Them Crooked Vultures’ Eponymous Debut CD by Andrea Crews
Super Groups are back! Monsters of Folk, Broken Bells, 7 Worlds Collide, and, of course, Them Crooked Vultures.
Good music is good music, regardless of its back story. Them Crooked Vultures caught my ear when I first heard “New Fang” on the radio. I learned later that the band members in this Super Group are John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin (of course!), Dave Grohl of Nirvana and Foo Fighters, and Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age, respectively.
I admit to not knowing much, if anything, about Queens of the Stone Age. Grohl may be more familiar, but putting Homme on vocals was ideal. I’m sure this disc would have had a totally different feel, and market, if Dave Grohl had the lead vocals. Hear what I mean on “Mind Eraser, No Chaser” as he sings backup. I may have to revisit the Queens of the Stone Age catalogue now.
From the first track, “No One Loves Me & Neither Do I”, to the last, John Paul Jones’ mark is all over these songs. If you like Led Zeppelin and Cream, you‘ll like Them Crooked Vultures. The Vultures have managed to turn a familiar sound into something fresh that gets rock fans excited.
I’ve not heard nor read anything negative regarding this CD. Actually, “Them Crooked Vultures” ranks high on several 2009 “Best Of” lists even though it had only been out about a month before the year ended. My favorite songs are: “No One Loves Me & Neither Do I”, “New Fang”, and “Caligulove”.
Them Crooked Vultures are reported to be the musical guests on Saturday Night Live on February 6th. Check them out if you can. My fingers are crossed that they’ll be on the Bonnaroo line-up when it’s announced next week!
What’s your opinion?
