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/

Kyuss - And The Circus Leaves Town

YOURZ

Oh, wait until Mine gets a load of this.  I think her head is gonna explode all over the windscreen hahahahahahaha... (not that her head exploding is a funny thing, mind you).  Anyway...

If it weren't for Kyuss, we might not have Queens Of The Stoneage, Mondo Generator, Eagles Of Death Metal, Fu Manchu and Them Crooked Vultures, to name of the biggies.  Hailing from Palm Desert in southern California, Kyuss made a name for themselves playing heavy, distorted and groove-laden songs, and featured future QOTSA members Josh Homme and Nick Oliveri.

Throughout their short-lived career, the band seemed to be in a constant state of change, before finally calling it quits shortly after releasing And The Circus Leaves Town.  Of all their albums, this is most certainly my personal favourite and the only one currently residing in our collection (mainly because Blues For The Red Sun and Welcome To Sky Valley both walked out of my house at some stage).  The rest, as they (whoever they are) say, is future history.

If you're a fan, you'll know all about this album.  If you're not but want to be, then this is as good a place to start as any (in fact, it probably is the best place to start, as far as I'm concerned).

VERDICT: TURN IT UP

MINE

What, another Led Zeppelin tribute album?  (YourZ sez: I beg to differ - this is stoner rock at its finest!  Led Zep were never as sludgy as this)  How do these bands get record deals, anyway?  Oh, that's right, the recording industry is full of never-grew-up testosterone. *sigh*

VERDICT:THROW IT OUT

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

Queens Of The Stone Age - Lullabies to Paralyse

MINE

The boy music just never lets up... but actually I've been reasonably impressed by QOTSA.  Perhaps because I just loved track one on their debut album, Rated R.  So if you've never heard Feel Good Hit of the Summer take a clicky walk and have a listen.

See what I mean? Two minutes 46 seconds of a rawk mantra that just rolls you along.  Ironically used by the LAPD in its anti-drunk driving campaign... but that's another Josh Homme story.  Which I'm sure YourZ has more than enough of for this post.

YourZ is a rabid Josh fan, and I can see why.  We both love the Eagles of Death Metal - and when the pointy stick finally lands on Them Crooked Vultures, stand back, the gushing from my beloved will knock you over.  QOTSA's not really my cup of tea, although it's still well put together with more real singing and a decent mix.  Does this mean I have to admit - his boy music is actually Man Music?  Oh, the ignominy...(YourZ sez: fuck yeah, I win!)

VERDICT: TURN IT DOWN

YOURZ

While the music press has been lauding Jack White's prodigious output over the last decade, I've been plumping for Josh Homme.  I mean, look at his track record - first Kyuss, (okay maybe not strictly in the last decade but...), the Desert Sessions, QOTSA, Eagles Of Death Metal, production for Arctic Monkeys and various others and, of course, Them Crooked Vultures.  What's Jack White done, huh?  (Okay, I know what he's done - I've admitted it on these very pages but give me some latitude, 'kay?)

Not only this, but he plays Matons (most of the time), which is also my axe of choice.  And he is married to Brody Dalle, one of the sexiest rock chicks to come out of Oz.  The man has is all going on.  But enough of this insipid gushing...

Lullabies... is the fourth full length release from QOTSA and the first released after bassist Nick Oliveri was fired for fucking up once too often.  When I first heard this album, I was kinda missing the crazy shit Nick usually brought to the table but after a few listens, I realised there was enough crazy on this album to satisfy even the most discerning of rock loonies (of which I am proud to say I'm one).

I must listen to this album (and all QOTSA's output) at least once every couple of weeks and there isn't a single track on it I don't want to hear again.  There is just so many flavours, though, it is hard to pick out which tracks are favourites 'cause it depends on my mood on the day.  But notable mentions have to be Tangled Up In Plaid, Little Sister (the cow bell fuckin' rocks) and the dirty blues that is You Got A Killer Scene There, Man... (which also features Shirley Manson from Garbage on backing vox).

All indications are there is gonna be another QOTSA album released this year.  Coupled with the rumours of a full-blown tour later as well, 2010 is shaping up to be a very rocking good year indeed.

VERDICT: TURN IT UP, put it on repeat and rock out

For more information: www.qotsa.com

In our collection we also have Queens Of The Stoneage (debut), Rated R, Songs For The Deaf and Era Vulgaris