Queens of the Stone Age

Era Vulgaris

Written By: Jake Sprecher

Increase Font Size
Decrease Font Size

Editor's Review:

Era Vulgaris tallies as the fifth full-length release for Joshua Homme’s notorious Queens of the Stone Age. Contrary to the drastic lineup changes of Lullabies to Paralyze, the arrangement stays virtually the same, crediting Homme, Troy Van Leeuwen and Joey Castillo as chief players.

Era Vulgaris picks up where Lullabies left off. Produced by Homme and Chris Goss and mixed by touring bass player Alain Johannes, Vulgaris is crisp yet coarse, sleek but not overly glossy. Heads will turn immediately with the album’s first cut, “Turnin’ on the Screw,” a classic Queens track by all standards; it floats like meteoric debris through open space with undulating lead guitar licks and punishing drums conjuring memories of “Born to Hula.” After the subsequent labor of “Sick, Sick, Sick,” (which is one of the lesser efforts of the album and not surprisingly the first single), “I’m Designer” rings true, laden with heavy dance beat and dirty lyrics. This is essentially a song to have sex to, and I don’t mean lovemaking; I’m talking about low-down fucking. “Into the Hollow” could very well have belonged to R, while “Misfit Love” is easily forgettable and “Battery Acid” is a bit too rhythmically deliberate. Former Desert Sessions cut “Make It Wit Chu” is commendably reinvented for Vulgaris, and the ensuing “3’s & 7’s” brings back a bit of that dark pop Queens flair with a strong back beat and hooky chorus. “Suture Up Your Future” has a mid-tempo rumble and drift that screams for Mark Lanegan on lead vocals where he is unfortunately absent. “River in the Road” lilts down the lane with soothing harmonies and the rolling tom and snare work of Joey Castillo. And in the spirit of finishing strong, “Run, Pig, Run” is heavy enough to make you think that Nick Oliveri and Dave Grohl are still in the band.

Era Vulgaris does not attack with the same devastating tenacity of Queens’ past. But while the root of the groove is no longer one of acid and psilocybin, it still packs enough punch and undeniable sexual energy to satisfy even the most skeptical of fans.
Write Your Own Review

Bookmark: