Them Crooked Vultures is the holiest of holy rock alliances, bringing together some of rock and roll’s most legendary figures over the five decades. Any time you have Dave Grohl (Nirvana/Foo Fighters), Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), and John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) in the same room together playing some good old fashioned rock music you know you’re in for something special. And the band’s sole album, their 2009 self-titled debut, is certainly special. Grohl’s blistering feels and unmistakable groove, Jones’ snakey basslines and elder statesmen approach, and Homme’s bizarre guitar lines mixed with his lucid-dream vocals all fit perfectly into the puzzle piece.
Homme in particular shines in this format. There isn’t a man in rock that gets better left-of-center alternative tones out of his guitar than Homme, and he’s one of my favorite guitarists for that reason. Go and listen to any QOTSA album or anything on Them Crooked Vultures and you’ll get the feeling like you’ve been transported into a world where blues rock just had a really bad acid trip. There’s something so dark and twisted and drugged out about Homme’s playing that makes it incredibly interesting to listen to.
Plus this album gave us the infamous “Fresh Pots” YouTube video, which alone makes it worth the price of admission. Big fan of this record and a supergroup who proved they were worthy of the name.
Standout Songs: “No One Loves Me and Neither Do I”, “Mind Eraser, No Chaser”, “New Fang”, “Elephants”, “Scumbag Blues”, “Gunman”
