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Queens of the Stone Age - Era Vulgaris

A few short years ago, Queens of the Stone Age were the biggest band in the world. And for good reason. Their original and genuine Songs for the Deaf showed that just because your hugely popular and can make a lot of money, doesn't mean you have to sacrifice righting songs that can blow people away.

Somewhere along the way the wheels, while possibly not falling off yet, have become at least a little bit looser. The departure of Nick Olivieri didn't help., turning the anarchic conflict-driven smash hit song writing machine into a one man show in the form of Josh Homme.

Not that he's a no talent hack either. On Era Vulgaris the band still manage to pump out the foot tapping, head banging numbers with relative ease. It's just that they don't hold as much weight as the material from their golden era.

Sick, Sick, Sick is a bonafide masterpiece of the sludge rock genre. Run, Pig, Run is as close as you will get to a Songs for the Deaf number and Make It Wit Chu is a clear standout. However, the fact that this track has been recycled from The Desert Sessions is indicative of how Homme's writing thrives off the input of others, namely being Mark Lanegan in this case.

Overall the album is solid with patches of skipability. The comparison with their previous work is what nudges it down a few notches. Still most definately worth a listen for the fans of the band, as they could have done much worse.