Them Crooked Vultures
Them Crooked Vultures


3.5
great

Review

by Beauville88 USER (84 Reviews)
November 10th, 2009 | 386 replies


Release Date: 2009 | Tracklist

Review Summary: With equal parts of blues, funk and rock, Them Crooked Vultures creates an overall enjoyable effort that houses plenty of fun and charm.

Although I am not one to buy into the hype for so-called “supergroups”, I have to admit that I was intrigued when I heard the make-up of Them Crooked Vultures, consisting of Nirvana/Foo Fighters multi-instrumentalist Dave Grohl, Queens of the Stone Age front-man Josh Homme, and legendary ex-Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones. Given that Homme and Grohl’s previous effort together resulted in Queen of the Stone Age’s celebrated Songs For The Deaf, I figured that their chemistry would only be magnified when coupled with the tasteful, creative basslines of John Paul Jones. With their self-titled debut album, does the music of Them Crooked Vultures live up the band member’s reputations, or does the content of the album give way to all the hype surrounding it?

Largely, Them Crooked Vultures is a rock group, but they incorporate heavy flavours of blues and funk. "Scumbag Blues" is a strong standout, with a jagged verse backed by a strong drum beat. "Mind Eraser, No Chaser" is well-done rock effort that sounds reminiscent to something by Queens of the Stone Age, and "New Fang" bounces along with a catchy chorus and a bluesy-rock thump. "Elephants" is also a stand-out song, as the complex, rocking intro gives way to an offbeat, funky verse and an inspired, layered chorus. The hybrid of styles really sound inspired in these songs, and the result is the kind of high-quality stuff that you could expect these guys to make when grouped together.

I must admit, though, that not everything found on the band’s debut album is as enjoyable. The problem is that, while every song on the album starts with a ridiculously strong rhythm and groove, sometimes the band doesn’t give you any reason to stay interested: they'll take the riff they started with and, more likely than not, beat it into the ground until it becomes stubborn and repetitive. Both “Reptiles” and the opener “No One Loves Me & Neither Do I” start off great, but as the same plodding riff cycles over and over again, it’s hard to stay enthused. All of “Dead End Friends”, “Spinning in Daffodils” and “Bandoliers" have great grooves and some cool parts, but they're largely uninteresting when viewed as a whole. "Warsaw..." actually progresses within its lengthy time frame, but not into anything that's really worth sticking around for. For the most part, these songs sound a little too underdeveloped and a little uninspired when compared to the album’s strong suits.

Lastly, there are some other great songs on here that are slightly hindered by Josh Homme’s vocal performance. "Gunman" is an intensely funky offering, but the vocals don't really fit all that well. "Caligulove" also starts off with an infectious rhythm, backed by handclaps and keyboards, but the vocals again suck some of the energy out. Although he is a great singer, Jose Hommes's vocal style doesn’t really fit the funky style of these songs, as he doesn’t really embody the energy or enthusiasm that these songs set out to achieve and he just ends up hindering some of the enjoyment.

All in all, Them Crooked Vultures have crafted a fairly impressive debut album. Those who enjoy repetitive grooves and are in favour of Josh Homme’s vocal style will absolutely find more enjoyment from this album, but I can’t help but feel that some songs sound way more inspired than others. I’m neither overly disappointed nor overly impressed with this album, but in the end, Them Crooked Vultures have succeeded in making a unique, fun album that is very much worthy of the reputations that created it.



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user ratings (1320)
3.7
great
other reviews of this album
1 of
  • Simon K. STAFF (3)
    A dream come true with a bitter aftertaste....

    PearlDrummer20 (4)
    Them Crooked Vultures bring back a rock component that has been lost for a decade; lets ho...

    dragonaut (4)
    Them Crooked Vultures definitely deserved the future, and it's bright....

    hastapura (3.5)
    Josh Homme's musical tendrils branch yet again; Dave Grohl returns to the drum chair and J...

  • cubbzor (3.5)
    Jones, Homme, Grohl collaboration sets new standard in Hard Rock world...

    CrisStyles (3.5)
    A supergroup that actually lives up to the hype? It can't be......

    Macalano (4)
    "It rocks like f**k. What can I tell you?"...



Comments:Add a Comment 
Beauville88
November 10th 2009


245 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Stream: http://bit.ly/stream_tcv





Blindsided
November 10th 2009


1871 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Both “Reptiles” and the opener “No One Loves Me & Neither Do I” start of great,

*Start off*

Other than that great review. pos.

I just got this and will be checking it out due to the fact that even if it isn't great it still will crush Chickenfoot.

HenchmanOfSanta
November 10th 2009


1994 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Your descriptions actually remind me a lot of the Dead Weather, who were the other cool supergroup this year. I love the Foos, Nirvana, Zeppelin and Kyuss, so I will be checking this out.

Titan50
November 10th 2009


4588 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

buzzin

Nagrarok
November 10th 2009


8656 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

I'm not that all that impressed by this so far, but we'll see what a few more listens might do.

Romulus
November 10th 2009


9113 Comments


It seemed solid for me after one listen, probably 3 material. We'll see.

shade
November 10th 2009


1198 Comments


suck it chickenfoot

cvlts
November 10th 2009


9943 Comments


good review david, pos ;]]

Douchebag
November 10th 2009


3626 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

I swear, if Sputnik hate on this album i'm going to go insane...

Nagrarok
November 10th 2009


8656 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

It's a 3 for me now. Really Alligator, you seem to be a tad to quick on the 5 ratings. *cough* 21st Century Breakdown *cough*. Some of the longer songs tend to drag.

Douchebag
November 10th 2009


3626 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

haha I will defend Green Day til' the day I die! *enter braveheart theme music.



and yeah, I really haven't enjoyed something this much in a long, long time. so = 5.

Douchebag
November 10th 2009


3626 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Eh, and least i'm not scared to enjoy what I like.

Douglas
November 10th 2009


9303 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off

This is pretty boring.

RevengeSoldier
November 11th 2009


308 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

holy shit, im enjoying this a lot more than i thought i would



i thought i was gonna shit on this (like everyone else probably will haha)

shade
November 11th 2009


1198 Comments


The long songs drag. These guys know how to bludgeon a good riff to death. If these were all around 2-4 minutes long, It would be good.

StrizzMatik
November 11th 2009


4187 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

guys are all on crack, this album is how rock should sound imo

Slimjim367
November 11th 2009


512 Comments


pos'd

rubybliels
November 11th 2009


67 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

I pretty much agree with the review. Very solid all around, although sometimes the songs drag a little. Reptiles is an amazing song.

Douchebag
November 11th 2009


3626 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

"This is pretty boring. "



Are we listening to the same album?

qwe3
November 11th 2009


21836 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

this is a lot better than i thought it'd be. problem is some parts just draaag



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