The genius of Josh Homme’s ‘drunken stumble’ technique

Ahead of the release of In Times New Roman... – Queens of the Stone Age's eighth studio record – now is a good time to explore the weirdness and originality of Josh Homme's production style.

One of the reasons I love Homme’s work is because of the way he uses texture and rhythm. He deploys these elements to create compositions that are primal, vulgar, odd, sinister, and, at times, even romantic. He uses them to elevate, distort, and even defy the conventions of rock music. And he does it not just through composition and instrumentation, but through production.

He's a master of soundfeel.

00:00 Intro
00:13 Part one: Wrongness
02:42 Part two: Texture
10:29 Part three: Rhythm (or the 'Drunken stumble')
13:03 Part four: Fighting homogeneity

[yanyansenmusic]

G'day everyone, my review of In Times New Roman... is live now on the channel. Please check it out, and thanks for watching 😁

[timkaine]

The fact that era vulgaris is considered one of their worst albums is insane to me, that was the first album I heard by them and it was when I fell in love with their signature sound

[vicfirth]

That drunken stumble comes from polka. Homme's first guitar teacher was a polka player and you can hear how Homme uses it all the time once you start looking for it.

[hillbillyhogdogger]

The true genius of Homme has never been fully appreciated.
He is so talented it hurts.
The off key in time rifts that he has made his own are so awesome.
I haven’t heard any other artist like him ever.
The guy is a rock god, for me he is the GOAT in his genre.
His voice and guitar skill are second to none.
From Kyuss to Queens, it’s been an amazing journey to be part of.
Great analogy of Homme’s style, all of how I look at his music but explained mush more linguistically.
Thanks.

[GiantCalGunner]

Fortress and FWF are great tunes. Just different than much of JH's catalog. I don't see why people hate on songs that deviate from the more famous/typical formula. My favorite bands branch out and evolve and experiment and play many styles. I applaud that desire to not just make the same album or song over and over again.

[totheinfinitepower]

Hey, man, Fair Weather Friends and Fortress are great songs!

[maradandrade]

That description of a (later) QotSA album being like a drunken night out going weird gave me chills, one of the best explanations of their "soundfeel" I've ever heard. 👌

[swarthygiant]

I think it’s also really important to highlight the tightness of both tone and rhythm when it’s there, it’s the juxtaposition that really makes homme songs shine.
When the whole song is a tight 4/4, the sudden drunken stumble hits way harder. When the whole song is loosey goosey and then the chorus comes in with a tight 4/4 it makes that mechanical “robot rock” hit way harder. Same goes sonically, when tight close drums burst out of a muddy hellscape of detuned guitars recorded on Nokias it makes the drums punch even harder

[groovetodaddy]

There are a few things worth mentioning here. Firstly Queens of The Stone Age recorded a number of tracks on the neve console at sound city studios, Rated R, Lullabies and Era Vulgaris. There is also a thought that the production style of Songs for the Deaf was to make it sound like you are listening to it on the radio perhaps through low quality speakers. I 'm no expert and none of this is to say you are wrong, love the content and their music

[lookbyouleap]

Fairweather friends rocks. It's such a cool song. I don't see or hear it on that. The other stuff I get and agree with. His playing is so unique. He's a killer guitar player. Fortress is an excellent song too. The mans just trying to give a little something for every flavor and taste and I think being varied and catering to different styles to serve the song is a great quality to have in your music. He keeps things changed up and that's why it never gets old

[lr]

First saw Josh in 1993 at the Warfield in SF in "Kyuss" and never stopped listening to his music.... It's exhilarating to follow his progression.

[thomask]

I just discovered your channel with this video. I am not being facetious, this is one of best breakdowns of a musical stylization that I’ve seen. Been a fan of QOTSA for so long yet I’ve never been able to put into words the magic that I feel their music is. Honestly, thank you so much for this breakdown. It made sense to me finally, why they are my favorite band of all time.

[SubparLoki]

He also plays with a subtractive technique, removing parts from a chord or taking bits out from a more complex structure. It’s really cool all tied together!

[FunkedUpKids]

Great insight, really enjoyed your breakdown. I agree, Homme’s style is a breath of fresh air in rock music, and you articulated it perfectly!

[Barryislarge]

Feel is such a lost part of music. You don't have to be a metronome king, or a theory god. As long as you understand dynamics and feel, you're 80% there imo, and it leads to some great stuff, especially in the postrock world

[GuitarbenderS]

Come on man, give Fairweather Friends another try, especially if it's the composition you're complaining about. I think that's one of the most slept on songs by QotSA/Homme in general. Each part flows perfectly into the next, and every moment of the song has the right amount of space for every instrument present to shine. It's really well arranged in that sense. It may not be THE best QotSA song, but it's a crazy solid rock tune that's far better than many other bands' attempts at that type of sound.

[darkstarrtech]

Drunken Stumble is a great description. Homme's lead part in the break down at the end of 'My God is the Sun' is a great example. The rhythm and micro-bends give it that cool 'drunken' character.

[theDeadliestPants]

Your description of the 'drunken stumble' in Queens sound is spot on and probably the best way I've heard someone sum up their music.

[danteburns]

Great video! you hit all the marks... Josh is so underappreciated by the mainstream but I don't think he'd have it any other way. He's created a catalog of art that will influence music forever. I need this album as an artist & music fan. cheers.

[willhargreaveshf]

Most well-rounded, insightful and least pretentious examination of Josh's playing I've seen on YouTube. Great video, mate.