Albums

Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures

Emma Murphy 20/12/2009

Rating: 4/5

Compromising Dave Grohl, Josh Homme and John Paul Jones we have here a super group with their self titled album of Them Crooked Vultures. Does Dave Grohl actually ever sleep? A top music C.V that includes his presence in Nirvana, Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stoneage, everything the man touches turns to gold and this latest project is by no means an exception. Instantly recognisable is the bass lines of former Led Zep man John Paul Jones, his gritty, bluesy playing really helps separate the album from what could have easily been another purely Queens of the Stone Age sounding album. Dave Grohl's drumming is really brought to the forefront too with songs like No one love me and neither do I, taking his lead from Keith Moon who once said 'if you want to play the drums loud then you have to hit them harder' and is most apparent on standout Elephants. Them Crooked Vultures essentially shows how underrated Josh Hommes is in his own right and Them Crooked Vultures really brings out the best in him, his gutsy vocals running through the entire thread of this long player. A member from Led Zeppelin, Queens of the Stoneage and The Foo Fighters have fused together a magic, quality sound, it's sometimes easier to sit here and write a shining review on behalf of an album, but I feel it's a very rare thing for a group of musicians of their stature to get together and every single member of this group can be equally as talented in their own right.

I read one guy's review that put down thus album as 'ordinary stuff' but then delving further into his reviews he also gave Susan Boyles album a full five stars so his opinion isn't worthy and he serves no purpose in offering up his pearls of wisdom on what clearly is a mastermind of an album. Lyrically the songs here are pure genius that can be both funny and abstract in places, TCV recent UK tour sold out in 12 minutes without the band officially releasing a single which speaks volume about the excitement surrounding the band. With songs such as the brilliant opener of Dead End Friends and the superb Gunman this is a refreshing album that has come out just at the right time in amongst the return to a commercialised 80s electro sound, timeless yet modern, this album could of easily have made an impact 30 years ago and I'll be reaching for it out of my collection for many years to come.