Mind Equals Blown

In a musical generation that seems to be stuck in a “funk”, I think I can speak for everyone when I say that it’s time for a band to step out of the preconceived alternative genre and into the spotlight of change. Luckily, Them Crooked Vultures, a band as fresh as a new pair of panties, has taken the challenge upon themselves and does nothing short of pleasing their listeners. Made up of three monumental men of rock, there’s no doubt that this band is headed for success. Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters), Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), and John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) all on the same album? Yes, please, I’ll take two.

Grohl goes back to his roots and takes up the drums while still offering his strong vocals on this album. Homme takes lead vocals and guitar while legendary bassist Jones hits the keys and strums that soulful bass. The band began recording in July of this year and performed their first show in early August. With this much under their belt already, I see TCV able to pretty much conquer the world. Maybe.

Yanno those albums you drop $15 on only to find out that each of the tracks are only about 3 minutes long? Yeah, this isn’t one of those. (P.S. The album is only $9.99 on iTunes!) With 13 tracks altogether, a shortage of music is the least of your worries. If anything, your only worry should be finding another album that can keep up with TCV’s high energy and talent. Maybe I sound biased, but hey, this is a review, right?

If “Caligulove” isn’t the epitome of a sexy song, I don’t know what is. As Homme harps on about his lust for this resistant woman, I can’t imagine anyone turning down his religious allusions of desire. The last 15 seconds play down to a beautiful twenties-themed lobby feel, bringing a man full of lust back to the most lustful decade.

“Dead End Friends”, the shortest track on the album, is your typical “woe is me” song, but the surprising “doo-doo-doo’s” toward the end lighten the track’s heavy reliance on sad and lonely lyrics. One line that’s been on infinite repeat in my head: No more wandering—just me and my dead end friends again. Remind me to never play this song in front of my friends.

“Elephants” and “Reptiles” are two of my favorite tracks off the album. There’s something beautiful about a song that can incorporate both the drums and guitar in order to achieve the perfect melody. In both of these songs no instrument overshadows the other, which is probably an overall theme on this album that really pleased me.

No, I didn’t forget about Jones (how could I ever possibly do that!?). One song that Jones clearly stands out on is “Interlude with Ludes”. This beautiful mix of psychedelic sounds and Homme’s seductive voice make this song worth putting on repeat. If you’re in the mood for a “trippy” song, this is your best bet.

Overall, Them Crooked Vultures will definitely be a band that I’ll be looking out for in the future. This brash, dirty-retro rock band is nothing shy of a musical shock—but it’s one of those good shocks that gives you a cool tingly feeling you’ll always come back to. We all know those kind of shocks are good for you.

Author: Jack Appleby View Staff Page for Jack Appleby

That 6’5″ guy you curse about under your breath for standing in front of you at shows. Southern California resident (a fact my fellow MEBers tend to hate me for). Student at Hope International University, where I served two years as Editor-In-Chief of the Hope International Tribune. College basketball player (I’m losing cred by the word). Social networking connoisseur. Musically, I’m all across the board, but tend to hover around ____core and good catchy-rock. Always ready for seven hour Facebook debates on the music industry, your favorite band and anything else.

(3 votes, average: 6.66 out of 10)

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