Them Crooked Vultures

November 18, 2009

Hype is rarely justified; and the hype surrounding vanity project, Them Crooked Vultures (TCV), was unlikely to ever be a convincing corroboration.  Nevertheless the judicious trio of Josh Homme, John Paul Jones and Dave Grohl carry with them a combined calibre that is, without doubt, likely to remain unmatched for what remains of this decade. If Grohl’s appearance on Queens Of The Stone Age’s Songs For The Deaf (2002) set pulses racing, then TCV should send the blood gushing from the heart out of all available orifices. TCV tend to deal in the instinctual – the animal.

The jaunty ‘New Fang’ as driven by Grohl’s varying drum patterns and Homme’s continued sliding dedication to ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons is  gleefully underpinned by Jones’ bold bass, and though it seems a simple enough song – one that could appear on QOTSA’s Era Vulgaris – it’s the bewildering changes in pace that demonstrate the group are not merely functioning as individuals obsessed with their own parts: TCV is a fair representation of equally matched musicians. Of course, Homme, as frontman naturally takes the lead, but even the most cursory of listens reveals each member throwing their guts at each song.

Mercifully moving on from the 1967 garage-rock production style that Homme has dwelled on for far too long, TCV is a natural sounding rock record containing more than a few occasional surprises. The horn arrangement at the end of ‘Mind Eraser, No Chaser’ (reminiscent of second QOTSA album, Rated R) adds a certain pomp to proceedings, whilst the intermittent clavinet panned to the left of ‘Scumbag Blues’ adds a quirky funk to an otherwise unchained, rifftastic behemoth. But, again, TCV attempt to avoid the predictable and ‘Bandoliers’ is struck with galloping two-part guitar harmonies and strings that echo Babe Ruth’s 1972 record, ‘The Mexican’.

Some tracks, however,  merely serve as ammunition for dense, dull, prog-rock warfare. ‘Warsaw Or The First Breath You Take After You Give Up’ wanders off into Hendrix-styled ‘Third Stone From The Sun’ territory complete with hypnotic bass riff, heavily echoed vocals and tapped triplets on Grohl’s ride cymbal. Though probably great fun to play – it makes for an incredibly leaden listen. Similarly, ‘Gunman’ sounds about as dangerous as Franz Ferdinand playing at a Thursday night disco in Woking.

Unfortunately, aside from ‘Caligulove’ these closing tracks represent the worst of TCV: self-indulgent, meandering, uninspiring and completely bereft of hooks. Considering the album starts so strongly, TCV could have delivered a classic, finely toned EP; but, as it is, it’s a little flabby with room for improvement. Considering the makeup of the band – that’s really saying something.

That said, it’s important to maintain perspective. After all, this is Josh Homme, John Paul Jones and Dave Grohl all in the same band. It’s not going to be complete tosh, is it?

(3.5/5)

Related posts:

1. Them Crooked Vultures – Paved Death (demo)
2. Eagles Of Death Metal – Heart On
3. Them Crooked Vultures – New Fang
4. Them Crooked Vultures – Studio Footage
5. Them Crooked Vultures – Full Album

Posted in Music Reviews