Review of ...Like Clockwork

During the tour of "Era Vulgaris", remember, we are already talking about how he could be the next album by Queens Of The Stone Age. The album just came out did not convince a lot (although it was absolutely disappointing, mind you), and as happens in these cases, the goal post was immediately pointed out to the future. A future that, at the time, in 2007, it seemed near and far at the same time (and I may be forgiven the pun). A future finally untied from the weight of an album like "Songs for the deaf." Why is the whole thing: that record ... it was too good to be replicated, and for many years he weighed a lot 'on the shoulders of Josh Homme. For goodness sake, a cross not bad to take with him, however, was that the risk of restarne crushed. Josh Homme, however, is one with broad shoulders. Time passes and for a long period of QOTSA do not hear about if not for the sporadic appearances of someone on some disc or side project of that other (Eagles of Death Metal, Them Crooked Vultures at all). 2010: "Rated R" back on the shelves in the deluxe version. Something is happening. 2011: Homme star admits to working on a new studio album. 2012: takes you to the recordings, and some rumors began to circulate. Type that Joey Castillo left the group, and in its place came back Dave Grohl. All hell broke loose. It also seems that the new disk will put their signature the tumultuous Nick Oliveri and Mark Lanegan, in practice the dream team of "Songs for the deaf" that comes together. The hype grows exponentially. The year 2013 opens with an exchange of courtesies between Homme and Grohl, the latter engaged in the production of the documentary "Sound city: real to reel" and as such need of soundtrack. It turns out that Trent Reznor is the game, but it is also home QOTSA, so as not to miss anything. End? But no: the list of guests is officially complete with Jake Shears (Scissor Sisters), Alain Johannes, Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys), James Lavelle, Jon Theodore (ex-Mars Volta, the new official drummer), Brody Dalle (The Distillers) , and, unbelievable, Sir Elton John. Ladies and Gentlemen: "... Like clockwork". The record of desires.




Now, how do you deal with such an album? The idea shows him Homme same. To calm, indeed, better, ferrying the right way towards the listener listening, Queens Of The Stone Age have used the tactics of warfare. No assault, no output sensational, rather many small advances spread along a discrete period of time. Half a song coming out on youtube, a live performance here, a small trailer there, then the release of the single, then the cover, then a talk show ... We put the pieces together and it turns out the disc again before it is released. We need to get an idea? We still have the idea first. We'll be disappointed once listened to the record? No, because we already know what we're up to. Is there a better way to promote and, above all, launch a drive like that? No. Not for me. Congratulations to Homme and all its employees.
The point is that this album by Queens Of The Stone Age in danger, again, is destined to be labeled as the new "Songs for the deaf", and not like the new album QOTSA. Given the circumstances and the list of accredited persons then ... Instead, what we've got is "only" the new record by QOTSA, an album basically good, mature, with points of real excellence (the songwriting Homme is a gift from God but not new), some episodes revisable and various goodies scattered. A solid work and no frills (ten pieces, forty minutes) from the persistent retro taste to say the old school.

"Keep your eyes peeled" is a good intro industrial flavor, a piece algid you do not expect, because the name next to the title in the credits is not to Trent Reznor but Jake Shears (Scissor Sisters). Alienating atmosphere for a bit more sour than sweet. Bello. Speech immediately turned from "I sat by the ocean", ballad-style QOTSA whole riff and chorus, the quintessential dell'Homme more breezy. A single. "The vampyre of time and memory" again changed its register: intro for piano and voice, then a synth and the piece takes off in a more staid, an interesting sad song traits unusual, but very touching: "Does anyone ever get this right? / I feel no love. " For "If I had a tail" just do a copy / paste of what was said for "I sat by the ocean" (and I refer to my comment on songwriting Homme) by integrating with the reporting of the presence (actually pretty lame) Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys), Nick Oliveri and Mark Lanegan. "My god is the sun" is the single, all caps. Paced, dry, lethal, almost (finally!) stoner: the QOTSA. We put it next to the relevant "Little Sister" and "Go with the flow". And so closes the side A.
Side B opens with Trent Reznor's hand to bless the anxiety-provoking "Kalopsia", a lullaby synthetic hyper slowed down which results in a good chorus square. "Fairweather friends" is the final parade of stars: Elton John (his piano), Trent Reznor, Nick Oliveri, Mark Lanegan, Alain Johannes and Brody Dalle all together under the same roof. Complex, hyper arranged, inevitably multi layer. A successful experiment more no than yes, as I see it. "Smooth sailing" then opened the final with a minimal rhythmic blues, all interpretation and falsetto, and a charming growing dissonant closing. A good piece for live shows, but not so good such as "I Appear missing" and the title track "... Like clockwork", the peaks of the disc, elected by acclamation. Chorus (and the atmosphere incredibly dense) of the former is sufficient to warrant any praise. suffused The beauty of the second mode better to close a disc. Absolutely. Again. Truly a masterpiece.

The soul of "... Like clockwork" is a poignant ballad, an amazing tribute to Neil Young. And that was that.

TRACKLIST

"Keep your eyes peeled"
"I sat by the ocean"
"The vampyre of time and memory"
"If I had a tail"
"My god is the sun"
"Kalopsia"
"Fairweather friends"
"Smooth sailing"
"I Appear missing"
"... Like clockwork"