Them Crooked Vultures review

Welcome with open arms a new friend of Hype – Dan Wright, the man with a truly black heart.
We’re a little late getting this review up, but keep your eyes out for for some more Rock critique from the man in the coming months.

Them Crooked Vultures Review

Introducing alternative stoner rock super group….
Soothing Sunday morning music? Hardly, move along!

The members of this band need very little introduction, we have Josh Homme (man of a thousand bands) on vocals and guitar, Dave Grohl (arguably the best drummer on the planet) on drums and John Paul Jones (legendary led Zeppelin stock) on bass. You may think to yourselves, ‘how can a band with this line up possibly be bad?’…well you would be right!! They are far removed from being bad!!

On my first, much anticipated, and slightly nervous listen, I found myself bobbing along with the majority of the album. Its times like this, you need a stereo that goes to 11, I was constantly cranking the volume to get the best out of my living room mosh. It’s one of those albums that grows on you quickly, with its new sound and seemingly drug inspired lyrics. A couple of the tracks are unrelenting, with a barrage of frantic energy, reminding me of a child who has ingested too many E numbers. The album is very diverse, with fantastic lyrics and dark undertones in places, so if you are looking for uplifting music…go to church! This is dirty Rock!
I would love to say I was surprised at the power and energy of the Vultures but I really wasn’t, it came as no surprise at all, exactly why they have earned super group status. The direction of the songs change throughout the album, one minute it is face melting thrash and then down a few notches so you can catch you breath, making the album feel incredibly fresh.

Grohl’s drumming is flawless, aggressive and right on the button, you instinctively have to drum along. Put together with the power chords and general abuse of the microphone from Homme and the deep gut pounding bass of Jones, a modern masterpiece is born. It is so hard to say who or what has influenced the direction of the band because looking at the band members roots; Dave Grohl (Nirvanna/Foo Fighters), Josh Homme (Kyuss,Queens of the Stone Age, Eagles of Death Metal), John Paul Jones (the mighty Led Zeppelin) All these flavours play some integral part in the overall sound of the album.

The album artwork is very interesting albeit reminiscent of a Steven King novel; we can thank Liam Lynch (producer, writer, director) for adding it to the mix.
The collaboration of this album was first discussed way back in the summer of 2005, it was always going to be a bold move but with some work it has paid off. It is good to see John Paul Jones back out on the circuit, doing what he does best – thrashing it out and laying down some ground thumping sounds! The album was recorded in California in the second half of 2009, and is self produced by the band. The songs have been written by all three legends giving them a unique twist – ‘Law biding, dick riding, fun police, leave us alone’ poetic and offensive! Top tracks to check out include, ‘Mind Eraser’, ‘No Chaser’, ‘Elephants’, ‘Scumbag Blues’ and ‘Reptiles’, all possessing the obligatory ‘Air guitar’ moments.

The album has a raw, fresh, fast and fierce sound that is guaranteed to raise some pulses. Get ready to have your ears raped (in a good way).
I would strongly recommend catching the Vultures live, these boys like to put on a good show! With this much live gig experience between them – well you can only imagine!

9 out of 10

Reviewed by Dan Wright