Lullabies To Paralyze

Lullabies to Paralyze is Queens of the Stone Age’s fourth studio album, released March 22, 2005 on Interscope. It marked a lineup shift after Nick Oliveri’s exit and features Josh Homme with Mark Lanegan, Joey Castillo, and Troy Van Leeuwen, plus notable guests such as Billy Gibbons, Shirley Manson, and Brody Dalle. The record debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and is widely regarded as a darker, moodier successor to Songs for the Deaf. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lullabies_to_Paralyze?utm_source=openai))

Recording History

- Studio: Sound City Studios, Van Nuys, California; rehearsals/demos traced to Rancho de la Luna before final tracking. ([audiotechnology.net](https://www.audiotechnology.net/features/joe-barresi-king-of-the-rock-age?utm_source=openai))
- Dates & personnel: Recorded in 2004 (May–July 2004 per sources) with Josh Homme and Joe Barresi producing. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lullabies_to_Paralyze?utm_source=openai))
- Techniques/equipment: Nearly all tracking took place through Sound City’s Neve 8028 console, with Barresi using Helios/Telefunken outboard and Studer 24‑track tape; most parts later two-tracked into Pro Tools; mixing at Bay 7 Studios; mastering by Bernie Grundman. ([soundonsound.com](https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/recording-queens-stone-age?utm_source=openai))
- Notable contributions: Mark Lanegan’s vocals; Billy Gibbons, Shirley Manson, Brody Dalle among guests; the ZZ Top cover “Precious and Grace” appears on some editions with Gibbons. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lullabies_to_Paralyze?utm_source=openai))

Chart Performance & Recognition

- US: Debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200; first-week sales around 97,000 copies; total US sales ~342,000 by March 2007. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lullabies_to_Paralyze?utm_source=openai))
- UK: Peaked at No. 4 on the Albums Chart and was certified Gold (100,000+). ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lullabies_to_Paralyze?utm_source=openai))
- Singles/awards: “Little Sister” earned a Grammy nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance in 2006; other singles charted modestly. Metacritic score: 78/100 (generally favorable). ([grammy.com](https://www.grammy.com/artists/queens-stone-age/8455?utm_source=openai))
- Critical reception: Pitchfork highlighted the album’s strong tracks while noting its unevenness relative to Songs for the Deaf. ([pitchfork.com](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/6607-lullabies-to-paralyze/))

Cultural Impact & Legacy

- Influence & collaborations: The album’s guest roster and theatrical, proggy approach influenced later hard rock acts; its textures and dynamics remain a reference point for early-2000s QOTSA minimalism and grandeur. ([pitchfork.com](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/6607-lullabies-to-paralyze/))
- Notable covers/samples: ZZ Top’s “Precious and Grace” appears as a bonus track with Gibbons; “In My Head” gained placement in Need for Speed: Underground 2. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burn_the_Witch_%28Queens_of_the_Stone_Age_song%29?utm_source=openai))
- Status today: Seen as a pivotal, if divisive, chapter—admired for ambition and performances, while noted for its moody, sometimes fallible execution. ([metacritic.com](https://www.metacritic.com/music/lullabies-to-paralyze/queens-of-the-stone-age?utm_source=openai))
- Trivia: The enigmatic “The Fun Machine Took a Shit & Died” story behind-the-scenes adds to the album’s lore. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lullabies_to_Paralyze?utm_source=openai))