QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE – Villains (2017 Matador double vinyl)
At my heart, I am a skeptic.
I was skeptical that Star Trek: Discovery would be any good, and that it wouldn’t piss all over the fans. (It was and it didn’t.) I like to share light doses of my skepticism with social media followers. One record I have been consistently skeptical about is the new Queens of the Stone Age, Villains. The first single, “The Way You Used to Do” did little for me. It sounded more like Eagles of Death Metal than my beloved Queens. Craig Fee over at 107.5 DaveRocks dubbed it “The Way You Used to Write Good Songs”.
Skepticism remained high, but vocal friends such as the trusted J at Resurrection Songs urged me to be open minded and give it a listen. Fast forward to September 2017. While browsing at my local Sunrise Records, one of the new Queens songs came on. I liked it.
“I’m going to ask her if this is the new Queens,” I said to myself, “and if it is, I’m going to buy it. On vinyl.”
It was and so that’s what I did. The song was called “Fortress”.
My fears were assuaged on first listen. “Mark Ronson’s a pop producer,” I thought. Ronson has probably never recorded anything as heavy as “Song for the Dead”, but the songs on Villains have their own heaviness. It comes from a deeper place. It’s not about the volume of the guitars and the speed of the drums, but the melding of parts in a simmering cauldron. Even “The Way You Used to Do” has grown on me. The stuttering guitars are layered brilliantly within that dance beat.
Villains‘ nine songs are a unique concoction, like Queens meets Faith No More meets David Bowie at the Apple store. You might miss Nick Oliveri or Mark Lanegan (who doesn’t?), but the current Queens are still lethal. Be lulled into the pulse and fuzzy landscapes of these new songs, and be slowly drawn to their unmistakable melodies. They have always been eclectic, and Villains is the latest in that tradition. With “Un-Reborn Again”, Josh Homme quotes from the Georgia Satellites “Keep Your Hands to Yourself”, on a song that sounds crafted from the leftovers of Van Halen’s “Sunday Afternoon in the Park”.
Why vinyl? For the gatefold vinyl and the graphic etched fourth side. Also for the rich sound and included mp3/Flac download.
If you are one of those who has a general “No Josh Homme” rule, this album will not convert you. If you merely skeptical like I was, then be fearless and delve right in.
4.5/5 stars
NO
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ll notice I accounted for your position in my review!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Noted and appreciated. I hope those afflicted will take advantage of my safe-haven from Homme, Grohl and their ilk.
LikeLiked by 1 person
In transformers the slogan is “No Sacrifice, no victory!” In HMO land, the slogan is “NO HOMME, NO GROHL!”
LikeLike
Your namesake “Heavy Metal Overload” means something after all :)
LikeLike
They have never done anything for me. I have tried to listen to this one, but still not clicking. I am not sure what it is I don’t like about them. Nice vinyl though!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Never? Have you ever heard Songs for the Deaf? Truly one of the greatest albums of the 2000s.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Honestly, I don’t remember if I have all the way through or not. I have liked a song or two On the radio. It not enough to buy the albums. I will give it a listen and see.
LikeLike
This will do it:
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great album. Really love it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too, I keep spinning it without getting tired at all. If anything, the melodies just all merge in my dreams!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Smashin’. Nice to see Homme & Co. have won you over. This is definitely looking like my album of the year… just so much there musically and sonically it’s incredible. I opted for the deluxe set with the alternative etching… it’s a lovely looking LP and Boneface’s artwork is top notch (again).
LikeLiked by 1 person
OOOH what is this alternate etching you speak of?
LikeLike
The one one mine is of some almost skeleton faced kinda dude with a nifty jacket.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I bet he stole the nifty jacket from Homme.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah Man..Mr J secured me a copy and I have spun it through a few times and its quite good. I have no qualms with these guys whatsoever….
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a very good record. I’m glad I bought the LP. I was just stuck on the highway listening to it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
HMO just puked in his mouth with your comment! hahaha
LikeLiked by 1 person
Never been much of a fan but I will give it a try.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Never? Are you one of those No Homme/No Grohl people? Are you familiar with Kyuss, where it all began?
LikeLike
I can get into the stoner rock vibe of Kyuss. Dave Grohl is fine. I like some of his stuff. QOTSA never did for me though. I don’t know why.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll plug one track for you. Just one:
LikeLiked by 1 person
That one was OK. I tried listening to the new album. I only made it about half way… *shruggs
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fair enough dude. This band has become very divisive. Uncle Meat says that Queens of the Stone Age are a three album band. I know what he means. There is a definite shift after the third album, when Nick was fired.
LikeLike
I’m so far behind on these people, I’d have to go back to the start and work up to this one. Interesting to read the two definite camps in the comments, too…
LikeLiked by 1 person
The start is the place to go, some say arguably their best album.
LikeLike
I think you gave me that one!
LikeLike