Queens of the Stone Age
Era Vulgaris

THE REVIEW

Era Vulgaris, the fifth studio album by Queens Of The Stone Age, a band born years ago from the ashes of the defunct Kyuss, creators of stoner rock. "Era Vulgaris" will be available in stores on June 12, 2007, but thanks to the wonders of the internet, I was able to listen to it in advance.

Excluding the live album "Over The Years And Through The Woods", dear old Homme had left us with "Lullabies To Paralyze," a good album, very eclectic and changing in melodies, albeit less stoner than the rest of the discography. "Era Vulgaris" builds on the soundscapes dictated by the last studio album and broadens its horizons, returning to its roots while evolving in certain aspects. During the 11 tracks of the album (the Japanese and English editions will also include a track recorded with Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails and "Running Joke", absent in other versions), we will have the opportunity to listen to hard rock, stoner and traces of psychedelia. Excellent credentials, therefore.

The opening track is titled "Turning On The Screw". A slow piece, characterized by classic stoner riffs repeated to a pleasant exhaustion. A good intro that synthesizes the sounds of Era Vulgaris. Immediately after, we jump into the first extract of the album; "Sick, Sick, Sick". Sick riff, fast, very simple. But with an effectiveness that hasn't been felt in quite some time. As a single to attract the average listener, it is perfect. Short, clear, and concise, it vaguely reminds of the opener of "R". "I'm Designer" is another potential single. Dirty riffs mix with simple bass lines, as do the drum parts. The chorus is very catchy and gets into your head after a couple of listens at most. With "Into The Hollow", you begin to feel the psychedelia mentioned at the start. A great track that feels much like cleaned-up Kyuss. We then move on to "Misfit Love", one of the most stoner and most beautiful tracks on the album. Homme is more inspired than ever and creates one of the finest tracks of his career.

Listening to "Battery Acid", you'll be reminded of the band's first and electrifying debut. A relentless rhythm supported by precise riffs in sync with the drum's tempo. "Make It Wit Chu", however, is a true reprise of a track that appeared on "Desert Sessions 9 & 10". The new version has made it more beautiful and less raw than the hasty original recorded in a few days in the Joshua Tree desert. Characterized by a slow and paced rhythm, it will serve as an excellent pause before the final rush. "3's & 7's", already a candidate for future release, picks up the thread of the album and brings back fast rhythms, powerful but not invasive riffs, and sounds very close to the successful "Songs For The Deaf". Now begins the album's double psychedelic episode; "Suture Up Your Future" and "River In The Road". The former is characterized by a very rhythmic rise and fall, the latter has an intro that recalls the psychedelia of Kyuss and is perfect for synthesizing the QOTSA\Kyuss juxtaposition. The last track of the album (in the standard edition) is "Run Pig Run", an orgy of typically hard rock sounds. 

In short, QOTSA have returned with a great album. Homme confirms himself as the Midas King of rock, always extremely inspired and in form. I would say there's just a breath of air missing to place them there, in the rock Olympus alongside the greats.