sum is greater than its parts.
  21. abc123efg456hij
    Sep 13, 2017
    4
    I'd really like to give this album a lower rating, but I have embraced the band through its directional shifts to date after being thoroughly moved by their first three albums. This album is an exercise in "it should be liked" and "we're going to create chaotic arrangements to be different." It simply doesn't work. It is, in fact, more of a pop album than a rock album. What bothers me moreI'd really like to give this album a lower rating, but I have embraced the band through its directional shifts to date after being thoroughly moved by their first three albums. This album is an exercise in "it should be liked" and "we're going to create chaotic arrangements to be different." It simply doesn't work. It is, in fact, more of a pop album than a rock album. What bothers me more than the fact that this is a weak effort is the rabid nature of some "fans" who insist not only that it is somehow approaching masterpiece status, but you have less than zero musical taste if you disagree. Rated R, whether you view it and SFTD as "ancient" or "archaic" etc., made a far greater statement with far less fuss. No, I don't need that album or SFTD on infinite repeat. Era Vulgaris, for example, has grown on me tremendously. I like more of EV, for example, than Clockwork (I like maybe half of LC ... the piano ballads and pseudo "big" statement pieces leave me cold). I find the promo videos for Villains for compelling than the album. If this album moves you, great; but if you're a longtime QOTSA fan, you might be left scratching your head. As one reviewer stated, it seems as though some younger fans, maybe those who got into QOTSA as teens, feel they simply must view this album as the inevitable masterpiece they so desperately want it to be. It isn't. It feels like a significant nod to attempting to be more accepted by a certain element in the entertainment industry today. If it makes QOTSA a lot of money, I'm all for that. I just can't listen to the #(&(*)#*#(@*&#*$* thing.… Expand
  22. Music_Observer
    Sep 12, 2017
    8
    Being a simple reminder of the true hard rock spirit in the midst of its decline in modern times, this work had a high level of musicianship with its awesome harmonic twists and aggressively riveting melodic deliveries, conveying nine strong, well-written, and intriguing songs that the band seemed to hardly need to lift a finger to achieve. My Score: 144/180 (Solid) = 8/10
  23. ScotchRobbins
    Sep 10, 2017
    8
    I'm not gonna lie to you, if you're looking for a classic Queens of the Stone Age album, you're likely not to find it here. The heavy sludge and drone of the old style has decayed and has been replaced by something a bit more upbeat and catchy. The songwriting is still complex and original, every instrument gets capable and constructive usage, and it makes you wanna dance like Queens hasI'm not gonna lie to you, if you're looking for a classic Queens of the Stone Age album, you're likely not to find it here. The heavy sludge and drone of the old style has decayed and has been replaced by something a bit more upbeat and catchy. The songwriting is still complex and original, every instrument gets capable and constructive usage, and it makes you wanna dance like Queens has never done so before. The tens in these reviews give it too much credit, but to all the zeroes out there, different doesn't mean bad.… Expand
  24. midnightrun
    Sep 1, 2017
    0
    One Word... Rubbish. Queens need to go back to their roots. This album is dreadful, recycled ideas, stale formula, tinny sound, mixing is way off, all this rubbish packaged into a cd made for the mainstream. I appreciated evolution etc, this is just pure selling out. Mark Ronson is the telltale sign. Josh go back to your roots and give something back to the fans who put you here.
  25. Fableside
    Sep 1, 2017
    0
    Hate to say this.. but QOTSA have 1 bad album. This album is so dull and lifeless it begs the question.. why do some people (who proclaim to be qotsa fans) like it. my guessing, their new kids who have only just got into the band. The songs are uninspiring, the album art is a rip off, mixing on this album doesn't showcase the talent they have within the band. AVOID AT ALL COSTS! Stream itHate to say this.. but QOTSA have 1 bad album. This album is so dull and lifeless it begs the question.. why do some people (who proclaim to be qotsa fans) like it. my guessing, their new kids who have only just got into the band. The songs are uninspiring, the album art is a rip off, mixing on this album doesn't showcase the talent they have within the band. AVOID AT ALL COSTS! Stream it if your interested, but don't buy this garbage.… Expand
  26. bama94
    Aug 31, 2017
    10
    It's so funny to be a Villain and the Queens know it. And they make a Summer Album that makes soo mutch fun. Sure they had can make after ... Like Clockwork an Album that also is very dark and moody. But i think Villains take his place in the Discography from the Queens i don't like Part 2 Albums.
    And with Feet Don't Fail Me, The Evil has Landed, Head like a Haunted House, Un-Reborn Again    It's so funny to be a Villain and the Queens know it. And they make a Summer Album that makes soo mutch fun. Sure they had can make after ... Like Clockwork an Album that also is very dark and moody. But i think Villains take his place in the Discography from the Queens i don't like Part 2 Albums.
    And with Feet Don't Fail Me, The Evil has Landed, Head like a Haunted House, Un-Reborn Again and Villains of Circumstance think they had made Songs who can crash my old top ten. Hopefully Homme meet now Them Crooked Vultures after be a Villain on tour.    … Expand
  27. Abutre
    Aug 30, 2017
    10
    Anything you write here is a nothing ... someone will not like it, and they will click on do not like it, so ... like or do not like it will always be a GOOD ALBUM ... poor people need to oxygenate the brain and realize that things don´t have to be what they want, but rather as the ARTISTS want and it is they who decide the direction they want to take for the album, most of it only goes byAnything you write here is a nothing ... someone will not like it, and they will click on do not like it, so ... like or do not like it will always be a GOOD ALBUM ... poor people need to oxygenate the brain and realize that things don´t have to be what they want, but rather as the ARTISTS want and it is they who decide the direction they want to take for the album, most of it only goes by what the Media writes, they do not have their own thoughts ... Unfortunately we live a fast consumer society ...… Expand
  28. HannahK
    Aug 29, 2017
    2
    I have to agree with some of the other comments. Villains is the most uninspired and lazy album QOTSA have made.

    Hate the album cover too. An obvious rip off {yes, rip off, not homage} of The Pale Man of Pan's Labyrinth.
  29. macq
    Aug 29, 2017
    5
    I gave this record a lot of spins mainly because QOTSA used to be my favourite band. It was boring the first time I listened to it and the feeling hasn't changed since.
  30. Abutre68
    Aug 28, 2017
    10
    There are a lot of envy out there, with 20 years of career and always at the top, with excellent albums, do not please everyone, fortunately . Luckily they do not make music for fast consumption, time will give me reason ... one day when the band finishes this album will always be someone's favorite ... such as EV, or LTPL the most badly loved at the time too and time proved to many peopleThere are a lot of envy out there, with 20 years of career and always at the top, with excellent albums, do not please everyone, fortunately . Luckily they do not make music for fast consumption, time will give me reason ... one day when the band finishes this album will always be someone's favorite ... such as EV, or LTPL the most badly loved at the time too and time proved to many people that they were wrong ...… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

28
#28 Most Discussed Album of 2017
14
#14 Most Shared Album of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. Magnet
    Sep 18, 2017
    90
    The results are both vintage QOTSA and something unnameable at the same time. [No. 146, p.58]
  2. PopMatters
    Sep 12, 2017
    70
    This record is strong from top to bottom, and another great entry into Queens of the Stone Age’s catalog.
    Read full review
  3. Pretty Much Amazing
    Aug 30, 2017
    75
    Even though it doesn’t do nearly enough to distinguish itself from the band’s earlier albums, it’s an enjoyable enough listen that it’s not too hard to excuse its flaws.
    Read full review
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