Album Review: Queens of the Stone Age – ‘Era Vulgaris’

Music Reviews

By Ben Rhudy Jun 7, 2007, 18:36 GMT

Queens of the Stone Age, the California rock vets whose 2002 album ‘Songs for the Deaf’ topped the Billboard rock chart with over 900,000 copies sold, are back on the music scene with a new record. ‘Era Vulgaris,’ the group’s fourth album release on Interscope, will hit store shelves on June 12.

The album’s recording has been steeped in rumor regarding which band members would appear and which would be absent. Josh Homme, lead guitarist and vocalist, remained mum about the subject following the firing of former bassist Nick Oliveri in 2004. Despite the mystery surrounding the band’s future, Homme appeared in front of the press on Valentine’s Day ’07 to announce ‘Era Vulgaris’ as the group’s next major release.Many of the sounds contained within are reminiscent of ‘Lullabies to Paralyze,’ although the mid-heavy guitars present in that album have been toned down in favor of a more bass heavy presentation. The thematic strangeness continues on, however, with Hommes’ psychedelically twisted lyrics casting a dark shadow over the proceedings.The album’s opening track, “Turning on the Screw,” is a slow groove punctuated with steadily pounding drums and screechy guitars that almost call out for the listener to bang his/her head. Other notable songs include the quick and punchy “I’m Designer,” a dreamy production of Homme’s ‘Desert Sessions’ experience entitled “Make It Wit Chu” and the groovy “3’s & 7’s,” featuring the classic driving style that QOTS is known for.'Era Vulgaris' represents another attempt by Queens of the Stone Age to push away from the radio-friendlier sound that brought them success at the start of the decade. The album is grimy and moody without being sinister, totally encapsulating the band’s patent catchy guitar riffs and smooth vocal harmonies.Not once does the band falter or become unfocused in their sound, and while the release is certainly rougher around the edges than 2002’s ‘Songs for the Deaf,’ it’s still a tight, streamlined show.Fans of the Queens will eat up this powerful release and those new to the band’s crunchy, quirky sound would be well served to take a listen and perhaps even save it to their “Driving Music” playlist.‘Era Vulgaris’ is now available for pre-order at Amazon. Visit the music database for more information.

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HectorJun 7th, 2007 - 23:25:38

Great review. I haven't really given them a chance aside from the radio songs... I think I might check them out.

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KarJun 8th, 2007 - 14:48:29

The one that I keep repeating is 'Suture up your Future.' Wickedly subtle and evil enough for a Steely Dan song. I bet Nip/Tuck is already sketching in this song for future episodes.

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BenJun 8th, 2007 - 21:58:46

Thanks for reading!

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PhilthSep 26th, 2007 - 18:55:30

I'm right there with Kar. However, it's cycled with Into The Hollow and The Fun Machine Took A S**! & Died.

Usually for me, the whole record gets a spin in its entirety, however, these noted tracks see more laser-time than the others.

Great CD.

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Album Review: Queens of the Stone Age – ‘Era Vulgaris’

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