The rock band that falsely accused the entire world of theft
In short: When a mysterious track vanished from their 2005 album, Queens of the Stone Age claimed it was stolen. They even included a reward for its return in the liner notes. The reality? The tapes were just sitting at another studio.
Released on March 22, 2005, Lullabies to Paralyze served as a complex bridge between the band's previous work and their new direction. It was the first album following the firing of bassist Nick Oliveri and marked the final studio appearance for vocalist Mark Lanegan as an official member. The production was defined by internal turmoil; while rumors circulated that Lanegan had left, leader Josh Homme later revealed that Lanegan intentionally encouraged those stories to divert press attention away from the band's recording process.
The album's identity is tied to its lineage. Its title was derived from a line in "Mosquito Song," a hidden track on their predecessor, Songs for the Deaf. This connection reflects Homme’s creative philosophy of needing to "shake all that shit away" rather than simply creating a direct sequel. The record also saw significant personnel shifts, introducing drummer Joey Castillo and guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen to the lineup.
The project is notable for its physical variations and eccentricities. There are three distinct LP pressings, each with different covers or track orders. One of the most peculiar moments in rock history occurred with the final track, "The Fun Machine Took a Shit and Died." The band initially believed the tapes were lost or stolen, leading them to print a notice offering a reward for their return. Homme later admitted they weren't stolen; they were simply at another studio.
Despite some internal friction, the album was a commercial success, debuting at number five on the Billboard 200 and eventually selling over 342,000 copies in America by March 2007. It also became the band's first top-ten entry on that chart, peaking at number four in the UK.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Lullabies to Paralyze
- Also: Wikidata — Lullabies to Paralyze · CC0
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