Queens of the Stone Age - Era Vulgaris
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Free Music Notes for Era Vulgaris
Free Music Review: Repeat Listens Required
Hit: 5 Stars
The angst expressed by several reviewers is an indication of the rabid following for this band. I see this as a good thing. Two days ago I would have had no review to write, because it would have simply parroted that angst.
But now I have listened to this album at least four times in different settings. First of all, it is not much of a departure from all the others in that at first listen it is uneven and maybe somewhat bewildering (even for fans who "get them"). Second, this is, individually, Homme's most impressive effort. He's the heartbeat of the band, and I'll simply refer to the controversy in this space over Lanegan's contribution (or lack of it) as evidence of Homme's growth on this album. I also assumed it was Lanegan on stellar tracks "Make It Wit Chu" and "River in the Road," and these tracks on first listen were the saving grace of the album for me. Homme is not merely mimicking Lanegan - those are his songs.
I love all of the other QOTSA albums, but upon repeat listens I must say this is the most consistent effort to date. Turns out Lullabies, which hinted at a mainstream breakthrough attempt, was a prelude to the ability to craft a solid album through and through. However, (again) on repeat listens, the grit is still there.
"Sick, Sick, Sick" is getting airplay, and so may "I'm Designer" and "Suture Up Your Future." But do yourself a favor and check out the real standout tracks: "Into the Hollow", "Make It Wit Chu", "3's & 7's", "River in the Road," and a true throwback, "Run, Pig, Run."
Free Music Review: Best Queens Disc (So Far)
Hit: 5 Stars
So the fans have spoken and proclaimed this album "no good." I think a lot of people need to go out and get their heads examined. I ignored this release for awhile because fellow Queens fans had scoffed at it. One friend of mine even called it, "complete garbage."
Well, one day I was out shopping for new CDs and curiousity got the better of me. I popped this CD in and took a listen. This is not the black sheep of the Queens of the Stone Age catalogue. This is an excellent album, maybe even their best.
Casual fans embraced Songs For the Deaf, but perhaps did not flock to the next disc due to the absense of Dave Grohl. Grohl is a great musician, but he isn't the man the made Deaf a great record. Josh Homme is, and always has been, the master mind behind everything Queens of the Stone Age has done. If anything, the aforementioned album is overrated and this one is underrated. SFtD is a good album featuring some of the band's best known tracks (especially "No One Know"), and does get off to a more immediately powerful start than this one, but there are also points where that album drags a bit. Not the case with this one. While there are still many highlights ("I'm Designer", "Make It Wit Chu", "3's & 7's"), the album runs very well as a whole and doesn't overstay it's welcome. Add to that the fact that good hard rock is pretty tough to find these days and this album has to be considered one of the few must buys of 2007. Don't hesitate. Pick this one up.
Free Music Review: That's Right, 5STARS!!!!! FIIIIIVE!!!!!
Hit: 5 Stars
After reading through half of the 40 reviews thus far submitted it is apparent that no one knows what the f^ck to expect from QOTSA's 5th goody, Era Vulgaris. I admit I didn't know, and I purposefully rejected every urge to listen to the songs from this album before its release: radio, online, or from any fello or fella. I was rewarded with a remarkable rendition by the FiffifTeeners, the Courageous Chris Goss and the Gigantic Josh Homme. It's like these guys don aluminum foil attire, better to receive the wavestream frequencies from our brains, trek to the highest point possible, and sift [...] the [...] most music is to find what listeners want not only now but for thousands of listens beyond. Crazy I know, but every song on this album is ripe with the perfect juicy texture.
It is obvious to me and will be to you too, if you appreciate a non-pigeonholeable masterpiece, this album's PRODUCTION is PRISTINE! The songs are apropos and tight. Yeees, your singles are here intact and full of the buzz you need to keep your head full of nice thoughts. For those who adore an album from start to finish THIS is it. Homme and crew get their hands sweaty on some funky equipment. This album is a testament to QOTSA's wisdom, diligence, and severe disdain towards the always present beast that is the diahhrea of badly envisioned and badly produced music. Hail to J-Ho!
Free Music Review: An album for the long haul
Hit: 5 Stars
If Lullabies to Paralyze had a fault, it was its heavy-handed attempt at sophistication. The album attempted to be something that Queens of the Stone Age are not, and that is elegant. Era Vulgaris, on the other hand, from its title down to its pounding bass, seeks no elegance, and instead proves to be a more sophisticated work as a result. What seems cobbled-together at first reveals itself to be a well balanced and well rounded piece of music.
I don't believe that Era Vulgaris is the best album to arrive in this year. I would deem both the Arcade Fire's Neon Bible and Nine Inch Nail's Year Zero to be "better" albums, in terms of their craft and innovation. But I enjoy Era Vulgaris more, if only because it manages to contain a wider diversity of noise. It manages to strike a delicate balance between variety and cohesiveness, and pack-in unthinkable numbers of moments that surprise, intrigue, and even amuse. Is Era Vulgaris going to win a Grammy? I doubt it. Will it be in my CD player a decade from now? I'm sure it will be.
Free Music Review: Ignore all the less than 4 star opinions
Hit: 5 Stars
I can't understand why all the negative vibes on this LP.
To me it's genius. And note, I don't have any of their previous gear; perhaps I am un-blinkered in this respect.
Yep, on the first listen it's like, what is this sound. But I have played it dozens of times. Just when I say OK, get to bed it's late, the next song kicks in and before I know it, I've spun the whole album.
A lot say Sick Sick Sick is the best cut; nah, it's probably the weakest however I can see why it might appeal to the 'masses'.
Era is not one to play at a party but more of a glass-of-port on your own listen.
Production wise it's way cool. Very dense, layered and quite the wall-of-sound. OK, it may have been pro-tooled heaps but whats wrong with that?
It needs a good stereo system to really appreciate the work gone in to it. Do yourself a favour and don't play it via the i-pod.
I'm going the extra step and buying this album on vinyl. After-all, in this age of 'hot' CDs, who knows what the mastering guys did with it. FIngers crossed the vinyl version has been mastered to suit.
Being in New Zealand's South Island, I doubt I will ever see these guys live but for those who are on their tour circuit, man I wish I was there.