Them Crooked Vultures

Another super-project Them Crooked Vultures

There is only one case when a newly born band is going to have sold-out concerts and is sure about the financial success of the debut album without even releasing a single. This happens when such an ensemble unites those who have already reached stardom as part of other musical projects. Such is the band called Them Crooked Vultures, formed by only three persons. But look at their names! Here, John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin), Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) and Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters) are working side by side here. Experienced music lovers are quite skeptic about such unions. Too often such all-star projects are much better on paper than on the stage or in the studio. Participants of such bands tend to promise something revolutionary, history-making and completely new, but, in the end, they produce something totally different. Nevertheless, the Them Crooked Vultures trio does not seem eager to conquer the world with their music. Although they worked faithfully and everybody demonstrated the best of what he can, there is no claim to be originality or innovations. Even the folder of their eponymous debut CD is executed in semi-humorous manner. Meanwhile, the idea seems good.

Rock-n-roll from the masters of the genre

As a matter of fact, the music of Them Crooked Vultures is very similar to what Queens of the Stone Age produce, which should not be surprising because the main creative force behind this project is Josh Homme. He plays guitar and sings here, executing what he mostly penned himself. Dave Grohl and Hohn Paul Jones simple do well what they are supposed to do, but they unanimously gave up the leading roles to Homme. However, the glorious part of these guys could not be completely concealed in this music. Here and there rock-n-roll absorbs elements of blues and this makes some tracks really close to the legacy of Led Zeppelin. For instance, you may try Scumbag Blues, or No One Loves Me & Neither Do I. Whichever song you pick, you will have to admit the outstanding drive guaranteed by unsurpassed rhythm-section and nicely performed riffs. Such songs as Gunman, or Bandoliers, do produce an impression that the music here is not a combination of several instrumental lines, but an integral sound layer. Rock-n-roll is, first of all, guitar-based music, noisily, loud and raw. If you take it as that, Elephants is true rock-n-roll. Despite the significant length of the record that lasts a bit more than sixty minutes, it is easy to listen to. The musicians were not intended to bother the listener’s mind with complex music passages or philosophical lyrics; and that is why the first listening should be soon followed by the second one.

We demand the continuation

You can find a drawback in any music album. Them Crooked Vultures, naturally, is not an exception. Some would say it does not offer anything new. Other would notice that Dave Grohl should have been more active in the creative process, but he was totally focused on the kit. The majority will, still, agree that the debut of this ensemble is quite an accomplishment. After you know what music byThem Crooked Vultures is like, you will expectedly ask yourself: what is the future of this project. What plans do the musicians have regarding this band? Is it possible that this union was established for a short while? Could it be that they simply want to sell many copies of this record, organize a massive tour to promote it, and then come back to other activities? The first studio album by this formation appears, if not extremely innovative, then very proficient. The musicians, apparently, should have realized that it was comfortable for them to work with each other. The up-coming gigs are likely to prove it. So, we have several reasons to believe Them Crooked Vultures is only the beginning.