Them Crooked Vultures

With Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters) back behind the drumkit, Josh Homme (Queens of the Stoneage) fronting and John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) joining on bass, there was much excitement for the results that have eventually become Them Crooked Vultures. Snippets dotted about youtube directed towards something truly amazing and, unfortunately, the album doesn't quite live up to the expectation.

It all kicks off nicely with 'Nobody Loves Me...', a mild, laid back little number that builds up to eventually erupt over two minutes in with probably the best riff of 2009. 'Mind Eraser, No Chaser' sees Grohl and Homme join forces on the chorus. The song wouldn't feel out of place on any Foos album. 'New Fang' rattles along quite nicely and displays the first major Zep influence. 'Dead End Friends' and 'Elephants' could have been lifted from any of the last two Queens albums. 'Elephants' starts off with a killer riff but ends up outstaying its welcome. 'Reptiles' and 'Scumbag Blues' get things back on track with some heavy Zep flavours, and a hint of what seems to be the Mission Impossible riff hidden within 'Scumbag...'. 'Bandoliers' comes off average compared to what's been on offer so far, slightly run-of-the-mill. As for the remainder of the album, bit of a let down. 'Interlude...' seems lost with no sense of direction. 'Warsaw...' sounds more like a jam session that goes on forever and 'Caligulove' should have been a b-side. 'Gunman' starts off promisingly and gets things jumping again, only to be let down by the (again) too long 'Spinning in Daffodils'.

To round things up, an album of two halves. The first half starts to build into something great only to run out of steam towards the end. It still wipes the floor with a lot of the rock albums released this year and any Queens fans needing that little fix of new material will be pleased at what's on offer here.

this album is just amazing, there is no other way really to put it, the monstrous team up of Foo Fighters lead man ( as well as nirvanas stick man) Dave Grohl, Queens Of The Stone Age's Josh Homme and Led Zeps John Paul Jones, produces a sound non existent in any of their previous bands ambiance,the riffs, the drums, and the bass all have their highlights, the album probably tilts more toward blues than rock, but overall a very rockin' album, to be enjoyed from track 1 to completion, grab it today and enjoy for life

...in his career as one of the most inventive musicians in the 'rock' world. As the 'only man who could get Dave Grohl back behind a drumkit' (Dave's words), Josh continues to amaze with everything he does. The only reason that I have given this 4 stars is that it will not be to everyone's tastes. If you have liked Queens of the Stone Age or Eagles of Death Metal, you will love this album. The riffs are monumental and you even get a little Bowie impression on Gunman. This is well worth a listen, although you might want to listen to some teasers if you are not familiar with Josh Homme's work.

It does!

I can't believe how good this album is!

Buy it buy it buy it!!!

This album is amazing, dont hesitate to buy it.
Them Crooked Vultures are epic, cant wait for the next album!!