Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures

YOURZ

One part Led Zeppelin, one part Foo Fighters and one part Queens Of The Stoneage...  Fuck me, what is there not to like about this band?

This band is the epitome of a super-group: massive riffs, a huge rhythm section and the sort of kick-arse, take-no-prisoners attitude that would cause any pretty-boy bands calling themselves rock to crap their pants so hard, they'd shit their tongues.  (If you're eating while reading this, I apologise for causing you any discomfort).

I'm a big fan of Josh Homme and Dave Grohl and their various music projects.  But I have to say, my favourite member of TCV is, without a doubt, the amazing Mr John Paul Jones.  Not only does he rock harder and better than most guys at least half his age, he makes it seem so effortless.  Not only this, but he is amazingly well-preserved for a man in his 60s.  We can all only hope to be the same when we're his age.

I'm not going to go on about the tracks or the sound or any of the usual reviewer-y type stuff.  I was bitterly disappointed to miss out seeing them here earlier this year and won't let that happen again.  By all accounts, their live show was a flawless example of what a rock show should be.  And the rumours of their followup album are so rife in the blogosphere, it has to be true. 

So, it looks as thought I'm going to end this year as I did last year, eagarly awaiting the release of a Them Crooked Vultures album.  I can hardly wait!

VERDICT: TURN IT UP and check out Dave Grohl's Fresh Pots on YouTube - you'll laugh until you cry!

MINE

Sometimes I wonder if there's ever going to be an end to bands that wanna be Led Zeppelin.  And to give them their due, Them Crooked Vultures do it better than most.  Recruiting an original member helps with the Zep cred.

So here I am, wondering why I can really like it when Wolfmother does it, and I'm just a bit - meh - when it's TCV.  It's partially because this band produces what I call the "clever" part of that kind of rock. You know, with the swinging key/tempo changes, the heavy-on-the-syncopation riffs - it's all designed to show off just how interesting they can make the songs.

And really, while I'm a fan of layering and lush arrangements, when it comes to beats I like mine simple.

VERDICT: TURN IT DOWN

For more information: http://www.themcrookedvultures.com/

Foo Fighters - One By One

MINE

Oh, what to say about Dave Grohl - the Nicest Man In Rock.  He's just so terriffic - the sort of guy you want to invite over for a barbecue and to meet your mates.  And the band - the band that loves my favourite US reality show so much it got itself invited to be the centerpiece of an episode in season 5? (That show is Top Chef and I'm not linking to its website because the latest season hasn't even started here yet and I don't want to know anything about it, lalalalalalala not listening!)

How about the fact that Dave and the band were so moved by the trapped Beaconsfield miners' request to have their music sent down while they were waiting to be dug out in 2006 - he sent them a personal message, then met up with one of the guys at a concert later and put an instrumental track on an album for them.

But when I played One by One the one thing that I really wanted to tell you about the Foo Fighters was that we saw them touring this album!  In 2003, d'you remember Mike and Sandii?  That Big Day Out when YourZ and Mine(self) had just gotten married, and you guys had just moved to Sydney to start your own business, and we used to hang out at our place lots drinking and talking into the early hours.  It was only seven years ago but it's a lifetime away - well, two lifetimes if you count your two gorgeous daughters.  That was a great show, a real rock show.

Grohl for President.

VERDICT: TURN IT UP

YOURZ

I'll go one better than Mine - I vote for Dave to be Lord Overseer of the New Rock World (copyright pending so keep ya mitts off!)  He is not only a genuinely nice bloke, but he happens to have a work ethic that would put most of us to shame, having worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry (and I'm not talking about Nirvana, okay?)

Oh sure, that band helped Dave get his start, but it has been his attitude and his ability to write majorly kick arse rock songs that have seen his star rise and shine brighter than the ill-fated Nirvana ever did.  No use speculating either because nothing can change what has unfortunately passed. 

One By One sees Dave and gang continue working on their award-winning formula of anthemic modern rock, with a sound that has spawned thousands of imitators around the world, but none nearly as good or as successful as the magnificent Foo Fighters.  After having gone through a number of personal changes leading up and following the recording of predecessor, There Is Nothing Left To Lose, this album was also the first recorded with the now-stable lineup.

I am sure Grohl himself would be the first to admit the Foo Fighters aren't doing anything new (he has more or less done so in many interviews).  He's such a humble, down-to-earth bloke, it would be totally out of character for him to brag and say Foo Fighters are the best band in the world at what they do.   But I will.

VERDICT: TURN IT UP

For more information: http://www.foofighters.com/

Gyroscope - Breed Obsession

MINE

Oh, ERGH.  A poor man's Matchbox 20 or Nickelback.  Seriously bad lyrics and even worse song structure.  How this ever made it to Number One on the Aussie album charts... oh, right.  Not everybody feels the same way I do about Matchbox 20 or Nickelback.

I can't even summon up enough enthusiasm for a second paragraph.

VERDICT: THROW IT OUT (really, a long way away)

YOURZ

I thought I would like this album based on the fact I liked the first single, Snakeskin.  And I thought I'd do the right thing and support a local act.  I now believe the problem is I did too much thinking and not enough listening.

Having said this, I'm gonna have to disagree with Mine.  I think Gyroscope sound more like Foo Fighters wannabes than anything else.  Or maybe one of those awful emo bands so prevalent these days.  In fact, I think this description is probably more fitting as it sounds more like teen-marketed music than anything else. Why I spent dollars on this without listening to it first I'll never know.

VERDICT: THROW IT OUT

For more information: http://www.myspace.com/gyroscope