Kings of the Rock Genre? (Era Vulgaris - Queens Of The Stone Age)

Member Name: rleigh

Product:	Era Vulgaris - Queens Of The Stone Age
Date:	02/11/07 (93 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Slick production, Cracking vocals

Disadvantages: Not the best album the band have ever released

Queens of the Stone Age got together as a band in 1997, and since then have undergone many line-up changes. Including 'Era Vulgaris', Queens of the Stone Age have now released five studio albums to date, and have released four of these through their current label Interscope Records whom they have been with since releasing 'Rated R' in June 2000. Josh Homme is the bands founding member, and is the only original member still present in the band. Typically, other band members only last for a couple of years in the band – however Nick Oliveri was with the band from 1998-2004. Oliveri was kicked out of the band in 2004 as Josh Homme believed that he had been physically abusive to his girlfriend. Oliveri was a massive part of the band, and when he was kicked out in 2004 I personally feared for the future of the band. After being kicked out of the band, Oliveri announced that his other band Mondo Generator would become his full-time project. Queens of the Stone Age kept going, and since the exit of Oliveri have now released two albums; 'Lullabies to Paralyze' in 2005 and of course this album 'Era Vulgaris' in 2007.

I always look forward to new Queens of the Stone Age albums with great anticipation. They never fail to impress, and 'Era Vulgaris' has been no exception to the rule. In the follow up to 2005's 'Lullabies to Paralyze', the band once again prove their worth and have pulled through with one of the best albums of the year here. Now on album number five, it is good to see that Josh Homme is still not short on ideas. Showing eerie flair throughout, ''Era Vulgaris' I feel shows the band in an extremely positive light proving them to be an ever progressing, always entertaining juggernaut of a band.

The album is 13 tracks strong, taking you on a dark journey via Homme's distinctive vocal styling, the eerie flow of the guitars, and the slick yet strangely unnerving production work. There are many standout tracks on display here, most notably the albums storming debut single '3's and 7's' – but this is far from being a one track strong album. Each track here is powerful in it's own individual way and all 13 songs here make for a great listening experience. 'Battery Acid' for one sticks in the memory for me with its buzz saw guitars, fast and frantic pace, and brilliant vocal work. This one would make a great single with its psychedelic aura and fantastic charm. 'Sick, Sick, Sick' is another champion track that springs to mind. Released as a download only single, 'Sick, Sick, Sick' has everything you could possibly ask for in a Queens of the Stone Age release and for me at least was a definite high point. 'Make It Wit Chu' on the other hand is so unlike the band it's perfect, it's just so refreshing to hear the band doing something different and definitely went down a treat with me.

Queens of the Stone Age will never be the biggest band in the world given the vain of their music, however they will always have a dedicated legion of fans, and as time goes by this can only get bigger. They don't seem to be able to put a foot wrong in anything that they do, and although many will (fairly) argue that the band were at their best some years ago now, there is no denying the fact that they are still releasing some great music even if it is not their finest work to date. I do believe that Nick Oliveri is sorely missed in the band as they were in my opinion making better music when he was still with them, however his exit from the band was highly understandable and the band should no doubt stand by that decision to have parted ways with him.


Label: Interscope
Release Date: 11th June 2007

Originally posted by me on my website Alt-UK.com
Source: http://www.alt-uk.com/modules.php?name=Reviews

Summary: A decent album from Queens of the Stone Age containing a number of strong tracks.