Queens of the Stone Age

Songs for the Deaf

First released2002

Songs for the Deaf, the third studio album by Queens of the Stone Age, was recorded in 2002 at various locations including the band's own practice space and professional studios. The album was produced by Rick Rubin, known for his minimalist approach to production, alongside the band members themselves. Key engineer Nigel Godrich contributed to mixing portions of the album, bringing his experience from working with Radiohead. The production incorporated live recording techniques and captured the band's heavy, riff-driven sound with clarity while maintaining their signature desert rock aesthetic. The album marked a shift toward a more accessible yet heavier sonic direction for the band, released in 2002 during a period of creative confidence following their growing commercial success.