Post by Kanenite on Jun 13, 2007 16:18:09 GMT -1
Queens of the Stone Age
Era Vulgaris
Released: 11th June 2007, UK | 12th June 2007, US
Interscope Records
1. "Turnin' on the Screw"
2. "Sick, Sick, Sick"
3. "I'm Designer"
4. "Into the Hollow"
5. "Misfit Love"
6. "Battery Acid"
7. "Make It Wit Chu"
8. "3's & 7's"
9. "Suture Up Your Future"
10. "River in the Road"
11. "Run, Pig, Run"
12. "Running Joke" [Bonus]
13. "Era Vulgaris" [Bonus]
QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE return with their fifth studio album, ‘Era Vulgaris’. Frontman Josh Homme returns with his bandmates, drummer, Joey Castillo and the multi-talented guitarist/keyboardist Troy Van Leeuwen to produce one of the most anticipated albums of the year.
The Queens’ last album, ‘Lullabies to Paralyse’ was the initial impression to all hard rock fans to see if they could make an album that could stand up to Songs for the Deaf (2002). It did, while not setting a new standard, it definitely wasn’t a failure. Now, 5 years on from Songs for the Deaf, Queens of the Stone Age have evolved into to something completely different. The firing of bassist Nick Oliveri and absence of Dave Grohl is definitely noticeable, but Lullabies’ also had the two musicians absent.
Enough of the back story, and back to the present day. ERA VULGARIS is a definite change of direction, and whether for the better or worse is up to the listener. There is a less ‘smug’ sound to this record than the last few, it seems like a pinch of the charisma has been lost. When I say a pinch, I literally mean a pinch. The only words I can find to describe the new sound is “boogie-woogie”. There literally seems to be a direct influence from Eagles of Death Metal in some of the songs.
The first taste of the record was the download-only single ‘Sick, Sick, Sick’ released in early May. The song was a very good choice for a single, as it is one of the best songs from the album, and is a superb song. The preview video also marked the debut of Bulby, the album art’s star. Sick, Sick, Sick is classic Queens, in my opinion. With the heavy riffs, suggestive lyrics and pounding drums, you can’t go wrong. The song also has The Strokes’ lead singer, Julian Casablancas on vocals and synth-guitar.
‘Turnin’ on the Screw’ is a suitable opening, of which I first thought was awesome, then thought it could’ve been better, now I think it’s in between. 3’s & 7’s is a one of the other stand-out songs on the album. ‘River in the Road’, ‘Run, Pig, Run’ and ‘Battery Acid’, all good songs. The album isn’t hugely single-friendly, but none of the songs are absolutely horrible (no RHCP – Porcelain, then?).
Era Vulgaris is a huge step in the direction that Lullabies to Paralyse went in, further from Songs for the Deaf. Despite this, I’m still a fan of this album. I can see it growing on a lot of people.
Download
- Sick, Sick, Sick
- 3’s & 7’s
- Era Vulgaris
- I’m Designer
You heard it from Bulby, he and I give it a satisfying 8/10. A solid Queens of the Stone Age album, but not their best work. Buy ‘Songs for the Deaf’ before this.
