Queens of the Stone Age

Not that Josh Homme is looking down his nose at anyone specific on Era Vulgaris. If anything, the gargantuan frontman for Queens of the Stone Age is just holding up a mirror to our culture. And like a mirror, his lyrics reflect what he sees -- a sick, sad, stupid, sleazy society in which bitterness is fashionable, selling out is a career goal and fake is the new reality.

If that's the downside of Homme's current reality, here's the up: Unlike our world, the singer-guitarist's songcraft and sound are becoming increasingly sophisticated. This fifth full-length from the California desert-rat stoner-rocker and his latest loose-knit band of Queens blatantly flirts with funkier grooves, trippier psychedelics and noisier textures -- without sacrificing the muscular aggression and laser-focused intensity that are his signature. It might not have an instant classic like R's Feel Good Hit of the Summer. But with 11 bump-and-grind rockers shoehorned into 47 lean, mean minutes, it packs more than enough heat -- and more than enough of Homme's disturbingly soulful falsetto vocals -- to make it the hit of your summer.

Which is to say: Even for Homme and QOTSA, it's uncommonly good.

Here's the dirt:

Turning on the Screw 5:20

The Gregorian choir and horror synths hint at human sacrifice. But the lockstep groove, polyrhythmic guitar funk and wah-wah freakout solo are the real killers on this cut -- which fittingly winds up, around and back on itself like a snake coiling its prey.

Sick, Sick, Sick 3:34

"Young, dumb, don't see a problem," the lyrics brag. Neither do we, thanks to the blistering blast of noise-punk discord and the pumping industrial beat that go with. Listen for Julian from The Strokes on backing vocals.

I'm Designer 4:04

Fuzzy stabbing guitars duel on either side of the mix. A nimble bass bounces up the middle. Josh sneers at a generation for sale -- then softens a bit for the woolly chorus and bridge.

In the Hollow 3:32

Plinky tones, sighing slide guitars and Homme's dreamy vocals swirl above a punchy midtempo gait and another strong bassline. Dedicated fans may recall this from Homme's 5:15ers project.

Misfit Love 5:39

The band sets an ominous mood with 90 seconds of thumpy tom-toms and nagging, scritchy guitars. When Homme's vocals arrive fashionably late -- and announce, "I'm so goddamn sick, baby, it's a sin" -- the party really gets started. Hope you brought protection.

Battery Acid 4:06

Like some ancient machine coming to life, this noisy behemoth lurches forward to the sound of a sawtooth guitar, a relentlessly hammering drum pattern and a clanging bell -- only to shift into a jangly Beatle-pop bridge.

Make it Wit Chu 4:50

Fire up the lava lamp and burn the incense, baby. Homme plays mack daddy on a seductive soul-pop groover decorated with bluesy guitar and piano. Another recycled cut, this has appeared on a Desert Sessions disc and last year's live set.

3's & 7's 3:34

The lyrics are about bluffing poker faces. But the choppy guitars, offbeat alt-rock and Beefhearty slide licks add up to a winning hand -- in an Urge Overkill-circa-Saturation kinda way.

Suture up Your Future 4:37

With its walking bassline, ringing electric piano and slashing guitar accents, this shadowy slow-burner is as close as the disc gets to a full-on power ballad.

River in the Road 3:19

Sometime Queen Mark Lanegan drops in to lend vocals to this clattery, spindly robo-rocker. The siren wailing deep in the background had us turning down the stereo and looking for the fire.

Run, Pig, Run 4:48

Grinding 16-note power chords. A bashing, primal beat. Massive reverb, noisy tones and proggy arpeggios. So aggressive it could almost be speed metal -- but for Homme's woozy moaning.

source : www.edmontonsun.com